PYCLs: 1) TELL LOTS OF JESUS STORIES 2) DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS?3) DISCUSS THE CHRIST DIFFERENCE 4) WHAT DISTRACTING MONEY CHANGERS WOULD CHRIST OVERTURN TODAY? 5) HOW DID JESUS RESPOND TO ERROR?
Possible Younger Class Lesson ideas for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Christ Jesus”
for February 27, 2022
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, of House Springs, MO
kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com • 314-406-0041
PYCL #1: TELL LOTS OF STORIES ABOUT JESUS HEALING PEOPLE, AND OTHER POWERFUL HEALING WORKS HE DID.
Everyone loves stories. Read the ones in this week’s lesson and tell others that involve Jesus. Ask if the children have any stories about Jesus that they remember, and if so, let them tell them.
Just a thumbnail of the stories in this week’s lesson includes: Mark 1:9, 13-18 in which Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, and then calls Simon and Andrew to follow him, becoming disciples.
There are several broad passages telling of Jesus healing multitudes. Mark 1:21, 23-27, 34
–Jesus healing an insane man in the temple. Mat. 21:12-14
–Jesus overturning the money changers tables.
–Jesus healing the epileptic boy Mat. 17: 14-16, 18-21.
–Jesus rising from the dead and walking to Emmaus with disciples, Mark 16: 9-15,17,20.
If you have a dramatic bent, and your students are young, you could come dressed as a disciple, or as one of his female followers, such as the Magdalene, and tell the stories from their point of view.
PYCL #2: DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS?
Our Golden Text from Mark 16: 17 (to 2nd ;)–also in Section 6, cit. B17–tells us that there are signs that follow believers. Find the passage in the Bible and see if there are other things that are mentioned.
Are we exhibiting these “signs” in our day to day life?
What does it mean to “believe”?
Are we actually “believers” if we are not out there healing?
It’s a good question to ask ourselves often. What should we do if we think we are not doing these works currently? How do we start? What does “healing” look like?
Can it be something where we are glimpsing the presence of God? Such an instance certainly has the capacity to heal, to bring peace to anxious thought, or answers to difficult questions.
Can you share examples of ways that we see/feel/hear God’s presence or the presence of the healing Christ? It might be in noticing some detail of beauty around you, or a loving gesture. When we recognize these things as the very presence of God, or the Christ speaking to our consciousness, our awareness, then we do find a greater measure of peace, of health, of answers, in our daily lives.
See if you and the children can come up with specific instances where they are bearing witness to God’s presence. Remember, or remind the students, that one of the prophecies about Jesus refers to him as “God with us”. This is a wonderful way to think of the Christ spirit which Jesus so fully embodied.
PYCL #3: DISCUSS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE CHRIST.
We call Jesus “Jesus Christ”, or Christ Jesus, because, of all the people who have ever lived, he most represented that Christ power. In citation S29/46:5, Mary Baker Eddy hints at the timeless nature of the Christ, whereas Jesus belonged to that one period of human history.
Does that mean that the Christ is still here today? What about before Jesus came along?
Are there examples of healing earlier in the Bible? (Seems like a silly question, but it’s good to ask) Give a few examples.
How can we tell if we are in the presence of that “Christ spirit” that Jesus expressed?
What feelings come with that presence? Make a list: peace, joy, health, courage, intelligence, inspiration…and so on. Share a few of your own examples where you felt the presence of the Christ.
PYCL #4: WHAT DISTRACTING MONEY CHANGERS WOULD CHRIST OVERTURN TODAY?
This story is found in citation B8/Mat. 21:12-14. I found it interesting to do a little research—by no means exhaustive—about what was behind this action of Jesus. I think it might be helpful to share some background. There were money changers because the Jews did not allow Roman currency in the temple because it had images of different emperors on the coinage—which they considered idolatrous.
The only currency allowed was Jewish. So, there were people changing money for those who wanted to enter and to tithe in the synagogue. The doves and other animals were for purchase for sacrifices. There are several elements at work, of course there was probably some “money making” going on, which would not have been the original intent of this convenience for those coming to worship. This would have distracted from the real purpose of worship and praise for God. But the interesting detail I found was that this area was an area just outside the temple that was set aside for Gentiles to worship God.
Gentiles were not then allowed into the temple, but the Jews felt it was important to provide an area for those who wished, to worship. Here, in this area of worship was a chaotic blend of those selling their wares for sacrifice & those changing money. Do you think that was a peaceful atmosphere for worship?
Think together about motives. (What are “motives”?) Do you think those selling things were being motivated by a desire to enhance worship? Or to make money? This second seems likely, and this is what angered Jesus. Do you think this was another kind of “idolatry” that the money changers. etc. were engaged in? –Ironic when that was the whole point of changing the money in the first place.
PYCL #5: HOW DID JESUS RESPOND TO ERROR?
We have many examples in this lesson of how Jesus responded to error. We just talked about one in PYCL #4, where he responded by turning over tables and using a whip to clear out merchants— and we can share some ideas about how we might do this symbolically today. But there are many stories, listed in PYCL #1, and in each he responded with certain qualities.
Can you list those qualities Jesus expressed in responding to error?
Try things like: confidence in God, faith, fearlessness, compassion, tenderness, firmness, fierceness.
In citation S15/452:12-15, 18-20, Mary Baker Eddy tells us how we might imitate the Master in our response to error. Also, all of Section 5 in Science and Health contains powerful statements of how we should address error. 410: 14-17, 391: 29-2, 392:27-32, 392:5. If the students are older, you may enjoy going to these pages in particular 391-392 to study such passages.
With the very youngest students you can use some hand gestures, or hold up a “stop” sign that you make, and share together how we might “stop” thoughts and suggestions that are not from God.
They get to choose when to hold up the sign/hold out their hand in the “stop” gesture.
Have a wonderful week in Sunday School!
