Article November 18, 1961 Issue

Teaching the Scriptures

[From a teacher in a branch church Sunday School]

In Article XX, Sections 2 and 3, of the Manual of The Mother Church, Mary Baker Eddy gives instruction for teaching in Christian Science Sunday Schools. Her first injunction is, "The Sabbath School children shall be taught the Scriptures." Teaching the Scriptures is a matter of individual unfoldment on the part of the teacher, but it is sometimes helpful to know how others have fulfilled this requirement.

Many children enter Sunday School several years before they learn to read for themselves the first lessons and the stories from the Bible that are so dearly loved by these little ones. Therefore these stories must be presented orally in simple words which they can understand. As the children progress, the teacher has the priceless opportunity to introduce to them the text of the Bible and to familiarize them with the use of the Book, instilling in them a great respect and love for it.

One teacher asked the pupils to memorize at home the books of the Bible, with a certain number of books being assigned each week. The teacher explained to the class that this assignment was more than a mere exercise in memorizing and that the primary purpose of learning the books in order was to enable them to use the Bible and to find references quickly and easily. The teacher selected verses from the books assigned which were simple enough for the children to read and understand and were appropriate for reading and discussing in class. Each reading was followed by a discussion of the literal and spiritual meaning through thought-provoking questions and answers.

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