Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

The frilled lizard is often called a dragon, but did God make real dragons? Does this curious reptile that runs on two legs and climbs trees actually spit venom? Discover how this lizard’s crazy neck collar reminds us of Gideon’s army in the Bible and encourages us to be mighty warriors.
Here’s our trail map:
Is the Frilled Lizard a Real Dragon?
Are Frilled Lizards Venomous?
Why Does a Frilled Lizard Have a Frill?
How Does a Frilled Lizard Remind Us of Gideon’s Army?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-do-frilled-lizards-have-a-frill/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
What Is the Most Venomous Snake?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2f9c3f05-388e-443d-a23f-03980c46de8f/
Were All Dinosaurs Big? With Ken Ham: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3b67b81a-ceac-4fa1-85cf-588a32f23a30/
What Is The Difference Between A Turtle And Tortoise?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/dccb26a1-9dde-498f-8d6d-573f1478e243/

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=dragons
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 Frilled Lizard Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/why-do-frilled-lizards-have-a-frill/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!’” Judges 6:12 (NCV)
“The Lord turned to Gideon and said, ‘Go with your strength and save Israel from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you.’
But Gideon answered, ‘Lord, how can I save Israel? My family group is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least important member of my family.’
The Lord answered him, ‘I will be with you. It will seem as if the Midianites you are fighting are only one man.’” Judges 6:14-16 (NCV)
“Then the Lord said to Gideon, ‘You have too many men to defeat the Midianites. I don’t want the Israelites to brag that they saved themselves.’” Judges 7:2 (NCV)
“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can defeat us.” Romans 8:31 (NCV)
“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can defeat us. 32 He did not spare his own Son but gave him for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.” Romans 8:31-32 (NCV)
“Everyone who is a child of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world—our faith. So the one who conquers the world is the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Reptile: Cold-blooded vertebrates with dry, scaly skin including lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises, alligators, crocodiles, and caiman.
Agamidae: A family of lizards that includes frilled dragons, bearded dragons, and many other “dragon” lizards. Most have strong legs, long tails, and features such as crests, spines, frills, or colorful throat patches.
Bipedal Running: Running on two legs instead of four.
Arboreal: Living in trees or spending much of life in trees.
Deimatic Display: A sudden behavior an animal uses to scare an enemy. It might puff up, show bright colors, hiss, or open part of its body to look bigger and more dangerous.

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Mentioned in this episode:
Order Where Wonder Leads: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/Wonder
Bundle both of Eryn's new books to save and get a free gift: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle

From the surprising truth about strawberries to color-changing leaves, slow turtles, stinging wasps, the massive sun, and ant homes, this episode is packed with curious questions and surprising answers that showcase God's wisdom and glory.

Order Eryn’s new books! Bundle and receive free stickers and a hand-written note from Eryn! https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/bundle

Explore Our Bible & Nature Curriculum and Resources: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/club

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

Lessons mentioned in this episode:
Why And How Do Leaves Change Colors?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/38cf2f29-1a36-4c54-81ba-becb473615a2/
How Do Water, Light, and Air Build Plants?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/01e9495f-489d-46cf-9c58-e0be1b6084f3/
What Is The Difference Between A Turtle And Tortoise?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/dccb26a1-9dde-498f-8d6d-573f1478e243/
How Hot Is the Sun?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a8b48d2c-aa2c-46d9-a224-3c34a07fc1ff/

How does a redwood tree grow to be taller than the Statue of Liberty? Discover the secrets of how the tallest tree in the world grows without toppling over, and what surprising creatures live at the top of a redwood tree.
Here’s our trail map:
What Is the Difference Between a Redwood and Sequoia Tree?
How Do Redwood Trees Grow So Tall?
What Lives In a Redwood Tree?
How Do Redwood Trees Help Us Practice Hospitality?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/how-do-redwood-trees-grow-so-tall/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
How Do Water, Light, and Air Build Plants?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/01e9495f-489d-46cf-9c58-e0be1b6084f3/
Why Do Axolotls Never Grow Up? (Learn about salamanders): https://player.captivate.fm/episode/72d70dc4-7555-4eab-962f-e1adf4659c10/
Do Trees Have Friends and Can They Talk to Each Other?: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2d40ff13-97f1-4384-8249-89a6fe7cbe6f/

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:
America’s Story History Curriculum: https://www.masterbooks.com/americas-story-series
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 Redwood Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/how-do-redwood-trees-grow-so-tall/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“Two people are better than one,
because they get more done by working together.
If one falls down,
the other can help him up.
But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls,
because no one is there to help.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NCV)
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 (NIV)
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9 (NIV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Coniferous Tree: A tree that produces cones and usually has needles or scale-like leaves instead of broad, flat leaves.
Seed Cone: The cone on a coniferous tree that contains and protects the tree’s seeds. When the cone is mature, its scales open and release the seeds.
Tree Canopy: The upper layer of a tree made up of its branches and leaves.
Ecosystem: A community of living things—such as plants, animals, and fungi—and the nonliving parts of their environment, such as water, air, soil, and sunlight, all interacting together.
Arboreal: Living in trees or spending much of life in trees.
Hospitality: Warmly welcoming and caring for others by sharing your time, home, food, or help.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.
Mentioned in this episode:
Pre-order Where Wonder Leads: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/wonder

What does it mean to have “eagle eyes”? Discover how God designed fuzzy baby eagles to grow five times in size during their first week after hatching, and how God helps us grow in faith.
Here’s our trail map:
Are Bald Eagles Bald?
Are Bald Eagles Born With White Heads?
How Far Can a Bald Eagle See?
How Does God Help Us Grow Up?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/are-bald-eagles-really-bald/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
How Fast Is a Peregrine Falcon? Lesson 132: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/17a0dbe5-7f64-44e6-8017-fae682ab0090/

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:
America’s Story History Curriculum: https://www.masterbooks.com/americas-story-series
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 Bald Eagle Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/are-bald-eagles-really-bald/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NCV)
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Eaglet: Baby eagle.
Wingercizing: A playful term for a baby bird’s practice flapping which helps them develop muscles and prepare for flight.
Opportunistic Carnivore: An animal that hunts or eats whatever meat is easiest to find, catch, or take at the moment.
Cone Cell: A special type of cell in an eye that helps see in color and detail.
Tetrachromat: An animal that has four types of color-seeing cells in its eyes.
Fovea: A small area in the eye where vision is sharpest because it is packed with cone cells.

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.

How did God engineer cheetahs for super speed? Discover how a cheetah’s bendy backbone, super boost muscles, balancing tail, and cleat-like feet help it snag its next meal on the savannah. And learn how we are called to run life’s race well—not with super speed, but with enduring faithfulness.
Here’s our trail map:
Can Cheetahs Roar?
Why Do Cheetahs Have Spots?
How Do Cheetahs Run So Fast?
How Can We Run Life’s Race Well?

Download this lesson’s free coloring sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-cheetahs-roar/

Related Lessons to listen to next:
How Sharp Are a Lion's Teeth? Lesson 103: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/adaddfb6-0ec4-47f7-a0dc-61ef560784c7/
Can Mountain Lions Roar? Episode 22: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/efdc4ae6-27ef-46c9-8e52-df40d580c847/

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:
Apologia’s Zoology 3 Land Animals Course: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-3-course-set/
Explore all of Apologia’s Zoology courses: https://www.apologia.com/subject/science/zoology
Discover Apologia’s Christ-centered and award-winning curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/
Try CTCMath FREE and get half off: 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 Cheetah Coloring Sheet: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/can-cheetahs-roar/
Ask your nature question: https://thenaturaltheologyproject.com/ask

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (NLT)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

Terms Learned in This Episode:
Panthera: A genus or category of wild cats that roar including tigers, lions, panthers, leopards, and snow leopards.
Acinonyx: A genus or category of cats including only cheetahs.
Felinae: The cat subfamily that includes many small wild cats, domestic cats, and a few larger cats like cheetahs and cougars.
Malar stripes: Dark tear-like markings on a cheetah’s face that run from the eyes to the mouth and may help reduce sun glare while hunting.
Fast-twitch Muscle Fibers: Muscle cells designed for rapid, explosive, and powerful bursts of energy.

Cheetah vocalization credit: Smirnova D, Volodin I, Demina T, Volodina E, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This podcast episode contains paid advertisements.