Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Latest Episodes:

The Crazy Ways Creatures See The World - Exploring Creature Eyes Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever seen a snake wearing glasses? Did you know dragonflies have around 60,000 eyes? We're exploring the fascinating ways creatures see the world and answering these questions:

How many eyes do insects have?
Do snakes wear glasses?
How do chameleons move their eyes in two different directions?
How can we protect our eyes to see everything good, beautiful, and true?

Episode Links:

Order Nat Theo T-Shirts Through September 3rd: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/

Get Eryn's new book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Free Coloring Sheet for This Episode: https://erynlynum.com/nattheo17

Access full Episode Activity Guides by joining the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Chameleon Eye Research in Israel: https://www.voanews.com/a/scientists-solve-mystery-of-chameleon-eyes/3026868.html

Scriptures Used in This Episode:

“The eye is a light for the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness…” Matthew 6:22-23“

Keep me from looking at worthless things. Let me live by your word.” Psalm 119:37

“Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good.” Proverbs 4:25

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Complex: Opposite of simple. Consisting of many different and connected parts.

Compound: Something made up of two or more parts, elements, or ingredients.

Compound Eye: A larger eye made up of many tiny lenses, like tiny individual eyes.

Peripheral Vision: What we can see to the left, right, up, or down without moving our heads.

Facets or Ommatidia: The tiny lenses in a compound eye that act as light receptors and send information to the brain.

Eye Caps or Spectacles: Special clear scales over a snake’s eyes that protect and keep their eyes clean.

Sensory Receptor: Nerve ending that take in what is happening around us and helps send that information to our brains.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Ladybugs Use Antifreeze?! 3 Curious Ways Insects Survive in the Cold Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever seen a ladybug wearing a sweater? How about a bee wearing a scarf or a spider wearing snow boots? Insects might not have a winter wardrobe, but God designed them to brave the cold in very creative ways! We're exploring:

Why did God make seasons?
How do insects survive cold months?
How can we live and do well in hard times?
How can we create a legacy for those who live after us?

Episode Links:

Order Nat Theo T-Shirts Through September 3rd: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/

Get Eryn's new book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Free Coloring Sheet for This Episode: https://erynlynum.com/nattheo16

Join the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Scriptures Used in This Episode:

“As long as the earth continues, planting and harvest, cold and hot, summer and winter, day and night will not stop.” Genesis 8:22

“He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians 1:17

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalm 91:2

“We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts…” Romans 5:3-5

“He (God) will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone.” Revelation 1:4

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Lifespan: The amount of time a certain species normally lives for.

Diapause: When an insect goes dormant (stops growing or developing) to survive the cold. Similar to hibernation.

Glycerol: A chemical compound some insects produce to keep their cells from freezing (same chemical used in antifreeze).

Legacy: What we do in life that blesses and impacts people after our lives.

Refuge: A safe place. A shelter.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Do Trees Have Friends and Can They Talk to Each Other? Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

When God created plants, He made them in a very different way than animals and humans. And so the ways trees make friends and communicate with each other look quite different than our friendships and the way we talk! On this episode, we're exploring:

How are trees and plants different than animals and humans?
Do trees have friends?
How do trees communicate?
Why is it important that we choose our friends carefully?

Episode Links:

Order Nat Theo T-Shirts Through September 3rd: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/

Join the Nat Theo Club & Get Full Episode Activity Guides!

Download the free Tree Friends coloring sheet and the Tree Secrets Devotional

Get Eryn's new book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Scriptures in Today's Episode:

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth produce plants—some to make grain for seeds and others to make fruits with seeds in them. Every seed will produce more of its own kind of plant.’ And it happened. The earth produced plants with grain for seeds and trees that made fruits with seeds in them. Each seed grew its own kind of plant. God saw that all this was good.” Genesis 1:11-12

“So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Terms Learned in Today's Episode:

Nephesh: Hebrew word meaning living creatures (animal and humans) with blood, spirit, and the breath of life

Theology: The study of God

Forester: Someone whose job is taking care of a forest

Mycelium: Underground network of fungi, like a web of life, that produces mushrooms.

Tannin: Bitter chemical compound found in plants

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Sources that helped with research for this episode:

https://www.icr.org/article/are-plants-alive/

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

https://www.kariega.co.za/blog/do-giraffe-make-trees-talk-to-each-other

How Do Chameleons Change Colors? Exploring Creature Camouflage Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Wait... chameleons have crystals in their skin?! And there is an octopus with a costume box?? Today we're exploring creature camouflage and learning about two animals God created with very special camouflaging strategies. We're looking at:

What are cells in creatures’ bodies?
How does a chameleon change colors?
How does a mimic octopus change shapes?
Why don’t we need to blend in or change who we are?

Episode Links:

Order Nat Theo T-Shirts Through September 3rd: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/

Join the Nat Theo Club & Get Full Episode Activity Guides!

Download the free Camouflage Creature Coloring Sheet

Video: Chameleon Changing Colors

Video: Looking at skin cells in a microscope

Video: Mimic Octopus Impersonating Other Creatures

Get Eryn's new book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Scriptures in Today's Episode:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10

“But to all who did accept him and believe in him he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

“But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.” 1 John 1:9

“I praise you (God) because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.” Psalm 139:14

Terms Learned in Today's Episode:

Cell: Tiny building blocks all living things are made out of

Chromatophore: Special cells that produce or change pigment (color)

Iridophore: Special cell (building blocks) in a chameleon’s skin (a type of chromatophore)

Nanocrystals: Tiny crystalline particles inside the chameleon’s special skin cells that can reflect different colors

Mimic: imitate, or pretend to be someone or something else

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

How Do Fireflies Light Up and Which Creatures Glow in the Dark? Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever seen fireflies glowing throughout a forest or field? God created a whole host of creatures that glow in the dark! Today we're exploring:

What is bioluminescence?
What creatures glow in the dark?
How do fireflies light up?
How do we shine God’s light?

Episode Links:

Order Nat Theo T-Shirts Through September 3rd: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/

Join the Nat Theo Club & Get Full Episode Activity Guides!

Download the free Glow-in-the-Dark Creatures Coloring Page to go along with this lesson

Get Eryn's new book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Scriptures in Today's Episode:

“It is by faith we understand that the whole world was made by God’s command so what we see was made by something that cannot be seen.” Hebrews 11:3

“God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

“God once said, ‘Let the light shine out of the darkness!’ This is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts by letting us know the glory of God that is in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

“You are the light that gives light to the world… And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12

Terms Learned in Today's Episode:

bārā’ (baw-raw): Hebrew word for God’s special creativity

Bioluminescence: light that comes from living creatures

Photobacterium: Bacteria (tiny creatures) that produce living light

Twilight Zone: 650 - 3,300 feet deep in the ocean where sunlight doesn’t reach

Luciferin: Molecule used in bioluminescence

Luciferase: Enzyme that breaks down the Luciferin molecule to create living light

Lampyridae: Family or category of beetles, most which emit living light (Bioluminescence)

Glowworm: Larva (juvenile) form of fireflies

Thank you to the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) for their very helpful podcast episode on Living Light, which we used in researching for today's lesson! https://youtu.be/_nENsJLm2E8?si=RFvzjuCRp0V2tuFc

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

How Are Hermit Crabs Born? Exploring Crazy Creature Birth Stories Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

Discover the incredible water birth of hermit crabs! Today we're exploring the many fascinating ways God's creatures have babies. We'll look at:

How are hermit crabs born?
What creature gives birth in a snow fort?
What creature has its baby while hanging upside down?
How are human babies different from creature babies?

Order Nat Theo T-Shirts Through September 3rd: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/

Join the Nat Theo Club!

Receive a full-color digital guide to go along with every episode as they air!

Resources:

Download the free coloring page for this episode

Join the Nat Theo Club

Our video of a monarch caterpillar creating its chrysalis

Video of a bat giving birth while hanging upside down

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

"You (God) saw my body as it was formed. All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old. God, your thoughts are precious to me. They are so many!" Psalm 139:16-17

“So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.” Genesis 1:27

“He has planted eternity in the human heart.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

“Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:23-24

“If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

Terms introduced in this lesson:

Captivity: Creatures not living in the wild, usually kept as pets.

Soul: Who we are inside. We cannot see our touch our soul. It is eternal (lasts forever).

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Are Mushrooms Aliens? And Does Fungus Know How to Code? Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

If mushrooms are not plants or animals, what are they? Today we're exploring the fascinating world of fungi! We're looking at:

What are mushrooms? (Are they… aliens?)
What other living things are like mushrooms?
How does fungus help humans, plants, and our planet?
How does fungus use code like a computer?

Join the Nat Theo Club!

Receive a full-color digital guide to go along with every episode as they air!

Resources:

Video of wild orchids

Video of fly agaric mushroom

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

“But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...” Galatians 5:22-23

“I (Jesus) am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing.” John 15:5

“How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24

Terms Introduced:

Fungi: Category of living things including mushrooms, lichen, yeast, and mold.

Mycelium: Underground network of fungi that produces mushrooms.

Decomposing: Breaking down organic (natural) material. Decaying.

Biocomputing: The scientific study of how living things compute or use information like computers.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Disclaimer: Fungi can be dangerous! This guide & podcast episode are educational only and not to be used as a guide for determining whether a mushroom is safe. Never touch mushrooms without expert advice.

Can Butterflies Remember Being Caterpillars? Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

Can butterflies remember their younger days as caterpillars crawling across plants and munching on leaves? My kids are chiming in on today's episode as we explore:

How do caterpillars turn into butterflies?
Do other creatures experience a similar change?
Can butterflies remember being caterpillars?
Why are our memories so important?

Resources:

Video of ladybug larva (babies) on Eryn's Instagram Page

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Caterpillar memory study

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

"If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Remember the wondrous works that he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:12

“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

“You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother’s body. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.” Psalm 139:13-14

Terms Introduced:

Metamorphosis: A big change in physical form. A change of the body.

Larva: Baby form of an insect.

Exoskeleton: Hard outer shell, skeleton on the outside of the body.

Molt: When an insect sheds its exoskeleton.

Pupa: Protective case a creature enters into to go through metamorphosis.

Imaginal Discs: Group of cells that become the new parts of the butterfly.

Mushroom Bodies: Part of the brain that stores memories about taste and smell.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Are All Black Bears Black? Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever seen a bear in the wild? If so, what color was it? I once saw a bear fishing in the river, and its color surprised me! On this episode, we're exploring:

Are all black bears black?
How did the black bear get its name?
How are black bears designed to thrive where they live?
Likewise, how does God give us what we need to live well and follow him?

Resources:

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

The Burgess Animal Book for Children

(Note, the Burgess book is not faith-based and uses "Mother Nature" as a main character. However, it's a lovely book that helps kids learn and remember the details of amazing creatures God has made)

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:

"You make springs pour into the ravines; they flow between the mountains. They water all the wild animals; the wild donkeys come there to drink. Wild birds make nests by the water; they sing among the tree branches. You water the mountains from above. The earth is full of the things you made. O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:10-13, 24

"Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God.” 2 Peter 1:3

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

"Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds. You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.

And why do you worry about clothes? Look at how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So you can be even more sure that God will clothe you. Don’t have so little faith! Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well." Matthew 6:26-33

Terms Introduced:

Recessive gene: A gene that can be passed on by both parents to a child, or in a bear's case, a cub. It can be responsible for a child born with red hair, or a black bear born with white fur.

Hyperphagia: Extreme unsatisfied desire to eat. Bears go through a stage of Hyperphagia when storing up fat before they nam in colder months.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

Why Do Sunflowers Follow The Sun? Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Once upon a time, I watched the sun disappear! On today's episode, I'm sharing my all-time favorite story about the sun. We're exploring:

Why the sun is so important
How the sun gives energy to plants
Why sunflowers follow the sun all day long
And how in the same way, we can follow God’s light all day long!

Resources:

FREE Printable Summer Verse Cards

Eryn's New Book: Rooted In Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation

Focus on the Family Interview: Helping Kids See God's Glory in Nature

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode:"

Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light." Genesis 1:3

“...God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

“My eyes are ever toward the Lord... Psalm 25:15"

...so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.” Psalm 123:2

“In him (Jesus) there was life, and that life was the light of all people. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overpowered it.” 1 John 1:4-5

Terms Introduced:

Helianthus: Sunflower (Helios: Sun, Anthos: Flower)

Heliotropism: When a plant grows toward the light

Photosynthesis: A process controlled by light that puts things in a plant together to turn them into energy.

Chlorophyll: Responsible for a plant's green pigment, and allows a plant to soak in sunlight.

Elaborated Sap: The "super food" of plants. It's created when sunlight, through chlorophyll, turns the minerals from water and carbon dioxide from air into a plant's sugars.

Discover more nature lessons rooted in the Bible at Erynlynum.com

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