PSST: Live a life of service by following Jesus!
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Sacrament”
for July 11, 2021
by Lindsey Biggs, C.S of Maryland Heights, MO
540 460 3515 biggs.lindsey@gmail.com
P.S.S.T. for Golden Text
This week’s Lesson has a lot of great ideas on humility and service. What a great conversation to have with students about the blessings that come from being of service in community and in fellowship with others.
Bible Lens has this background to give on unleavened bread:
“…the Israelites needed to be ready to leave Egypt quickly, and only unleavened bread could be made in a short time. Just as Jews purified their homes every year by removing every bit of leaven [during the annual Passover celebration], the Christian is to remove ‘the leaven of malice and wickedness’ from thought and life–and to replace it with ‘the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.’” (Bible Lens Research, Christian Science Sentinel)
How does it feel when people interact with you with sincerity and truth? Is there a way that you can give this sincere and Truthful love and care to others?
P.S.S.T. for Responsive Reading
What is the “bread from heaven”? What does this represent? How does this “bread” feed us and sustain us?
What does Jesus mean when he says, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)?
What does Jesus mean when he says that he came to do God’s will (John 6:38)?
What does this show us about God’s will?
How can we also strive to do the will of our Heavenly Father-Mother God?
How can we discern between our will and God’s will?
P.S.S.T. for Section 1
What does it mean to be humble? (cit. B2/ Psalms 10:17)
What are some examples of being humble?
Check out this great article in the Anthology of Classic Articles for a clearer sense of Humility.
Mary Baker Eddy writes that humility is essential to our spiritual growth. In the article entitled “The Way” she writes:
“Humility is lens and prism to the understanding of Mind-healing; it must be had to understand our textbook; it is indispensable to personal growth, and points out the chart of its divine Principle and rule of practice.
Cherish humility, “watch,” and “pray without ceasing,” or you will miss the way of Truth and Love.…Self-knowledge, humility, and love are divine strength.”
(Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 356:25–3; 358:14–15)
Why do you think humility is essential in order to understand Christian Science?
How do we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind? (cit. S2/SH p.9)
Why is it important to do this and what are the benefits of doing so?
How do we surrender anything unlike God?
What are some things your students could surrender that aren’t contributing to their highest selfhood?
P.S.S.T. for Section 2
See if your students can tell in their own words what’s in citation B9/Luke 14:12-14.
Here is what Bible Lens has to say about it:
“Jesus counsels against inviting friends and wealthy neighbors, who may then reciprocate the favor. True generosity—the kindness that earns God’s approval—is that which is extended to those who cannot return the invitation or make repayment. Although his warning specifies hospitality traditions, the Master’s words relate to God’s kingdom, indicating that it is the kind and merciful who are truly worthy of it.” (Bible Lens Research, Christian Science Sentinel)
What are some ways — perhaps community service or events — that your students have participated in, during which they have given kindness and generosity to others without expecting something in return? Perhaps talk about the joy of giving and how it enriches us.
Doing this embodies what Mary Baker Eddy wrote here: “Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power.” (cit. S10/SH p. 192)
I’ve always loved this description of Jesus’ prayers, and it’s a great model and reminder for what our prayers can be like: “deep and conscientious protests of Truth, — of man’s likeness to God and of man’s unity with Truth and Love.” (cit. S9/ SH p. 12).
What are some healings your students have had when they have prayed in this way?
P.S.S.T. for Section 3
Bible Lens has this to explain about the sacrament:
“One Christian interpretation explains: “The new covenant was a relationship between man and God not dependent on law but on love. In other words Jesus says, ‘I am doing what I am doing to show you how much God loves you.’ Men are no longer simply under the law of God. Because of what Jesus did, they are forever within the love of God. That is the essence of what the sacrament says to us.” (Bible Lens Research, Christian Science Sentinel)
What are some ways your students follow Jesus?
How can they make his teachings more practical in their daily lives?
The Radical Acts card game, produced by TMCYouth, provides great discussion starters for some of these questions.
P.S.S.T. for Section 4
How can your students make the resurrection more meaningful and practical in their lives? Check out the definition for resurrection in the Glossary of Science and Health, and see if this helps.
What does it mean to cast your net on the right side?
What does the net represent to your students? How does this relate to citation S2 where Mary Baker Eddy asks: “Dost thou ‘love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind’? This command includes much, even the surrender of all merely material sensation, affection, and worship.” (SH p. 9:17-21)
Both Jesus and Mary Baker Eddy talk about going into the closet and shutting the door when we pray. What are we shutting the door on when we go into our closet to pray? (cit. S19/15:14-18) We could summarize this citation this way:
- Go into the closet and shut the door
- Be still, quiet and silence mortal thought
- Deny any sense of separation from God, and realize/recognize God’s allness and goodness
There are similar steps given in the 3 Steps and a Bounce song and CD.
See if these steps for prayer help your students!
P.S.S.T. for Section 5
What are some qualities and attitudes of this early Christian church mentioned in citation B19/Acts 2:44-47?
Sharing things in common, being in one accord, sharing meals, gladness and oneness of spirit and heart. Does this sound like a nice community to live in? How can we embody and express more of this spirit of community?
Enjoy your classes!
