PSST: Trust your deepest desires to God, your ever present & ever active Mind.
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) for The Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson:
“Mind”
for February 14-20, 2022
prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, C.S.
pegasus6524@gmail.com • 314-308-1059
P.S.S.T. Golden Text (GT)/Jude 1:25: “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.”
Ask students to write a sentence or two as a praise prayer to God. Ask them to think how they would address God, by what name would they call Him?
P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading (RR)/Proverbs 2:6-11; 3:5-7,13,15,17-19
What are some action words in the RR relating to God in His eternal actions?
- Giveth
- Layeth
- Buckler
- Keeper
What are some key words in the RR as to you in your relationship with God?
- Understanding
- Judgment
- Wisdom
- Discretion
- Happy
- Life
Ask students to memorize Proverbs 3:5,6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
This directing your paths statement is a hint of God as Mind, your Mind, ever present and ever active.
P.S.S.T. Section 1 –Trust deepest desires to God, your very Mind.
What is the prayer of Solomon, David’s son, in citation B2/I Kings 3:9?
What is the praise prayer in citation B3/Romans 11:36?
Answer the question posed in Romans 11:34: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?”
Think of individuals from the Bible who have communicated with God. Like Moses at the burning bush, Jacob wrestling with the angel, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Read together citation S3/Science & Health 1:10.
You also can trust God with your deepest thoughts and desires, for He is your very Mind.
Read together the spiritual definition of Mind in citation S5/591:16.
P.S.S.T. Section 2 –Consider Solomon’s solution & Hymn 523 as a praise prayer
Your students may know the Bible story in citation B6/I Kings 3. Ask them how they would have resolved this issue laid before Solomon. If you were the mother granted the child, what might your praise prayer be?
Praise prayers may often be found in hymns or psalms (songs of praise). Ask students to share a hymn or psalm that might speak to them when considering this scripture story. To me, one such hymn is #174/#523 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 523 (also 174)
Like as a mother, God comforts all Her children; Comfort is calm, that bids all tumult cease; Comfort is hope and courage for endeavor, Comfort is love, whose home abides in peace.
Love is true solace in giving joy for sorrow, — O, in that light, all earthly loss is gain; Joy must endure, Love’s giving is forever; Life is of God, whose radiance cannot wane.
O holy presence, that stills all our demanding, O love of God, that needs but to be known! Heaven is at hand, when Your pure touch persuades us, Comfort of God, that seeks and finds Her own.
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – If you desire wisdom and understanding, do as Solomon did and ask God.
Citation B7/James 1:5 states:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Read together Isaiah 45:11, “Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.”
Do your students know that the book of Proverbs is attributed to Solomon? What is a proverb? Perhaps open the Bible to a random place in Proverbs and share a piece of wisdom recorded there. Remember, one need not be “educated” to be considered wise, or even to have “common sense”.
Read together citation S14/249:1: “Let us accept Science, relinquish all theories based on sense-testimony, give up imperfect models and illusive ideals; and so let us have one God, one Mind, and that one perfect, producing His own models of excellence.”
Humility is important, but never shy away from receiving wisdom from your Mind, and using it in your praise prayers.
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – While Jesus was in the wilderness, how was he tempted and what was his response? See the spiritual definition of Wilderness in Science & Health 597:16. What might be another way of stating “spontaneity of thought”? Inspiration, gut feeling, the Christ entering in…
Read together citation S19/332:9-11, “Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness.”
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – Share a favorite healing of Jesus or his disciples
As Jesus’ aid for healing was sought by individuals, he met every one of those needs. Imagine you are following Jesus as he travelled. What were some of those healings you witnessed? Did you ever think, “How does he do that?” Perhaps citation S23/393:16-21 may give you some insight.
Healing by Jesus was as natural to him as breathing. Do you have a favorite healing of Jesus or his disciples you can share? What was some guidance he provided to us for our own healing work? See John 14:12,13.
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – Read together Hymn 275 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed here):
Hymn 275
Praise now creative Mind, Maker of earth and heaven; Glory and power to Him belong,
Joy of the sun and skies, Strength where the hills arise, So let us praise with joy and song.
Ages have seen His might, Father we call His name; Nights of our mourning and sorrow end,
Light blesses opened eyes, Joys like the dawns arise As we see Him our God and Friend.
Saviour from death is He; Life is our heritage; Mercy and goodness forever guide; Ours is the risen Christ, Daily we keep our tryst, And evermore in Love confide.
Do you think mankind has improved in his history? Why or why not? Read together the Science & Health portion of this Section 6, citations S25/180:25, S26/371:26, & S27/467:13.
An ultimate praise prayer may be found in citation S28/468:10-11: “All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all.”
Need we say more?
