Why is a group experience so important in Bible Study? The purpose of studying the Bible is not, primarily, to gain truth about God or to back up one’s theology or even Science and Health. It is to deepen one’s understanding of his or her relationship with God through the Christ. Jesus said: "you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (NRSV John 5:39,40) The Bible reveals a record of how God eternally works, through the office of the Christ, to reveal in regular people a greater capacity to honor God and witness to His power and purpose Bible study provides case illustrations of how – when understanding better the nature of God – we progressively embrace ever higher demonstrations of our humanity. This both demands and supports a greater practice of: honesty and authenticity over pretense and artificiality, service and humility over entitlement and pride, grace and forgiveness over judgment and condemnation

To support the availability of the faculty to the writing and implementation of a Bible curriculum, Higher Ground will not be putting on regional weekend conferences in 2008 (BSS will hold a special 30th anniversary Asilomar Bible Conference in 2008). This development will make 2007 the last opportunity to attend a Higher Ground Bible Conference for two years.

Conference presentations will be aimed at trying to support participants' openness to the call of God in their lives and the confidence that if God gives them a task the Divine will also empower and direct the way that call is to be fulfilled. As an example, for Bible study to go to the next level in the Christian Science community, more inspired, generously loving, led of the Spirit, individuals will need to emerge to convene gatherings of Biblical seekers. They need not have academic training or official appointment, but they will gather friends, neighbors, co-workers, as well as fellow church members to share in the divine adventure of "searching the Scriptures" and building relationships. The faculty have pledged their ongoing support to such individuals.

Many people attending a Higher Ground Bible Conference take away a vision, hope, and love that will support them in studying and sharing the Bible long after they return home.
• "The conference was a humbling, empowering, changing, comforting, beautiful time. I got to more fully express my present idea of self and grow from there – and I was still loved!"
• "The conference was about finding new vitality, richness, and paths of service in our life and practice through identifying and understanding the Bible characters. It's about seeing that we too are walking with God. It's about bringing Bible study to our own church communities to share, finding unity through our diversity, but most of all it's about writing God's word in our hearts."

So you are invited to join pioneers such as these at the eleven regional weekend conferences during the first four months of 2007. We are grateful to the local contacts and hosts who have helped locate the venues for these conferences – including several branch churches this year (one of whom is holding activities to raise a scholarship fund to help people attend the conference at their church). Preparing oneself to be of larger service and opening oneself to greater giving and loving are – according to Jesus (Matt 5:40-48) and Mrs. Eddy (S&H 9:5) – the only evidence of how we are growing spiritually. As you peruse the following pages, I hope that you find a conference to attend and that we will see you… at Higher Ground!