PSST: LISTEN. Act (on our list of how to be happy). Relax. (TRUST that) God’s got all needs covered!
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson:
“Man”
for August 30 – September 5, 2021
prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, C.S.
pegasus6524@gmail.com • 314-308-1059
P.S.S.T. Golden Text (GT) Psalm 82:6: “…all of you are children of the most High.”
What does the word “all” in the Golden Text mean? Who is included in “all”? What does the word, “children” in the GT mean? Who is included in the word “children”? What are qualities of children?
Read together Hymn 523 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 523 (& 174)
Like as a mother, God comforts all Her children;
Comfort is calm, that bids all tumult cease;
Comfort is hope and courage for endeavor,
Comfort is love, whose home abides in peace.
Love is true solace in giving joy for sorrow, –
O, in that light, all earthly loss is gain;
Joy must endure, Love’s giving is forever;
Life is of God, whose radiance cannot wane.
O holy presence, that stills all our demanding,
O love of God, that needs but to be known!
Heaven is at hand, when Your pure touch persuades us,
Comfort of God, that seeks and finds Her own.
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading (RR): Matthew 18:1-5,10-14:
Read together Matthew 18:14 from the Responsive Reading: “…it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”
What comfort can you find in that statement, especially in the midst of a pandemic and terrorist attacks? Are you safe? Is safety exclusive to you or does it include “all”?
Read together Hymn 350 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 350
Through the love of God our Saviour All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favor; All must be well;
Precious is the Love that healed us, Perfect is the grace that sealed us,
Strong the hand stretched forth to shield us; All, all is well.
Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation, All must be well;
Happy still, in God confiding, Fruitful, when in Christ abiding,
Holy, through the Spirit’s guiding; All, all is well.
We expect a bright tomorrow, All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, All must be well;
While His truth we are applying, And upon His love relying,
God is every need supplying, All, all is well.
P.S.S.T. Section 1 – [AS REFLECTION YOU HAVE NO FAULTS, NO GREED, NO ANGER…]
What is an “heir” as mentioned in citation B4/Romans 8:17?
See the definitive answer in citation B5/Matthew 5:48: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
What do you suppose that word “perfect” means? Perhaps, no faults, no greed, no anger, no desire to take from another, no judging one’s worth from a material standpoint. Why? Because as a perfect idea, you have all that is rightfully yours, and so does everyone else have what is rightfully theirs. You can never lose what is rightfully yours.
P.S.S.T. Section 2 – “WHAT IS THY BIRTHRIGHT… Child of the perfect One…“ (Hymn 382)
Read together the story of Joseph in citation B9/Genesis 39.
How does this story demonstrate Joseph as a child of God and a perfect one as well, even in the midst of adversity? Read citation S10/Science & Health 405:5-11,18 for a glimpse of the answer.
What does the word “incontrovertible” mean in citation S11/SH 200:16? Perhaps, unchanging, forever the same although bombarded by lies, yelled at by material or erroneous statements, stalwart… Why? Because “…man is the image, reflection, of God, he is neither inverted nor subverted, but upright and Godlike.”
Read together Hymn 382 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 382
What is thy birthright, man, Child of the perfect One;
What is thy Father’s plan For His beloved son?
Thou art Truth’s honest child, Of pure and sinless heart;
Thou treadest undefiled In Christly paths apart.
Vain dreams shall disappear As Truth dawns on the sight;
The phantoms of thy fear Shall flee before the light.
Take then the sacred rod; Thou art not error’s thrall;
Thou hast the gift of God-Dominion over all.
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – [LISTEN. Act. Relax. (TRUST that) GOD’S GOT THIS!]
What was the key quality expressed by the child Samuel in the story in citation B12/I Samuel 3? Listening. What did Samuel hear?
What was Samuel’s response?
Read together Science & Health 323:32/cit. S28:
“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Blessed are you, o pure of heart, for you shall see God, hear God, know God, trust God.
Read together Hymn 359 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 359
Trust the Eternal when the shadows gather,
When joys of daylight seem so like a dream;
God the unchanging pities like a father;
Trust on and wait, the daystar yet shall gleam.
Trust the Eternal, for the clouds that vanish
No more can move the mountains from their base
Than sin’s illusive wreaths of mist can banish
Light from His throne or loving from His face.
Trust the Eternal, and repent in meekness
Of that heart’s pride which frowns and will not yield,
Then to thy child-heart shall come strength in weakness,
And thine immortal life shall be revealed.
What does trusting God do for you? How does trusting God guide you? How does listening for God and to God protect you? How do your answers apply to “all”, not just to you? Whatever you claim for yourself must also be true and claimed for all God’s children.
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – [As a BLESSED (SUPREMELY Happy) CHILD ACCEPT there’s NOTHING you can’t do]
Have you noticed that each section of this lesson begins with a beatitude? What is the first word in each of the Beatitudes? Blessed. What does that word mean? How have you been and are you being blessed of the Lord? As a student, Science & Health 195:19-25 may be of interest to you. Read it in citation S20.
How do you wish to grow? In knowledge, in strength, in creativity, in honor, in purity? Please remember you already possess these abilities/qualities/characteristics. What is required is that you demonstrate that you have them, that you accept as a little child that you have them, and there is nothing you cannot do.
Read together Hymn 148 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 148
In heavenly Love abiding, No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding, For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me, And can I be dismayed?
Wherever He may guide me, No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh, And I will walk with Him.
Green pastures are before me, Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, My path in life is free;
My Father has my treasure, And He will walk with me.
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – [BE TAUGHT at JESUS’ FEET. He hasn’t left us LIST-less. (Beatitudes)]
How did Jesus embrace little children in citation B18/Matthew 19:13-15?
See what Mary Baker Eddy says about that relationship of Jesus to children in citation S22/SH 236:28. How can you sit at Jesus’ feet and be taught by him? See the question and answer in SH 495:25-8.
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE ALL YOU NEED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS & needs of others
If you ever question your abilities to hear, to follow, to be blessed by the word of God, then refer to SH 410:13. You have right now all that is adequate to meet your needs and for you to meet the needs of others.
P.S.S.T. Section 7 – YOUR CALL TO ACTION
Now let’s review all the Beatitudes together by reading Matthew 5:1-12,48. This is your call to action. Answer rightly.
Read Isaiah 6:8: “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
Also, citation B25/Isa.11:6 says, “…and a little child shall lead them.” You are that little child.
Read together Hymn 498 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here). Pay particular attention to the 2nd verse:
Hymn 498 (& 123)
How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.
What more can He say than to you He has said,
To you who to God for your refuge have fled:
Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
For I am your God, I will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand;
When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply;
The flame shall not hurt you; I only design
Your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
