PSST: Think what it means to you & all to be created spiritually! (1)
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) for the Christian Science Bible Lesson:
“God the Only Cause and Creator”
for May 31-June 6, 2021
prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, C.S.
pegasus6524@gmail.com • 314-308-1059
P.S.S.T. Golden Text Psalms 24:1.
Who is included as created and “owned” by God? See also Genesis 1:1,31. By looking at the entirety of the first chapter of Genesis, one can see a more comprehensive statement of who and what God created and “owns”.
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading Ps. 33:1,3-6,8,9,11,20-22; Isa. 45:18,22.
Read together Isaiah 45:18 and 22. There is much about the nature and qualities of God found in the RR that relate to how we were created. Look for the following words: Rejoice, upright, skilfully, done in truth, full of the goodness of the Lord, He spake, He commanded, mercy, He created it not in vain, there is none else.
P.S.S.T. Section 1 – Continuing with the thought of God’s creative nature and qualities, see other key words in this section: clearly seen, clothed with honour and majesty, manifold, in wisdom, full of thy riches.
If we wish to consider human progress, it is important to think about and consider spiritual causation (Science & Health citation 4, 170:22). What does it mean to you individually, and humankind collectively, to be created spiritually? Can creation ever cease? Can creation ever disappear or cease to appear? (cit. S5, 507:24-19).
P.S.S.T. Section 2 – What are the thoughts that God thinks toward each of us? (cit. B5, Jeremiah 29:11).
Again, what are key words in this section about how God thinks about us – using pure eyes, thoughts of peace and not evil, providing every good gift and every perfect gift, evil shall not dwell with God-Good, we began rightly and will end rightly – that is, no end but continuing in God’s good grace and pleasure forever.
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – How did Nehemiah achieve the vision and desire as outlined in the scripture story in this section (cit. B11, Nehemiah 2)?
What can we learn about being hid with Christ in God when reading this story? How can we apply any of the qualities we saw in previous sections to Nehemiah’s experience and, by extension, to our own experiences?
Read together the direction in citation S16 (571:15).
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – Mary Baker Eddy states, “Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe” (cit. S17, 313:23-26).
What does it mean to be a scientific thinker?
What is the scientific method that can be used to aid in your consideration of all things spiritually and humanly?
- Hypothesis or question
- Supposed or proposed solution
- Experimentation
- Demonstration or proving the results by repeated application
- Documentation of the results to share with others
Now read together citations S20 (52:23) and S21 (417:10-16).
How do these statements coincide with the scientific method just stated?
Read together Hymn 543 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 543 & 221
O Jesus, our dear Master, Your works, now understood, Reveal their full effulgence Through love and brotherhood.
Today Christ’s precious Science Your healing power makes plain: With joy may all obey you And cast out sin and pain.
The Christ, eternal manhood, As God’s own Son beloved, A tender ever-presence Within each heart is proved.
O God, our Father-Mother, Your name we see expressed By man, who in Your Science Is perfect, holy, blessed.
O Science, God-sent message To tired humanity, You are Love’s revelation Of Truth that makes us free.
Your kingdom, God, within us Shows forth Love’s sweet control. God’s idea, man, rejoices; We know the reign of Soul.
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – What tools do you have available to be comforted and to provide comfort to others?
- The Scriptures
- Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures
- Christian Science periodicals
- Sunday School
- Christian Science hymns
- Testimonies of healing
- Daily Lesson Sermon
The promise by Jesus to provide a Comforter to be with us for all time has been fulfilled. See these words in citation S23 (55:15-16,22-29), “In the words of St. John: ‘He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.’ This Comforter I understand to be Divine Science.”
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – You as a Christian Scientist have agreed to understand and use the qualities God has given you as His best creation for the benefit of yourself and others. Consider therefore from this section:
- You are the light of the world
- Let your light shine, show your good works, glorify your creator
- Thank God
- Understand there is one God, one Creator, no parting, no pain, deathless and eternal
- Find all in God, good
Read together Hymn 153 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 153
In Thee, my God and Saviour, Forevermore the same, My spirit hath rejoicing, For holy is Thy name.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, Sing all in glad accord! Praise Him who lifts the lowly, For faithful is His word.
I magnify and bless Thee, For faithful is Thy word.
Thou who alone art mighty Hast done to me great things, Remembrance of Thy mercy Sure help to Israel brings.
Thy power, O Lord, will I extol, Who hast redeemed my soul; I praise Thee, Lord, with gladness, For Thou hast made me whole.
I magnify and bless Thee, For Thou hast made me whole.
