PSST: Embrace the renewal of Easter!
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?”
APRIL 3–9, 2023
by Lindsey Biggs, C.S of Maryland Heights, MO
540 460 3515 biggs.lindsey@gmail.com
P.S.S.T. for Golden Text
What is the significance of Easter?
How do your students celebrate Easter?
P.S.S.T. for Responsive Reading
Explore the definition of resurrection in the Glossary of Science and Health.
“RESURRECTION. Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding.” (Science and Health, p. 593:9)
How can students enjoy the newness of life that Christ brings?
Are there new endeavors, a fresh mindset, or “new” spiritual qualities they would like to express?
How about new ways to bring out their spiritual selfhood more?
How can they take part in the resurrection?
What is the correlation between Easter and Spring?
This time of year, many are doing gardening or spring cleaning.
What are some ways we can weed out or clear out the old mental clutter and make room for the new?
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Cor 5:17
P.S.S.T. for Section 1 — Live the dominion that Christ Jesus exemplified
This section talks all about who we are as the sons and daughters of God. It’s wonderful to be the offspring of Spirit. Jesus showed us what is possible to us through our relationship to God. We need him to be our Way-Shower. To show us who God is, and the good that belongs to us through our relationship with God.
Jesus presented Christ (citation S2, p. 473:8–15). But the Christ dwells in each of us. It is the spirituality that animates us. It is what enables us to hear and respond to the Word of God. So the Christ has never left us.
“God is everywhere, and nothing apart from Him is present or has power.” (citation S2, p. 473:8–15)
This is a strong statement of Truth. How can your students apply this to healing – physical, mental, emotional?
Jesus showed us our rights as sons and daughters of God. He lived this point:
“For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” (citation B1, Psalm 8:5, 6)
What does it mean to have all things under our feet?
How can we put the spirit of dominion into practice in more areas in our lives?
P.S.S.T. for Section 2 – Jesus seeks to save not condemn
What does sin mean to your students?
Perhaps consider explaining the origin of the word sin meaning to “miss the mark” from an archery term. What are some ways that we can hit the mark and what are some ways that we miss the mark?
It’s good to note that the only way to find true happiness is through hitting the mark – hitting the target. Mary Baker Eddy makes clear that there is no real pleasure in sin or wrongdoing. However, we can note that if we have been trapped in sin, there is always a way out! Jesus didn’t condemn or criticize others. He wiped them clean of sinning by loving them and showing them their true identity as sons and daughters of God. This new view of themselves must have been so satisfying – seeing themselves as God sees them – that they had no desire for wrong doing any longer.
“…mortals need only turn from sin and lose sight of mortal selfhood to find Christ, the real man and his relation to God, and to recognize the divine sonship.” (citation S11, 316:3–7)
This parable in Luke 15 (cit. B8, v. 1-6) shows Jesus’ view of justice/correction as restorative rather than retributive or condemning. What is the difference between the two? Perhaps look up definitions in the 1828 Websters Dictionary.
Consider exploring these two different versions of justice displayed in the New Testament by Jesus versus the Pharisees. Which Bible stories in the Gospels explore these two forms of justice (i.e. the woman taken in adultery, etc.)? Which one encourages healing for everyone involved?
Which type of justice would your students rather give and receive?
P.S.S.T. for Section 3 – Persistence wins the prize
Mary Baker Eddy gives us 3 great steps for healing here:
Abandon material beliefs
Lift thought above error
Contend persistently for Truth (cit. S15, 400)
The woman seeking healing for her daughter was certainly persistent in her requests to Jesus (cit. B12, Matthew 15). She didn’t take no for an answer! She was rewarded for her persistence.
The Bible commends another parable about persistence, too. In Luke 11:5-13, we learn about a man who needed more bread for a guest. He asks his friend to loan him some bread – even though it is midnight and the friend is already in bed. The friend doesn’t want to give him bread, but eventually agrees because of the man’s persistence. “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” (Luke 11:8)
This parable is then followed by Jesus statement:
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Luke 11:9)
What are some activities that have required persistence for your students? What are some examples of when their persistence has paid off?
P.S.S.T. for Section 4 – Take up the cross
“Our Master taught his students to deny self, sense, and take up the cross.”
(No and Yes, Mary Baker Eddy, p. 2:10–11)
The term “take up the cross” is used several times in Mary Baker Eddy’s writings.
What does this refer to in relation to the crucifixion?
What does it mean symbolically for us?
What are some ways your students can take up the cross?
Mary Baker Eddy defines “take up the cross” in a couple of ways in Science and Health:
Follow Christ in your daily life (SH p. 178)
Heal, cast out evils, preach Christ/Truth to the receptive thought (SH p. 34)
Go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love (SH p. 15)
Is this a type of cross-bearing that your students think they can do?
P.S.S.T. for Section 5 – An angel appeared to Mary
How would you have felt if you were Mary and heard the good news from the angel? Why do you think some of the disciples believed her and some didn’t?
In this account in Matthew it is an angel that appears to Mary to let her know the Savior has risen.
What are the other times when angels appeared in the ministry of Jesus?
What are some similarities between this angel message and the angels that visited various people announcing the birth of Jesus?
Consider comparing the resurrection accounts in Mark, Luke, and John and see how they are similar and how they differ from this account.
“All four Gospels record visitors to Jesus’ tomb. The number and identities of the women differ (though all accounts name Mary Magdalene)—and only Luke and John mention a visit by Peter (see also Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–18)…Of the resurrection texts, Matthew alone reports earthquakes—one at the Savior’s passing (see 27:51) and this one, at his resurrection. All but John describe one or more angelic presences at the tomb.” (Bible Lens Research, Christian Science Sentinel)
P.S.S.T. for Section 6 – Feed my lambs
Why do your students think that Jesus asked this question three times of Peter? There are a few different reasons given by scholars.
According to the original Greek version these 3 questions use two different terms for love: agape and phileo. Agape means the unconditional divine love of God. Phileo means brotherly love. In the first two questions, Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agape) him. Peter responds by saying he loves (phileo) him. In the final question, Jesus asks Peter if he loves (phileo) him and Peter responds that he does love (phileo) him.
Is Jesus asking Peter if he loves him unconditionally and Peter is responding to say he loves him like a brother? What do your students think? What could be the meaning of the use of these two different terms for love?
What does Jesus mean by “feed my lambs”?
What are some ways that your students can express this in their Christian discipleship?
Enjoy your classes!
