Article February 20, 1954 Issue

Questions on the Lesson-Sermon for Intermediate Classes

Pupils usually begin the study of at least a portion of the Lesson-Sermon in the Christian Science Quarterly when they are able to read fairly well. And by the time they have reached the age of eleven or twelve some children have begun to study the entire Lesson-Sermon each day. At this point the first lessons are not dropped, but may be brought into the next lessons, which, according to the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy, consist of questions and answers. The presenting of questions is an important part of the teacher's responsibility. This is an individual demonstration, and since each one must necessarily teach from the background of his own spiritual unfoldment, no one can tell another what questions should be asked of the pupils.

Not infrequently, however, a teacher of pre-teen or early teen-age pupils feels the need of some general guidance in the formulating of questions on the Lesson-Sermon. Two lessons in particular that are often mentioned in this connection are "Probation after Death" and "Everlasting Punishment." The following comments, therefore, are offered merely to point to the possibilities afforded by the Lesson-Sermon. Questions naturally would be adapted to the particular needs of the class and to whatever questions or comments may originate with the pupils.

In the Bible Lesson for October 25, 1953, under the subject of "Probation after Death," the Golden Text reads (lsa. 9:2), "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." This passage offers an excellent opportunity to bring into the questions and answers some enlightening facts about Christian Science, Christ Jesus, and Mrs. Eddy. First, the questions might be asked: What is meant by darkness in this passage? What is the great light that the prophet Isaiah foresaw as coming to earth to dispel the darkness of false belief? Who brought it to earth? Had Isaiah, who lived centuries before the time of Jesus, caught some clear glimpses of this wonderful light? Do you remember how the light of Truth enabled him to help King Hezekiah and his people when Sennacherib threatened to invade Judah? (See II Kings, chapter 19.)

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