Click here to print PDF version
PSST: Live God’s grace and abundance today!
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on
“Sacrament”
for July 10, 2022
by Lindsey Biggs, C.S of Maryland Heights, MO
540 460 3515 biggs.lindsey@gmail.com
P.S.S.T. FOR GOLDEN TEXT
“I do not set aside the grace of God;” Galatians 2:21
I love this term “do not set aside”. We often set aside toys or other things that are old, worn out or we have lost interest in.
We never have to do this with the grace of God! It is alive, active, fresh, invigorating each day.
In the spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer, Mary Baker Eddy writes: “Give us grace for to-day; feed the famished affections;” (Science and Health, p. 17:5)
What does grace mean to your students? It is a multilayered word that has many definitions. Consider exploring “grace” in Concord and/or the 1828 Websters Dictionary online.
“The healing will grow more easy and be more immediate as you realize that God, Good, is all and Good is Love. You must gain Love, and lose the false sense called love. You must feel the Love that never faileth, —that perfect sense of divine power that makes healing no longer power but grace..” (Mary Baker Eddy Christian Healer Amplified Edition, p. 167)
P.S.S.T. FOR RESPONSIVE READING – UNITY IN DIVERSITY
“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” – Ephesians 4:4-6
Why is unity such a great thing? What difference does unity make? Are there some areas that your students could use more unity? Could it be with their cabin at camp, with siblings, on a trip with parents? What are some ideas you could share to help students feel more at one with the divine Mind that leads to a greater sense of unity?
In the book “The You Song” by Joanne Otto it says “Songs don’t need to sound alike to be in tune…It takes more care to tune our songs together than to let them sound alone. One song may be bolder and need to soften for another…But the we-songs are worth the care…They fill the air with the joyful ring of love.“
So unity doesn’t mean we are all the same. You are unique, just like your parents, brothers, sisters, and fellow campers are. But we can all still flow together in harmony – just like notes of a beautiful song are unique and work together for harmony. So unity doesn’t mean sameness (such as uniformity does). There can be great diversity and still be unity and harmony.
I think this is what Paul was saying to many of the churches especially when they were exclusive of Gentiles (non-Jews) and new converts to Christianity. These “new” people didn’t have the same customs, traditions, or ways of doing things. Still, Paul said they were welcome at the table of Christ. They, too, were worthy of the grace of God!
All are given the grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ. So the only thing we really need to conform to, which gives us true unity, is Christ – which values our unique, precious and whole identity filled with lots of great gifts and talents to share.
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 1 — PRAYER OF AFFIRMATION AND PRAYER OF PETITION
“…spiritual communion with the one God.” (S4, SH p. 35)
Communing is what Moses and God were doing in these verses from Exodus. (Exodus 33:12-14)
Communion means in part: fellowship; interchange between two persons or more; a state of giving and receiving; agreement; concord. (1828 Webster Dictionary)
This is a sweet “communion” between God and Moses – a sweet interaction of prayer, humbleness, and willingness.
Let’s look closely at this prayer. Part of the prayer is a prayer of affirmation. Moses is affirming his relationship with Gid. “…thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight…” (Exodus 33:12) This is a helpful type of prayer that students can use anytime to align themselves to their own oneness of God. This type of prayer heals and comforts, providing strength and insight.
The next part of this prayer is a prayer of petition (to ask sincerely for something). Moses is asking for guidance. What a noble thing to ask for as this nation’s new leader (much the way Solomon asked for wisdom when he became king). And God responds, giving Moses confidence and courage, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14) God is with Moses! God is not going to take him to the wilderness and leave him. He is free to go forward with faith, confidence, courage, and spiritual strength.
Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Simply asking that we may love God will never make us love Him; but the longing to be better and holier, expressed in daily watchfulness and in striving to assimilate more of the divine character, will mould and fashion us anew, until we awake in His likeness.” (S3, SH p. 4)
Moses was certainly longing to be “better and holier”! He wanted to do a good job, lead the people to freedom, and glorify God.
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 2 – SHARE GOD’S LOVE IMPARTIALLY
Speaking about the woman at the well, Bible Lens Research has this background to give:
“Typically, a meeting between an unattended man and woman was prohibited. Although his disciples had left him alone in order to buy food (see v. 8), Jesus did not allow narrow interpretations of law to overrule kindness and generosity. Free conversation between a Jew and a Samaritan was deemed equally unacceptable. Yet, the well at this site, thought by some to have been dug by Jacob, was known as Jacob’s well (see v. 6). Since Jacob was an ancestor of both Jews and Samaritans, scriptural authorities explain, this was a site of shared reverence—perhaps a natural place for conventional social walls to be broken down.” (Chrisitan Science Sentinel)
What are some ways that your students are breaking down social walls? Have they ever had the opportunity to give or befriend someone that they didn’t want to at first? What came from this experience?
“Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals.” (S5, SH p. 12) What are some ways students can live this impartial love of God? What does impartial mean?
“In divine Science, where prayers are mental, all may avail themselves of God as ‘a very present help in trouble.’” (S5, SH p. 12)
How does knowing that God speaks to everyone help your students share God’s Word / Christian Science more freely? Have they ever had the opportunity to share an inspirational idea, healing, or Sentinel with someone who wasn’t a Christian Scientist or new to Christian Science? What was the result?
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 3 – APPRECIATE THOSE MARY MOMENTS
The New International Version puts this passage this way:
“God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (II Cor 9:8)
How does knowing that God blesses you abundantly help you on a project? What about having an abundance of energy or spiritual joy when you’re engaged in your activities at camp, cooking, helping with chores, packing, etc?
Can we have an abundance of inspiration and spiritual understanding, too, when we are having quiet moments of praying? There are no limits to God! We can be receptive to the limitless ideas coming from God each second bringing healing, stillness, and fresh ideas. Can we balance this with joy-filled activities that are in service to God?
What are some spiritual insights your students can gain from this story of Mary and Martha? What message is Jesus trying to convey?
Bible Lens Research has some great background:
“Jesus doesn’t condemn Martha’s hospitality but reproves the anxious busyness that draws her away from hearing God’s Word. Expressing tenderness in his reproach—as evidenced in his repetition, ‘Martha, Martha’—Jesus makes clear that spiritual teaching must take precedence over outward service.
At a period when women were firmly relegated to subservient roles and denied education, it is noteworthy that the Savior treats Mary and Martha as disciples—those who sit at his feet to learn from him.” (Christian Science Sentinel)
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 4 – BE WATCHFUL
Have you ever had to do something you really didn’t want to do? What did you do in that situation? What was the result?
That’s how Jesus must have felt in the garden of Gethsemane.
Have you ever had a friend help get you through a tough experience?
What does it mean to stand watch? What are some qualities of being watchful? Have you ever had to pray with a friend or roommate through the night? What was the healing that came about?
What are some ways that your students can apply the passage below to their daily life?
“‘Not my will, but Thine, be done!’ — that is, Let not the flesh, but the Spirit, be represented in me.” (S18, SH p. 33)
What are some of the benefits of doing so?
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 5 – JESUS’ TENDER CARE
What did Jesus do for his mom (John 19:25–27)? What were the rights of women like in those days? What does Jesus’ care for his mom tell us about him?
Bible Lens Research has this background:
“John’s Gospel alone reports Jesus’ tender care for his mother at the end of his ministry. Scholars assume that Mary is widowed at this point—a circumstance calling for a man’s protection in that society. While the identity of the beloved disciple isn’t certain, some sources cite John 21:20–24 as evidence that he is the Apostle John. In any case, his appointment as supporting son for Jesus’ mother illustrates the Savior’s loving trust in him.”
What does “ascension” mean? What does it mean that Jesus resurrected and then ascended? How long was Jesus with the disciples between the resurrection and the ascension? What was the primary purpose of this holy time?
“The divine must overcome the human at every point.” (S23, SH p. 43)
What are some ways that the divine can overcome the human in your life? Share some examples
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 6 – CAST YOUR NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Why do you think the disciples weren’t able to catch any fish? What was their attitude when they embarked on this fishing excursion? Gloomy or happy? How did Christ help them have a change in thought? What was the result of this change of thought/outlook?
How does Christ give us the change in thought that we need? Consider exploring part of the definition for “Christ” in Science and Health on page 332 as the true idea that voices good and speaks to the human consciousness.
Are there ways your students can bring a positive attitude, a helpful and joyful spirit to the activities they embark in at camp, school, or summer jobs? What difference does it make to bring this positive attitude to the activities that we do? Have you ever noticed when you bring a joy-filled, happy attitude to something that it helps lift the spirits of others and gives them joy, too? It’s one way to shine God’s light!
What are some additional meanings of “casting our nets on the right side”?
P.S.S.T. FOR SECTION 7 – EACH OF US HAS BEEN GIVEN GRACE!
“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” (Eph 4:7 NIV)
What are some examples of times when your students have received grace?
What are some talents, qualities, skills that they have to love and give with?
Is there a time when they felt they lack the qualities, time, or skills needed and then prayed and found abundance?
How has their understanding of grace been transformed through this Bible Lesson?
Enjoy your classes!
