PSST: Use the present of the present! (6) Help students write treatments (2)

[PSST: Use the present of the present! (6) Help students write treatments (2)]

Possible Sunday School Topics for the Christian Science Bible Lesson

“Mind” for February 15-21, 2016

prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, CS

pegasus6524@gmail.com 314-308-1059

P.S.S.T. Golden Text – As we begin this lesson, ask students to respond to the question: What does it mean to have the Mind of Christ; the understanding of God with us in everything we think and do? Look to Philippians 2:1-5, Science & Health 276:1-11, and the Sixth Tenet of Christian Science on page 497 of S&H.

P.S.S.T. Responsive Reading – Read aloud together Hymn 283 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed below). What are some key points of praise for God mentioned in this hymn? See also the Responsive Reading, Psalm 106:1.

P.S.S.T. Section 1 – According to Christian Science, how many Minds are there? Who then is in charge of the universe, including man? Read together citation S-5. Read also Romans 8: 35, 37-39. Read also S&H 304: 3-15.

P.S.S.T. Section 2 – Look to the Bible section for healing answers in support of people in the Middle East as refugees from Syria who have no water, or the children in Flint, Michigan, whose water is contaminated with lead. What can you expect God to do in leading our prayers – that is, in providing the Mind of Christ to guide our prayers to help? [See “Effective Prayer” the “Daily Lift” for 2-16-16 by CedarS alum Amanda (Dunlap) Kiser.] Look to the S&H portion of this Lesson for answers from God that can and will harmonize the actions of all that Divine Mind made and maintains. Ask students to write out a prayer treatment for either of those issues and then share with the class.

P.S.S.T. Section 3 –

• How do you know God was with Christ Jesus?
• What does it mean to demonstrate Science? S-12.
• What was the basis or foundation on which Jesus established his church? S-13.
• The mission statement of the Creve Coeur, Missouri, branch church is: “The mission of our Church is to heal, putting into practice the Law of God as set forth in the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.”

• What is the mission of your branch church? Look again to citation S-13.
• Are you a member of your branch church or The Mother Church?
• What would it take for you to join?

P.S.S.T. Section 4 –

• How did Jesus show compassion in citation B-15?
• Did he keep these compassionate acts to himself alone? B-16.
• Are these compassionate acts reserved for Jesus and his immediate followers – the 12 disciples – alone?
• Where do you fit in?
• How is Christian Science a help to you? S-17.
• Are you, therefore, also a disciple? S-18.
• What is a basic statement of why and how we can begin our prayer treatments? S-19.
• This is not just adjusting your thinking but truly having the Mind of Christ. S-21, S-22.

P.S.S.T. Section 5 – Read aloud together Hymn 275 from the Christian Science Hymnal (printed below).

Who has taught you the wondrous works of God? B-18, verse 17.

What has Christian Science revealed? S-28 [and the Scientic Statement of Being linked to B20**].

• God is
• I am
• Harmony is the law of God
• Evil or error is a misstatement**
• I have the Mind of Christ
• I am good and can do good
• I am reflection
• I am governed by Mind

P.S.S.T. Section 6 – How will you answer the question when asked “Are you saved?” B-23.

Take a few quiet moments to consider the wondrous works of God – this includes you.

There are three good memory opportunities that close out the Science & Health portion of this section: S-30, S-31, & S-32.

Today is the present and a present. What will you do with it? The Mind of Christ tells you.

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Hymn 283:

Praise we the Lord, for His mercy endureth forever. Let us extol Him with joyous and loving endeavor; Come let us sing, Praising our God and our King, Should we be silent? Ah, never.

Praise we the Lord, who our footsteps still holdeth from sliding; Daily He campeth about us, protecting and guiding; E’en while we sleep Watch doth He tenderly keep; Ever new mercies providing.

Praise we the Lord with a joyous and glad adoration; Lo, unto them that believe there is no condemnation; Now will we raise Songs of thanksgiving and praise, Christ is become our salvation.

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.

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**[W. on citation B20: Mary Baker Eddy compares her Scientific Staement of Being to Paul's words to the Athenians and callls on us to prove it! "St. Paul said to the Athenians, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” This statement is in substance identical with my own: “There is no life, truth, substance, nor intelligence in matter.” It is quite clear that as yet this grandest verity has not been fully demonstrated, but it is nevertheless true. If Christian Science reiterates St. Paul’s teaching, we, as Christian Scientists, should give to the world convincing proof of the validity of 94 this scientific statement of being. Having perceived, in advance of others, this scientific fact, we owe to ourselves and to the world a struggle for its demonstration." Retrospection and Introspection 93]