Shine Bright! – 3 Fall Bible Lessons and Leaf Art for Kids

Autumn is our favorite time of the year! This past week we took a closer look at the changing leaves around us. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about God’s amazing work in creation and in us. Learn why leaves change color and what they can teach us about making our own change for God that will let His love shine just as bright! Go deeper and celebrate what we discover in each fall bible lesson with a beautiful natural leaf art project or experiment.

Fall Bible Lessons for Kids

Fall Bible Lesson 1 – Jesus lives in me!

Did you know that hidden in each green leaf, are all those other beautiful colors we see in the fall?

During the warm summer months, trees use a chemical called chlorophyll in their leaves to capture the sunlight and convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and sugar. The sunny weather means that chlorophyll is working very hard to make food for the tree to grow, flower, and make seeds. It’s the chlorophyll that makes leaves green and it’s so dominant that it covers up all the other colors (yellow xanthophylls, orange carotenoids, and red anthocyanins).

When our days get shorter and colder in the fall, there is less and less sunshine. The chlorophyll stops working and we are able to see the leaf’s other colors shine through. Just like those other colors are always present in our green leaves, although we might not see him, Jesus is always with us! Jesus has given us his Holy Spirit to live within us. He guides us, supports us, and encourages us. We can turn to him when ever we need help and he will show us the way.

Memory Verse

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

(1 Corinthians 3:16 NRSV)

Leaf Chromatography Experiment

Reveal the hidden pigments in a green leaf with this leaf chromatography experiment.

Materials:

• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
• White coffee filters
• Mason jars
• Mortar and pestle (or something for mashing!)
• Green leaves
• Safety goggles

Instructions:

1. Take a walk outside and collect tree leaves.
2. Cut or tear your leaves into small pieces and place them into a mortar to crush with a pestle (or spoon).
3. Place your crushed leaves into a mason jar and have an adult add rubbing alcohol to just cover your leaves. (Please read the warning label on your rubbing alcohol and always supervise children during experiments. Thank you!)
4. Cut 1 inch wide by 8 inch long strips of coffee filter. Fold the coffee filter and place one end into the alcohol leaf mixture with the other end draped over the edge of the mason jar. Tape the coffee filter so it doesn’t fall in and remains vertical in the jar.
5. Leave your experiment overnight. Watch as the alcohol climbs up the coffee filter. When it is dry, remove your paper strips and lay out on a tray.
6. What do you see? Take note of the hidden colors now revealed on your paper!

Fall Bible Lesson 2 – Created for a purpose

Have you ever noticed how no two leaves are exactly the same? Some are smooth with gold and red dots. Others have jagged margins and a maze of yellow and green. Small and wide, long and slim, lobed, toothed, or serrated. They each have their own shape and expression, even on the same tree!

Just as each leaf is one-of-a-kind, God has a very special plan for each of us. God created every person with a unique purpose. He has given us different interests and gifts that we can use to serve God in His world. Isn’t that amazing? My path may not look exactly the same as yours, but we all have an opportunity to walk together with God.

Memory Verse

For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.

(Ephesians 2:10 NRSV)

Pressed Leaf Rainbow

Celebrate how God gives each of us a unique purpose with this pressed leaf rainbow art.

Materials:

• Fall leaves of different colors
• White Cardstock
• Glue stick
• Heavy books!
• (waxed paper and iron if preserving leaves)

Instructions:

1. Head outside again and see how many different colors of leaves you can find to make your own leaf rainbow palette. We chose to use maple leaves to honor our study of Canada but you can use a selection of different varieties.
2. Dry your leaves with some paper towel then place them between two sheets of newspaper. Press flat under a stack of heavy books and leave overnight. Note – pressed leaves will lose their color over time.
3. OR – To preserve the color in your leaves longer, press them with an iron between two sheets of wax paper instead (often found in the grocery store).
4. Create your leaf rainbow pattern and glue to a sheet of sturdy white cardstock. Enjoy!

Fall Bible Lesson 3 – Making a change for God

The leaves in Autumn are so vibrant in their colors of red, orange, yellow and gold. These leaves have been just waiting to show us their magnificent colors. The neat thing is, these colors were present all along! And there is a brilliance waiting in each of us too, ready to be bright and bold. Each day, we can choose to show Jesus in our attitudes, the things we say, and the things we do. When we choose to live for God, we become beautiful beacons of God’s love to other people.

Memory Verse

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

(Matthew 5:16)

Painted Leaf Prints

Make a list of things you can do to share God’s love with your family and friends. What changes can you make to put God first and follow Jesus? Write one thing you can do on each of your beautiful leaf prints!

Materials:

• Different leaves
• White cardstock or sturdy paper
• Tempera or acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Waxed paper or parchment
• Rolling pin

Instructions:

1. Collect leaves of different varieties and sizes. Choose flat leaves with prominent veins.
2. Pour out small amounts of paint colors.
3. Paint a thin layer of color on the underside of your leaf. Be quick and try not to let the paint dry!
4. Turn your leaf over and place it on your paper. Cover it with a sheet of waxed paper or parchment. Run a rolling pin over your leaf and press firmly.
5. Carefully lift the waxed paper and leaf from the paper. Beautiful!

I hope you enjoyed these fall bible lessons and leaf art for kids! Head over to Instagram and follow A HEART TO KNOW to join us on all our nature adventures and creation studies this year!

Blessings, ~Jacqueline