Vol.13 No.6

Teaching Creation to Our Children
By Patricia L. Guthrie

Sabbath afternoon walks with my family are among my most treasured childhood memories. We especially enjoyed rock jumping along mountain streams. As we leaped from one granite boulder to another, my creation-scientist father reminded us that these rocks were a part of God’s original creation, called into existence by “the breath of His mouth,” for “he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:6, 9. Those early impressions were lasting. Whenever I see a granite rock today, the words from the Psalmist come to mind, and I praise God for my earthly father who instilled in my heart an appreciation for God’s creation.

CONSIDER CREATION!

Children learn by association. Simple truths, repeated often, create a lifelong connection between the object and the lesson in the minds of our children. How do we do it?

Jesus said, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.…” “…Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.” Matthew 6:26, 28.

Admonitions to “behold” and “consider” God’s creation abound in Scripture: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” Psalm 8:3, 4.

“Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Proverbs 6:6.

“…stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:14.

It isn’t hard to teach young children to “look.” They are naturally curious. They want to see. It is up to us as parents to guide their observations, drawing parallels between their physical observances and the words of Scripture. Older children can learn to use a Bible concordance, discovering for themselves the lessons associated with God’s created works.

Used in this way, Scripture becomes a powerful safeguard from sin, and the objects of creation become a continual reminder of our loving Maker and Redeemer.

Not long ago, my six-year-old daughter came to me as I was preparing dinner. “Mommy,” she said, “I’ve been thinking. In order for a seed to grow, it first has to die. That makes me think of baptism, because when you’re baptized, it means you die too, so you can grow in Jesus.”

Nature’s many lessons are simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough to stimulate our study throughout eternity. In directing our children’s minds to their Creator, we heed Jesus’ counsel to let the little children come to Him. And if we do not forbid them, He will draw them close to His heart with cords of love that will not be broken. Matthew 19:14; Hosea 11:4. 

SURROUNDED BY CREATIVE POWER

Recently, we took our children on an overnight back-packing trip. We pitched our tents on a grassy knoll overlooking a mountain valley. A rufous-sided towhee welcomed us with his cheerful “drink your tee-ee,” flowering rhododendron sheltered our campsite, stars sparkled like diamonds in our nighttime canopy. A brisk breeze caressed our faces. At sunrise, the sky turned into a brilliant rainbow of colors. We praised God for the many tokens of His love surrounding us!

But His creative power stands out in every aspect of our lives. Peaches and strawberries drip with the sweetness of His love. Every loaf of bread points us to Jesus, the Bread of Life. Every breath we take is a token of His life-giving power. A refreshing drink of cool water reminds us of Jesus, the Water of Life, from whom all blessings flow. The singing of the birds directs our hearts to Him who wakens us morning by morning to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4.

“There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.…” Psalm 19:3, 4.

“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.

* Patricia L. Guthrie is a freelance writer who also writes Bible stories for children. Original article excerpted from Adventists Affirm, Spring 2002. Used by permission.