PSST: Strive to know & show that you are one with God!

[PSST: Strive to know and demonstrate that you are one with God! (6)]
Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson

“Doctrine of Atonement” – October 12-18, 2015

prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, CS pegasus6524@gmail.com

P.S.S.T. Golden Text – Let’s begin by examining the first two words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father.” Ask students what they think this means and to whom it applies as corroborated by the Golden Text.

P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading – Has God chosen you? If so, for what purpose? To be God’s expression, reflection, witness. Who were also chosen by God as stated in the Responsive Reading? For what was each chosen to do? What laws were revealed by each for us to follow? Why? As an atonement, or as the demonstration of at-one-ment? What doctrines have God given to us through His witnesses to show His love and constant care for us? The Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer.

P.S.S.T. Section 1 –

What is it that you are asked to hear in this section?

What is being spoken to you and all the earth? (throughout this Section)

Fill in the blanks from the Science & Health portion of this section:

• …the Lord our God is _______________
• God is __________________
• The children of God have _________________
• Man is __________________
• …give to Mind ______________________

P.S.S.T. Section 2 – What are you charged to do when you pray? What do you think “closet” refers to in citation B10? Read with students the Lord’s Prayer and Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritual sense of the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9 and from Science & Health 16: 24-16.

What does this prayer cover? S10. You can therefore use it whenever you enter your closet, not as a formula, but for inspiration and affirmation. Imagine Jesus at the temple and in the mountain. In both instances the image is of someone going up higher – literally and figuratively. This is also a good role-play opportunity in citations B8 and B9.

P.S.S.T. Section 3 – Now is repeated a statement in the Golden Text and at the beginning of the Bible portion of Sections 1, 2, and 3. What is it? Why do you suppose that statement is repeated? What does it intend to anchor in your thought? See S&H 340: 23-29 as a hint. What is therefore your first duty as a Christian Scientist? S15.

P.S.S.T. Section 4 – What is a “mediator” as stated in citation B16? Is the mediator the man Jesus or the man Jesus expressing Christ, or “God with us”?

Read together citation S16. What is the spiritual agreement between God and man? What is the result of this agreement in the Bible story in citation B15?

What did Jesus teach about the nature of God? And, therefore, about the nature of man? See citation S19.

Ask students to memorize citation S20. This is a yardstick for measuring our daily work and progress.

P.S.S.T. Section 5 – What was the result of Pilate’s examination of the accusations against Jesus? B18. Why do you suppose he acquiesced and agreed with those who called for Jesus’ crucifixion? What do your students know of Judea as a backwater province, miniscule in comparison to the Roman Empire and Pilate’s need to maintain order, especially from a small population who could “make trouble”? And yet, there was something significant going on that was even bigger than the Roman Empire.

What do your students know about the crucifixion? Help them understand that Jesus is not to be left on the cross, or in the tomb. Was Jesus’ crucifixion a sacrifice to show for all time the power of knowing one God? See S27.

P.S.S.T. Section 6 – Does the Christ live in you? Do you acknowledge one God? Do you know the goodness and power of that God? Are you striving to know and demonstrate that you are one with God? B23.

Read together Hymn 148 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed below).

Is the arm (power and presence) of God revealed unto you? If so, what is the result? S29.

Is at-one-ment a truth? Is at-one-ment possible to you, right here, right now? S28.

Will you accept the call to follow Christ? Remember the theme from CedarS Camps this past summer: “Put your all on the altar to alter it all.” You can do it!

Hymn 148:
In heavenly Love abiding, No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding, For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, My heart may low be laid;
But God is round about me, And can I be dismayed?
Wherever He may guide me, No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me, And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim;
He knows the way He taketh, And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, Which yet I have not seen;
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, My path in life is free;
My Father has my treasure, And He will walk with me.