PSST: Use a Spiritual GPS or Map Quest Guide for your Life Journeys!
Monday, August 26th, 2013
[PSST: Use a Spiritual GPS or Map Quest Guide for your Life Journeys!]
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs)
by Merrill Boudreaux
for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on: “Christ Jesus”
for September 1, 2013
P.S.S.T. Golden Text –
Look to the life of Christ Jesus as a roadmap for your own journey. Reference Science & Health 21:9 – 22:10. Ask students, where do you want to go? What kind of life do you desire? A material-focused life or a spiritual-focused life? If a spiritual-focused life, what would be a roadmap to get you there? See the question and its answer in S&H 495:25 – 496:27.
P.S.S.T. – Responsive Reading –
Ask students where they might have journeyed with their families: to the mountains, lakes, rivers, parks, shore, family or friends. What did they pack to take with them? How did they prepare mentally? What qualities did they think about before, during, and after the journey? Did they go to “get” or to “give”? How did you see fellow travelers on their journeys? That is, what qualities did you see them expressing?
P.S.S.T. – Section 1 –
What was the roadmap or path laid out for Jesus in citations B-1 and B-2 even before he was born? What is the expected end God/good has mapped out for you?
See Jeremiah 29:11-14 (to :).
What did God say to his son in citation B-3?
Is that a message God has for you also?
P.S.S.T. – Section 2 –
Read aloud the Bible story in citation B-6. How was Jesus prepared for such a conversation and at such a young age? On what was he relying, material sense or spiritual sense? See definition of spiritual sense in S&H 209:31 (also B-15).
Do you desire a [spiritual GPS or] roadmap that provides intelligence, wisdom, immortality? See citation S-8. From where do these characteristics come? Ask students to give an example from their experience when using one of these characteristics. Explain that experiences often help when making other choices on life’s journey. If they are familiar with Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” this might be a good opportunity to review and connect to the ideas of choice, listening, following and being obedient to directions provided.
P.S.S.T. – Section 3 –
Read the Bible story in citation B-8. Why did Jesus read from the Old Testament? Careful here, there was no New Testament yet. Did Jesus demonstrate a familiarity with the scriptures as a roadmap for his life? What was Jesus pointing out to be his life’s work in this scripture? Look to citation S-12; what is pointed out there as qualities or directions for your journey? What is a most powerful journey aid in citation S-13? Ask students to prepare for their personal use what qualities of grace they wish to express in their daily living.
P.S.S.T. – Section 4 –
What courage was Jesus expressing in citation B-12? See also citation S-15. Ask students to share an experience where they used moral courage to aid someone’s journey. Ask students to read the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 (B-15). What are you instructed to go and do likewise?
P.S.S.T. – Section 5 –
What is the new commandment given by Jesus in citation B-14? How does this story demonstrate love for one another? Is there a way your class can provide some service that demonstrates their love and care for someone? See Matthew 25:34-40.
P.S.S.T. – Section 6 –
What are the roadmap qualities in citation B-17? What is the promise we are asked to make in the 6th tenet (S-25)? What is the definitive guide for our journey in citation S-28?
Conclude with Hymn 290 in the Christian Science Hymnal.
Press on, press on, ye sons of light, Untiring in your holy fight,
Still treading each temptation down, And battling for a brighter crown.
Press on, press on, and fear no foe, With calm resolve to triumph go;
Victorious over every ill, Press on to higher glory still.
Press on, press on, still look in faith To Him who conquers sin and death;
Then shall ye hear His word, Well done! True to the last, press on, press on.
