PSST: Feel the assurance of God’s protecting care
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“God the Preserver of Man”
for June 13, 2021
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 a “preserver”? According to dictionary.com to preserve is:
To keep safe from injury; protect and spare; to keep alive/long lasting;
Here are some synonyms from the Thesaurus for preserver:
Defender; guardian; friend in need; rescuer; liberator; protector
This lesson includes many wonderful ideas on all the actions God takes to sustain us.
The Golden Text is: “The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12)
How do you feel when you feel safe?
When we feel safe we feel calm, unafraid and free to be our confident, happy selves. This is a gift that God gives us. It comes from knowing our eternal relationship with our Father-Mother God.
The Lord shall cover him all day long — notice it’s not just part of the day or in the morning when you’re praying! The Lord is covering you ALL day long. It reminds me of another passage later in the Bible that says we shall lie down and sleep in safety. So, this loving, care and protection is present every moment of the day.
What does it mean to you to dwell between God’s shoulders?
What is it like to be that close to God?
P.S.S.T. for Responsive Reading
Explore Responsive Reading verses Psalms 18:
In Psalms 18:6 what are the actions that we are doing and what are the actions that God is doing? What does this show us about our relationship to God? We can call on God anytime — when we are feeling confused, afraid, needing comfort, support, etc. God is here to lovingly provide for us unconditionally.
Regarding Psalms 18:19, Bible Lens Research says:
In Psalms, God’s salvation is described as bringing His children into a broad or expansive space (see 31:8; 118:5). Another example occurs in Job: “Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness” (36:16). A commentary depicts this place as “a state of freedom, and plenty, and comfort.” Psalm 18 appears nearly word for word in Second Samuel 22.
P.S.S.T. for Section 1
Check out all the actions that God is taking in citation B1/Isaiah 40:9:
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
The Bible section goes on to say God comforts, keeps, shades, and protects.
How does knowing God as Father and Mother help Sunday School students?
Have they ever had a healing result because of knowing God as their Mother as well as their Father?
The author of the article “Mom with us” tells how he felt protected by God’s mothering Love when he was in a Vietnam combat zone. He tells how he craved to feel that Mothering Love of God and how it delivered and saved him. He also tells how we all express these qualities of Mother love regardless of our gender.
It’s an example of this passage from Mary Baker Eddy: “Always bear in mind that His presence, power, and peace meet all human needs and reflect all bliss” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 263)
P.S.S.T. for Section 2
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Tim 1:7/cit. B4
This is a great statement students can take with them to camp, on trips, and to overcome any challenge they may have. God gives us the dominion and strength we need to meet and overcome obstacles on our path.
“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19 See if your students can apply this statement this summer and live the dominion of God knowing that nothing can truly harm them.
P.S.S.T. for Section 3
How does looking to Biblical figures such as Paul help us?
What qualities do you think Paul and Silas expressed by staying in the prison even though an angel had released them?
How about when they were singing praises to God at midnight?
Do you think you would have expressed those same qualities?
What was the benefit of doing so in this instance? Would the jailer and his household have been converted if they had left when they had the opportunity to do so?
Bible Lens Research gives this historical background:
It was illegal to punish Roman citizens with this harsh treatment (also mentioned in Second Corinthians 11:23, 24)—especially without a trial. But Paul and Silas apparently did not divulge their Roman status until after their release (see Acts 16:37). The abuse and incarceration they endured, however, led to their remarkable divine deliverance.
What are some of our divine rights?
How do your students live and express their divine rights just as Paul and Silas did?
What does this Bible story tell us about the spiritual freedom that God gives to each of us?
P.S.S.T. for Section 4
We have another great example of the preserving power of God to Paul, and of Paul helping those who were trying to capture him. He didn’t miss a single opportunity to minister to others and share the good news of Jesus Christ.
What could the “long abstinence” in this passage be referring to?
“But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.” (Acts 27:23) Abstinence in this context is defined as “holding back or waiting to do something.” We know that at the end of this long abstinence, he heard an angel speaking to him assuring him of his safety and of the safety of those on the ship.
And then he took action to share this message with the others.
Why do you think the centurion wanted to save Paul? What other examples do we have of centurions who are receptive to Truth in the Bible? This illustrates the universality of the message of Christ that Paul tells us in this passage: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28 NLT) Are there ways that your students can share the message of Christ with unexpected seekers for Truth?
P.S.S.T. for Section 5
What have these 3 stories about Paul taught your students? Could anything deter his mission? He used every single adversity as an opportunity to glorify God. Even though he was stranded on an island with fellow prisoners, he used that opportunity to preach and heal! He was a willing witness to the power of God each moment and certainly demonstrated prayer in action.
What are some good takeaways that we can learn from Paul and his ministry and how can we bring those into our own experience? These experiences show us that we can pray and be a vessel for God wherever and whenever we are. He lived a life of prayer. He heard the message from God when he was on the ship and was able to share the message and comfort with others. Then he was able to provide inspiration and healing to those on the island.
Does prayer have to take a long time?
“Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual, — neither in nor of matter, — and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well.” (SH 14/cit. S21) This passage from Mary Baker Eddy shows that all we need is to have one moment of divine consciousness — a realization of the Truth of being — that awakens us to what is really true and breaks the mesmerism of the physical senses. This moment may come when we are studying the weekly Bible Lesson or it may come when we are on the sports field.
As Paul shows us, there is no limit to where and when God speaks to us.
P.S.S.T. for Section 6
When is the time to experience God’s goodness and blessing?
Is it future tense, past tense? Now! (cit. B17/II Cor. 6:1,2) & (cit. S26/39:18-22)
Jesus assures us not to be afraid – that it is God’s will to give us the kingdom!
So, we don’t have to be afraid as we work out our salvation – our understanding and demonstration of who we are as the image and likeness of God. (S24/442:25-28)
We can have the fearless confidence and courage that Paul had.
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (cit. B18/ II Cor 9:8 NLT)
Enjoy your classes!
