The Ultimate Living Book Unit Study Adventure: A Literature-based, Bible-based Unit Study Plan for All Ages The Ultimate Living Book Unit Study Adventure: A Literature-based, Biblebased Unit Study Plan for All Ages; Teaching Phonics, Handwriting & Spelling Using the Bible; My Spiritual Journal; The Attributes of God for Nature Journal Copywork; The Attributes of God Nature Notebooking Pages: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer; Bible Writing Prompts; Editing Prompts; Self-Examination; As for Me and My House Words for the Family s Heart; Key Words of Each Book of the Bible for Vocabulary Studies; Our Life Journal; Favorite Edifying & Educational DVDs by Benecia Fowler Copyright 2010 Benecia Jo Fowler To request a free copy of this book for a truly needy family, contact the publisher: Sola Scriptura Studies PO Box 12413 Kansas City, MO 64116 solascripturastudies@hotmail.com www.biblemaintextbook.com (a labor of love in progress ) www.facebook.com Sola Scriptura Studies
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 5 GOD REVEALS HIMSELF THROUGH CREATION 6 WE MUST THINK RIGHTLY ABOUT GOD 13 GOD INCOMPREHENSIBLE 15 A DIVINE ATTRIBUTE: SOMETHING TRUE ABOUT GOD 17 THE HOLY TRINITY 19 THE SELF-EXISTENCE OF GOD 21 THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD 23 THE ETERNITY OF GOD 25 GOD S INFINITUDE 27 THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD 29 THE DIVINE OMNISCIENCE 31 THE WISDOM OF GOD 33 THE OMNIPOTENCE OF GOD 36 THE DIVINE TRANSCENDENCE 38 GOD S OMNIPRESENCE 40 THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD 44 THE GOODNESS OF GOD 46 3
THE JUSTICE OF GOD 48 THE MERCY OF GOD 51 THE GRACE OF GOD 54 THE LOVE OF GOD 58 THE HOLINESS OF GOD 62 THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD 64 THE OPEN SECRET 66 THE SEASONS 69 FALL 69 WINTER 72 SPRING 73 SUMMER 75 THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY BY A.W. TOZER 76 THE ULTIMATE LIVING BOOK UNIT STUDY ADVENTURE: A LITERATURE-BASED, BIBLE-BASED UNIT STUDY PLAN FOR ALL AGES 77 4
INTRODUCTION The Attributes of God for Nature Journal Copywork integrates the teaching of the attributes of God that are revealed through the Scriptures with nature study and nature journaling in a simple, yet powerful way. The Bible tells us For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made Romans 1:20a. The Attributes of God for Nature Journal Copywork contains over 200 excerpts about these invisible things, including definitions from Noah Webster s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, KJV Scripture verses, and hymns, poems and quotes by wellknown men and women of the faith. After reading and discussing one or more selections from The Attributes of God for Nature Journal Copywork, encourage your children to continue to consider the reading during a nature outing. If a specific attribute was explored, ask them to look for this attribute in nature and to ask God, How does (a bumble bee, fall leaves, the bark of a specific tree, etc.) reveal Your (wisdom, omnipotence, transcendence, etc.)? After they have had plenty of time to enjoy God s creation, and to look for His fingerprints, ask them to make a nature journal entry, and to copy an excerpt from the reading (or related to the reading). If desired, your children can use The Attributes of God Nature Notebooking Pages: Fall, Winter, Spring, & Summer by Sola Scriptura Studies. Each season contains 5 decorative pages with 5 different KJV Scripture verses for each truth about the attributes of God, plus seven more attractive, economical black and white notebooking pages. I believe with all of my heart that it is God s will that I share this resource with others, and it is my sincere desire and prayer that many will be blessed by it. His bondservant and your sister, Benecia 5
THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD for NATURE JOURNAL COPYWORK GOD REVEALS HIMSELF THROUGH CREATION In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1: 1 3 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Psalm 19:1 4 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. Romans 10:18 But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Job 12:7 10 6
All Things Bright and Beautiful All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. The purple headed mountains, The river running by, The sunset and the morning That brightens up the sky. The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. The tall trees in the greenwood, The meadows where we play, The rushes by the water, To gather every day. He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well. ~ Cecil F. Alexander ~ 7
This Is My Father s World This is my Father s world, and to my listening ears All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; His hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father s world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker s praise. This is my Father s world: He shines in all that s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father s world. O let me ne er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father s world: the battle is not done. Jesus Who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav n be one. This is my Father s world, dreaming, I see His face. I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, The Lord is in this place. This is my Father s world, from the shining courts above, The Beloved One, His Only Son, Came a pledge of deathless love. This is my Father s world, should my heart be ever sad? The Lord is King let heavens ring. God reigns let the earth be glad. This is my Father s world. Now closer to Heaven bound, For dear to God is the earth Christ trod. No place but is holy ground. 8
This is my Father s world. I walk a desert lone. In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known. This is my Father s world, a wanderer I may roam Whate er my lot, it matters not, My heart is still at home. ~ Maltbie D. Babcock ~ God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. ~ Francis Bacon ~ God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars. ~ Martin Luther ~ Earth s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God. ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~ If God hath made this world so fair, Where sin and death abound, How beautiful beyond compare Will paradise be found? ~ James Montgomery ~ Nature it the art of God. ~ Sir Thomas Browne ~ 9
All Creatures of Our and King All creatures of our God and King Lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon with softer gleam! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou rushing wind that art so strong Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice, Ye lights of evening, find a voice! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou flowing water, pure and clear, Make music for thy Lord to hear, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou fire so masterful and bright, That givest man both warmth and light. O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Dear mother earth, who day by day Unfoldest blessings on our way, O praise Him! Alleluia! The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, Let them His glory also show. O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 10
And all ye men of tender heart, Forgiving others, take your part, O sing ye! Alleluia! Ye who long pain and sorrow bear, Praise God and on Him cast your care! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! And thou most kind and gentle Death, Waiting to hush our latest breath, O praise Him! Alleluia! Thou leadest home the child of God, And Christ our Lord the way hath trod. O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Let all things their Creator bless, And worship Him in humbleness, O praise Him! Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, And praise the Spirit, Three in One! O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! ~ Francis of Assisi ~ Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God. ~ George Washington Carver ~ I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker. ~ Voltaire ~ 11
I Sing the Mighty Power of God I sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; The moon shines full at God s command, and all the stars obey. I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food, Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good. Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky. There s not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known, And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne; While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care; And everywhere that we can be, Thou, God art present there. ~ Isaac Watts ~ Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime. ~ Martin Luther ~ Nature is God s greatest evangelist. ~ Jonathan Edwards ~ 12
WE MUST THINK RIGHTLY ABOUT GOD GOD, n. 1. The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit, the creator, and the sovereign of the universe. God is a spirit; and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4. 2. A false god; a heathen deity; an idol. Fear not the gods of the Amorites. Judges 6. 3. A prince; a ruler; a magistrate or judge; an angel. Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. Exodus 22. [Gods here is a bad translation.] 4. Any person or thing exalted too much in estimation, or deified and honored as the chief good. Whose god is their belly. Phil. 3. ~ American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828 ~ And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.1 John 5:20 13
No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him]. John 1:18 God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 15:26 O, God of Bethel, by whose hand Thy people still are fed; Who through this weary pilgrimage Hast all our fathers led! Our vows, our prayers we now present Before Thy throne of grace: God of our fathers! be the God Of their succeeding race. ~ Philip Doddridge ~ Lord, who art always the same, give that I know myself, give that I know Thee. ~ St. Augustine ~ 14