Growing with God!
A Garden/Nature Based Program for Everyone!!!
About the Program:
The Growing with God program is a garden/nature-based program designed to show the power and glory of God through His creation here on earth. This is achieved primarily through the hands-on garden-based activities and field trips to local nature preserves. In Romans 1:20-21, the Apostle Paul explains that mankind can see God's existence and power through the nature that surrounds them. Throughout the program, the group will look at biblical accounts and compare them to nature to understand how God's Word is directly related to the beautiful world lived in today.
Other Goals of the Program:
It is important to stress that the first and highest priority of Growing with God is showing the importance of God in the life of a Christian. However, there are other goals that the group will strive to achieve throughout the season. Some of those goals include; building bonds and friendships with other Christians, encouraging teamwork, developing or enhancing one's ability to work hard to achieve a goal, and strengthening one's patience. These goals and skills are useful not only in the garden but also in the Church and in every day life.
2019's Theme:
The theme for 2019 will be "How to Grow as a Christian." Throughout the season, the group is going to look at twelve different lessons and fifteen activities all pertaining to Christian growth. One example of a meeting is the lesson on patience. The group will start with a lesson talking about how patience helps everyone grow as a Christian, then go into a discussion of how one can improve their ability to be patient. Last, the group will do a project where they will start the long process of making rock candy. Through the project, the group will have to have patience as it takes about a month to make rock candy. This is just one example of the lessons the group will look at throughout the season to learn about Christian growth.
Why a Garden Based Program?
This may be a question that some will ask, and the answer is simple; the skills and life lessons learned in a garden are hard to come by anywhere else in the world. One of the great things about the Growing with God program is that it gives both kids and adults the opportunity to have gardening experiences where otherwise they may not get those opportunities.
Something to Know:
The Growing with God program is not a daycare service. This is said with the utmost respect; the program was not designed for kids to be dropped off and picked up at the end. It is highly encouraged that a parent or guardian stay with their child(ren). This is to allow everyone in the family to enjoy these experiences and quality bonding time. It is understood that sometimes life can be busy for parents and guardians and kids must be dropped off for them to be part of this event. If that situation arises, please notify one of the program directors ahead of time.
How Much Does It Cost?
Money is tight, and it can be difficult to pay to participate in programs like this, especially when families have multiple people participating. That is why the Growing with God program is free for all to participate in this wonderful opportunity without the financial burden placed on the family. This does not include the tickets on the trip to Mammoth Cave on June 1st, however, a sponsor can be provided if necessary. More information on this trip will be given at the first meeting. It is the goal that anyone wanting to participate can have that chance without the worry of financial burdens.
Meeting Times:
The program season will run from March 30th through October 5th. The group will meet from 4:30pm to 6:00pm every other Saturday. A detailed schedule will be provided at the first meeting.
Outside of the regular meeting times, there will also be open garden time every Tuesday from 7:00pm-8:00pm and every Wednesday from 6:00pm-7:00pm. This is a time when the garden will be unlocked and open to enjoy and check on the progress of the plants.
Special Meeting Times:
March 30th -- First meeting/paperwork for guardian.
May 11th -- Feeding the hungry. Meeting time 9:00am to 1:00pm. Lunch will be provided.
June 1st -- Field trip to Mammoth Cave. Meeting from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Lunch will be provided.
August 10th -- Stargazing and campfire. Meeting from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. S'mores will be provided.
August 24th -- Field trip to Sander's Spring. Meeting from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.
October 5th -- Last meeting for the season.
Not a Community Garden:
Although the Growing with God program will be using a garden to teach great Biblical principles, the garden space is not a community garden. The garden space is used specifically for educational purposes and everything planted has an educational purpose; because of this, the garden space will be locked when not in use. This is due to the City of Radcliff's policy on community gardens.
Meeting Location:
The Growing with God program will always start each meeting
at the same location, unless a special occasion arises. In that case, everyone
will be notified in advance by the program director. The meeting place will be
at the Hardin County Church of Christ.
2019 Schedule
Every meeting will be from 4:30pm -- 6:00pm unless stated otherwise.
March 30th -- First Meeting -- Introduction -- Planting the Garden
April 13th -- Lesson 1 -- Following in Christ's Footsteps -- Stepping Stone Project
April 27th -- Lesson 2 -- Patience -- Rock Candy Project
May 11th -- Lesson 3 -- Pure and Undefiled Religion (part 1) -- Feeding the Hungry -- Meeting from 9:00am -- 1:00pm. Lunch will be provided.
May 25th -- Lesson 4 -- Light and Darkness -- Blindfolded Maze
June 1st -- Field trip to Mammoth Cave. Meeting from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Lunch will be provided.
June 15th -- Lesson 5 -- Taming the Tongue/Can't Trust Everything -- Demo.
June 29th -- Lesson 6 -- Pure and Undefiled Religion (part 2) -- Nursing Home Card
July 13th -- Lesson 7 -- Tree Planted by the Water -- Water Fight
July 27th -- Lesson 8 -- Teamwork -- Team Building Exercises
August 10th -- Lesson 9 -- Stargazing -- Campfire. Meeting from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. S'mores will be provided.
August 24th -- Sander's Spring Scavenger Hunt. Meeting at the Park.
September 7th -- Lesson 10 -- Helping Others -- Community Service Project
September 21st -- Lesson 11 -- Reaping the Rewards -- Harvesting the Garden
October 5th -- Last Meeting -- How to Grow as a Christian Review -- Pizza Party
Schedule is subject to change, if a change occurs all will be notified in advance.
