GIVING OUR KIDS A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW THROUGH NATURE
Spending time outside isn ’ t only about offering a healthy alternative to screen time . God created our kids to glimpse His likeness in nature . They perceive God ’ s character as they dig their fingers into the dirt , climb a tree , or listen to a bird ’ s song . Romans 1:20 attests to this : “ For his invisible attributes , namely , his eternal power and divine nature , have been clearly perceived , ever since the creation of the world , in the things that have been made . So they are without excuse .”
Theologians refer to this as Natural Revelation , one of the two main ways God reveals Himself to us . While Special Revelation — God ’ s inspired , living , and active Word — is His primary way of showing Himself to us , He also gifted us with Natural Revelation , a secondary and complementary revelation of who He is . Jesus used this method in teaching . Throughout the gospels , we see Him utilizing all He and the Father fashioned together at creation . He used materials such as soil , seeds , sparrows , wildflowers , grass , grains of sand , and olive branches . Like Jesus , we can use the tangible materials in nature to point our children to the intangible qualities of God .
In my book Rooted In Wonder : Nurturing Your Family ’ s Faith Through God ’ s Creation , I share , “ Spending time in creation , they will naturally ask questions that together you can seek out answers to . This is an organic way of building a worldview . Guided by God ’ s Word and Spirit , your children ( and you !) will experience a new depth of faith that snuffs out false ideas .”
3 WAYS TO RESTORE BALANCE AND NURTURE YOUR FAMILY ’ S FAITH THROUGH GOD ’ S CREATION
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USE
INTENTIONAL WORDS TO RECONNECT THE DOTS BETWEEN CREATION AND CREATOR
When you take your child outside , talk about “ creation ” rather than “ nature .” Show them the sunset and discuss how God paints the sky like an artist . Point their attention to a river and talk about God as a great architect . You can read Psalm 104:5-9 and Isaiah 40:12-14 and show them how carefully God designed the planet ’ s systems . He carved the caverns , told the rivers where to flow , and set the boundaries for the seas . Assure them that in the same way , God sets life-giving boundaries in our lives , and we thrive when we live within those limits .
26 THE RENEWANATION REVIEW