Outdoor Object Lesson 72: Limb for Life

Key Text

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew‬ ‭16:24-25‬ ‭(WEB‬‬)


Lesson

Salamanders are some of the most amazing creatures on earth. When full grown they can be as small as 0.6 inches (1.7 cm) or as long as 6 feet (1.8 m). Some grow to be nearly 140 pounds (63 kg)! However most are around 6 inches (15 cm) long. They live all over the world and there are about 600 known species. One species has no legs and looks like a giant worm. Newts, mudpuppies, and sirens are all considered salamanders.

Salamanders are usually brightly colored. This acts as a warning to predators that they are dangerous to eat. It also makes them pretty for we humans. They live in a wide variety of environments from jungles, to mountains, to caves. Those that live in caves are pale and have large eyes. One mountain dwelling species, the Iranian harlequin newt, lives in the mountains of western Iran where there is only water for a few months each year. During the wet times it mates and feeds. In the long dry months it goes into a deep sleep in a burrow until the rain comes the next year.1

There are two important aspects that set salamanders apart from other animals. These two things offer an important lesson for us as Christians. The first is that they must live very close to water to keep their skin moist and to reproduce. Jesus said that he is the water of life and we must live close to this Water in order to survive. The second and perhaps most unique aspect of salamanders is that they are able to lose and regrow their limbs. This is a defense mechanism that allows them to escape when under attack. This is similar to what Jesus meant when he said whoever wants to save his life will lose it. In order to save our life and have eternal life, we must be willing to sacrifice our old life. By old life Jesus meant our old habits and thoughts. It may seem like giving up a whole limb when we leave that old life behind, but Jesus promised to give us a better one in its place and it will be worth it!


Questions

What does it mean to lose or give up your old life?

Doesn’t Jesus want us to have fun? Can we still have fun with this ‘new life’?

What if I have accepted Jesus’ new life but my life hasn’t really changed, it doesn’t feel better?

What does it mean to take up your cross?


Written by David F. Garner

Photo Credit: StefanHoffmann via www.pixabay.com


Sources:
1. Alina Bradford. Facts About Salamanders. October 29, 2015 Accessed July 31, 2018 from https://www.livescience.com/52627-salamanders.html.

Christian Outdoor Object Lesson 52: River Of Life

Key Verse

"but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again;" John 4:14a WEB


Lesson

Throughout the Bible water is used as a metaphor or example. Phrases like water of life, river of life, and living water appear often. Of course we need water to live, but what is so unique about water? Why did Jesus compare his gift of salvation to it? Because water is the single most important ingredient to life.

We often take water for granted. It is plumed right into our house so we only need to turn a knob to get it. But venture only a short distance from a water source and you will soon realize how much you depend on it. If you have ever been thirsty on a hot day, or waded into a cool stream after a long hike than you can appreciate how necessary water is. Every civilization and tribe in history has made their home near a water source such as a river. This is so common that experts say if you are lost outdoors, just follow a river downstream and you will eventually find people.

Water is not just something we need to drink, it is in our food, and in the air we breath. Water is needed to grow our food and also to produce almost everything we use each day from glass to metal! Try to imagine a world without water. Your food is hard and sticks to the roof of your mouth, no water to wash it down. Your hands and clothes get dirty, no water to wash it away. That would be miserable.

Not only do we need water to eat and clean, but our own bodies consist of about 50% water. Your sweat, tears, stomach bile, mucous, blood, and brain are mostly water. Water is the essence of life. Perhaps Jesus was onto something when he compared salvation to water.

You have probably enjoyed the sweet relief of a cool glass of water when you are extremely hot and thirsty. That is exactly how salvation feels when we receive it. Maybe you have had the privilege of jumping in a cool stream on a hot day. That's what it is like when the peace of salvation washes over us after feeling the heat and pressure of life. I hope you have had the pleasure of getting into a hot tub after being out in the freezing cold. That is what it is like to feel God's salvation after being in the cold hostility of the world.

Questions

What is it that makes us 'thirsty' for the salvation Jesus offers?

What are some other things Jesus compared salvation to?

Have you experienced the refreshing effects of excepting Jesus as your Savior?

Written By David F. Garner