The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. Psalm 111:2

Instructions

To complete your homework, read the scriptures and assigned online articles and answer the associated questions. If more detailed instructions are needed, they are provided in the appropriate section.

Lesson: The Character of God in Creation – A Case Study

Name of God: El Shaddai – The Almighty One

1. Read the following verses and write them out in your notes:

Creation Example
According to these Scriptures, God designed each of us uniquely and with everything that we need to fulfill the purpose that He has planned for us. There are numerous examples that illustrate these truths from Creation. Consider the slowest and one of the fastest fish in the ocean.

The Indo-Pacific sailfish is a large predatory fish that lives in the open ocean and has long been thought to be one of the world’s fastest fish. Estimates of speeds up to 68 miles per hour are regularly mentioned. However, in the past decade, further studies have demonstrated that their maximum speed is likely closer to 34 miles per hour. Considering the water’s greater resistance, a maximum speed over 30 miles per hour in water is still quite impressive. For comparison, the world’s fastest swimmers like Cameron McEvoy and Michael Phelps have maximum speeds between 5 to 6 miles per hour and only for short distances. Indo-Pacific sailfish owe their record-setting speeds to their strong, streamlined bodies that are efficiently designed for endurance, speed and maneuverability. These features serve them well and help them thrive in their ecological niche as they regularly migrate over 2,200 miles in a single season.

In contrast, the ocean’s slowest fish is the dwarf seahorse whose top speed maxes out at just five feet (0.001 miles) per hour. These small, uniquely designed fish thrive in shallow seagrass beds along Florida’s coast. Unlike other fish, seahorses swim vertically in the water. Their bodies have thin skin stretched over a skeleton that incorporates sturdy, armor-like plates. While a seahorse’s natural armor protects it from potential predators, it also increases drag when swimming, slowing the animal down. Seahorses use a relatively small dorsal fin to push themselves through the water. While their dorsal fin beats rapidly, approximately 30 to 70 times per second, the fish must work hard to move a short distance. To avoid drifting away from their home habitat, they use prehensile tails to grasp the seagrass plants. While seahorses are not designed for speed, they are designed for stealth. Not only are they capable of changing color to blend in with their surroundings, but the unique shape of their head allows them to move through the water soundlessly when stalking their prey. They have a predatory kill rate of 90%, meaning that they successfully capture their planktonic prey nine out of every ten times. For comparison, white sharks have a predation rate of 40 to 50% when hunting seals and sea lions. This means seahorses one of the most effective predators in the ocean.

2. How are the Indo-Pacific sailfish and dwarf seahorse uniquely designed to thrive in the habitat in which God intended them to live?

3. Do you think that an Indo-Pacific sailfish and dwarf seahorse can switch habitats? Would either be able to survive in the other’s habitat?

Read Psalm 139:13-16

4. What words are used in this passage of Scripture to describe God’s careful attention to detail when creating you?

5. If God provided sailfish and seahorses with everything that they need to survive in their unique habitats fulfilling their individual ecological niches, do you think that He has done the same with you?

Read Matthew 11:28-30.

6. Look up the word burden in the dictionary. What does it mean?

7. In the Message translation, Matthew 11:29 states, “I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.” What does this mean to you?

Creation Example
In the deep recesses of the ocean’s darkest regions lives the Pompeii worm. The Pompeii worm is a type of tube worm that thrives under extreme conditions. Its preferred habitat is found at the top of hydrothermal vent “chimneys” where superheated water explodes from the earth’s crust. The base of their tubes can experience temperatures up to 221º F. Despite the hostile conditions that would kill many other species, Pompeii worms thrive with the help of a symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The bacteria form a fleece-like layer on the back of the Pompeii worm that helps to insulate it from the extreme heat. On its own, a Pompeii worm can only tolerate temperatures up to 131º F, but their bacterial coating redistributes the heat to keep the worm cool.

8. Considering both Matthew 11:28-30 and the example of the Pompeii worm, how can a burden feel light? How can a hostile environment not feel “ill-fitting”?

Read John 15:26-27

9. What friend or helper did God provide to us?

10. How can you “activate” the help of the Holy Spirit?

Instructions 

Go to each of the assigned web sites to read and take notes on the appropriate article. Links are provided below.  For each of the assigned articles, your notes should include the following points:

  • Provide a summary of the key points of the article. If you had to give a presentation on the article, what information would you include in your notes?

  • List concepts or information that you found most interesting about the topic.

  • List any information that was presented from an evolutionary standpoint. Note any portion of the information that is truth.

  • List any words or information that you do not understand. Research these words and or concepts on your own.

We will review this information in our class lecture and discussion.

1 | Sea Turtle Conservancy
Article #1: Learning About Sea Turtles
Article #2: Loggerhead
Article #3: Green
Article #4: Leatherback
Article #5: Hawksbill
Article #6: Kemp’s Ridley
Article #7: Olive Ridley
Article #8: Flatback
Article #9: Threats to Sea Turtles

2 | Florida Museum
Article: Tell Me About: Sea Turtle Nesting Behaviors

3 | Nova Southeastern University
Article: Sea Turtle Nesting Trends

Instructions

Go to each of the assigned web sites to watch the video provided. Take notes on the key points of each video. Document the highlighted features or behaviors of the animal species as applicable.

  1. Sea Turtle Nesting Video | SEE Turtles (Time: 3:17)

  2. Sea Turtle Nesting Information | City of Boca Raton (Time: 0:57)

There are five species of sea turtles that can be seen in Florida’s waters.

Now it is time to apply what you've learned! In Romans 1:20, the Bible says that we can learn about God’s character by looking at what He made. Consider both the biblical and biological information that was discussed in this lesson and then write out your answers to the following questions.

  • This week we read Scriptures describing God's power.  How can you see the character of God in way He designed sea turtles?

  • Think about one aspect of these animals that you enjoy. Tell God about it by writing it out on paper. Then write out a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord praising Him for His Creation.