Outdoor Object Lesson 75: A Camel's Burden

Key Text

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 (WEB)

Lesson

What has four legs, a long neck, and a hump? If you guessed a camel than you are correct. Camels are instantly recognizable for their unique shape and iconic hump. They are truly amazing animals with features that allow them to survive and thrive in harsh, barren deserts. Camels are best known for their legendary ability to survive a long time without needing to drink water. Camels routinely go several days or more without drinking any water. Even more surprising is that they can go for several months without any food! How do they do that?

Many people mistakenly think camels store water in their humps. Rather, fat is stored in their humps and provides energy when they go without food. Camels do not have a large empty space in their body to store extra water like some internal water battle. Instead their body (specifically their cardiovascular system, kidneys, and other organs) is extremely efficient at retaining and managing water. God gave camels special tools to enable them to go without water for many days. This ability makes camels very important animals for people who live in desert places.

Camels are mentioned numerous times throughout the Old Testament as a means of transportation. Jesus would have been very familiar with camels. He may have even ridden one. Camels are still an important means of transportation in Israel and the Middle East today. They carry heavy burdens for their owners. But if you have ever seen a picture of a camel, then you may remember they have very long legs! Most camels are 5-7 feet (1.6-2 meters) high and are taller than many horses.1 So how does an owner put a camels burden on and take it off each day?

In the morning, the camel must kneel down so that its owner can load the days burden onto its back. A good owner knows just how much the camel can carry for the days journey. After being loaded the camel gets up again to carry his burden for the day. The camel then simply follows his owner who has the greater burden of leading the way safely through the desert. At the end of the day, the camel kneels down again so his owner can remove the burden and the camel can rest. This is exactly how it is when we follow Jesus. When Jesus is our owner he promises to bear our burdens (Psalm 68:19). In turn he asks us to bear his burdens. He will take responsibility for leading us through the desert of life. He says in the key text that when we take his burden that he will place them on us gently. He also promises to give us rest from our burdens, all we must do is simple kneel each night and let him remove them.

Questions

Have you ever seen a camel in real life? If so what did you think about it?

How do we kneel down and let Jesus remove our burdens?

What did Jesus mean in the key text (Matthew 11:29) when he said take my yoke upon you?

Do you think it is easier to bear the burden Jesus gives us?



Sources:

1: “Camel,” San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants online, accessed October 7, 2018. https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/camel.



Written by David F. Garner

Photo credit: dimitrisvetsikas1969 via www.pixabay.com

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 70: A Well Worn Saddle

Key Verse

“Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 WEB

Lesson

A horse and saddle are perhaps the oldest form of transportation besides going about on two feet. Little thought is given to the saddle beyond its name. Yet every horse rider can testify to its importance. The saddle is second in importance only to the bridle. The purpose of the saddle is to make the ride easier for the horse and the rider and to aid the rider in maintaining proper position astride the horse. A good saddle must fit both the horse and the rider, or it will cause injury.

An experienced rider has a worn and broken-in saddle. But it is not neglected, it must be oiled and tended regularly. A saddle well cared for can last a lifetime. All saddles may look similar to the untrained eye. But there are many types of saddles all suited for various types of riding. Yet they all perform the same important function – to link the horse and rider and to aid them in whatever quest they may find.1

The saddle is like the Bible in many regards. Any experienced Christian can tell of its importance. Far too many Christians let it sit on a shelf new and shiny like an unused saddle. The experienced Christian will have a broken-in, yet well-tended Bible. Other Christians will say they believe in the Bible, thinking salvation is in its pages. They place the Bible above its Author, yet can a saddle provide transport without a horse? The Bible is only a link connecting us to its Author in whom we find help (John 5:39-40).

The purpose of the Bible is to make our ride on this earth easier and to aid us in our connection to Jesus. It was especially designed for this purpose and we need it to maintain our relationship with him. As Paul the Apostle stated so eloquently in the key verse, every verse in the Bible is for our instruction and growth as sons and daughters of God so that we may be ‘thoroughly equipped’ for our quest of his Kingdom!

Questions

What does it mean to have a broken-in, yet well-tended Bible?

When asked if we believe in the Bible, what would be a good response?

Can those who never know of the Bible be saved?

Sources

1. Deborah Burns, (ed). Storey’s Horse-Lovers Encyclopedia. (North Adams, MA: Storey Communications, 2001): 343.



Written by David F. Garner

Photo Credit: Bhakti2 via www.pixabay.com

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 22: Spiritual First Aid

Key Verse

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Psalms 147:11 (KJV)

Lesson

When you get a cut on your finger what do you do? The first thing most people do is say “ouch.” After that they seek first aid. First, they wash the cut with soap and water. Then they put antibiotic ointment and a bandage on it. Have you ever stopped to think why people do this? The antibiotic ointment fights off the bad germs. The bandage keeps new germs and dirt from getting it. This helps the cut to heal quickly. It helps keep it from getting infected.

Each one of us has been wounded and hurt by sin. Sometimes it hurts just as bad as a cut finger. The Bible promises that Jesus will heal us. It also promises to protect us from further infection. How do we stay protected? By maintaining a close relationship with Jesus. When we don’t stay close to Jesus every day, we are more easily hurt when others make fun of us or insult us and more prone to worry or anger.

When we spend time with Jesus every day by praying and reading the Bible, we are filled with his love. We are sure that we are loved and we can withstand being made fun of or insulted. We are much less likely to worry or get angry because we know Jesus is in control of everything. When we know deep in our heart Jesus cares about even a small cut, that assurance protects us like a bandage. It does not mean we will never feel pain again, we still live in a sinful world until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Even a cut hurts sometimes under a bandage while it is healing.

We can take comfort by remembering that Jesus has feelings too. He hates it when his children suffer. Matthew 10:29 encourages us with the knowledge that even the sparrows are under God’s watch. It should also remind us that Jesus is hurt when we ignore him. He is our close friend and wants to spend time with us daily. You know that feeling when a bandage is ripped off? I think that is kind of how Jesus feels when we put other things in place of him. On the other hand, when we accept him as our friend and Savior, when we renew that relationship by spending time with him and show our faith in him, Jesus is pleased (see key verse).

Questions

How can we spend meaningful time with Jesus? Be specific.

How do you build a real friendship? Do you do the same thing when building a relationship with Jesus?

Do you know you are loved? How?

Written by David F. Garner
Photo Credit: DLG Images