Sunday School Notes and Comments

One Sunday school teacher was faced with the suggestion that she might run short of material when she was asked to teach a class which was studying the "first lessons," as defined by Mary Baker Eddy in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XX, Sect. 3). As she faithfully worked to enlarge her understanding, that she might have something of value to bring to the little ones, she began to see how boundless is the work to be done with even one of the "first lessons."

The teacher found that in connection with the First Commandment there were definitions in the Glossary of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, which the children could learn. There were the synonyms for God to be learned and understood, and many stories in the Bible to be read as illustrations of the meaning of the First Commandment—and so on with each of the "first lessons." There was no place or time for mere meaningless repetition of the Commandments, but as the children gained some understanding of their spiritual import there came to them a greater desire to learn to repeat them correctly.

As teachers, striving to know and to do God's will, giving earnest heed to the preparation of the lesson, and in unison with the pupils unfolding it with an eye single to its purpose, may we recognize that we are seed-sowers only, since it is, as Paul said, "God that giveth the increase." The pupil must make his own use of the truths of Christian Science which he is taught, but the teacher is responsible every step of the way for conscientiously striving to demonstrate those truths in his own life.

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 201), "The best sermon ever preached is Truth practised and demonstrated by the destruction of sin, sickness, and death." It is likewise true that the best Sunday school lesson we can teach emphasizes "Truth practised and demonstrated."

In the Christian Science Sunday School the budding thought of the children is guided to a demonstrable understanding of the Christ, Truth. This understanding helps them to form and develop good Christian character by becoming doers of the Word, thereby gaining the true sense of health.

The child thought is receptive and open to conviction. At times, it may seem to be inattentive, forgetful, argumentative, or skeptical, but these mental conditions may be pierced with patient, loving firmness and persistent endeavor.

Once in a while it is interesting to refer to the different church activities, and to point out that the Sunday school is a gateway into these activities. It is necessary to remind the pupils that there is never a time when anyone grows beyond the need of understanding and proving the truth contained in the Ten Commandments and in the Beatitudes. It is most vital that they be shown there is no lesson they need to learn more than that of obedience. In "Miscellaneous Writings" Mrs. Eddy says (p. 117), "Obedience is the offspring of Love."

Every Sunday each class is, in one sense, a new class; it is not just as it was on the previous Sunday; it gives us a fresh opportunity to present the truth and to see it received and demonstrated, and we need to take advantage of this opportunity.

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