[PSST: Be blest by rising above scorn, taunting… Be alert to subtlety.]
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) by Merrill Boudreaux
for the Christian Science Bible Lesson: “Ancient and Modern Necromancy, alias Mesmerism and Hypnotism, Denounced”
for June 2, 2013
P.S.S.T. Golden Text – Ask students to apply the truth stated in the Golden Text to their hometown [or “homecamp”]. What makes their hometown strong? What does “impervious” mean? What is the purpose of a wall surrounding a city? Share an example you know of ancient cities that had walls surrounding them for protection, like Jerusalem that actually has several walls constructed as the city expanded.
P.S.S.T. – Responsive Reading – Walls of stone are one example of protection for a city. In the Responsive Reading what else is mentioned that can serve as protection: Armor, breastplate, gospel of truth, shield of faith, helmet of salvation. From what do these examples provide protection? The wiles of the devil. Be alert to not believe in a devil as real, but as a term for that which appears to be the opposite of God. See Science & Health 584:17. When you know what is true about you, your fellow citizens, and your city, you are delivered or free. If you have the light of truth in your thought, what then? You walk or lead where this light shines on your path. You prove or demonstrate what you have discovered or what has been revealed to you. Ask students, what truth(s) are you absolutely certain that you can depend on or have fellowship with?
Example: There is only one God. I am created in God’s image and likeness. I cannot be deceived into believing a lie about me, my fellow citizens, or my city. I am impervious, strong, protected.
P.S.S.T. – Section 1 – What ancient human approaches for salvation are listed in citation B-3? Are there modern day charmers, trends, status seeking, gang mentality, or hero worships that could turn one away from God, even for a brief time? What is it that you are required to know in citation B-4 that provides protection? How does this truth provide a wall of protection? What does “maximum” mean? What maximum do you have in citation S-2? Students may be familiar with ancient myths, but what are some modern myths? What is the one myth that seems to exist across all time?–The myth that man is material. When this myth is destroyed or disbelieved, what is the result? See citation S-4.
P.S.S.T. – Section 2 – Read the Bible story in citation B-7. For what did Nehemiah ask? Why? How did he carry out his plan? How did he evade his enemies? What tools did his enemies use?–Laughter, scorn, spite talk, taunting. You have the same truth that Nehemiah had, Christian Science, as your guiding light. Read aloud citations S-5, S-7, and S-8. What tools do you have to aid your work, your prayer, your actions? What can you do to serve your community? Mentally, in what you think, as well as physically, how you act in service.
P.S.S.T. – Section 3 – What individual contributions were made to the collective building of the wall? Be alert, everyone’s contributions are significant and important to the accomplishment of any given task. See citation S-10 as a statement of contributions to aid the health of humankind. What wall is mentioned in citation S-12 to aid in a strong defense? Read aloud citation S-15. What other tools or qualities are mentioned that give you the victory? Is this also true for your fellow citizens and for your city?
P.S.S.T. – Section 4 – When Nehemiah’s enemies knew they couldn’t get inside the wall to do him harm, what next tactic did they use? They tried to get him to come out to them. This tactic required one to leave one’s work, homework, family project, commitment made to others or to one’s self, to let down the defenses for what?–An opportunity to be considered like everyone else, one of the gang, in agreement with others. This is dangerous to take one off of one’s course. Be alert to subtlety. What are the subtle suggestions in society today that could cause an individual or city to be invaded and overcome?–Pride, envy, want, poverty, separation of the haves and have-nots, apathy, sluggishness-slow to act, racism, sexism-disguised as male dominance, anti-religion-I don’t need church, or worse, Church does not need me. Read aloud citation S-21.
P.S.S.T. – Section 5 – What does our Way-shower, Christ Jesus, do in citation B-11? Make a list of Jesus’ good works, both in this section and in what the students know. What are some practical proofs that you are a Christian? Memorize the statement, “Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”—S&H 494:10-11. How does Divine Love meet every human need? Through man, that is, through each of us bringing aid to each other, or in, as and through man? Read aloud citation S-26. Daily ask yourself, what is God asking or requiring me to do today? What stone am I taking to build the wall of protection for myself, my fellow citizens, my city today? Do I believe the news on television or what others say about my city, or am I building a strong defense?
P.S.S.T. – Section 6 – See definition of “Jerusalem” S&H 589:12, and “New Jerusalem” S&H 592:18. In which city do you wish to dwell? What name do you wish your city to bear? Citation B-15, “The Lord is there.”
What does this city contain? See citation S-28.
Is this a far-off dream or a present reality? Why?
You, your fellow citizens, and your city are blessed of the Lord.
