> Spirit in Nature
Excerpt: Observation: Moses Style

In order to properly attend to the needs of a flock, a shepherd must be acutely aware of the surrounding environment: the weather, possibilities for shelter, sources of food and water, and the presence of predators. If you have ever watched a campfire, for example, you know it takes quite a while until you notice the wood burning up. Moses, a shepherd, was so keenly observant that he spotted a bush that was burning without being consumed. Moses had to watch for a long time to make his observation. Perhaps that is one of the reasons God chose Moses: In him, God had a patient and observant leader.

Ages: 7+

Hikers' Goals:

  • to observe the colors in nature with heightened awareness

    Materials:

  • paint samples from a paint or hardware store, cut into one-inch color squares

    Procedure:
         This activity is a great walking game. Tell the story of the burning bush, focusing on Moses' ability to observe. Give a paint chip to each hiker. Ask the hikers to match the color exactly to something they find along the way. Encourage them to be as observant as Moses.

    Debriefing:
         Examine together the items the hikers found to match their paint chips.

    Questions to Ask Hikers:

  • Did the Moses story influence the way you searched?
  • Did your patience help you to observe more?
  • Which colors were hardest to match? Why?


    Return to Spirit in Nature.