[PSST: See God’s deliverance and guidance for all mankind!]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson
“Matter”
for March 13-19, 2017
prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, CS
pegasus6524@gmail.com 314-308-1059
P.S.S.T. Golden Text – The New English Bible states the Golden Text as “…all mankind shall see God’s deliverance.” This may be an easier translation to understand. From what does mankind need deliverance?
Example: from false hopes and fears, from excluding others, from not having enough for all mankind to share, from prejudice and bigotry, from the belief that life begins and ends in matter.
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading (RR) – How does God deliver mankind? See the key word in the Responsive Reading: “Guide”. Read the RR together and have students state the guidance for all mankind as written there. All mankind means no one is excluded or left out. What can one take as a truth of God’s guidance in Isaiah 43:2,3?
- when thou passest through the waters
- through the rivers
- through the fire
- make a way in the wilderness
- rivers in the desert
How can these truths be applied to weather issues today? Why? God, Spirit, is always guiding mankind regardless of the human circumstances.
P.S.S.T. Section 1 –What do you think “vanity” means in citation B1? Perhaps looking to one’s self or other like-minded humans for advice and agreement. What is the nature of living water, or water that provides life to plants to nourish cattle and livestock, and for mankind’s benefit? Who is it that provides this living water and guides mankind to it? B3. What does it mean to “lift up your eyes on high…”? To look away from matter to Spirit, to look away from physics to metaphysics for assurance that you can never fail or be deprived of what is rightly yours. See Mary Baker Eddy’s statement about metaphysics and its power in Science & Health 269:9-20.
P.S.S.T. Section 2 – When the enemy comes in like a flood (B4), and the cares of this world seem overwhelming, or decisions that you need to make are unclear, there is always hope that God’s guidance will see you through. How was this shown in the story of Noah in citations B6-B9? Do earthquakes, wind, fire, floods, and other human discords and conflicts control mankind? Or is there always a way out? S9. One may see the flood as a disaster or see it as lifting up the ark to ride out the flood. See citation S6 for Eddy’s spiritual interpretation of Ark.
Read also together Hymn 295 in the Christian Science Hymnal (below).
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – Are you a wise man as stated in citation B12? What might the rock symbolize? Firmness, strength. Should you hold on to material systems? S14. Are you willing to be guided by spiritual sense rather than the testimony of the physical senses? That is, on what foundation will you stand? S13. Looking to the Bible to the lives of the prophets, of Christ Jesus, of the apostles, ask students to share stories where God’s guidance protected and led any of these.
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – What is the key question Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda in the Bible story in citation B14? “Wilt thou be made whole?” Why ask such a question? The man had been daily at the pool for 38 years after all. Note the man’s response, instead of a resounding “yes”. Is it possible that we take on the trappings of a problem and begin to identify it as “ours”? What was he asked to give up? See citation S15, lines 16-19. Note the call for action in citation S20.
Read together Hymn 453 in the Christian Science Hymnal Supplement (below).
Do you think the man was guided by God to be at the pool when Jesus passed by? Why do you suppose Jesus picked him out for healing when others were also at the pool? What was it about the man that would serve as an example for others?
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – What was Jesus’ command to the disciples in the story in citation B15? “Be not afraid.” Ask students to memorize citation B16: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
What do you think are the benefits to you of studying and relying on Christian Science? S24. What does the word “demonstrate” mean? Eddy told us that she discovered the laws of Life, Truth, and Love. It is up to us to demonstrate what she discovered. See S&H vii:23.
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – This Lesson ends with a restatement of the Golden Text. Remember the translation: “…all mankind shall see God’s deliverance.”
Review those in this week’s Lesson who were delivered by God. Read together S26, lines 28-31. Now answer the question, “What is the truth of God’s creation?” See Genesis 1:31 (to 1st period).
Read together Hymn 90 from the Christian Science Hymnal (below).
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Hymn 295:
Rock of Ages, Truth divine, Be Thy strength forever mine;
Let me rest secure on Thee, Safe above life’s raging sea.
Rock of Ages, Truth divine, Be Thy strength forever mine.
Rock of Truth, our fortress strong, Thou our refuge from all wrong,
When from mortal sense I flee, Let me hide myself in Thee.
Rock of Ages, Truth divine, Be Thy strength forever mine.
Christ, the Truth, foundation sure, On this rock we are secure;
Peace is there our life to fill, Cure is there for every ill.
Rock of Ages, Truth divine, Be Thy strength forever mine.
Hymn 453:
Rise up and walk, take up your bed. With these few words the sickness fled.
Stretch forth your hand. Receive your sight. Jesus’ commands reveal God’s might.
You are God’s purpose, His great design. Beautiful, blameless, His child divine.
Holding your thought to the good and the true, Spirit will form you anew.
REFRAIN: Rise up and walk! God made you free, born of His liberty.
Carefree and strong, you are His song, perfect for all to see.
Mountains and seas, great rising trees, echo the joyous song:
Heaven is here, harmony’s bliss to everyone belongs.
Cleanse the lepers, heal the sick. Cast out demons. Raise the dead.
Truth is revealed in every place, Throughout all time, throughout all space.
Right in this moment, doing God’s will “These works shall you do, and greater still.”
Standing triumphant upon holy ground, Songs of the angels resound.
REFRAIN:
Hymn 90:
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land:
I am Thine, and Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven! Bread of heaven! Feed me now and evermore.
Open is the crystal fountain, Whence the healing waters flow;
And the fiery cloudy pillar Leads me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer! Strong Deliverer! Still Thou art my strength and shield.
