The Book of Nature - Chapter 6

NATURE - all inspiring nature! It is our next lesson book after the Bible, and what precious lessons we can learn from it if we make the time. The fields and the hills should be the child's first classroom and we should encourage them to love it and recognise Gods hand in it all.

When Adam and Eve were in the garden they were taught by Jesus himself. The lessons were about:

• The heavens
• Planets
• "Balancing of the Clouds"
• Light and Sound
• Day and night

These lessons we are to teach our children so that they can see the working of God in all that their eyes behold. There are lessons to be learnt due to the result of sin too. When our children see the decay, death, and the unpleasant sights in nature, explain to them the result of sin and what it has done. But even though there is decay in nature, there are representations of Gods goodness through it all - singing birds, flowers, sun, rain.

A great activity which we are going to start with our children is that whenever we go into nature we are to find an object that illustrates a lesson, story or description of Jesus. It's a great way to talk to you children about Bible truths when "thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." Deut 11:19

If you are not sure about the themes of study, take a pick from the list below as quoted in Child Guidance:

• Leaf of the forest tree
• Grass that covers the earth as a green velvet carpet
• Plants and flowers
• The stately trees
• Lofty mountains
• Rocks
• Restless ocean
• Light of night that makes the night beautiful
• Exhaustless riches of sunlight
• Solemn glories of the moon
• Winters Cold
• Summers heat
• Seasons in perfect order and harmony

At home we have a great bible and nature curriculum which is put out by 'Sonlight'. The curriculum goes for 3 years and each quarter is focused on a different nature object (trees, rocks, plants...) They are VERY good and VERY biblical.

Jesus' education was gained by useful work, study of scripture, study of nature and life's experiences. You may ask 'Can our children gain the same education that Jesus did?' and to answer that "Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His Word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined." CG 51

When Jesus began to teach others he brought His hearers into contact with nature to teach them the lessons spoken of. The parables were always influenced by nature - birds, lilies, sower and the seed, shepherd and the sheep, the leaven, pearl, etc... We should in the same way teach our children.

THIS WEEKS ACTIVITY:

• Each day take your child into nature and see what lessons you can teach. Write down what you have done and the blessings you have all received.

  "...that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. "

Isaiah 61:3

Please find next weeks study here.

God Bless!