Mountains (can tie in with the art lesson on "Line and Texture")

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Don't you just love mountains? I love looking at them. I love being on one. I love it in all seasons. It's so peaceful, the air is so fresh, the scenery is pleasant and restful to the eyes.

Our family used to frequently visit mountains when growing up. I never thought much about mountains beyond the sentiments I shared in the above paragraph. But I learned they serve a greater purpose than just their beauty. Let's look at what the Bible has to say about mountains...

Leading Idea:

God created mountains with specific purposes in mind!

Biblical Principle:

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else." -Isaiah 45:18

Research:

Let's look up key words (the bold words in the verse above) in the dictionary to have an accurate understanding of what they mean:

Webster's 1828 Dictionary 

Mountain, n. [Fr. montagne; Sp. montana; It. montagna; L. adjective, montanus.]

A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land, but of no definite altitude. We apply mountain to the largest eminences on the globe; but sometimes the word is used for a large hill. In general, mountain denotes an elevation higher and larger than a hill; as the Altaic mountains in Asia, the Alps in Switzerland, the Andes in South America, the Allegheny mountains in Virginia, the Kaatskill in New York, the White mountains in New Hampshire, and the Green Mountains in Vermont. The word is applied to a single elevation, or to an extended range.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

Form, n.

2. Manner of arranging particulars; disposition of particular things; as a form of words or expressions.

4. Beauty; elegance; splendor; dignity.

9. Determinate shape. 

"The earth was without form, and void." Genesis 1

Form, v.t.

1. To make or cause to exist.

"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground." Genesis 2

2. To shape; to mold or fashion into a particular shape or state; as, to form an image of stone or clay.

3. To plan; scheme; to modify

Webster's 1828 Dictionary 

Establish, v.t.

1. To set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently.

"And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7 NKJV

2. To found permanently; to erect and fix or settle; as, to establish a colony or an empire.

Webster's 1828 Dictionary  

Inhabit, v.t.

1. To live or dwell in; to occupy as a place of settled residence.

Biblical Purposes for Mountains:

• they praise Him (Glorify Him)- Psalm 148:1, 9
• they are borders- Numbers 34:7,8
• they're a defense to a country- Psalm 125:2
• to afford refuge in time of danger- Genesis 14:10; Judges 6:2; Matthew 24:16; Hebrews 11:38 (I also thought of the von Trapp family but learned differently than what The Sound of Music portrays. Just a little bit more history there to tie in.)
• He uses them to sustain creation- Psalm 104: 10-13
• a source of springs and rivers- Deuteronomy 8:7
• a quiet place to withdraw and pray- Luke 6:12
• they are often inhabited- Genesis 36:8; Joshua 11:21

Reason:

Mountains reveal God's wisdom as we learn the intentional purposes for them. Psalm 104:24 declares, "O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions-"

They reveal His power. He established them in their places intentionally! He caused them to exist!

They reveal His variety. There are many reasons for them and they add an individual, singular beauty to the earth.

Relate:

Well you can do this in several ways:

• Your family can take a field trip to a mountain and enjoy being surrounded by its beauty. And upon visiting a mountain, you can reflect more in discussion about what you have learned from scripture about them.

• You could borrow several videos (documentary perhaps) about different mountains around the world.

• Create a "lap book page" (as I call them) for the notebook. For these, we use an 8.5" x 11" card stock paper. (We hole punch it first so writing or pictures don't get punched out.) Choose geographical terms, for example, as the theme: mountain range, mountain system, peak, summit, snow line, etc.

• You could use the art lesson here to help your students relate.

Record:


However you choose to do this (video recording, notes, art... file it in the notebook or place it on display). :)


Note:
You'll likely find much more about mountains in your own research of the scriptures. I don't want to take all the fun of researching away from you! My hope is to show you how easy it is to apply this approach to your homeschool.


Question:
How do you think you may go about relating the lesson? Your answer may inspire others! :)

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