Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs)
for The Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson:
“Doctrine of Atonement”
for April 11-17, 2022
prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, C.S.
pegasus6524@gmail.com • 314-308-1059
P.S.S.T. Golden Text (GT)/Isaiah 58:12: “…thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.”
What is the message to each of us in the Golden Text? First, that each of us is called; second, that we are called for a specific purpose – for example, to heal a divide in our country or world, to heal the belief in separation; and third, to restore kindness, civility, a connection with one another and a connection to our common Creator. See Manual 17:8 for a statement from Mary Baker Eddy about a foundational reason why we are called.
“At a meeting of the Christian Scientist Association, April 12, 1879, on motion of Mrs. Eddy, it was voted, — To organize a church designed to commemorate the word and works of our Master, which should reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing.” (Manual of The Mother Church, p.17:8)
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading (RR)/John 17 & 12
The hour has come and is now to put into practice prayers for all mankind; to affirm our oneness with God, to glorify God in our lives and actions, to lift up all mankind in our moment-by-moment thinking. Ask students to write out a brief prayer declaring what they believe and the expected results.
P.S.S.T. Section 1 – Look to citation B1/Ephesians 4:4-8 and find how often the word “one” is used. (8 times)
Read how this “oneness” translates into togetherness rather than separation in B2/Romans 8:35,37.
Read together Hymn 135 from the Christian Science Hymnal (words printed here). Focus on no separation, no division.
Hymn 135
I know no life divided, O Lord of life, from Thee; In Thee is life provided For all mankind and me: I know no death, O Father, Because I live in Thee; Thy life it is that frees us From death eternally.
I fear no tribulation, Since, whatsoe’er it be, It makes no separation Between my Lord and me: Since Thou, my God and Father, Dost claim me as Thine own, I richly shall inherit All good, from Thee alone.
See citation S1/Science & Health 361:16 for the use of the word “one”.
P.S.S.T. Section 2 – What is it time for as stated in citation S5/SH 325:26? How does having a spiritual origin unite us with God? What was Nicodemus seeking to understand in citation B5/John 3? Acknowledgement and understanding that we are not born of the flesh but of the spirit. Citation S8/SH 476:21-22 admonishes us to learn about this oneness. It states: “Learn this, O mortal, and earnestly seek the spiritual status of man, which is outside of all material selfhood.”
Look to citation S9/SH 491:12 for a statement as to what we are to acknowledge. By doing so, what will we find? Do you want this indissoluble spiritual link? What does the word “indissoluble” mean?
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – Please read together Paul’s clear statement of oneness and no separation in citation B6/Romans 8:38,39. This is a great statement to keep before our thought. See also citation S12/SH 304:9-14 for another statement as to not being deprived of what is rightfully ours, such as the love of our Creator, joy, good, and of course, life eternal.
Ask students to think aloud about how using this statement can aid in how they think about the world and their fellow beings.
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – Even Jesus struggled on occasion to align his thought with what he knew at his core – that he and all mankind could never be separated from the love of God. One of his clearest thoughts was expressed in citation S18/SH 33:18 – “…our great Teacher said, ‘Not my will, but Thine, be done!’”
What is God’s will for you? And for others?
Citation S19/SH 52:19 says it is “the nothingness of material life and intelligence and the mighty actuality of all-inclusive God, good.” What does “all-inclusive God” mean?
Who is left out of “all-inclusive”?
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – What was the BIG truth that Pilate learned and stated in the story in citation B12/Luke 23:13-34? “…I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him.”
What a challenge to each of us to find no fault in our fellow beings. This would eliminate criticism, condemnation, blame, no hatred of truth and love.
Read together Hymn 195 from the Christian Science Hymnal (words printed here):
Hymn 195
Not what I am, O Lord, but what Thou art; That, that alone can be my soul’s true rest; Thy love, not mine, bids fear and doubt depart, And stills the tumult of my troubled breast.
Girt with the love of God, on every side, I breathe that love as heaven’s own healing air; I work and pray, and follow still my guide, And fear no foe, escaping every snare.
‘Tis what I know of Thee, my Lord and God, That fills my soul with peace, my lips with song; Thou art my health, my joy, my staff, my rod; I lean on Thee, in weakness I am strong.
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – What was the courage shown by Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus, Mary Magdalene, and the disciples in the bible portion of this section? Why was Jesus’ resurrection significant? What did it teach about no separation? Can man’s life ever be separated from good, from God?
P.S.S.T. Section 7 – Did God love the world? Does God still love the world and Her creation? How can we best thank and glorify our Creator?
Read together Hymns 163 and 217 from the Christian Science Hymnal (words printed here). Pay particular attention to the second verse in each hymn.
Hymn 163
Jesus, what precept is like thine: Forgive, as ye would be forgiven; If heeded, O what power divine Would then transform our earth to heaven.
So from our hearts must ever flow A love that will all wrong outweigh; Our lips must only blessings know, And wrath and sin shall die away.
For it is Mind’s most holy plan To bring the wanderer back by love; Then let us win our brother man, And glorify our God above.
Hymn 217
O, he whom Jesus loved has truly spoken, That holier worship, which God deigns to bless, Restores the lost, and heals the spirit broken, And feeds the widow and the fatherless.
Then, brother man, fold to thy heart thy brother, For where love dwells, the peace of God is there: To worship rightly is to love each other; Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.
Follow with reverent steps the great example Of him whose holy work was doing good; So shall the wide earth seem our Father’s temple, Each loving life a psalm of gratitude.
