Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Dragonflies are marvels of engineering. These expert stunt flyers can wow us with their sharp turns, hovering, and aerodynamic acrobatics. They are often called the greatest flyers of the insect world, and for good reasons. Discover how God designed dragonflies for expert flight, and how God is the very first—and very best—engineer.

Here’s our trail map:
Why Do Dragonflies Have Huge Eyes?
Why Do Baby Dragonflies Live Underwater?
Can Dragonflies Fly Backward?
How Can We See God’s Engineering In Dragonflies?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-dragonflies-fly-backward/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Why Does a Fly Rub Its Hands Together?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/04b01308-808a-47ff-8fd0-61caa5113c8e/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:
Children’s Atlas of God’s World by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/childrens-atlas-hardback-single
Passport to the World by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/passport-to-the-world-hardback-single
A Child’s Geography Series by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/a-childs-geography-series
Flying Creatures Course by Apologia: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-1-course-set/
Explore all of Apologia’s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Dragonfly Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-dragonflies-fly-backward/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 (NIV)

“Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord;
those who obey his orders have good understanding.
He should be praised forever.” Psalm 111:10 (NCV)

“Great are the works of the Lord;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.” Psalm 111:2 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Odonata: The order or group of insects that includes dragonflies and damselflies.
Mandible: Strong, jaw-like mouthpart that an insect uses to bite, cut, or chew food.
Compound Eye: An eye made of many tiny lenses working together.
Ommatidia: Tiny sections of a compound eye, each with its own lens that helps the insect see.
Ocelli: Simple eyes on an insect’s head that mainly help detect light, darkness, and changes in brightness.
Labium: A dragonfly nymph's lower jaw that shoots out as a weapon to catch prey.
Direct Flight Muscle: A muscle that is attached to one wing and moves just that wing.
Leading-edge Vortex: A small, spinning swirl of air (like a tiny tornado) made at the front edge of a wing that gives an insect extra lift to stay in the air.
Wisdom: Knowing what is right and true, and using that understanding to do good.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore common creatures and plants in Made to Marvel
Order a signed copy of Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel

Bundle both of Eryn's new books: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle

Gliding across ocean floors are one of the most colorful creatures on earth: nudibranchs, or a type of vibrant sea slug. These fancy slugs have a surprisingly toxic diet. Discover how nudibranchs don’t only eat stinging jellyfish, but store up those stings and use them when they need to!
Here’s our trail map:
Is a Sea Slug a Real Slug?
Why Are Nudibranchs So Colorful?
How Do Nudibranchs Steal Stings?
How Can We Store Up Good Things Instead of Toxins?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/are-nudibranchs-and-sea-slugs-the-same-thing/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Why Are Slugs Slimy?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/535e6982-0693-4eac-af6a-239e5a9438d9/
Is a Snail Born With a Shell?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/062f10aa-c4b2-4d23-939b-f695e5c0c409/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:
Discover God’s designs in nudibranchs and other ocean creatures with Apologia’s Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-course-set/
Explore all of Apologia’s award-winning curriculum and courses: https://www.apologia.com/
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Sea Slug Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/are-nudibranchs-and-sea-slugs-the-same-thing/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“Look at the sea, so big and wide, with creatures large and small that cannot be counted.” Psalm 104:25 (NCV)
“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NCV)
“Good people bring good things out of the good they stored in their hearts. But evil people bring evil things out of the evil they stored in their hearts. People speak the things that are in their hearts.” Luke 6:45 (NCV)
“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:
Mollusk: A phylum (category) of animals that have soft bodies and no bones (invertebrates). Some have shells for protection.
Gastropod: The animal class or category that includes snails and slugs.
Nudibranch: A specific type of sea slug, often brightly colored, that has no external shell as an adult.
Cerata: The fingerlike spikes on aeolid nudibranchs’ backs that help them breathe and protect themselves.
Rhinophores: The antenna or horn-like appendages on a nudibranch’s head that help it sense food, other nudibranchs, and anything else around it.
Benthic Animals: Animals that scoot, scurry, hop, or otherwise move around on the bottom of a body of water instead of swimming.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore common creatures and plants in Made to Marvel
Order a signed copy of Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel

Bundle both of Eryn's new books: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle

Meet an animal that only ever gives birth to identical quadruplets: the nine-banded armadillo! Discover how God engineered armadillos with built-in armor and what they can teach us about God’s grace in a world with diseases.

Here’s our trail map:
Why Does an Armadillo Have a Shell?
Are Armadillos Born With a Shell?
Do Armadillos Carry Leprosy?
Why Is There Disease in the World?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/do-armadillos-carry-leprosy/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
Can a Honey Badger Eat a Venomous Cobra?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ef0a86fd-03ce-46f5-81a9-8555d7e919ec/
How Many Worms Can a Star-nosed Mole Eat?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b8e3423d-b8ee-4a3d-9624-30f4e4f2a0ef/
Do Porcupines Shoot Their Quills?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8b1c9491-f902-4fbf-873f-42e9a594399d/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:
Dragon books by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=dragonhttps://www.masterbooks.com/americas-story-series
Books & Curriculum by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/
Save half off on CTCMath: https://payments.ctcmath.com/purchase/homeschool-discount?tr_id=NPT
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Armadillo Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/do-armadillos-carry-leprosy/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, ‘Lord, you can heal me if you will.’
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, ‘I will. Be healed!’ And immediately the man was healed from his disease.” Matthew 8:1-3 (NCV)
“So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. We have small troubles for a while now, but they are helping us gain an eternal glory that is much greater than the troubles. We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NCV)
“He 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 21:4 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
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.
Carapace: The hard protective covering on the back of an animal, such as a turtle, crab, or armadillo.
Cingulata: The order or category of animals that includes armadillos. The name means “belted ones” because of the bands of armor around their bodies.
Osteoderms: Small plates of bone that grow in an animal’s skin and help form protective armor.
Keratin: A tough protein that makes up things like hair, nails, claws, horns, and the outer covering of an armadillo’s armor.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore common creatures and plants in Made to Marvel
Order a signed copy of Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel

Bundle both of Eryn's new books: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle

What does it mean to "follow where wonder leads?" Join Willow and her cousin, Casper, as they begin their adventure amongst redwood trees and discover treasure in the forest. This is a special reading by Eryn Lynum of her brand-new children's book, Where Wonder Leads.
Order a signed copy of Where Wonder Leads: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/Wonder
Save money and get a free gift when you bundle both of Eryn's new books! https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore common creatures and plants in Made to Marvel
Order a signed copy of Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel

Bundle both of Eryn's new books: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle

Toadstool mushrooms pop up in fairy tales and folklore and often come with a warning: “Don’t touch!” But are toadstools poisonous? And why do they appear like magic after rain? Unravel the marvels of mushrooms and discover how they appear not by magic but by design.
Here’s our trail map:
Why Do Mushrooms Appear After Rain?
How Do Mushrooms Spread?
Are Toadstool Mushrooms Poisonous?
How Do Mushrooms Remind Us That God is Always Near?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-do-mushrooms-appear-after-rain/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
What Lives In A Pile Of Leaves? https://player.captivate.fm/episode/f8e5415c-9896-4c3a-8306-b7fe74be76a6/
Are Mushrooms Aliens? And Does Fungus Know How to Code?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b5b86cc0-358b-4136-bc79-643bd15aff9b/

Eryn's Books:
Where Wonder Leads: An Adventure in God's Wild and Wonderful World: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder
Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel
The Nature of Rest: What the Bible and Creation Teach Us About Sabbath Living: https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Rest-Creation-Sabbath-Living/dp/0825448891
Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615
936 Pennies: Discovering the Joy of Intentional Parenting: https://www.amazon.com/936-Pennies-Discovering-Intentional-Parenting/dp/0764219782

Episode Links:
Books & Curriculum by Master Books: https://www.masterbooks.com/
Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/member
Get full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club
Free Mushroom Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-do-mushrooms-appear-after-rain/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“‘I am a God who is near,’ says the Lord.
‘I am also a God who is far away.
No one can hide
where I cannot see him,’ says the Lord.
“I fill all of heaven and earth,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NCV)

“Where can I go to get away from your Spirit?
Where can I run from you?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there.
If I lie down in the grave, you are there.
If I rise with the sun in the east
and settle in the west beyond the sea,
even there you would guide me.
With your right hand you would hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10 (NCV)

“So don’t worry, because I am with you.
Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.
I will make you strong and will help you;
I will support you with my right hand that saves you.” Isaiah 41:10 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Fungus: A living thing that is not a plant or an animal. Fungi include mushrooms, molds, and yeasts.
Hypha: A single tiny, threadlike strand that makes up the main body of a fungus.
Hyphae: Many tiny, threadlike strands that make up the main body of a fungus. They grow through soil, wood, or other material.
Mycelial Network: The web of tiny fungal threads (hyphae) that grows through soil, wood, or other material and absorbs nutrients.
Mushroom: The fruiting body of a fungus.
Spores: Tiny reproductive cells that mushrooms release to grow new fungi.
Gills: The thin, flat structures found underneath the caps of many mushrooms. They produce and release spores.
Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria): Poisonous mushrooms that usually have bright red or orange caps dotted with raised white patches, along with white gills and a pale stem.
Omnipresent: Being present everywhere at the same time.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.
Mentioned in this episode:
Explore common creatures and plants in Made to Marvel
Order a signed copy of Made to Marvel: 52 Family Devotions Exploring the Wild Wonders of God's Creation: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/marvel

Bundle both of Eryn's new books: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle