As educators and parents we need to take note. How can we duplicate Christ’s method?

The first thing to note is that Jesus spoke of objects that were right in front of him. In most circumstances, we all have access to nature. Our family lives in a rural setting and we have kangaroos, a river, mangroves, moths and more - right at our doorstep. Even if you live in a suburban environment, there is nature around you. There will be ants for sure and they alone supply many lessons! There will be also other insects, grass, plants, birds and the sky above. You can grow plants indoors, have a fish tank, and it is easy enough to find moths in your wardrobes or spiders in your corners!!

Nature Journals
In our homeschool, we start off by engaging pencils, rubbers and paper in our nature journals. We draw. We colour our drawings. ( I provide my children with the best quality colour pencils I can afford as they are a tool not a toy.) The most natural progression after this is labelling. We refer to books to learn either technical names or facts.

This whole process is calming and very enjoyable. There is observation going on as well as art, writing and research. I look out for mathematical patterns as well in leaf configuration, petal arrangement etc. We measure or sometimes guesstimate, as in the case of flying creatures. Some plant species are the source for essential oils, so we crush leaves and smell them. If relevant, we research their medicinal properties and applications. When labeling, I expect accuracy, correct spelling and legibility. This becomes a group activity as we admire each other’s work, talk about the scientific aspects of the object under consideration and then discuss, with Bibles in hand, what Scripture verses could be appropriately connected with our nature study. My children have copied a verse of their choosing on their page. This can be further developed with more writing taking place, depending on the age or ability of the children.

Extra Resources
Buy the relevant field guides. Refer to these freely. It is important to remember that the only unquestionable authority in teaching even things of a scientific nature is the Word of God. Teach your children this respect for God’s authority and it will be a foundation for them when confronted by theories that deny the validity of the Bible.

From my earliest child raising years, we used correct terms for what the children observed. My 5 year old son knew pollination was taking place when he saw bees in a flower and he knew the word too. Whenever possible I have tried to use the identifying names of plants. The children from an early age spoke of petunias and phlox and lavender rather than pink and purple flowers. If as parents we are interested in nature, it will be natural for our children to be also.

Frequently we will stop what we are doing, grab the Reader’s Digest Birds of Australia Field Guide and watch the Jabiru, the Pelicans, Eagles, Ibis, Drongo or whatever other bird God has sent us to learn from. Occasionally we have used our binoculars too, although for study purposes, what we can see up close works best.

The children have also learnt to read nature’s signals. We have found that the appearance of flying ants or snakes heralds the approach of rain. (This may not be verified in a book and is our own observation which may be specific only to our location in Australia.) Jesus spoke of this when he referred to the foliage of the fig tree to tell that summer was near. So we can tell by the signs of our time, when they are compared with Scripture, that Jesus’ return is very near.

I will admit it is very difficult to draw birds in flight so we are not averse to drawing our birds from existing illustrations in books. Let this be a life long pleasure! One parent we knew, who encouraged his son in bird watching from early childhood was delighted when his son became a world renowned biologist. Sadly, because the spiritual aspect of learning from nature was omitted, this son is also a famous evolutionist. Hence the instruction to learn thoroughly; facts alone are not enough.