[P.S.S.T.: Know your spiritual freedom and never be in bondage again! (6th s.)]
Possible Sunday School Topics by Merrill Boudreaux, CS, for the
Christian Science Bible Lesson: “Unreality” – September 29-October 5, 2014
P.S.S.T. Golden Text – What song shall we sing unto the Lord with the assurance that whatever binds you – those chains will be broken? Ask students to share their favorite hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal. Then share how the hymn aids in breaking the chains in thought that would in any way bind.
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading – What assurances are given in the Responsive Reading that the time is now for restoration, renewal, and revival? Where does the restoration occur? In a particular place or location? Or, does it occur wherever we are? If so, that makes us a part of the restoration.
P.S.S.T. Section 1 – Examine this section to answer the question: Where may liberty be found? Define liberty as the freedom that escapes whatever may want to enslave or bind man, whether sin, sickness, or death. Is liberty limited to a time or place? (S4) Ask students to list 3 areas from which mankind desires to be free. What can one individual do about such a heavy chain? See Eddy’s statement about what metaphysics can do, will do, in Science & Health 269:11-20.
P.S.S.T. Section 2 – How was God’s power shown in the Bible story in this section? [Check out present day application ideas in Monday’s “Daily Lift”] On what did Elisha focus – discord, powerlessness, fear, inability? Or, did he focus his prayer on the truth that brought liberty – harmony, understanding, discernment of spiritual good, reality? What can we learn from Elisha’s prayer? (S6) Ask students to memorize from S&H in citation S6, “Evil is not supreme; good is not helpless….”
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – Which is accurate and should be real to us, reality or unreality? Even the word unreality includes reality as part of it. Unreality is a misstatement of reality. Reality comes first and because it comes first it takes precedence over the misstatement. To what are you looking to inform your freedom? The testimony of the physical senses? (S11) Or the understanding of divine Science? (S12) Is this wishful thinking or are these the laws of the universe that are available to us today? (S16)
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – What are you obeying? Do you challenge thought when false suggestions bombard you with chain in hand to bind you? Regardless of where your thought was yesterday or even a moment ago – you are not condemned, for the Christ is with you and you are free (B12). Is slavery of any kind legitimate? Is sin of any kind legitimate? Is sickness of any kind legitimate? Is death of any kind legitimate? Why not? By whose authority would any of these come? By whose authority does freedom, liberty, come? Which authority is real and which is false, masquerading as real? (S19)
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – Read together the Bible story in citation B14. How could this be? Was it a miracle or was Jesus tapping into the laws of the universe? Ask students to state some of the laws Jesus might have used.
- God creates and controls every idea.
- God knows only harmony, so discord is not.
- Fear has no place or power in the great knowing.
- Mankind is receptive to divine Truth.
- Mankind desires freedom.
- Time or distance has nothing to do with what is here and now.
- So-called forces of nature are emblematic of the forces of Mind, which are more powerful.
- Man and all ideas can never be less than good and are subject to the laws of God only.
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – Once you know your freedom you can never be in bondage. Sing together Hymn 136:
I love Thy way of freedom, Lord,
To serve Thee is my choice,
In Thy clear light of Truth I rise
And, listening for Thy voice,
I hear Thy promise old and new,
That bids all fear to cease:
My presence still shall go with thee
And I will give thee peace.
Though storm or discord cross my path
Thy power is still my stay,
Though human will and woe would check
My upward-soaring way;
All unafraid I wait, the while
Thy angels bring release,
For still Thy presence is with me,
And Thou dost give me peace.
I climb, with joy, the heights of Mind,
To soar o’er time and space;
I yet shall know as I am known
And see Thee face to face.
Till time and space and fear are naught
My quest shall never cease,
Thy presence ever goes with me
And Thou dost give me peace.
