Short Stories : The Great Garden Discovery
- Boundless Team
- Apr 2
- 7 min read
A Message from FA Memphis
How can exploring nature help my child discover God's creativity? By slowing down to notice God’s details—colors, patterns, movement, and life—kids learn that creation isn’t random; it’s personal, purposeful, and full of beauty that points back to the Creator. A simple walk can turn into a gentle “God sightings” moment your family remembers.
If you’re in Memphis (the 901), you don’t have to go far either. The parks around our city make it easy to explore together—take a stroll, look for “tiny treasures,” and let the outdoors become a warm, safe space for wonder.
Welcome to the garden! There is something truly magical about the way the earth wakes up in the morning. At Boundless Online Church, we believe that nature is God’s very first storyteller. Every leaf, every bug, and every sunbeam tells us a little bit more about the Creator who loves us. Today, we invite your family to step outside (or just step into your imagination) as we explore "The Great Garden Discovery."
Whether you are three years old and marveling at a ladybug, or twelve years old and wondering about your place in this big world, there is a seat for you on the garden bench. Let’s see what God has planted for us today.
***
Segment A: Leo’s Tiny Treasures (Ages 3–6)
Leo was a little boy with very big boots and an even bigger magnifying glass. He loved to explore. One sunny Saturday, Leo marched into the backyard. He wasn’t looking for giant bears or tall mountains. Leo was looking for tiny treasures.
“Mommy, look!” Leo shouted. He pointed his magnifying glass at a bright yellow dandelion. Through the glass, the flower looked like a giant, fuzzy sun. “God made this for me?”
“He sure did, Leo,” Mommy said, kneeling in the soft grass. “God is so kind. He made the bright colors for our eyes to see and the soft petals for our fingers to feel. He even made the sweet smell of the grass just for us to enjoy.”
Leo moved his glass to a tiny red ladybug crawling on a leaf. The ladybug had seven black spots. Leo counted them carefully. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. God didn’t forget a single spot! Leo smiled. He knew that if God was kind enough to take care of a tiny ladybug, God was definitely kind enough to take care of him.
“Thank You, God, for the little things,” Leo whispered. The garden felt like a warm hug from Heaven.
***
Segment B: Maya and the Secret Workers (Ages 7–9)
Maya was a "Why?" kind of girl. Why is the sky blue? Why do birds sing? And lately, why did the garden look so different every single day? She decided to become a Garden Detective to find out.
Equipped with her notebook, Maya sat very still by the lavender bushes. Soon, she saw a "secret worker": a fuzzy bumblebee. It landed on a purple flower, wiggled its bottom, and then flew to the next one. Maya scribbled in her notebook: Bees are busy. They don’t just play; they help the flowers grow!
Then, she noticed the soil. It was dark and damp. She remembered the rain from last night. The flowers didn’t have to go to the kitchen for a glass of water; God sent the water right to their roots. Maya realized that the garden wasn't just a bunch of plants; it was a giant, living puzzle where every piece worked together.
“Dad,” Maya asked later that afternoon, “how does the bee know where to go? And how does the seed know when to wake up?”
Dad smiled, wiping dirt from his gardening gloves. “That’s the beauty of God’s design, Maya. He created a rhythm. He gives the bees their jobs and tells the seeds when it’s time to sprout. He is the Great Gardener, and He never misses a beat. It shows us how wise He is.”
Maya looked at her garden with new eyes. It wasn't just pretty; it was a masterpiece of wisdom. She felt proud to be a part of it.
Reflection Questions for Maya’s Friends:
What is one "secret worker" you can find in nature (like a bee, a worm, or the wind)?
How does seeing the way plants grow help you trust that God knows what He is doing in your life, too?
If you could thank God for one specific part of the garden, what would it be?
***
Segment C: Sam and the Giant Oak (Ages 10–12)
Sam sat at the very edge of the backyard, leaning his back against the rough bark of the Great Oak. It was the oldest tree in the neighborhood. Sam felt particularly small today. School had been tough, and the world felt loud and complicated. Looking up through the crisscrossing branches of the oak, he felt like a tiny speck in a universe that was way too big.
Does it even matter what I do? Sam wondered. I’m just one kid.
His grandfather walked out, carrying a small bag of mulch. He sat down next to Sam. They sat in silence for a while, listening to the rustle of the leaves. "You know, Sam," Grandpa said, "this tree was here long before I was born. But it wouldn't be this strong if someone hadn't looked after the soil when it was just a sapling."
Grandpa handed Sam a trowel. "God gave us this beautiful world, but He didn't just tell us to look at it. He called us to be stewards. That’s a big word for caretakers. When we pick up trash, plant a seed, or even just protect a bird's nest, we are partnering with God. We might feel small, but our job is huge."
Sam looked at his hands. They were dirty, but they were capable. He realized that being "small" didn't mean being "unimportant." If God cared enough to design the intricate veins in a single oak leaf, He certainly cared about Sam’s heart and Sam’s actions. Stewardship wasn't just a chore; it was an invitation to help God look after His masterpiece.
Sam stood up and took the bag of mulch. He wasn't just a speck anymore. He was a caretaker. He was a friend of the Creator.
Journaling Prompts for Sam’s Crew:
When do you feel the most "small"? How does knowing God is the Creator change that feeling?
Stewardship means taking care of what God has given us. What is one way you can be a "steward" in your own neighborhood this week?
Read Psalm 8:3-4. What does it tell you about your value to God?
***
Supplemental Pack: The Garden Discovery Kit
We want to help you bring these stories to life at home! Use these tools to keep the conversation going with your kids.
Memory Verses (Scripture Memory Cards)
Tip: Write these on cards and decorate them with pressed flowers or leaf rubbings!
Genesis 1:31: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Key Truth: God’s creation is a gift.)
Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." (Key Truth: Nature points us to God.)
Psalm 104:24: "How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all." (Key Truth: God is perfectly wise.)
Genesis 2:15: "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Key Truth: We are God's helpers.)
Parent Discussion Guide
The Heart of the Story: We want our children to move from simple "wonder" (seeing beauty) to "stewardship" (taking care of beauty), recognizing that both are ways we worship God. These stories align with our belief that God is the Sovereign Creator and we are His beloved children, called to reflect His love to the world.
For Ages 3–6: Focus on God’s kindness. Ask: "What is your favorite color in the garden? Did you know God picked that color just to make the world beautiful for us?"
For Ages 7–9: Focus on God’s wisdom. Ask: "Why do you think God made bees and rain instead of just making flowers appear by magic? How does a plan show us God is smart?"
For Ages 10–12: Focus on Identity and Stewardship. Ask: "Does taking care of the earth feel like a big responsibility or a cool privilege? Why?"
Prayer Closer: "Dear God, thank You for the trees, the tiny bugs, and the big blue sky. Thank You for making us a part of Your world. Help us to be good caretakers of Your creation and to always remember how much You love us. Amen."
Hands-On Faith: Garden Activities
Segment A (Ages 3-6): The Color Hunt. Take a walk and find something for every color of the rainbow. Talk about how God is the best artist in the universe.
Segment B (Ages 7-9): Seed Starters. Plant a simple bean seed in a clear plastic cup with a damp paper towel. Watch it "wake up" over the week and talk about God's timing.
Segment C (Ages 10-12): The Stewardship Project. Choose a local park or a corner of your yard that needs some love. Spend 30 minutes cleaning it up or planting something new. Discuss how it feels to partner with God.
Coloring Page Descriptions
If you’re feeling artistic, try drawing these scenes together:
The Magnifying Glass: A giant dandelion with a tiny, smiling Leo looking through a large glass.
The Busy Bee: Maya sitting in a field of lavender with a detailed, fuzzy bumblebee hovering nearby.
The Great Oak: A massive, sprawling tree with Sam sitting at the base, looking up at a starry sky peeking through the leaves.
***
Boundless Online Church An outreach ministry of First Assembly Memphis
Copyright of FA Memphis Do not reuse, copy or distribute without FA Memphis written permission.
Comments