Reliance on Divine Guidance

Our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 455), "God selects for the highest service one who has grown into such a fitness for it as renders any abuse of the mission an impossibility." This is a helpful guide when choosing someone for a position which demands spiritual integrity as well as responsibility. When, as the result of prayer and guidance, the executive boards of churches and societies make their choice of officers and teachers for the Christian Science Sunday School, a high standard is assured.

The all-important work of the Sunday School is to teach the children without deviating from the absolute Christian Science contained in the textbook, Science and Health. To be assured that the atmosphere will be conducive to the purest spiritual teaching, every precaution should be taken to ascertain the moral and spiritual qualifications of each Sunday School worker. Purity of thought is one of the important requisites.

As Love's plan for the Sunday School continues to unfold, the executive board generally delegates to the superintendent the responsibility of working out the details of Sunday School procedure. Perhaps an assistant will be necessary to relieve him, and at times more than one may be needed. The smooth operation of the Sunday School usually includes secretaries to assist with office detail and a librarian to serve in the lending library. These appointments also deserve prayerful attention on the part of the executive board.

The placement of the teachers, after having been thoughtfully chosen, is of real significance. It is helpful for the superintendent to take into consideration the teacher's previous experience with children, including Sunday School teaching. More important, however, is the spiritual leading which guides him to place the teacher where Love directs. As superintendent and teacher are willing to let God's will be done, the unity of Principle and idea unfolds.

It is also the happy duty of the superintendent to assign the children to the classes. Here again, as he turns to divine Mind for guidance, angel thoughts pour into consciousness. These will point the way and show the desired plan for each class, which includes the right placement of teacher and pupil. Thus the classes will reflect divine order and be harmonious and progressive.

Just as physical arrangements for a Sunday School should be the result of prayer, so should prayer direct the teaching of the children. Love and humility on the part of the teacher are indeed essential. Since the needs of the children should be met every Sunday, it is important that the teacher come well prepared through consecrated study. If he has been successful in lifting up the Christ in his own consciousness, he is ready to bring the message of spiritual enlightenment to his pupils. This enables him to adapt the questions and answers to the trend of the pupils' needs and interests.

A specific curriculum such as that used in day schools cannot be planned and followed. Sunday School teaching should be the outcome of inspiration and divine guidance and thus fulfill God's holy plan and purpose.

The lessons lovingly provided by Mrs. Eddy, in the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XX, Sects. 2 and 3) are limitless in scope, and there are many and varied ways for developing them within this divinely inspired framework.

Children attain spiritual progress individually as they are taught how to turn to God and to understand that He is the source of all wisdom, yes, the giver of all good. Through enlightened thinking of both pupils and teachers the human needs will be met.

During the teaching period there should be no singing, drawing, or playing of games, nor should maps or pictures be shown. These devices do not aid, but interfere with sound Sunday School teaching.

As each teacher awakens to his ability to teach at Mind's direction, Sunday School children will be prepared to demonstrate the pure Science of Christianity, as given in our Leader's writings.

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