As we focus on discovering more about God and His creation – and on ensuring that He is central to all aspects of our learning – I offer here some simple spiritual applications for science experiments (from Janice VanCleave’s 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments).
However, my first encouragement to others is to pray and ask the Lord for how you can see the truth, beauty and goodness of all He has set before you. Instead of prescribed devotions, consider asking questions of your children to discuss their ideas on how what you are doing (experiments, stories, art projects) applies to God’s Word or his creation.
- How does this reflect truth?
- How does this reflect the beauty of God’s creation?
- How does this show the goodness of God?
- What does this reveal about God?
- How does this relate to other aspects of my life?
What is the chief end of man? A man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. (taken from Westminster Shorter Catechism)
If we can keep that in the forefront of our minds, it will direct us as we pursue this lifelong act of discovering more about who God is.
As we enter a semester of studying the wonders of the human body, questions like these will likely bring about deeper discussion and more memorable moments than reading a set of devotions (especially ones written by me). Even so, perhaps these devotions will spur ideas of further questions you can ask of your children.
The human body is utterly astounding.
To God be the glory!
Blessings from our family to yours,
Brandy
(For Classical Conversations families, this correlates to Cycle 3 Weeks 1-18.) If you’d like to have a visual for students, be sure to check out We Choose Virtues.
Human Body
Experiment #68: Blinking (Week 1)
This week’s character quality: Honesty
Scriptures: Luke 16:10; Psalm 34:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:12
In today’s science we’ll be taking a look at our persistence of vision and how it can cause us to see illusions. An illusion is something that looks or seems different from what it really is. It’s something that is false or not real even though it seems to be true or real.
This brings to mind a scripture from Proverbs 27:6:
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Do we seem truthful and genuine when in reality we are not? Because our mission is to make God known to others, we want others to know that what we say and how we live is true. We want to be real and genuine, people who are trustworthy, people who speak the truth, think the truth, and live the truth. We want to be truth tellers so that others can trust us.
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. (Luke 16:10)
Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies. (Psalm 34:12-13)
Experiment #70: Water Drop Lens (Week 2)
This week’s character quality: Helpfulness
Scriptures: Matthew 25:35-40; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:2; Matthew 5:16
{Before class, leave some crumpled tissues on the floor.}
In today’s science, we’ll be talking about lenses – the kind that are used in a magnifying glass or eyeglasses. The way these lenses are shaped helps us to see better. And just as the lenses in our eyes (and eyeglasses) help us to see, we can help others by opening our eyes to what’s around us. So let’s take a moment to use our eyes to see how we can help. Did you notice something amiss here today? It looks like someone left some trash. What if I didn’t leave it there, though? Should I pick it up? Being helpful means we see something that needs to be done, and then we do it. It doesn’t matter who left the trash there, I can pick it up. Likewise, we can all keep an eye out for opportunities to be helpful. We can take care of our facility, we can help our tutors, and we can help our parents.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4, King James Version (KJV)
Experiment #74: Fingerprints (Week 3)
This week’s character quality: Diligence
Scriptures: Proverbs 14:23; Colossians 3:23; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Hebrews 11:6
Seeking God’s hand in our lives and in the world around us can take research, investigation, and time. But the more we seek, the more we discover, and the more awesome we realize our God is! Noticing God’s fingerprints on creation can be as simple as looking down at our own fingerprints. Every single person throughout history has a different fingerprint – a way to show that we are unique and special in the eyes of God.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14
If we search around us as we go about our lives, we can find evidence of God everywhere. The Bible tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. As we head into a new semester, remember to be diligent in our studies – to start fast, work hard, and finish strong. Let’s diligently seek the Lord in all our endeavors – on campus, at home, and at play. God’s wonders are everywhere for us to discover!
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do” [digging in the dirt, building a cardboard boat, practicing math facts], “do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Experiment #76: Lung Capacity (Week 4)
This week’s character quality: Patience
Scripture: Proverbs 14:29; James 1:19b-20; James 5:7
Our lungs have the capacity to hold quite a bit of air. This can result in us exercising our lungs to shout in anger when we’re feeling impatient with our brothers or sisters or friends. When we feel frustrated or angry, though, the best thing we can do is pause, take a deep breath, and pray. Let’s try it. (Inhale deeply, exhale deeply, and ask God to help you through your day.)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19b-20) [inhale, exhale]
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. (Proverbs 25:15) [inhale, exhale]
When you are struggling with patience, think to yourself, “I can wait, and wait, and wait with a smile” because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
Experiment #77: Rubbed Off (Week 5)
This week’s character quality: Forgiving
Scriptures: Matthew 5:9; Proverbs 19:11, Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:18
In today’s science experiment we’ll be taking a look at how the outside layer of our skin is constantly being rubbed off. We live in a world that constantly rubs, scrapes, and grinds against our skin. That world also constantly rubs, scrapes, and grinds against our hearts and minds. We may encounter conflicts or animosity our wills, temperaments, or opinions clash with others. When we have conflicts with others, we can choose to forgive so our hearts will swell with God’s love for others.
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:4-5 King James Version (KJV)
Experiment #79 & #80: Spinning & Change of Pattern (Week 6)
This week’s character quality: Attentiveness
Scriptures: Acts 17:22-27; Proverbs 4:20-27; Proverbs 22:17; Philippians 4:8 (be careful of what you pay attention to); Psalm 1:1-6 (be careful of who you pay attention to)
Although it’s usually easy for our hands to perform the same pattern of movement, when we attempt to move our hands in two different patterns, it takes extra concentration and attention.
Being attentive means that we notice what we’re doing (and saying) and how our words and actions affect ourselves and others. The Bible tells us that being attentive and listening to advice is wise and will add to our learning. Paying attention to God’s Word will protect us and guide us throughout life.
Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach,
for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips. (Proverbs 22:17-18)My son, attend to my words.
Turn your ear to my sayings.
Let them not depart from your eyes.
Keep them in the center of your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and health to their whole body.
Keep your heart with all diligence,
for out of it is the wellspring of life.
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth.
Put corrupt lips far from you.
Let your eyes look straight ahead.
Fix your gaze directly before you.
Make the path of your feet level.
Let all of your ways be established.
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left.
Remove your foot from evil. (Proverbs 4:20-27 (WEB))This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea. (Isaiah 48:17-18)
Some More Scriptures Relating to the Human Body
God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (WEB)
For you formed my inmost being.
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
My soul knows that very well.
My frame wasn’t hidden from you,
when I was made in secret,
woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my body.
In your book they were all written,
the days that were ordained for me,
when as yet there were none of them. Psalm 139:13-16, World English Bible (WEB)
The eyes and ears:
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18. World English Bible (WEB).
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them. Proverbs 20:12King James Version (KJV)
The lungs:
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
The mind/brain:
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8King James Version (KJV)
Body of Christ:
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:4-5, King James Version (KJV)
Our bodies as a living sacrifice:
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12: 1-2
Chemistry
Experiment #86 – Where Did it Go? (A Cup of Alcohol on Water; Week 13)
Just like alcohol fills the empty pockets in the water, God fills the empty pockets in your life. When you are full of the Spirit, there is LESS of you! Your life with God will be fuller than you can imagine when you add Him in your life!
Experiment #88 – Tug of War (A Drop of Alcohol on Water; Week 14)
Did you notice that when the alcohol touched the water, the two liquids separated immediately? This reminds me of what happens when a person comes to know Jesus Christ. When the Lord is your God and He lives with you and walks with you, then you will be separate from the world. Like water running away from the alcohol, you will want to run away from worthless things.
…For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:16-17
Experiment #91 – Magic Solution (Floating or Sinking Egg; Week 15)
This experiment makes me think about what God uses in our lives to hold us up. Sometimes we go through tough times, we might feel like the sinking egg. Have any of you felt sad or down before? When you feel like that, think about the floating egg. God has a special solution to add to your life which will hold you up. The Bible says that His divine power has given us everything we need. He will keep you in perfect peace if your mind is steadfast on Him. (Isaiah 26:3). God’s truth and His promises are way stronger and more trustworthy (more dense) than the cloudy wisdom of the world! Add God’s Word to your life and you will be lifted up. (James 4:10)
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4
Experiment #93 – Bubbler (Make a CO2 Gas Bubble; Week 16)
Do you ever feel pressured or anxious? Even though we may feel pressure from every side, we have the strength of Jesus in us. When we respond to tough situations with the strength of Christ in us (Philippians 4:13), we are making Jesus known to the world around us!
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Experiment #99 – Starch Test (Week 17)
Just like you can test something for starch, you can test yourself to see if you have eternal life. The things we tested either had starch or they didn’t.
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:12-13
Do you know if you have eternal life? If you have Jesus, you have eternal life!
Experiment #105 – Growing Salt Crystals (Week 18)
Sometimes in this world you will be hard-pressed and even crushed. But don’t worry because God uses all of the hard times in our lives to produce something beautiful. Just like these salts turned into long, beautiful crystals when the water evaporated, your life will be even more beautiful when you have been through hard times. Remember, God is always working to make you like Jesus.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9