[Warren’s apologies: Yesterday while doing construction supervision at CedarS, I automatically (by default) also emailed our Met/GEM subscribers this week’s Possible Sunday School Teaching ideas (below). (I am knowing this too is a blessing because “All things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28) Thanks for your patience with me/us as we grow into our new site’s unique features.]
PSST: God sustains and cares for His creation
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Adam and Fallen Man”
for May 8, 2021
by Lindsey Biggs, C.S of Maryland Heights, MO
541 460 3515 biggs.lindsey@gmail.com
P.S.S.T. for Golden Text
Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Psalms 78:19
What does this question mean to you? What are some Biblical examples of God providing a “table” in the wilderness? Can you think of some prophets and others in the Bible who experienced God’s provision when there were seemingly no resources around? How can we be fed and supplied by God each day?
P.S.S.T. for Responsive Reading
The Responsive Reading includes a reminder of how God cared for the children of Israel providing them with food and water in the desert. Bible Lens Research from the Christian Science Sentinel states: “In these verses, Moses urges his people not to forget God’s care for them in the desert. Over the ensuing decades and centuries, recounting of this divine deliverance became a traditional reminder of God’s continuous love.”
How does remembering times when God has led you, cared for you, and healed you help reassure you of God’s presence? How can giving testimonies of God’s care and protection be an example of this powerful assurance?
According to the Bible Lens Research, Psalms 34:7, 8 is attributed to David. It states: “Even without a permanent place of refuge, David acknowledges God’s goodness.”
How can we acknowledge God’s goodness as we make summer and/or fall plans — even if we don’t see the full picture? How does giving gratitude in advance help us?
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
P.S.S.T. for Section 1 – Celebrate that we are made in the image and likeness of God!
What a great gift to be made in the image and likeness of God! All that God is, we reflect! Have your students write a list of qualities they appreciate in their friends. Then share how these qualities exemplify their friends’ real identity as the image and likeness of God. Maybe they want to make a list of qualities they wish they expressed more of; let them know they have instant access to all of these qualities, too, since they reflect God! If you need more qualities that go with each of the synonyms, you can use this poster.
A Teen Connect author writes about what it means to be spiritual in this article: Who cares if I’m spiritual? She shares the spiritual power and freedom that comes from knowing who we are as a child of God.
P.S.S.T. for Section 2 – Stand porter and kick error out!
We don’t have to feel bad when error comes knocking at our door — it can’t tell us anything about us. We get to “stand porter at the door of thought” (SH, p. 392) just like Jesus did. If he could stand up to error, we can, too. What was error trying to suggest to Jesus — what were the specific temptations that were coming to him? Weren’t each of these suggestions trying to say he could live without God in some way?
“Since Jesus must have been tempted in all points, he, the immaculate, met and conquered sin in every form.” (S8, SH p. 564)
Do your students ever think they don’t know enough to heal? This passage assures us that it is the simplicity of the Christ that heals. One spiritual idea has enough to heal. It doesn’t have to be complicated. One angel thought, a hymn, the Scientific Statement of Being, etc. When we pray and feel our oneness with God, our thought moves and healing happens.
“I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (B7, II Corinthians 11:3) Our prayers don’t have to be long and complicated. They weren’t for Jesus. He knew the Truth that he spoke and that knowing was the power.
P.S.S.T. for Section 3 — Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth
3 great beatitudes are in this section. Do your students know how many beatitudes there are and where they can be found in the Bible? How do they differ from the Ten Commandments? What makes them unique? Consider exploring the Sermon on the Mount together and the practical wisdom it offers. Discuss why you think Mrs. Eddy says it is “the essence of this Science” (S15/ SH p. 271)
The Amplified Bible has a neat translation of the Beatitudes such as:
“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
“Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. – Matthew 5:5-6,9
P.S.S.T. for Section 4 — Seek God first and all these things will be added unto you
This section contains an awesome passage from the Sermon on the Mount! (B14, Matthew 6:25-33) It’s all about “seeking God first” and not worrying about our material needs. What does it mean to seek God first? Isn’t it wonderful that we are called to keep our focus on God and not get stuck thinking about what we need or want. What a truly graceful way to go forward! Jesus assures that our Father-Mother God already knows what we need (Matthew 6:33) and gladly provides it for us, just as a loving parent would do. He even tells us to just focus on the present — what practical advice! — and not get overwhelmingly concerned about the future (Matthew 6:34). See if your students can make this practical as they wrap up their school years and embark on summer adventures.
P.S.S.T. for Section 5 – Feel the satisfaction of God’s love for you
What does it mean to your students to stay away from loving the world and the things that are therein? (B 16/ I John 2:15)
The New Living Translation gives us some insights:
“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (I John 2:16)
The world sure holds a lot of things in front of our eyes! But just as Jesus told the serpent to get behind him when it tried to offer him all the grandeur and glory of a material kingdom, we, too, can recognize that materialism offers no lasting satisfaction.
How does this relate to being fed spiritually by God? When you are fed you feel full, right? You are satisfied! There’s no room for anything else. By feeding ourselves spiritually, we, too, can feel satisfied and fulfilled by God’s everlasting love.
P.S.S.T. for Section 6 – Feed yourself daily with the Word of God
What are some ways we can be fed spiritually? What are the resources we have available to us? We are fortunate to have an abundance of resources to feed us and sustain us each day!
Reading the Bible, the weekly Bible Lessons, reading Science and Health, JSH Online, Testimonies/Church, praying daily, giving gratitude, singing hymns, acts of service, etc.
How are your students fed spiritually? Which resources resonate with them? Why is it important to feel God’s presence and care each day? How does this help us?
Enjoy your classes!
