Outdoor Object Lesson 97: Worry Like A Flower

Key Text

"Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these." Matthew 6:28-29 (WEB)

Lesson

What is your favorite color of flower? You can find nearly every color of the rainbow. Some colors are more rare like green or even black. Others are abundant like yellow. What is your favorite type of flower? There are over 400,000 flowering plants in the world, so your bound to find one to like.1 Some are big and intricate. Others are small and plain. Some have wonderful scents, others have a horrid stench and some have almost no scent at all. 

There are flowers that grow in all types of places. Some grow in extreme areas where few plants or animals live. The Velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) grows in the desert in the southwestern United States. It can with stand the hot desert temperatures that can reach 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) and in the winter temps can drop below freezing! To find water in the parched ground it sends its roots up to 164 feet (50 meters) deep!2

Other flowering plants can grow in extreme cold and at very high elevations. One flower, Christolea himalayensis, grows on high mountains in the Himalayas. It has been recorded growing over 20,000 feet (6300 m) and freezes and thaws again each day.3 There are even flowers that grow underwater. A species of seagrass, Thalassia testudinum, has flowers that grow completely underwater. It even depends on small water animals to help pollinate the flowers.4 

God made so many different beautiful flowers. Did you know that Jesus talked about flowers? In the Key Text Jesus was speaking to his listeners about worrying too much. He reminded them to depend on God who has the power to provide all our needs. Jesus reminded his listeners how beautiful God makes flowers. Yet they don't worry about getting clothes, making money, or finding food. They depend fully on God for everything they need. Humans live much longer than flowers do as you know if you have ever picked any flowers. Yet, we often worry about whether we will have everything we need. Jesus reminded his listeners in the same sermon, that God already knows our needs even before we ask him. We don't need to worry. If we trust God, and ask him for what we need, he will provide. 

Questions

Do you or your family like to keep flowers in your house or lawn?

Does the Key Text mean that God will give us anything we ask for?

What if we do not get what we ask for in prayer, does that mean God has broken his promise?

How can we learn to trust that God will give us what he knows is best?

Sources

1. ProFlowers, “151 Types of Flowers Common in the U.S.,” ProFlowers.com (March, 19, 2019), accessed May 31, 2019 from https://www.proflowers.com/blog/types-of-flowers.
2. Jill Richardson, "Desert plants: The ultimate survivors," Science News for Students online, (January 30, 2015) accessed March 31, 2019 from

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/desert-plants-ultimate-survivors.
3. lucy, "Surviving in mountains: the highest places in the world where plants flower," Wild World online, (June 10, 2011) accessed March 31, 2019 from http://iberianature.com/wildworld/surviving-in-mountains-the-highest-places-in-the-world-where-plants-flower/.
4. Matt, "Underwater Pollinators," In Defense of Plants online, (October 31, 2016) accessed March 31, 2019 from http://www.indefenseofplants.com/blog/2016/10/31/underwater-pollinators.

Written by David F. Garner
Photo credit: DeltaWorks via www.pixabay.com 

Outdoor Object Lesson 84: Almonds For You

Key Text

“Moreover God’s word came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” Then God said to me, “You have seen well; for I watch over my word to perform it.”” Jeremiah‬ ‭1:11-12‬ ‭(WEB‬‬ paraphrased)

Lesson

Almonds are a spectacular nut. They offer great health benefits. They are high in vitamins E and B2, protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They offer a high level of antioxidants and are beneficial for the cardiovascular system.1 These nuts have a mild taste that is great alone and with many other foods. They make a great nut butter. They can even be used to make a tasteful milk substitute.

They grow on trees and are native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region. They grow well in warm regions such as California which produces 80% of the world's almonds. Although almonds are normally called a nut they are technically a seed which grows inside a hard fruit covering called a drupe. There are two varieties of almonds, sweet and bitter. As you likely guessed the sweet almond is the one that is eaten as a nut. The bitter almond variety is used to produce oil.2 The most striking aspect of the almond tree is the flowers. When in full bloom they are beautiful with five white to light pink petals. They have a rich fragrance that smells of honey butter.

In the Bible, almonds are mentioned several times. In Genesis 43:11 Jacob tells his sons to take almonds with them into Egypt as one of the best foods of the land. These are to be a present to Joseph, probably because the almond was not a native to the region of Egypt. In Exodus 25:33-34 Moses was directed to decorate parts of the candlestick for the wilderness Tabernacle with carvings resembling branches and blossoms of the almond tree. Aaron's rod yielded almond blossoms and ripe almonds to prove he was God’s choice for high priest (Numbers 17:8). The most unusual mention of almonds is in the key text where Jeremiah sees an almond branch in vision. It is an odd verse the first time it is read. God asks Jeremiah "What do you see?" and Jeremiah says, "the branch of an almond tree." Then God seems to congratulate him on his powers of observation then completely change the subject.

While God may seem absent minded at first, when reading the verse in context, it makes more sense. Throughout the chapter of Jeremiah 1 God repeatedly asks Jeremiah what he sees in vision, then makes an important statement. God uses these images as symbols. He is trying to help Jeremiah understand the crucial points of His message. Almond buds are usually the first to appear after the long winter. They usually start growing in late January before winter is completely gone.2 The Hebrew word for almond (shaked) means the tree that "hastens to awake." Here God is emphasizing his hast to fulfill his promises to his people. God would not delay in fulfillment of his gracious and divine promise. His message is the same to us today. Look at the bare branch of the almond tree, watch as I fulfill my promises in your life and make them bloom into a beautiful flower and bear delicious fruit.

Questions

What is your favorite nut?

What can you do when you read something in the Bible, like the key text, that doesn't make any sense?

Is it significant that God compares the fulfillment of his promises to a flower that blooms towards the end of winter?

What promises has God given for your life that he has yet to fulfill?


Sources
1. Joe Leech, "9 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Almonds," Healthline online, last modified September 6, 2018, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-proven-benefits-of-almonds.

2. Melissa Petruzzello, "Almond," Encyclopædia Britannica online, last modified September 20, 2018, https://www.britannica.com/plant/almond.


Written by David F. Garner
Photo credit: LinArt via www.pixabay.com

Outdoor Object Lesson 83: Poinsettia’s Point

Key Text

“how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14 (WEB)

Lesson

No flower embodies the Christmas season more than the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). In fact, no other plant except the Christmas tree comes close to the same popularity this time of year. But why did this flowering plant become so popular? Afterall there are numerous red flowers in nature. Poinsettias were discovered and named by Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, an amateur botanist and the first United States ambassador to Mexico. He discovered this beautiful bush growing in Mexico in 1828. He was responsible for importing and popularizing the bush in the United States.

One primary reason this plant became popular at Christmas time is because December is the only time of year that poinsettias bloom. Their brilliant red leaves are the perfect color to adorn the Christmas story. Red and green have long been associated with the Christmas season although not always as dominant as today. Poinsettias have been a staple of church decorations in Mexico at Christmas time for hundreds of years. As they spread in popularity in the United States, they easily became a staple of Christmas décor because they are one of few plants that bloom in December, especially in the northern climates.

Another reason poinsettias became popular in churches at Christmas time is because to the Aztecs of Mexico the color red represented purity. As Christianity spread in Mexico the poinsettia naturally became a dominate fixture in churches at Christmas time. In the Bible the color white is most often associated with purity. White is clean, and even the slightest bit of impurity is easily seen against a white background. So, it is easy to see why it represents purity. In the Bible red can also represent purity because of the blood of sacrifices. In the key text we see the blood of Jesus’ sacrifice used to symbolically cleans and purify us from sin.

Poinsettias are an amazing plant. They can grow into small trees in their native region reaching 12 feet (3.7 m) high with leaves 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide. It is actually their leaves that turn red. Many people mistake the red leaves as flower petals. On most flowering plants the petals have the bright colors. That is not so with poinsettias. The flowers are very small, unremarkable yellow buds at the center of the brightly colored leaves. Poinsettias come in a variety of colors including white, pink, salmon, cream, yellow, and most popular, red. You may see blue or other colors, but these have been dyed. Whenever you look at a poinsettia this Christmas, whether white, red, or some shade in between, remember what Jesus has done for you. Jesus shed his blood so that we could be purified and live with him eternally. Let that be an ever-present thought in your mind when you see a poinsettia.

Questions

What is your favorite Christmas decoration?

Why do you think red and green are the most popular Christmas colors?

How does the blood of Jesus make us pure?

What are some ways you can help to keep Christ at the center of Christmas this year?

Sources

1. Dr. Leonard Perry. “Fun Facts About Poinsettias,” The Green Mountain Gardener online, (Burlington: University of Vermont Extension Department of Plant and Soil Science) accessed December 3, 2018, https://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/points.htm.



Written by David F. Garner
Photo credit: sandid via www.pixabay.com

Outdoor Object Lesson 73: The Best Pot

Key Verse

"What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.” Matt. 13:23 (WEB)

Lesson

Note: Material needed includes 4 small pots. Fill one with gravel/stones, one with dull nutrient deficient soil, one with weeds, and the last with fresh and rich potting soil. As each one is mentioned in the lesson, show it around to the audience so they can see what is inside. This is a modern take on the parable of the sower.

A mother wanted to plant some flower seeds in a pot to brighten her home. She looked in the 4 plant pots she had on the back porch. As she looked through each one she found they were filled with different substances. She looked in each one trying to find the best one that would provide good soil to grow her flowers. She wanted only the best soil that would provide all the nutrients for the seeds.

She peered into the first one and found it was full of stones and gravel. (show first pot) Do you think that would make good soil to grow the flower seeds in? The next one she looked into was full of dull dirt that had many rocks in it. The dirt had many hard lumps that were difficult to break with her hand. (show second pot) Would this make better soil than the first? The third pot was full of weeds that had grown over the past several months. Their roots reached all the way to the bottom of the pot and she could hardly see the dirt they were growing in. (show third pot) Would the new seeds be able to grow around all those weeds? The final pot was filled with dark, rich, black soil. She ran her fingers through this soil and found it had no rocks or lumps. There were no weeds growing in it yet. (show last pot)

Do you think the last pot would be best for her to grow her flowers in? If you said yes, than you are correct. New seeds need nutritious soil. Rocks and hard lumps of dirt make it difficult for seeds to put down good roots. Large weeds will take up all the light and water and choke the seeds as they try to grow. Jesus used this illustration to help us understand what kind of heart we need to have so that the gospel will grow in us into something beautiful. Jesus said if our hearts are full of rocks and stones, the gospel is easily snatched away because it cannot grow there. If our hearts are like the dull soil that is full of rocks and lumps of dirt, then we may receive the gospel with joy, until life gets hard. Then because of the poor soil of our hearts, the gospel does not have deep roots and is washed away by difficult times and we give up on it.

If our hearts are like the third pot and full of weeds, we may receive the gospel for a short time. But if we are not careful, the cares of this life and pursuit of material things may choke it out because we focus more on them than on the gospel. The only sure way for the gospel to take deep root in our heart and grow into something wonderful, is if we have a heart like the fourth pot. Our heart needs to be rich and fertile so that the seed can form deep roots and become the most valuable thing in our life. Jesus is the great farmer and can give us hearts of good soil if we let him. Then as it says in the key text, we will hear and understand the gospel and it will bear much fruit in us making us kind, patient, joyful, and loving. Ask Jesus to give you a heart of good soil today.

Questions

If our hearts are like one of the first three pots, how do we get one like the fourth, full of good soil?
What types of things in our life can choke the gospel?
What else do seeds need besides good soil? Did Jesus say where we could get these important items?


Written by David F. Garner

For The Beauty Of The Earth

For The Beauty Of The Earth

1. For the beauty of the earth, 

For the glory of the skies; 

For the love which from our birth, 

Over and around us lies; 

Lord of all, to Thee we raise 

This, our hymn of grateful praise. 

2. For the wonder of each hour, 

Of the day and of the night; 

Hill and vale and tree and flow'r, 

Sun and moon, and stars of light; 

Lord of all, to Thee we raise 

This, our hymn of grateful praise. 

3. For the joy of ear and eye, 

For the heart and mind's delight; 

For the mystic harmony, 

Linking sense to sound and sight; 

Lord of all, to Thee we raise 

This, our hymn of grateful praise. 

4. For the joy of human love, 

Brother, sister, parent, child; 

Friends on Earth and friends above, 

For all gentle thoughts and mild; 

Lord of all, to Thee we raise 

This, our hymn of grateful praise. 

5. For Thy church that evermore, 

Lifteth holy hands above; 

Off'ring up on ev'ry shore, 

Her pure sacrifice of love; 

Lord of all, to Thee we raise 

This, our hymn of grateful praise. 

Amen.

by Folliott S. Pierpont

Photo Credit:  kareni via www.pixabay.com

IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEAULAH?

IS NOT THIS THE LAND OF BEAULAH? 

Is Not This The Land of Beulah? 

I am dwelling on the mountain, 

Where the golden sunlight gleams, 

O'er a land of wondrous beauty, 

Far exceeds my fondest dreams; 

Where the air is pure, ethereal, 

Laden with the the breath of flowers, 

They are blooming by the fountain, 

'Neath the amaranthine bowers. 

I can see far down the mountain, 

Where I wandered weary years, 

Often hindered in my journey 

By the ghosts of doubts and fears, 

Broken vows and disappointments 

Thickly sprinkled all the way; 

But the Spirit led unerring 

To the land I hold today. 

I am drinking at the fountain, 

Where I ever would abide, 

For I've tasted life's pure river, 

And my soul is satisfied; 

There's no thirsting for life's pleasures, 

Nor adorning rich and gay, 

For I've found a richer treasure, 

One that fadeth not away. 

Tell me not of heavy crosses, 

Nor of burdens hard to bear, 

For I've found this great salvation, 

Makes each burden light appear; 

And I love to follow Jesus, 

Gladly counting all but dross, 

Worldly honors all forsaking 

For the glory of the cross. 

Oh, the cross has wondrous glory! 

Oft I've proved this to be true, 

When I'm in the way so narrow, 

I can see a pathway through; 

And how sweetly Jesus whispers, 

"Take the cross, thou need'st not fear, 

For I've trod the way before thee, 

And the glory lingers near." 

Is not this the Land of Beaulah, 

Blessed, blessed land of light, 

Where the flowers bloom forever, 

And the sun is always bright?

By Anonymous  

Photo Credit: 12019 via www.pixabay.com