PYCLs– Clarify the difference between Jesus & the Christ. (1)
Bring a crystal that reflects different colors of sunlight (2)
How do we discern Christ? (3) Read stories of Jesus’ healings (4)
Beatitudes [memorize, apply & charade them] (5)
Possible Younger Class Lesson ideas for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Christ Jesus”
for Sunday, August 27, 2023
by Kerry Jenkins, CS, of House Springs, MO
kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com • 314-406-0041
PYCL #1: Who is Christ Jesus?
It’s always great to clarify the difference between Jesus, and the Christ. This is a distinction that is not made by everyone, though Christian Scientists are not alone either in this distinction. What made Jesus so important, more than just a wonderful person?
This lesson focuses on the need to identify the Christ wherever it appears, and to notice it in consciousness when we heal. Our Golden Text and Responsive Reading both speak of the fact that we have “heard”, “known”, and we must “practice” or demonstrate Christ in our daily living. How do we do this? The Responsive Reading tells us that one way is to be “like-minded”. (GT John 4:42 we have, RR Phil 1:3,6,10, 27; 2:1,2,5,9-11; 2 John 1:3).
Remind the children that Jesus lived in a certain time, but that the Christ is eternal, before and after Jesus lived.
PYCL #2: Bring in a crystal that reflects different colors of sunlight
When we say, and read in the Bible, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phil. 1:5) do we mean that we are all the same and have the same opinions and beliefs and views? Obviously not. The crystal can give a good illustration of what it means.
You can show them how the sun will shine on the crystal and the crystal will divide the light into a whole bunch of colors that scatter everywhere. Each facet of the crystal reflects a different color and place in the room. You could illustrate this with a video of a crystal in sunlight if you don’t have a crystal.
In the same way, if God were represented as the sunlight coming into the crystal, you might think of the crystal itself as “the mind of Christ”, or simply the Christ that allows God’s light to scatter its color and beauty everywhere for us to see and experience.
Each sparkle of light is individual, but all from one source, and all expressed through the Christ to everyone. In this same way, we can explain that Christ is how Spirit is communicated to man. Jesus showed us that God’s love is expressed to man through the healing Christ.
PYCL #3: How do we discern the Christ?
How we discern the Christ is a big theme in this week’s Bible lesson.
- We have citation B2/Matt. 16:13-17 where Jesus asks the disciples if they know who he is, and only Peter identifies him as the Christ, the Messiah.
- We have Nicodemus in citation B5/John 3:1,2 identifying Jesus by his works as the promised Messiah.
- In citation B10/John 5:2-9 the man by the pool of Bethesda is being questioned by Jesus. He is asking this man to identify what is the true spiritual power behind healing…is it a breeze on the pool? Or is it the present Christ, as the Psalmist says in citation B9/Ps. 46:1,7 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
- In citation B15/Mark 9:2-5, 7 we have the Transfiguration, certainly an example of God pointing out Jesus’ Messiahship, as well as the continuity of the Christ spirit when you see the presence of Moses and Elias. Can the children think of other times where God pointed out Jesus’ important position as Messiah? (At his birth, and also when John baptized him)
Mary Baker Eddy also tells us that we can all discern and demonstrate this Christ spirit in S21/37:22-25. Have them notice that she lists children first! Most of all, Mary Baker Eddy points out that it is the healing work that most reveals the presence today of the Christ. Now, how do we identify the Christ each day as we live our lives? List some ways
PYCL #4: Read stories of Jesus’ healings.
Teaching smaller children is all about stories!
Have a list of healings to share and read them from a children’s Bible, or tell them to the children.
If they are stories the children know, such as him feeding the multitudes with bread and fish, you might invite them to tell the story. You can certainly include some of his parables as well, just make sure they understand the difference.
PYCL #5: Beatitudes [memorize, apply & charade them]
With this week’s subject on Christ Jesus it would be a great opportunity to review the Beatitudes so they can make the connection between these amazing statements and their author. Who was he preaching to?
Read the Beatitudes in other translations and compare if the children are older.
Make it a memorization project over several weeks.
Make sure you focus on the meaning of each Beatitudes …what does it mean to be “poor in spirit”, for example.
Can they think of examples of this in their life today?
You could play Beatitude “charades”, having the children act out each Beatitude so the others can guess which one they are trying to share.
