Helping Students Connect with God through Nature

 

 

As it is the mission of a Sunday school teacher to bring his/her students into close contact with God, there is something more I should do in addition to Catechism and Gospel teaching. I have indeed been trying to engage my students in establishing connections between God’s World and His Word. This involves guiding them to develop an awareness of God’s presence in a non-academic environment and, most importantly, in Nature.

 

Recently, I have watched a short film about a flock of migrating wild geese. In the film the geese are seen to be moving in a V-formation with the leader flying in front at all times. By adopting the cooperation strategy, they manage to extract the maximum benefit and put in less effort. They optimize their energetic and cognitive performances during the yearly long‐distance travels by each playing the part of a cross-functional individual. They regularly change leadership and swap positions among the group members. Those flying in the rear will cheer for those at the front. When one member falls ill, two will slow down to take care of him until he recovers. They are tolerant of differences and face challenges through mutual companionship and support. It is evident that, divided, the wild geese cannot fly very far however hard they flap their wings. Together, however, they can travel great distances, soaring effortlessly over high mountains and deep valleys.

 

The film ends with a remarkable question: Besides their behavioural adaptations, what else also contributes greatly to their marvellous performance? It is the wind! Scientists have discovered that when there is a tailwind, the geese can fly up high to where they will be whisked along faster. This, coupled with their team spirit, can help them accomplish their dream with better ease and greater satisfaction.

 

I have been much impressed by the positive message the film delivers. Though there is nothing associated with spiritual thinking, it makes me reflect on God’s presence in Nature. The wild geese’s instinctive behaviour and inborn skills are evidence of the wonders of God’s creation.

 

Likewise, their team spirit also initiates thinking about the Early Church at the time when the disciples sought mutual support and encouragement through community bonding. In fact, wind is one of the Biblical symbols of the Holy Spirit. Like the soft blowing wind, the Holy Spirit breathes life into the Church and all spiritual communities, strengthening the bonding and fellowship of the members as St. Paul says in the Acts of the Apostles: “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” (Acts 4:32)

During one of my Sunday school lessons, I showed the film to my students and invited them to discuss in groups how the film inspired them spiritually and how the role of the Holy Spirit could be likened to the wind on which the wild geese depended for support and guidance. As expected, my students did not come up with very inspirational ideas, given their young age. My mere intention was to help them think a bit how God’s divine power is revealed in the very simple creatures we observe in our lives.

 

In brief, our students can benefit more from the Catechism and Gospel teaching if we can also guide them to think of God in Nature and to establish links between God’s World and His Word.

 

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