Fall season provides opportunities to teach children about God’s love, creation

Fall season provides opportunities to teach children about God’s love, creation

It’s that time of year when the beautiful colors of gold, crimson, burnt orange and russet capture our attention and we are once again reminded that only God could create such a magnificent world.

The fall season provides numerous opportunities to share the love of God with children and grandchildren. God created the world and all that’s in it for mankind. Could these activities build stronger bonds within your family? Could less time spent with technology put your family in touch with the world God made?

Memorizing Scripture

As a parent or grandparent, teach your children to memorize Scripture. Each fall activity has a related Bible verse that is easy for elementary children to remember. As you teach, remember to include Scripture in activities. Memory verses learned when young stay with a child throughout life.

  • Observe the starry, starry night. With cooler weather, pitch a tent in the backyard and observe the stars. Point out various star formations, such as the Little Dipper and Big Dipper. Use this opportunity as a time to talk about how God created the heavens and the earth.

Memorize this verse: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

  • Find the perfect leaf. During the day, organize a treasure hunt and ask children to find the “perfect” fall leaf. Give out paper bags and allow about 20 minutes for the search. After they return, point out that none will be perfect as they may have a blemish, a hole from an insect or a discolored section. Leaves are like people and no one is perfect — only God. But God will help us if we pray and ask Him to guide us.

Memorize this verse: “And God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Gen. 1:31).

  • Let’s take a hike. Having fun as a family builds memories and build strong relationships. Take advantage of warm, sunny days at a nearby park with a wide variety of deciduous trees. Leaves on these trees change colors in the fall and drop their leaves. If you have elementary age children, have a contest to see how many different varieties of leaves they can find. When you return home, have them research the leaves in a book or online and identify each species. Cut squares of wax paper and place each leaf between two layers. Pressing with a warm iron (adult supervision) seals the paper around the leaves. Tape to windows and enjoy the sunbeams coming through. Remind children how God planned for families and how much fun you have together.

Memorize this verse: “He has made everything beautiful in his time” (Eccles. 3:11).

  • Exercise for health. Pull out the bicycles, tricycles or wagons for pulling small children and enjoy the fall season. Use your senses as you talk about the natural world God made.

Sight — colored leaves, watching the effect of wind on falling leaves, blue sky, clouds
Sound — rustling of dry leaves, wind, rain, bird calls
Touch — moss on tree trunks, morning dew
Taste — fall apples, popcorn, apple cider
Smell — campfires, goldenrod or other autumn wildflowers

Memorize this verse: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Ps. 118:24).

  • Prepare healthy fall recipes. Homemade granola is a simple recipe (see recipe, this page) that all the family will enjoy. Plus it’s one that children can enjoy mixing together. Granola makes a quick energy snack for camping or while practicing sports. Ingredients consisting of grain, wheat germ, nuts, oil and dried fruit were used in the Bible. We use these same food products today in many recipes. As you cook, involve children in helping to mix, stir, slice (with a plastic knife) and measure. Watch the child’s face as they say, “I made it myself.”

Memorize this verse: “A new commandment I give you: love one another” (John 13:34).

Spending time together

Families who spend both quality and quantity time together build strong relationships. Childhood is such a short, brief period of life. As parents and grandparents, make time to teach the love of God to children.

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Granola snack recipe

Ingredients

4 cups quick oats
½ cup dry milk
½ cup honey
¼ cup wheat germ
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup peanuts
1 cup dried fruit
(raisins or
cranberries)

Instructions

Stir all ingredients (except dried fruit) together in a large mixing bowl. Pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes. Stir several times while baking. Add fruit after baking. Cool and place in an air-tight container. Provide small plastic bags ready for quick snacks and sharing with friends.