PSST: Love one another — impartially & universally!

[PSST: Love one another  — impartially & universally!]
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) by Merrill Boudreaux

for the Christian Science Bible Lesson: “Love” for July 29-August 4, 2013

PSST: Golden Text and Responsive Reading:   Ask students to make a list of those whom they love.  Ask them to state what it is about the individuals that propel the students to love them.  Ask the students to state how they express this love.

     Now, ask students to list three reasons why God loves each student.  Perhaps one answer will be, “Because God made me, knows me, and knows that I am good.”

PSST:  Section 1:  What are the characteristics of God’s love in the Bible portion of this section?  Even though Love is expressed as Father-Mother in the Science & Health portion of this section, help students see that Love is more than a human expression, although it gives evidence humanly.  Look to citation S-5 as a definitive statement of Love that includes all?  Are all beautiful to Love?  Does Love shine Her light on all?

PSST:  Section 2:  Please read the Bible story in citation B-7.  Share the back story of how Hagar as a servant came to have a child of Abraham.  Would Hagar have been justified in feeling betrayed?  Would she have been justified in seeking revenge?  How did God express love for Hagar and her son, Ishmael?  How did God bless both Ishmael and Isaac?  Ask students to memorize citation S-10.  What does “impartial” mean?  What does “universal” mean?  Link this back to the previous discussion of what “all” means in Section 1.

PSST:  Sections 3 and 4:  Please read the Bible story in citations B-10 and B-11.  This story is often referred to as the story of the Prodigal Son.  How did the dad show love for this younger son?  How did the dad show love for the older son?  How does this story show that all are included in God’s love and that no one is ever left out?  What is shared in citation B-12 as a model for how we should get along with each other as children of Love?  Look to citation S-21 as a statement of how we are to care for one another.  Is there a service project of some kind in which the class can participate?  Perhaps in a quiet way of expressing Love.

PSST:  Section 5:  Here’s a good role play opportunity in B-15.  Could Jesus have passed by a weeping widow woman?  How do you think the woman felt before & after the experience?  What do you think was the basis for Jesus raising this young man from the dead?  (S-26)  What is Jesus’ command to us, his followers, in S-22?  Where do we see this command on the cover of Science & Health?  This is a great opportunity for students to share their healings.

PSST:  Section 6:  Ask students to memorize citation B-16, verses 35, 37-39.  There is no separation between Love and that which Love creates.  How would you describe or define “harmony”?  This is a good test for that which is of God.  If it isn’t harmonious, it isn’t real, because Love always gives expression harmoniously.  The allness of God, Love, is stated in citation S-28.  Please read that aloud.  See also citation S-30 as a summarizing statement of All, because of the nature of Love.  Conclude with reading together Hymn 179 from the Christian Science Hymnal:

Love one another,—word of revelation; Love frees from error’s thrall,—Love is liberation. Love’s way the Master trod; He that loves shall walk with God. Love is the royal way.

Love knows no evil, neither shade of sadness; Love casts out every fear, lifts the heart to gladness. Love heals our every ill, All the law does love fulfill. Love is our answered prayer.

Love now is dawning over every nation; Showing true brotherhood, publishing salvation, Love bids all discord cease. Conquering hate, enthroning peace, Love, Love alone is power.