Having intentional spiritual conversations when we are with our children in non-formal settings is key to helping them understand that our relationship with God affects every aspect of our lives. Deuteronomy 6:7 is a command to talk about the commandments of God as you walk along the road. So, how about doing that literally, but we will it the hiking “path” instead of the road!
When you are hiking with your family, you have their undivided attention. There are no screens to compete with, only constant reminders of our Creator through His creation all around us!
If you are hiking with little ones, you can play an alphabet game where you try to find something God has created for each letter of the alphabet. You can play it like a checklist of things you or just talk through anything that would start with each letter. Remind your children that creation reflects its Creator and that we can learn something from God through everything He created.
With older elementary children, you can take that thought a bit further and have your children explain something they can learn about God through different things they see on the hike (i.e. sky – covers over all living things on earth; tree – has deep roots, grows up strong and protects the animals who find shelter in it, some bear fruit for the benefit of others).
If you have teenagers, ask them what they have been taught about the existence of life and how it was created. Ask them how they feel or what they think about those ideas and ideologies. Ask them how they would describe creation to a friend who has never heard of it as truth only as a myth. Ask them how important knowing the truth about how the earth was created is to their salvation and why. Remind them that it doesn’t really matter how the earth was created, but Who created it!
There are SO MANY ways to find God, to learn about Him, and to teach about Him on a hike! Make sure to be intentional in the special moments you have with your children no matter where you are walking or hiking or riding this summer.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.[a] 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7
What other ideas do you have about integrating faith into non-formal family recreation times?