Day 9 - NATURE CONVERSATIONS

ANIMAL/HUMAN INTERACTION

My daughter, with wild bunny she was doctoring.

6The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,

   and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,

and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together;

   and a little child shall lead them.7 The cow and the bear shall graze;  their young shall lie down together;  and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord  as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9

NATURE CONVERSATION

As mentioned on Day 8, there is discord between humans and animals, but it will not always be so. Romans 8 speaks of creation groaning in expectation for when God will restore everything. We see glimpses now with the good relationships we have with our pets. We look forward to when creation is no longer marred by sin. Read the Isaiah 11 passage and the Romans 8 passage with your children. Read Revelation 21:1-4. These are comforting passages, reminding us of hope in the future.

• This may lead to deep discussions of theology, such as: 

• Do animals go to heaven? 

• Why did God create animals?  

• What is our relationship with animals now - should we be a part of the nature loving movement that protects the environment?  

Rather than answer these questions for you, I encourage you to study the Scripture for yourselves with your children.

NATURE JOURNALING

• Observe wildlife and how they interact with one another.
• Draw, take pictures or videos, or write about your observations.

NATURE STUDY

• Visit a farm or zoo and learn about taking care of animals.
• Pet care. (We personally only have a stray cat. I'm not a big animal person myself, but my kids have found opportunities to be around animals at friends' and relatives' houses.)
• Learn about animals that are endangered.  
• Apologia's books on Animals.