Science & Scripture

This week, Grace started a Science project using a "TOPS" book. Teachers, you may be familiar with this series of Science books. If you're not, you might want to be! There are great, simple illustrations and easy to follow "comic strip style" step by step instructions. There is a teacher's page right alongside the child's page that goes into more depth. We are growing radishes all over our kitchen table, in a variety of experimental conditions.
There are radish seeds in our makeshift greenhouse (a cardboard milk carton, slit on the side, with a damp paper towel as a bed. We've watched little packages of energy go from closed seed coat to sprouts! Sprouts are beautiful little creations, beginning with the radicle peeking through, and emerging with root tips, cotyledons, hypocotyls and root hairs! The sprouts have been moved from their little greenhouse into several different environments: soil inside airtight, darkened containers- allowing no light or fresh oxygen inside; containers that expose the sprouts to light, air, and warmth; containers with tight living conditions, and some with plenty of room to spare.
There are seeds that bypassed the gentle environment of the greenhouse, and were plunged underwater. Some are clinging perilously to the side of a damp paper towel. Some are lying in a dry jar lid. Others are safely sealed inside plastic wrap, snuggled against a moist paper towel. Still other seeds are waiting their turn patiently in the bowl, wondering when they'll have their chance to sprout.
All of this sprouting and changing up of environments made me think of the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) and how the Word of God will take root in our hearts, given the right environment. Everyone has a soul, sealed up and packed with potential, like the little seeds waiting in the bowl. Once exposed to warmth, oxygen and water, a radicle bursts out of each little seed coat. Given the right environment, the seeds grow quickly and develop at their own pace. When transplanted from the comfortable safety of the greenhouse, some sprouts will fare well, while others wither and die.
We contain our own little seeds in the greenhouse for a little while, and it is vital that we provide them with necessary components to see them sprout! Our childrens' spirits need Truth and Love and Discipleship, just like seeds need Oxygen, Warmth and Water. The greenhouse of home and the church must provide sound Biblical teaching (Truth), an overabundance of Love, and relationships with more mature believers (Discipleship) in order to ensure that our little sprouts go out into the world and thrive, spreading the Gospel and creating their own greenhouses for their own little seeds in time!

Father,
Please guide us as parents in our homes, and as teachers in our churches, to provide the necessary components for each little seed You have entrusted to our care! Lord, I want to see them sprout and grow and become strong enough to cling perilously to YOU in the face of this world. I pray for this generation, and for the generations to come, that they would honor and glorify You, and that their deepest sense of purpose comes from the desire to lift high the Name of Jesus! Help us to be gentle with our little seeds and sprouts in the greenhouse, and to fill them to the brim with your Truth, your Love, and Discipleship. I love You, Lord! Amen.

Kids Disciple Now

Imitators of Christ. This is a serious theme that we're turning into a crazy fun weekend! It'll be a fun weekend focused on a serious theme. "Christian" means "little Christ" so if we call ourselves Christians, we should be like Jesus!

February 25-26, FBC Selma's Kids Disciple Now Weekend, is coming up! Kids in grades 1-6 will check in at 10am, and participate in worship led by William Thornton, hear from guest speaker Larry Hyche, and be a part of small group Bible study/discussion with some great young leaders in our church. Recreation, meals, a sleepover in a host home, and games and giveaways are just part of the fun!

Sign your child up today! The cost for the weekend is $35. Registration deadline is February 15th!