5 PYCLs: 1) RECORD SHIFTED CONSCIOUSNESS AS AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK! 2) THINK OF ALL THE WAYS WE CAN “PRAISE” GOD. 3) DON’T ACCEPT the “SOUR GRAPES” of HEREDITY.
4) IS HEALING A MIRACLE? 5) WHAT GIFTS CAN WE GIVE FOR CHRISTMAS?
Possible Younger Class Lesson ideas for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Is the Universe, including Man, Evolved by Atomic Force?”
for December 19, 2021
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, of House Springs, MO
kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com • 314-406-0041
PYCL #1: SHIFT CONSCIOUSNESS TO WHAT IS TRUE & RECORD IT AS AN ILLUSTRATED BOOK!
How was the universe made? Is the universe a bunch of matter? What is “atomic force”? Compare some of the things that come up in discussing these questions with the Responsive Reading which includes Gen.1:1,3,16,26,27,31 (to 1st.).
Notice together that there is light first, and then there is a sun and moon!
This sets the tone for thinking about creation in a different way than as materially conceived. An atom is one of the smallest forms of matter— it is like the building blocks of matter. So isn’t it interesting to think of how God’s creation, His spiritual universe would be made of consciousness and include Life, beauty, intelligence, joy, and Love, among other things!
What we see around us is just our best concept of the vast, whole, gorgeous universe of Spirit. I like thinking in terms of improving our consciousness or “awakeness” to Spirit’s creation that is surrounding us. Share some ways that you are becoming awake or conscious of this creation. You may be able to read a few of the verses included in this week’s lesson that are so poetic and full of imagery. You can ask if they are meant in a literal way, or are they meant to convey the beauty and grace of Spirit’s power and creation. Some of these verses include: citation B12/Ps. 104:1,2,5,13 and cit. B23/Ps. 93:1)
I think it’s okay to think about the way that distant stars point to the infinitude of Spirit or Soul–the unlimited nature of Love, and even the brilliance of divine light that can carry millions or more miles to earth and can still be seen! This hints at Love’s infinite reach and presence!
What else can we see around us that hints at Life’s/Truth’s/Love’s/Mind’s presence?
Make a list of things. For example, a big rock could stand for changeless, divine Principle whose laws can be relied upon for healing and who gives us a solid foundation to build on. A tree might represent the balance of Soul whose “roots” balance all the grace above ground with strength, dependability, and tenacity. Make a book together of all the things we see that represent a spiritual counterfact. Each page could have one object and the children could draw a picture of that object on the facing page!
PYCL #2: THINK OF ALL THE WAYS WE CAN “PRAISE” GOD.
There is a ton of “praising” of God going on in this week’s lesson.
How are we supposed to “praise” God?
Do we just yell out great things about God? Nope.
We have to first recognize God’s goodness in a specific way, then be grateful for it. Then, when we are truly grateful we put action to that gratitude, expressing more joy, persistence, kindness, etc. These actions are our praise. We can also praise God by playing music, having fun in a sport or athletic endeavor, doing a good job on our schoolwork…all of these things, when we acknowledge the why of what we are doing, afford us opportunity to praise God.
PYCL #3: DON’T ACCEPT THE “SOUR GRAPES” OF HEREDITY.
Our fifth section this week delves into heredity. While younger children aren’t usually much aware of this subject, they might readily accept that they have the same kind of hair or eye color as a parent, or that they are equally “bad at math” as their mom or dad, etc.
Look together at citation B19 from Ez. 18:2,3. What are they saying here about the fathers eating sour grapes and the children’s teeth getting set on edge. Bring in a few slices of lemon for them to try. Can they feel how it makes them pucker up in their mouth? This is what they are talking about! You can give a simple and quick explanation of this being a metaphor for human inheritance.
If we understand that God made man, created the entire spiritual universe, then we can only “inherit” from the Divine! What we see as physical or mental traits are only our misconception of creation. This understanding of the divine “family tree” if you will, not only can free us from undesirable habits or traits, but also help us start to see that our parents don’t even come “before” us, rather, we are a constantly unfolding creation!
Only endless Life and Love to be conscious of. Of course, you should read the story included in this section about Jesus healing the man who was born blind. (cit. B20/John 9:1-7)
Talk together about how the disciples were trying to figure out whose “fault” it was that he was blind…a version of heredity.
PYCL #4: IS HEALING A MIRACLE?
First you may have to define miracle to the students. What’s the difference between seeing healing as a miracle versus seeing it as a natural expression of God’s wholeness and goodness? If it’s a miracle it is outside of the laws of God. That means that it is an exception to the order of things, something that we cannot count on. In both Section 3 and 4 we have examples of what most people consider miraculous happenings.
Read from citations B10/Ex. 1,3,5,6 and B17/John 6:3, 16-21. Give some examples of things that are not “miraculous” just to help set up this discussion. For example, it is not miraculous that trees grow leaves in the spring, but is the natural scientific process of growth and seasons.
In the same way, Jesus especially, showed us that God’s creation is healthy, whole, sinless. That is our natural, spiritual state. Depending on the age of the children you can get into this subject pretty deeply.
Consider the numerous healings and happenings in the Bible that go against what we call law. In this lesson we have Jesus walking on water, and Moses getting water from a rock, but there are many, many more examples.
Can the children think of some examples?
How do they show us what the laws of God really are?
How do they apply to our own lives?
PYCL #5: WHAT GIFTS CAN WE GIVE FOR CHRISTMAS?
There are dozens of approaches to this.
You could bring in some ornaments to put qualities on with a permanent marker.
You could make wreaths from paper plates and talk about the infinitude of Love and Life.
You could make paper chains of colored paper and talk about how each of us is linked together in one divine Being.
Each of us unique and beautiful and connected to each other and to God/Love.
Again, you could write qualities on each link as well. You could see if they each have a healing that you can write down on a Christmas card that you bring that they can then share as a gift for their mom and dad.
You can work together on the Christmas story and see if they can prepare it to tell on Christmas eve to their families.
These are just a few ideas, have fun, I’m sure you will find perfect ones for your class!
Have a great week in Sunday School!
