Lesson 11: The Nest Protector
The Owl Trait: Owls are legendary for being some of the most dedicated and fierce parents in the animal kingdom. While one parent sits on the eggs to keep them warm through the snow and rain, the other hunts tirelessly to bring food back. They will protect their nest against much larger animals without a second thought. They create a "sanctuary" where the owlets can grow up feeling safe and loved.
Character Trait: Honor & Protection
KJV Scripture: "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4
The Story: Hagar’s High Hollow
In the tallest white pine of the Great North Woods lived Hagar the Great Horned Owl. Hagar was a "Nest Protector." High up in a hollowed-out branch, his mate sat over three tiny, fluffy white owlets.
One evening, a heavy storm rolled in. The wind howled and the rain lashed against the trees, but Hagar did not fly away to find shelter for himself. He perched right at the entrance of the hollow, spreading his massive wings like an umbrella to block the wind. He stayed there all night, soaked and cold, so that his family could stay dry and warm.
Hagar’s job was to "nurture" his little ones. Just as Hagar protects his nest, God gives us parents, grandparents, and caregivers to be our "Nest Protectors." They teach us right from wrong and keep us safe while we are small. The Bible tells us that when parents lead with love and children respond with honor, the "nest" becomes a place of peace. We honor our "Nest Protectors" by listening to their wisdom, just as the little owlets listen for Hagar’s soft hoot in the dark.
Character Lesson
Nurture and Care: To nurture means to help something grow. Just as a nest provides warmth, our homes should be places where we encourage one another.
The Shield of Love: Being a protector doesn't always mean fighting; sometimes it means being the one who stays steady during a "storm" of life.
Honor is a Two-Way Street: When parents protect and children honor, the family is strong. Honor is the "glue" that keeps the nest together.
God as our Ultimate Protector: Ultimately, God is the greatest Nest Protector of all. He watches over us with a love that never sleeps.
KJV Memory Verse:
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;" — Ephesians 6:1-2
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