PSST: Shine the Christ light on God’s divine, infallible “peace plan” for YOU – and all!
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Christ Jesus”
for Sunday, August 29, 2021
By Tom and Amy Evans, former staff members and big fans of CedarS
P.S.S.T. for The Golden Text – Shine the Christ light on God’s divine peace plan for YOU!
How / why does divine peace pass all understanding?
Describe how Christ Jesus was an example for peace [& blessed all peacemakers, Matt. 5:9].
How do you read Philippians 4:7?
P.S.S.T. for The Responsive Reading – Discuss the trustworthiness of a good foundation.
Look at Paul’s description of building on Christ’s foundation from another translation. Here is the New Living Translation of 1 Cor 3:9-11
“9 For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.”
Discuss the trustworthiness of a good foundation. Paul is mentoring the congregation in Corinth. What are you built on?
How are you building further on Christ’s spiritual foundation?
P.S.S.T. for Section 1 – Continuity of the Christ idea
Citation S1 says “Christ’s Christianity is the chain of scientific being” what are some other examples of this Christianity being expressed before Jesus’ life, as well as more recently?
Have your students point out this “chain of scientific being” as it appears through what they know about history.
Look at Mary Baker Eddy’s commentary on of the divine character of Christ in citation S4/313:1-19. She points out the fact that the first chapter of Hebrews says Jesus was exalted because he “loved righteousness and hated iniquity.” [He knew what to say “Yes” to (as in the Beatitudes) and what to say “No!” to (as in the 10 Commandments)].
Why are these two traits in the character of Christ so important?
P.S.S.T for Section 2 – Being a Disciple
Talk about how Jesus told Simon and Andrew to become “fishers of men” (Citation B5/Mark 1:16-18). What does that mean?
What would you do if you were told to fish for men?
Discuss Jesus’s words in Bible citation 7 (Matt 16:24). How are you taking up the cross and following Christ?
What does Mary Baker Eddy say about this?
Citation S7/37:25 commands us to go out and preach and heal.
Citation S8/4:3 urges us to keep Jesus’ commandments.
Citation S9/37:22-25 reminds us we are capable and we have a duty and privilege to follow.
How is “the demonstration of Truth and Life, of health and holiness” our “duty and privilege” (cit. S9/37:22-25)?
P.S.S.T. for Section 3 – Jesus did it, you can too!
Why would a multitude want to make Jesus a traditional king in citation B8/John 6:15?
What were they most interested in (his miracles, cit. B8/John 6:2)?
Continue reading citation B8/John 6:16-21 about Jesus walking on the water to the ship in the middle of the night and then the ship teleporting. What is happening here?
How did Jesus see the disciples? How did he think about distance and travel?
The disciples were afraid at first, then they “willingly received him”. Talk about the disciples’ state of thought.
What does Mary Baker Eddy mean by “Jesus’ promise is perpetual” in citation S14/328:28?
Talk about Jesus’ promises earlier in S14/328:20-27. Why does this apply to you?
P.S.S.T. for Section 4 – Who Jesus is and what his purpose is
If you were entering into the ruler’s house in B9/Matt. 9:18 to resurrect the ruler’s daughter with Jesus, what do you think Jesus would have said to you? How would you pray along with Jesus?
Citation B10 includes Matthew 10:8. Where do we find that verse in Science and Health (on the cover, in the Cross and Crown)?
Why is it important to include Matt 10:7 as well about “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”?
Take a moment to get a clear picture of who Jesus is and what he represents.
Have your students write down their thoughts or share them verbally.
Pick a citation, or all four of these, in Science and Health to dig into.
Citation S17/464:15-19 – what and how Jesus showed us the limitations of matter compared with infinite the abilities of spirit
Citation S18/26:10-16 – the relationship between the Christ idea and the man Jesus
Citation S19/52:23 – what humanity can do through Christ
Citation S20/232:16-19 – good happening now through the Christ idea.
P.S.S.T. for Section 5 – Reconciling man to God
In citation B13/John 14:8-10 Philip asks Jesus to show him and the rest of the disciples the Father. What does he mean?
What does Jesus mean by the Father, God, dwells in him?
How does the parable of the prodigal son in citation B14/Luke 15:11-20 address Phillips’ question in citation B13/John 14:8-10 about who God is and how true being works and what the rules of the kingdom of heaven are?
What is significant about the parable of the Prodigal Son (citation B14/Luke 15:11-20)?
This is a story that we often read and study.
Consider how quickly the father welcomes the son home.
Have you ever felt welcomed back after turning away from something?
Does God ever give up on us? (No)
Discuss Mary Baker Eddy’s words in S&H citation 22/19:6 about Jesus “reconciling man to God”. How does this happen? How does this connect with the Prodigal Son?
P.S.S.T. for Section 6 – The 6 Tenets [foundational parts of Christ’s divine peace plan for you]
The Golden Text opened with the idea of spiritual peace.
Now the second to last citation in the Bible, citation 17/John 14:27, also addresses divine peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you”. What is Jesus referring to here in John’s gospel?
Citation S24/497:5 is the second tenant “we acknowledge and adore…”
What is the last citation from Science and Health/497:24? (The sixth tenet)
Do you know this tenet by heart?
What is the importance of the six Tenets to Christian Scientists?
Where do you find them in Science and Health?
Have your class open a physical Science and Health and look at them.
Do older students know the difference between a tenant (someone renting a home) and a tenet (foundational belief)?
