Lexi Shipp is a passionate writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. With a Bachelors in Religion and Masters in Human Services Counseling, both specified in Christian Ministry, Lexi loves serving alongside her husband doing Next Gen Ministry. Working with middle and high school girls for years, she has a heart for connecting all generations of women and championing the next generation for the cause of Christ – starting within her own home as a mom. Lexi serves as a regular LifeWay Girls blogger and the Communications Team Lead for the SBC of Virginia’s Women’s Ministry. To read more of Lexi’s writings or to book her as a speaker, connect with her on Instagram @alexisleeshipp.
Something I have often reflected on as an adult in the middle of the blazing summer heat is how funny it is that as a child, you don’t really notice how hot it is. Nothing changes for you – you would still rather be outside playing the same way you would as if it were a cool spring or autumn day, rather than being indoors. In fact, summer actually brought about more opportunities. However, as an adult, something shifts. An awareness of the heat blanket you’re wrapped in (varying in degree based on where you are located) becomes a prevalent thing you must navigate wisely.
Nonetheless, if you have children in your life – nieces, nephews, grandchildren, childcare, your own child or any child that you care for…summer is a unique time to engage with them specific to what God’s creation is doing. For the next few weeks, we will be rolling out a series on how to engage the kids in your life over the summer. We hope you enjoy!
Engaging with God’s Creation: The Ocean
If you live near a beach, bay, or body of water where it is possible for children to collect shells, spend some time collecting shells.
Bring them home and observe them – the texture, color etc. Have your child paint their shells or trace them on a sheet of paper.
If you do not have access to shells, take a special trip to the library to find books that you can read together to learn about shells. (This could be a fun addition even if you do have tangible shells. Online videos can also be utilized.)
Before, during, or after the activity (when/how the connection will click the most will be dependent on the developmental stage of the child, just remember, this is the most important part, and you want them to be able to focus!):
Open your Bible to Genesis 1:9.
Discuss how there was nothing, but then God spoke and light appeared! From there, He continued to create.
Discipleship Points:
1. On the third day of creation, God made the ocean and everything in it. Question: What is your very favorite thing in the ocean?
2. As big as the ocean is, God is so big that He made the ocean! Question: What is the biggest thing you’ve ever seen?
3. When we look at all of the ocean animals God made, we can see how fun and brilliant His creativity is. Question: Do you like to paint and make things? Just like you made your seashell (in reference to tracing, painting, whatever art method is decided on…), God made YOU! And just like you love your creation, God loves you even more than you can imagine. You are God’s creation, and He created you to worship Him. He loves you so much, He sent Jesus for you!
We serve an amazing God!
