Where is your treasure? What do you think of as your treasure? What do you value and focus your attention on? If you could have anything, what would you ask for? Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge, but what was he given? Why do you think this happened? What can you learn from this story? What's the most important thing to have?
What do God's “riches” look like? Name some in your family, school, sports team, etc. how can you distinguish God's works/riches/creation from human ones? What is the point of recognizing these things? Is this different from other Christian denominations? Could this help with a healing? With your own spiritual practice? Why? How? What does S3 mean to you? What does it mean for everything that you see and experience everyday?
Where is your treasure stored? How do we keep our treasures protected? What keeps what is most precious to us from being corrupted or stolen? How can we be sure that we are protecting the right things? Look at S8. Mrs. Eddy says that what is called intangible is substance and what seems to be substance is nothingness. What do you think about that? Have you ever thought one thing was substantial and later found that it didn't matter or mean anything to you? Or realized that something that you didn't think would ever be important was actually the most valuable thing? Give some examples. Consider some of the following: grades, clothes, money, family, friendship, God. Which of these are substance? Which aren't? Can you think of more?
The story of Jacob and Esau comes to a close in this section. What's the background here? Why was Jacob so concerned about seeing Esau again? What happened the night before Esau's arrival (B10)? Jacob wouldn't let go of the angel until it blessed him. How can you be like Jacob and hold on to your blessings? What happened the next day (B11)? How was this different from the original expectation? Who do you think changed first, Jacob or Esau? We never know what happened to Esau the night before. Do you think he had his own transformation? What might have changed in his thought? By the end of the story, both brothers had enough and no one lacked anything. What a change from the beginning of their story when they fought over everything. What does this have to do with substance? How are we sustained and supplied? How are you advancing spiritually (S12)? What lessons are you learning? What are you pursuing (S13)? What are you winning? What does the last sentence in S14 mean? What is unspeakable peace? Can you give an example of it?
How was Zacchaeus transformed in B13? What do you think the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus was like? Think about the type of person Zacchaeus was (a tax collector), and what he did in his profession. And yet he so desperately wanted to see Jesus that he went and climbed a tree to catch a glimpse of him. Would you do that? Talk about Zacchaeus' response to what the crowd says about him. Giving half his goods to the poor and then restoring everyone he took from by four times the amount would basically bankrupt him. What a change! Think about S20. What would this look like? Consider at school, in your home, and in the world. How are you getting “better views of humanity”? What are those views?
How are our needs supplied? Give an example of how you have been supplied with all that you need. Discuss the story in B17. What did Peter and John do? The man asked them for money and they gave him far more. Are you willing to give a gift like that? How do you think Peter and John were able to heal him so immediately? What stands out to you in S25? Think about the statement about not injuring others and doing them good. How do you do this? How have you done this recently? In what direction are you looking (S27)? In what direction are you walking? How have you seen this evidenced in your daily experience?
[PYCLS: Have fun with a Treasure Hunt, Musical Chairs, Story Reenactments,…]
Possible
Younger
Class
Lesson Suggestions for the Christian Science Bible Lesson on “
Substance” for
March 13, 2011
by
Kerry Jenkins, CS, House Springs, MO
kerry.helen.jenkins@gmail.com
[with bracketed italics by Warren Huff, CedarS Camps Director]
The entire Sunday School class could center around different aspects of treasure. What is treasure? Beyond pirates and things buried, do we have things that we “treasure”? The younger kids may not have thought of using this word, especially not in this way.
[PYCL-Golden Text thru Section 5:] Try preparing a treasure hunt. Write things that are substantial (spiritual) on slips of gold paper and maybe hid them around the class space or Sunday School, depending on whether this would incite too much energy on the part of the students. (I know my boys might get a little too excited if the guidelines were not pretty clear). Maybe if the weather isn't too cold this activity could go outdoors. The “seeking” might be brief because it is the substantial ideas that we really want to focus on. You could make clues for them to find the treasures that are spiritually-related. For example: “Your mom and dad often help you feel this way when you are afraid. Find this clue in the book of Genesis chapter six.” “What story is there about safety?” You could then take it to Mrs. Eddy's definition of ARK, or alternatively, you could put the clue in S&H with that definition. [S&H, p. 581] How is safety a substantial idea? Do we usually feel that the safety that God offers is substantial? Maybe you, as the teacher, could share an appropriate healing that you may have experienced regarding the substance of safety in your experience. Students love to hear healings from your own life!
[PYCL-Section 3: Play Musical Chairs–with and without the pressured feeling of lack. The story of Jacob in B-9, B-10, B-11 and S-11 may make a good transition from your discussion of safety as a treasure to a game that puts treasure hunting on a higher level.] Did Jacob feel safe when he heard that Esau was coming to greet him with 400 men? Apparently not. Did he turn around and run? What would you do? The story doesn't just start there in the Bible. [You can review with students “the back story” in Genesis chapters 25-35 and show them firsthand how competitive Jacob and Esau felt by playing a game of musical chairs. Start with one chair too few for the number of students and when the music stops the student who is left standing loses the opportunity to continue playing. Watch how pushy and selfish players become when they think there is too little to go around. Then, play again with enough chairs for all, telling players to be extra nice and considerate of each other because God has provided everything they need and they know it.] You could briefly explain the history behind Esau's anger [when he lost his “chair” by Jacob's trickery.] Why did Jacob feel he needed to steal the blessing, etc. from his brother? Wasn't he thinking that there was [a limited amount of] substance, something there, that would bless him– that he would be deprived of otherwise. What ultimately DID bless Jacob? (Hint: it sure wasn't that stolen blessing of his Father.) Rather it was the result of all that wrestling, not just on the night when he was afraid, but during all those years where matter [and trickery] let him down. (He worked seven years to marry Rachel, then was tricked into marrying her sister, worked another seven for Rachel, trick after trick; and he resorted to tricks of his own to “get what was rightfully his”. When our treasure is in matter, our heart, our thoughts and consciousness wrapped up in things material, we are constantly disappointed. Eventually we turn to Spirit to find things that truly make us happy and that's what happened to Jacob, even got a new name –a truer sense of his identity!
[PYCL-Section 4: Extreme seeking for the treasure of glimpsing the Christ:] You could discuss how we really “seek” for these treasures. Kids in grades 1-5 are not too young to have the ideas of symbolism introduced. What does the Bible mean – “…where your treasure is there shall your heart be also.” You could possibly talk about the people in the Bible who were so deeply desirous of “touching” the Christ that they did things that were either really extreme: (tearing off part of a roof to let a man down on a bed to be healed by Jesus), illegal: (the woman with the “issue of blood” would have been considered unclean, not allowed to touch another), or just sort of silly: (Zacchaeus climbing a tree because he was too short to see Jesus in a crowd-remind the kids that he was a grown man and it might have been a little strange to see him in a tree). Nothing was going to keep these people from getting a glimpse, a touch, etc. of the Christ. These are not the only examples: the Magdalene and others broke rules of society and went to unusual lengths because they recognized true substance and wanted it in their lives! You can pursue Zacchaeus' story further. [B-13 and can even reenact it to help your student's unpack its meaning for themselves. See at the end a Section 4 script with a ladder prop.] What did ZAC (ZACCHAEUS) find substantial in his life before he knew Jesus? Was it rewarding to him? Couldn't have been very since he completely changed on meeting Jesus and accepted for himself that he was a different kind of man right then! Is this like Jacob's new name? Who else in the Bible saw themselves in a new light after “meeting” Jesus? The littler kids may not be able to answer that question, but it's a nice opening for pointing out Paul's desert “meeting” with Jesus and how this changed his path from what he thought was a life of substance, to a life of true substance! If substance is defined in part as something lasting, Paul's contribution certainly fits that description! What would you do to see or touch the Christ? Have we missed our chance because we were born too late?
[PYCL-Section 5: Trade in” thing-treasures” for “thought-treasures”.] In Section 5 there is the story of the lame man being healed. (Was he born too late?) What did that man THINK he was looking for? (money, right?) What did Peter and John KNOW he was REALLY looking for? This may be a bit heavy for younger kids, but it's interesting to ask what we THINK we need and then listen for what that need REALLY might be. This is an exercise in “turning things into thoughts”. Your students might find it fun to make lists of things and see if they can turn them into thoughts. Thinking of my boys…cars into transportation! I'm sure they can come up with more inventive and helpful ideas. [My favorite trade-in: the Christ turning a fishing boat into an instant transportation module for the disciple–moving at the ultimate speed of thought–“immediately” “being there”. John 6:21]
Have fun! And, don't forget [from last week's PYCL ideas to start up or] to check on your plantings–whether literal or figurative! Keep on a-watering!
[P.S. On in following pages a possible Section 5 script for Acts 3 (B-17) if you want to combine classes or play multiple roles to reenact “the rest of the story” and bring home its lessons in a memorable way.]
[PCYL–Section 4: Treasure Play–THE STORY OF ZACCHAEUS
Characters: Narrator, Zac, and Jesus. People lining the road to see Jesus.
Props: A ladder
Narrator: Jesus and Zacchaeus were Jews who lived in Israel. The Roman army occupied Israel and demanded a lot of money, called taxes, from the Jews. The Jews didn't have a lot of money, so it was hard to pay the taxes. The Roman army hired some of the Jews to collect the taxes from the people. Sometimes the tax collectors cheated the people and took extra money from them for themselves. This made the people hate the tax collectors. They wouldn't speak to them or have anything to do with them. They would never go to their houses.
Zacchaeus lived in Jericho and was one of these tax collectors. No one liked him because he had sometimes cheated them and taken too much money from them. They all thought he was a bad person. He was very rich and it was their money that had made him rich. Oh they were mad just thinking about him.
One day, Jesus came to Jericho. The people all wanted to see this great teacher who could heal people. They were crowding the street where he was to walk by. (Line students up in front of the ladder.)
ZAC: I really want to see Jesus. Has he come by yet? I can't see past this crowd.
(Jumps to see over people. Tries to push his way through but no one lets him.)
I wish I weren't so short! I know what I'll do. I'll climb this tree so I can see him. (Zac climbs the ladder.)
JESUS: (Walks along the road and stops under the tree. Looks up at Zac.)
Zacchaeus, hurry up and come down out of that tree. Today I will stay at your house.
ZAC: (Quickly climbs down the ladder with a big smile on his face.)
I would be honored to have you stay at my house.
(The people all grumble and whisper to each other that Jesus is going to be the guest of the hated tax collector.)
ZAC: I hear what all the people are saying about me. And I feel sorry that I've done bad things. Lord, from now on, one half of everything I own I'll give to the poor people of the city. And if I've cheated anyone, I'll give him back four times more than what I took from him.
JESUS: Good for you Zac. This day you have proven your worth as a child of God. I have come looking for people like you, to show you how valuable you are. No matter what you've done wrong, you can follow my example and be good. You can be as perfect as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
ZAC: I am so joyful. Thank you for showing me the right way. (OVER)
Follow up questions: (suggested by my team-teacher, Maryl Walters)
Why were the people mad at Zac? What had he done to them?
Have you ever been mad at someone who treated you badly?
How was Jesus seeing Zac?
Have you been able to see the person who treated you badly as the child of God?
What made Jesus so loving?
How can you be loving like Jesus was?]
[PCYL-Section 5: “Treasure Play”–
PETER AND JOHN HEAL THE LAME MAN Acts 3:1-20; Acts 4:1-33, quoted & adapted from The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene Peterson
Props: a dozen of these scripts, each highlighted for the appropriate part (See questions at end)
Beautiful gate of temple (gold garland maybe)
Jail (sign maybe)
Character names to hang around necks
High priest scarf
Cast of 10 Characters: (could combine smaller classes)
Lame man who is healed Israelite #1
Narrator Israelite #2
Peter Israelite #3
John Sadducee
High Priest Chief of Temple police
Narrator: “One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple.”
(Israelites carry lame man to gate. Peter and John approach.)
Lame man: Please help me. Can you spare a nickel for a lame man?
Peter: Look at us. (Pause) “I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,” rise up and walk! (Peter and John take his hands and pull him up on his feet. He jumps up and walks, and leaps.)
Lame man: Praise God! Look at me! (He goes into the Temple with Peter and John, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. He throws his arms around Peter and John.)
Israelites: Look at that! Amazing! Praise God! Isn't that the lame man who sat at the temple begging?
Peter: “Oh, Israelites, why does this take you by such complete surprise, and why stare at us as if our power or holiness made him walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has glorified his Son Jesus. … Faith in Jesus' name put this man, whose condition you know so well, on his feet-yes, faith and nothing but faith put this man healed and whole right before your eyes.”
John: “And now, friends, it's time to change your ways! Turn to face God so God can wipe away your sins; God will pour out showers of blessing to refresh you, and send you Christ, the Messiah.”
Narrator: “While Peter and John were addressing the people, the priest, the chief of the Temple police, and a Sadducee came up.” (Acts 4:1)
John: And this man, Jesus Christ, who healed people and even raised the dead, was also raised from the dead himself.
Peter: We ourselves saw him and hung out with him.
Sadducee: What kind of craziness is this-everyone knows that there is no such thing as resurrection from death. And who do you think you are-instructing the people-WE are the teachers. You are ignorant fishermen. Arrest them!
Chief of Temple police: All right, everyone stand back. You two are coming with me to jail.
Narrator: “But many of those who listened had already believed the Message-in round numbers about five thousand!
“The next day a meeting was called in Jerusalem. The rulers, religious leaders, religion scholars, the Chief Priest, John, Alexander-everybody who was anybody was there.”
High Priest: (To the chief of Temple police) Bring those two men to us.
(Chief of Temple police brings Peter and John back from jail. Standing next to them is the lame man who was healed.)
Sadducee: So, Peter and John, “who put you in charge here?”
High Priest:”What business do you have doing this preaching?”
Peter, (“full of the Holy Spirit, let loose): ‘Rulers and leaders of the people, if we have been brought to trial today for helping a sick man, put under investigation regarding this healing, I'll be completely frank with you-we have nothing to hide. By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one you killed on a cross, the one God raised from the dead, by means of his name this man stands before you healthy and whole.'”
Narrator: “They couldn't take their eyes off them-Peter and John standing there so confident, so sure of themselves! Their fascination deepened when they realized these two were laymen with no training in Scripture or formal education. They recognized them as companions of Jesus, but with the man right before them, seeing him standing there so upright-so healed!-what could they say against that?”
High Priest: Take them back to jail. We need to make some plans.
(Chief of Temple police takes them back to jail.)
Sadducee: “What can we do with these men? By now it's known all over town that a miracle has occurred, and that they are behind it. There is no way we can refute that. But so that it doesn't go any further, let's silence them with threats so they won't dare to use Jesus' name ever again with anyone.”
High Priest: Good plan. Bring the men back in.
(Chief of Temple police brings them back.)
High Priest: We'll give you one warning. “On no account” are you “ever again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.”
Peter: “Whether it's right in God's eyes to listen to you rather than to God, you decide. As for us, there's no question-we can't keep quiet about what we've seen and heard.”
Sadducee: Pay attention: This is your Sadducee speaking. Don't ever teach or preach about Jesus again.
Narrator: “As soon as Peter and John were let go, they went to their friends and told them what the high priests and religious leaders had said. They then “lifted their voices in a wonderful harmony of prayer:”
Israelite #1: “Strong God, you made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. By the Holy Spirit you spoke through the mouth of your servant and our father, David:”
Israelite #2: “Why the big noise, nations? Why the mean plots, people? Earth's leaders push for position, Potentates meet for summit talks, The God-deniers, the Messiah-defiers!” …
Israelite #3: “Take care of their threats and give your servants fearless confidence in preaching your Message, as you stretch out your hand to us in healings and wonders done in the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Narrator: “While they were praying, the place where they were meeting trembled and shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God's Word with fearless confidence.”
“The whole congregation of believers was united as one-one heart, one mind! … and grace was on all of them.”
Post-reenactment discussion ideas:
Afterwards it would be great to discuss for a few minutes how bold Peter and John were to stand up to the High Priest and Sadducees even when told not to preach ever again. It'd be great to connect their experience with our need to do what we know God is telling us to do no matter who says what. You may want to share with students one of Mrs. Eddy's favorite mottos that she hung over the door to her room in her various residences: “Do right and fear not.” How did Peter and John live up to this motto? How did Mrs. Eddy live up to it as an adult and as a girl? It'd be great to allow time to ask if anyone in the class could retell how Mary Baker as a young girl in her one-room school stood up to a much older and larger bully how tried to make her and other students drink muddy water out of a hollowed out cucumber. How can you stand up to bullies as well as to peer pressure and so live up to the motto to “Do right and fear not”?]