PSST: Walk in the Spirit. Heal in the Spirit. See a common thread in this lesson’s healings that none could have occurred
if Jesus had believed and accepted life in matter.
Possible Sunday School Topics (PSSTs) for The Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson:
“Spirit”
for July 31-August 6, 2023
prepared by Merrill Boudreaux, C.S., for CedarS Camps
pegasus6524@gmail.com • 314-308-1059
P.S.S.T. Golden Text (GT)/Job 33:4: “The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” (from New Revised Standard Version, NRSV)
The Golden Text is a comprehensive statement. Ask students,
- What does it mean for them individually and for the class collectively?
- Who else is included in this comprehensive statement?
- If it is the Spirit/God who made you, then where does matter or physicality fit into creation, into your individual life?
Responsive Reading (RR)/I Corinthians 2:1,4,5,11-13; I John 4:1,4
In the RR is a clear statement that matter makes no entrance. “Now we have received,.. the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” (I Cor.2:12)
Now, examine yourself when you speak and when you think about yourself: Do you see yourself as material or as spiritual? This view makes all the difference in your experience.
Read together the last verse from the RR: “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
P.S.S.T. Section 1 – What is your scriptural statement of fact that you are spiritual? Citation B2/Genesis 1:26, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:”
Read together Science & Health 573:13-28, printed here:
“Accompanying this scientific consciousness was another revelation, even the declaration from heaven, supreme harmony, that God, the divine Principle of harmony, is ever with men, and they are His people. Thus, man was no longer regarded as a miserable sinner, but as the blessed child of God. Why? Because St. John’s corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality. This is Scriptural authority for concluding that such a recognition of being is, and has been, possible to men in this present state of existence, — that we can become conscious, here and now, of a cessation of death, sorrow, and pain. This is indeed a foretaste of absolute Christian Science.” (SH 573:13–28)
So what shall we do when tempted to believe in, look to, or consider life in matter? See citation B4/Jeremiah 31:34. So there is one fact to be considered, says Science & Health in citation S6/170:22, “Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress.” Do you wish to progress in your understanding of this comprehensive fact that “Everything in God’s universe expresses Him”? (cit. S2/331:16).
How best to do this? See SH 495:25-31.
P.S.S.T. Section 2 – If there are times when you feel critical of yourself for thinking or acting as if you are material, do not condemn or criticize yourself. Memorize citation B8/Romans 89:1,2, as an aid to adjust your thinking:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Rom. 8:1,2)
See also Psalm 42:11 as a good memorization to aid your prayer and correct thought.
P.S.S.T. Section 3 – Because Jesus knew and understood that he lives in and because of the power of Spirit, he healed the man at the synagogue in citation B9/Luke 4:14,33-36.
Would you also have been amazed, or would you have accepted this healing as natural? Why or why not? See citation S14/26:28-30,
“Our Master taught no mere theory, doctrine, or belief. It was the divine Principle of all real being which he taught and practised.” (SH 26:28–30)
What is this Principle? It is love. Therefore Jesus could never see someone suffer and not act. It was his first nature, his only nature, to heal. This is another great memorization opportunity in citation S18/393:12,
“Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man.” (SH 393:12)
P.S.S.T. Section 4 – Here is a profound question that opens this section (cit. B10/I Cor.3:16), “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
What does this mean for you, for your abilities, for your understanding, for your healing practice? You are able, because you are spiritual. Do you feel the love God has for you, and for all whom your thoughts rest upon? See Miscellany 210:2-11, printed here:
“Beloved Christian Scientists, keep your minds so filled with Truth and Love, that sin, disease, and death cannot enter them. It is plain that nothing can be added to the mind already full. There is no door through which evil can enter, and no space for evil to fill in a mind filled with goodness. Good thoughts are an impervious armor; clad therewith you are completely shielded from the attacks of error of every sort. And not only yourselves are safe, but all whom your thoughts rest upon are thereby benefited.” (My. 210:2)
What faith did Zacchaeus have in the story in citation B11/Luke 19:1-10? Are you one who has come to seek and to save that which was lost?
To wipe away all tears?
To disbelieve in matter as the basis for your life?
Whether slow or fast, you are advancing spiritually as stated in citation S23/21:9. You are on the road that finishes your work with joy. Never give up.
P.S.S.T. Section 5 – Once again, divine Principle, Love, was evidenced in Christ Jesus with the healing of Jairus’ daughter in cit. B13/Luke 8.
Do you see a common thread in the healings in this lesson?
Is it that none of them could have occurred if Jesus had believed and accepted life in matter?
Do you wonder if you can heal as well?
See Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deut. 31:6)
This is another great memorization opportunity.
Please read together another comprehensive statement in citation S26/275:1: “Matter has no life to lose, and Spirit never dies.”
We are daily strengthened by this truth. The results as stated in citations S27/487:27 and S28/233:1 are:
- Days lengthened
- Trust strengthened
- Life deathless
- Almightiness and immortality
- Proofs are available to us today in the destruction of sin, sickness, death
- This is a present reality
- You are a progressive being
Rejoice – you are subject to the laws of Spirit, not matter, the laws of God. Feel it.
P.S.S.T. Section 6 – You have seen in advance of others the Comforter, which is Christian Science. It is for your use and for the benefit of mankind. See a comfort statement in citation S32/264:15-20:
“When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness.
“Spirit and its formations are the only realities of being.” (SH 264:15–20)
This is also a statement of assurance. So, live in the Spirit. Walk in the Spirit. Heal in the Spirit.
Read together Hymn 592 from the Christian Science Hymnal (words supplied here):
Hymn 592 – SIYAHAMBA
REFRAIN 1
We are walking in the light of God,
We are walking in the light of God.
We are walking in the light of God,
We are walking in the light of God.
We are walking, we are walking, ooh
We are walking in the light of God.
We are walking, we are walking, ooh
We are walking in the light of God.
We are all God’s children, expressions of one Mind,
Living in the radiance of Spirit all divine.
Every heart and nation is answering the call
To a true salvation knowing God is All-in-all.
REFRAIN 2
We are praying in the light of God,
We are praying in the light of God.
We are praying in the light of God,
We are praying in the light of God.
We are praying, we are praying, ooh
We are praying in the light of God.
We are praying, we are praying, ooh
We are praying in the light of God.
As we turn our faces, up to the light of Life,
Harmony replaces all pain and fear and strife.
See the heavenly harvest so bountifully poured,
As we raise our voices being all of one accord!
REFRAIN 3
We are singing in the light of God,
We are singing in the light of God.
We are singing in the light of God,
We are singing in the light of God.
We are walking, we are praying, ooh
We are singing in the light of God.
We are walking, we are praying, ooh
We are singing in the light of God.
(Hymn. 592:1–5)
