Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Eryn Lynum
  • 4.9 (200)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Join Master Naturalist, Bible teacher and author Eryn Lynum as we explore God's wild and wonderful world! What can a bird's migration teach us about God's guidance in our life? How can counting tree rings help us understand our life story? How can a milkweed plant help us cut off toxic thoughts and think about everything lovely and true? God's wild and wonderful world is full of amazing life lessons. As we get outside and adventure through creation, we'll discover how deep and wide the Father's love is for us! Each episode of The Nat Theo Nature Lessons podcast teaches God's truth through visuals in nature. Nat = Natural, Theo = Theology. Where kids dive into the study of Natural Theology—discovering God through nature!

  1. How Did Curiosity Save The Black-footed Ferrets? Episode 51

    2 DAYS AGO

    How Did Curiosity Save The Black-footed Ferrets? Episode 51

    How did the Black-footed ferret go from being endangered, to extinct, to endangered, to extinct, and now making a comeback? Come along on this fascinating story and discover how one woman’s curiosity helped save an entire species. Here’s our trail map: What Is A Black-footed Ferret?How Did The Black-footed Ferret Almost Disappear?How Did Curiosity Save the Black-footed Ferret?Why Is Our God-given Curiosity Important? Episode Links: Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Free Endangered Animals Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/black-footed-ferret Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/ Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “...Stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:14 (ESV) “Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 (NCV) Terms Learned in This Episode: Native Animal: An animal that is living where it belongs. It was not brought in by humans. It is living where God created it to live. Mammal: A group of animals that have hair or fur, are warm-blooded, have a backbone, (most) have live births, and feed their babies with milk from their bodies. Nocturnal Animals: Animals that are mostly active at night. Tapetum Lucidum: Reflective layer in some eyes that reflects light. Extinct: A creature is no longer living on earth. There are no more of its species. Endangered: When a species is likely to go extinct (meaning we will have no more of them in the future) if they are not protected. Awe: To be filled with amazement and wonder.

    25 min
  2. What Lives In A Pile Of Leaves? Meet the Forest Recyclers - Episode 50

    NOV 12

    What Lives In A Pile Of Leaves? Meet the Forest Recyclers - Episode 50

    What good is a leaf after it falls off a tree? Meet the forest recyclers who help turn old things into new life. Here’s our trail map: What Is A Duff?How Is A Forest Recycled?What Lives In A Pile Of Leaves?Why Are Decomposers Important?How Does God Restore And Make Things New? Episode Links: Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Free Forest Recycling Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/why-fallen-leaves-are-important Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Botany Exploring Creation with Botany Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/apologia-advantage-set-botany-2nd-edition-with-regular-notebooking-journal Roly-poly Episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/62dc056f-543f-49e1-8d71-c7056d13742a/ Bacteria Episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1d403844-0e2d-494a-a113-5ed7e86c947b/ Mushrooms and fungus episode: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b5b86cc0-358b-4136-bc79-643bd15aff9b/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore… The One who was sitting on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new!’” Revelation 21:1, 5 (NCV) “God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV) “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) Terms Learned in This Episode: Duff: A layer on the forest floor made up of dead leaves, sticks, grass, and other natural things. Recycle: To make something old new. To turn something that would normally be thrown away into something useful. Humus: Healthy soil that is packed full of good minerals and nutrients from decomposers. Rhizosphere: The area beneath the soil or dirt surface that surrounds plant roots.  Decomposing: Something natural is breaking down by a chemical process. It is becoming rotten or decaying. Enzymes: A type of protein, a very important building block in life, that speeds up chemical processes. Reconcile: To restore or bring back into harmony.

    25 min
  3. Why And How Do Leaves Change Colors? Episode 49

    NOV 5

    Why And How Do Leaves Change Colors? Episode 49

    Why does a tree have leaves, and if they are so important, why do leaves fall off a tree? Discover why a tree lets its leaves go and why those leaves turn many different colors before they fall off. Here’s our trail map: What Is A Forest Biome?What Are Coniferous And Deciduous Trees?What Is The Job Of A Tree Leaf?Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves?Why Do Leaves Change Colors?How Can We Let Others Around Us See God’s Beauty Inside Us? Resources Mentioned and used for Research: Apologia Leaf Color Experiment: https://www.apologia.com/blog/fall-in-love-with-the-science-of-autumn-hidden-colors-activity/ Access full Episode Lesson Guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Free Tree Leaf Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/tree-leaves-change-colors/ Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/ Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/ Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, ‘This man was one of Jesus’ followers!’ But Peter denied it. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘I don’t even know him!’ After a while someone else looked at him and said, ‘You must be one of them!’ ‘No, man, I’m not!’ Peter retorted. About an hour later someone else insisted, ‘This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’ And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.” Luke 22:54-62 (NLT) “We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (NCV) “I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 (NCV) Terms Learned in This Episode: Biome: A large area in the world with a specific climate including weather patterns and temperature where certain plants and creatures live. Coniferous Tree: A tree that makes cones, has needles for leaves, and most keep their leaves (needles) all year long. Deciduous Tree: Deciduous means “falling Off.” A deciduous tree has leaves that fall off. Most deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, but some lose them in spring. Marcescence: When a tree holds on to its dead, faded, withering leaves. This happens in the case of some oak trees

    29 min
  4. What Can We Learn From A Whale’s Earwax? With Whale Expert Nikki Farmer - Episode 48

    OCT 29

    What Can We Learn From A Whale’s Earwax? With Whale Expert Nikki Farmer - Episode 48

    Do whales clean their ears? And what might a scientist learn from a whale’s earwax? Whale expert Nikki Farmer joins us as we discover God’s amazing designs in whales. Here’s our trail map: What Is A Cetacean?How Does A Whale’s Blowhole Work?How Do Whales Communicate With Each Other?What Can We Learn From A Whale’s Earwax?What Are The Two Main Types Of Whales?How Can We Filter What We Take Into Our Hearts And Minds? Resources Mentioned and used for Research: Ocean Series Printables: https://erynlynum.com/ocean Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Nikki Farmer’s Website: http://becausegodcalleditgood.com/ Christian Liberty Press Nature Reader 5: Ocean Book: https://www.christianbook.com/christian-liberty-press-nature-reader-book/9781629821719/pd/821724?event=ESRCG Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/ Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/ Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “But test everything. Keep what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NCV)  “Don’t live the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NiRV) Terms Learned in This Episode: Cetacean: A group of marine mammals including whales, dolphins, and porpoises.  Blowhhole: A hole (or two in some species) at the top of a whale’s head allowing it to breathe. It exhales air out of the blowhole. Echolocation: A way God designed some animals to locate things by sound and echoes.  Odontocetes: Whales with teeth (toothed whales). Mysticetes: Whales with baleen (baleen whales). Baleen: Plates of bristle-like structures that allow baleen whales to filter their food and take in only what they need.

    26 min
  5. Can Jellyfish Live Forever? With Marine Biologist Sherri Seligson - Episode 47

    OCT 22

    Can Jellyfish Live Forever? With Marine Biologist Sherri Seligson - Episode 47

    How can a creature live forever...especially one without a brain? Marine biologist Sherri Seligson joins us to explore the incredible lives of jellyfish. Here’s our trail map: What Kind Of Creature Is A Jellyfish?How Do Jellies Sting?How Does A Jelly Grow Up?What Is An Immortal Jelly?How Can We Live Forever? Episode Links: Ocean Series Printables: https://erynlynum.com/ocean Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Pre-order Sherri’s new book for kids, Wonders of the Ocean Realm: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9781496486462&tag=tyndalehous06-20 Learn more about Sherri Seligson’s work: https://www.sherriseligson.com/about Sherri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherriseligson/ Sherri’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SherriSeligsonAuthor Explore Apologia’s curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/ Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and there was no sea anymore… The One who was sitting on the throne said, ‘Look! I am making everything new!’” Revelation 21:1, 5 (NCV) “...I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26 (NCV) “You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too, and they tremble with fear.” James 2:19 (NCV) “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 (NCV) Terms Learned in This Episode: Cnidarian: Animals in the phylum cnidaria including jellies (jellyfish), sea anemones, and corals. Bioluminescence: “Living light” created or carried by some creatures. Often caused by a chemical reaction that God designed into bioluminescent creatures. Plankton: Living organisms (animals or plants) that float or are carried by water currents and cannot swim against the current. Most plankton are tiny. Jellyfish are considered plankton because they cannot swim against the ocean currents. Nematocysts: Stinging cells on a cnidarian animal. Medusa: The adult form of a jellyfish with its “bell top.” Polyp: The juvenile (young) form of a jellyfish adhered to a hard surface, before it “blooms” and becomes an adult medusa. Planula: Tiny baby (larval) form of a jellyfish floating around before it attaches to a hard surface and becomes a polyp. Portuguese Man of War: Another cnidarian animal often mistaken for a jellyfish, but different. Ecosystem: An area where the plants, creatures, and other things in nature like water, rocks, dirt, and sun all help each...

    48 min
  6. How Is A Pearl Made? Exploring Seashells and Mollusks - Episode 46

    OCT 15

    How Is A Pearl Made? Exploring Seashells and Mollusks - Episode 46

    What do a tiny garden slug and a 50-foot giant squid have in common? They are both mollusks! Discover a fascinating group of creatures and their unique problem-solving strategies. Here’s our trail map: What Is A Mollusk?How Are Seashells Made?What Is A Bivalve?How Is A Pearl Made?Why Are Pearls Valuable?How Can God Turn Our Problems Into Something Valuable? Episode Links: Ocean Series Printables: https://erynlynum.com/ocean Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/ Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” So I am very happy to brag about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can live in me. For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NCV) “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 (NLT) Terms Learned in This Episode: Organ: An important part inside the body that has a special job to do. Mollusks: Soft-bodied animals that have an important organ called a mantle and a special foot used to get around, grasp things, or dig. Most but not all mollusks have shells. Mantle: A special organ in a mollusk that creates a shell. Bivalve: A type of mollusk creature with two shells held together by a hinge that can open and close. Incurrent Siphon: A part of the mollusk’s body, like a hose, used to bring in water and bits of food. Excurrent Siphon: A part of the mollusk’s body, like a hose, used to get rid of waste. Irritant: Something that causes discomfort or pain and is difficult to get rid of. Nacre: The material an oyster covers an irritant with. Sometimes it is called Mother-of-pearl.

    26 min
  7. What Is a Shark’s 6th Sense? With Marine Biologist Michael Lane - Episode 45

    OCT 8

    What Is a Shark’s 6th Sense? With Marine Biologist Michael Lane - Episode 45

    Can sharks ever stop swimming? And what is a shark tooth made from? Marine biologist and shark expert Michael Lane joins us to shed light on common misunderstanding about sharks. Here’s our trail map: How Are Sharks Different From Most Fish?Can Sharks Ever Stop Swimming?How Do Sharks Use Electricity?What Is A Shark’s 6th Sense?How Has God Created Us To Find What We Need? Episode Links: Ocean Series Printables: https://erynlynum.com/ocean Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Evidence 4 Faith Website: https://evidence4faith.org/ Evidence 4 Faith Mailing List: https://evidence4faith.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=f2656bda96ebe4b445450103c&id=e3c6289303 Evidence 4 Faith Podcast: https://feeds.captivate.fm/e4f/ Evidence 4 Faith YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@evidence4faithofficial Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/ Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “A person lives not on bread alone, but by everything God says.” Matthew 4:4 (NCV) “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.’” John 14:6 (NCV) “But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words, but he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come.” John 16:13 (NCV) Terms Learned in This Episode: Ichthys: Fish Chondrichthyes: Cartilaginous fish. Fish with cartilage instead of bones. Cartilage: Strong tissue that is flexible. Protects and supports bones and joints. Human noses and ears are made from cartilage. Dermal Denticle: Shark teeth which are not made of bone. Enamel: Hard protective layer around bone or cartilage. Human teeth are covered in enamel. It is the hardest substance in a human body. Buccal Ventilation: A method some sharks use to breathe. They use muscles in their cheeks to draw water in and push it past gills, which take in oxygen from the water. Sharks that use this can breathe while not moving. Ram Ventilation: A method some sharks use to breathe while swimming with their mouths open, so water rushes over their gills. Electroreception: The ability in animals to sense electrical currents and fields. Ichthyologist: A scientist who studies fish. Ampullae of Lorenzini: Jelly-filled sacs (pores) that allow a shark to sense the electrical field and find food using electrical currents. Cephalization: When sensory organs are concentrated on the font of the body or face. Lateral Line: A line down the center of fish on both sides containing sensory organs. Fish use

    50 min
  8. Giant Squid, Glowing Fish, And Creatures Of The Abyss - Episode 44

    OCT 1

    Giant Squid, Glowing Fish, And Creatures Of The Abyss - Episode 44

    Explore the most mysterious place on earth! To kick off our ocean series, we’re meeting a massive squid and a curious creature with a light made from bacteria. Here’s our trail map: How Much Water Is On Earth?What Is The Continental Shelf?What Are The Four Ocean Zones And What Live In Them?Are Giant Squids Real?How do Anglerfish Light Up?What’s The Deepest Part Of The Ocean? Episode Links: Ocean Series Printables: https://erynlynum.com/ocean Get full lesson guides in  the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/ Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/ Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/ Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615 Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: “Then God said, ‘Let the water be filled with living things, and let birds fly in the air above the earth.’ So God created the large sea animals and every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things, with each one producing more of its own kind. He also made every bird that flies, and each bird produced more of its own kind. God saw that this was good.” Genesis 1:20-21 (NCV) “You will have mercy on us again; you will conquer our sins. You will throw away all our sins into the deepest part of the sea.” Micah 7:19 (NCV) “So if the Son (that is Jesus) sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NCV) Terms Learned in This Episode: Continental Shelf: Shallow part of the ocean at an average of 200-feet deep, surrounding land continents. This is where most ocean creatures live. Marine Habitat: An area in the ocean that support specific ocean creatures and plants such as a kelp forest, coral reef, or seagrass meadow. Twilight: The time right after sun sets when there is low lighting. Photobacterium: Microscopic living creatures that create their own light. Bioluminescence: “Living light” created or carried by some creatures. Often caused by a chemical reaction that God designed into bioluminescent creatures. Swim Bladder: A special organ God designed some fish with. A gas-filled organ, like a balloon, that helps fish stay buoyant and float at certain depths.

    36 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Join Master Naturalist, Bible teacher and author Eryn Lynum as we explore God's wild and wonderful world! What can a bird's migration teach us about God's guidance in our life? How can counting tree rings help us understand our life story? How can a milkweed plant help us cut off toxic thoughts and think about everything lovely and true? God's wild and wonderful world is full of amazing life lessons. As we get outside and adventure through creation, we'll discover how deep and wide the Father's love is for us! Each episode of The Nat Theo Nature Lessons podcast teaches God's truth through visuals in nature. Nat = Natural, Theo = Theology. Where kids dive into the study of Natural Theology—discovering God through nature!

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