How Can You Be a Creation Ranger?

1. Enjoy Being in Nature

That sounds super easy. And it is! The more you’re outside, the more you’ll enjoy what God made. Play. Watch birds. Fly a kite. Hike. Camp. Swim. Climb. Just get out there.

2. Learn About the World

God made an incredible world filled with all kinds of wonderful animals and plants—not to mention the mountains and valleys and oceans and . . . well, you get the idea. There’s so much to learn about. Like what? Well, like how honeybees make honey or what causes waves or where the biggest butterflies live.

3. Let It Go

Isn’t it fun to check out the patterns on a box turtle’s shell or watch lightning bugs blink? There are so many amazing animals to see. But don’t forget to leave them where you found them. That way, someone else can enjoy them too. And they can keep on filling the earth like God told them to do in Genesis 1.

4. Stick to Pictures

Instead of picking all the flowers you think are pretty or taking eggs out of nests or removing cocoons, how about snapping a picture instead? When lots of people disturb places in nature (by taking items or causing noise), it can cause problems for animals and plants. With pictures, you can look at these places again and show your friends—and nothing gets hurt!

5. Be Careful

Did you know God cares about how we treat animals? (For example, see what he says in Proverbs 12:10.) Being a creation ranger doesn’t mean just taking care of our pets. It means doing our best to not hurt any animals just for fun. Even the tiny ones—like ants—do big jobs and can teach some very cool lessons (Proverbs 6:6).

Talk It Over

Humans are the only creatures God made in his image (Genesis 1:26). We didn’t evolve from other lifeforms. We were made complete and unique from the very beginning.

That means we have a special place in creation. For example, Psalm 8 says God gave us authority over everything he made on the earth. And what’s even more amazing? We are the focus of God’s plan of salvation through Jesus (John 3:16–17).

That means we have a huge responsibility and a huge blessing. God intended for us to care for his creation like he would. When we do that well, we bring glory and honor to him. And that gives us a chance to tell the world about our Savior!

• In what other ways can you take care of the world God made?
• How has the curse of Genesis 3 made caring for the world more difficult than it was before the fall?
• Why do you think some people “go overboard” when it comes to taking care of the earth?

WARNING: Don’t Get It Backward!

Nature is really cool, no doubt about it. From trees to mountains to galaxies, it’s all amazing. But some people put the focus on the creation instead of on the Creator. They love the world, but not the one who made it. That’s backward! We take care of the world best when we know and love the Maker of the world.