Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 44: A Trusty Rock

​Key Text

"Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower." Psalm 18:2 (WEB)



Lesson

The biggest single rock in the world is Ayers Rock (also called Uluru) in Northern Australia. Ayers Rock is a monolith rising 1,142 feet (348 m) above the stony desert and 2831 feet (836 m) above sea level. It is 5.8 miles (9.4 km) around. It is still often debated that Mt. Augustus is the biggest rock but this mountain is a monocline (rock still connected underneath) whereas Ayers Rock is a monolith (not connected to anything). Many people think rocks are uninteresting. After all, they just sit on the ground. But if you are a geologist or an amateur who collects rocks specimens from their natural environment, then they are a treasure. Kids love collecting rocks for their unique shape or shiny qualities. Prospectors look for valuable minerals and gemstones such as gold or diamonds. Most rock collectors love gathering rocks and minerals for their beauty.

However some rocks, like Ayers Rock, are just too big to collect. This huge stone is made mostly of feldspar and quarts (two common minerals) with a small amount of other rock fragments. All rocks are made of very durable materials. Big rocks are much better for purposes other than collecting such as providing shelter, a foundation, or defense. Huge rocks have been used for centuries by humans.

The Bible has a lot to say about rocks. Large rocks were used as land marks such as the rock of Rimmon (Judges 20). A rock provided water in the wilderness (Numbers 20:10). Sacrifices were offered on alters built by stacked stones. Rocks also provided shelter in the form of caves (Judges 15:8). The tomb of Jesus was cut from the side of a rock (Matthew 27:60). Rocks are durable and strong. They seem to last forever.

That is why God is often compared to a rock in the Bible. Just as it says in the key text, our God is like a large mighty rock. He is impenetrable and will not be destroyed or over come. He will provide shelter from storms and our enemies. We can stand firm on the Rock as our foundation. Ayers Rock may be the biggest rock on earth, but our God is the biggest Rock in the universe. He is able to withstand anything.


Questions

How big was the biggest rock you have ever seen?

How did that rock make you feel?

Are rocks something we can trust in? In what ways?

Do you trust in God in the same way?

Sources
1. Kenneth Pletcher, "Uluru/Ayers Rock," Encyclopædia Britannica online, last modified September 12, 2018, https://www.britannica.com/place/Uluru-Ayers-Rock.

Written by David F. Garner
Photo Credit: Weyf via commons.wikimedia.org

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 21: Rock and Water

Key Verse

“To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lesson

Note: This lesson is best done in an area where listeners can see rock that has been eroded by water.

What is stronger but softer than rock? Water of course. How can this be you may be thinking. The banks of most water ways are dirt or mud that the water easily washes away. But water can also carve away solid rock. Rock is strong and durable, but given enough time, water will erode the rock away. What is the secret behind water's strength? It is the persistence of water. Day after day, year after year the water flows over the rock and washes it away a little at a time. What may seem impossible becomes possible through persistence.

Persistence means to keep trying at something until succeeding. The Bible also calls this perseverance. There are many things in life that are too big to change all at once. We may not be strong or powerful enough to change something quickly. We may not succeed on the first try. James Watkins a prominent Christian author once said, " A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence." That is why water, which is softer than rock, can still overcome it.

Paul reminds us in Romans 2:7 that it takes persistence to live the way Jesus wants us too. We have to keep trying, every day, to do good and avoid evil. Only when we reach heaven will we no longer be tempted to sin. Even though we are saved, we sill need to persist against temptation. Persistence is important in many other areas of our lives. Like water, whenever we hit a barrier that is difficult to overcome, all we need is a little persistence— to keep trying until we succeed.

Questions

What is something you have persisted at and overcome?

When we struggle to avoid evil and temptation, where can we get extra strength to persist?

In what other areas of life is persistence useful?

Written by David F. Garner
Photo Credit: BKD via www.pixabay.com

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 6: The Power of Small Things

Key Text


"He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have the faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 (WEB)

Lesson

In nature, it often seems like the biggest things are in control. The biggest animals are at the top of the food chain. Big mountains can keep us from traveling quickly in the direction we wish to go. Big storms can destroy mighty trees like they are toothpicks.

But small things in nature have power too. There is a phenomenon known as the butterfly effect. It is a theory that says if one little butterfly flaps its wings at just the right time, the air it moves with its wings can grow and grow and become a strong wind. So strong in fact it may blow away a storm so it doesn’t damage anything. Did you know a butterfly had that much power?

There are other ways small things have great power in nature. Water seems pretty powerless against rock. But over time water can erode away even the strongest rock so there is no rock left.

A tiny little seed can grow into a mighty tree. Its roots can grow so strong that they can crack rock and concrete! Then the tree can produce more seeds until is starts a whole forest.

God has given each of us incredible power too. Even if we feel small and insignificant, we have strong power in our words and actions. A simple smile or kind word can turn someone’s day into a positive one. Helping a stranger carry things or open the door can show them the love of Jesus. Jesus said in Matt. 17:20 that if we have faith the size of a tiny mustard seed in Him than we can move mountains! Jesus told us this so that whenever we feel small we can remember that we have great power. We have the greatest power of Jesus on our side.

Questions

What small acts can you do that would have big effects?

How can we gain faith the size of a mustard seed?

Written by David F. Garner
Photo Credit: Brennon Garner

Christian Outdoor Object Lessons 2: Rock Climbing and Prayer

Key Verse

“He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:2 KJV

Lesson

As you cling to the rock, sweat drips off your brow, your hands are getting slick and clammy. You breathe rapidly and you can feel your heart beating in your body. You are lead climbing, 75 feet off the ground and 6 feet past your last anchor. You are still a few feet from the next bolt. You know if you fall now it will be at least a 12-foot drop. But you’re not sure if you can hold on much longer. Then the doubts start to flash before your mind. Did you place that last quick-draw correctly? Did you back clip? Did you check to make sure it was bomber? Can your belayer even see you after that last roof? Does he even know what you are going through? Or is he down there not paying attention, distracted by his new girlfriend he brought along?

Sometimes in life, we go through similar situations. We struggle and struggle up the difficulties of life. Sometimes its fun. Other times it becomes real and serious, even dangerous. We work hard to create anchors in our life. We try to set them to catch us in case we slip. We wear our seatbelt. We have some money saved aside. We have some solid friends in case our relationships don’t work out. We assume our parents will always be there to support and help us. But can we always trust those anchors to be there?

What if our friends move away? What if we don’t have enough money for an emergency? What if our parents split up, or even die? Do we have a second back up? Are our anchors in life redundant? In some situations, they may be. But if we start to think about it we may realize they are not. When the going gets tough we may start to doubt that our anchors will hold up.

As Christians, we have another Anchor. Our anchor to the Rock that David speaks about in Psalms is the Word of God. It is there to assure us that God is real and who He claims to be. Just as important is our rope, our connection to the Anchor—prayer. This is how we stay connected. When the going gets rough and we can’t double check the anchor, we have prayer at our disposal. It is the life-link to God our Rock. We can know that our God is always listening, even if our earthly belayer gets distracted by their girlfriend or boyfriend.

Questions

How do you stay anchored to the Rock?

What is your favorite verse in the anchor (Word of God)?

Has prayer ever kept you connected when everything else has fallen away?

Written by David F. Garner
Photo Credit: Pexels via www.pixabay.com