We love adventuring, especially over the summer. Last week we traveled to the Oregon Coast for a wedding. Our oldest was the cutest flower girl for some really amazing friends that we love dearly. It was such a blessing to be invited to their small intimate ceremony at Haceta Head Lighthouse and the coast was the perfect place for some water Bible play.
The wedding was at 1 pm, but we didn’t want to sit around the Air B-n-B until then, so we decided to head out for a little adventure on the way. We happened upon the Sea Lions Caves that we visited last year during Spring Break. It was such a fun and unique place to visit that we decided to do it again.
Why Water Bible Play
While at the Caves, I knew we could incorporate God and Bible into our adventure. Because really you can do that on any adventure if you try. Throughout the month of August, I’ve teamed up with some other Instagram accounts to do intentional Bible play using nine prompts: forgiveness, prayer, animals, miracles, worship, woman, water, king, and food. All I had to do was look out at the Pacific Ocean for my inspiration and bam, the water Bible play prompt was perfect for our Sea Lion Cave Adventure.
There are so many great ways to go with a water prompt. Obviously, a ton of different Bible stories are set on or near water. Jesus is the Living Water. God created water. Water is used in baptisms. We covered a few them in our conversations throughout our time at the caves, but one really stuck out to my oldest.
Bible Water Play Adventure
On this adventure, we took an elevator down over 200 ft into a cave that is popular with Stellar Sea Lions year round. However, during the summer most of the lions spend their time out on the rookery or rocks outside of the cave.
I walked with my oldest from the caves to the rookery outlook. Hand in hand we discussed God, the Bible, and water. As we talked about water and all that God does for the sea lions and us through it, I was struck by the expansiveness of the ocean, the important role of water in our lives, and Jesus’ name of “Living Water.”
While I primarily focused on God’s provision through water, my daughter eventually turned our discussion to baptism. My oldest has become really interested in “bapatism,” as she calls it. I’ve got something big and sooo fun in the works for that… stay tuned for it in the coming months. But, for now, we often talk about what it means and why Christians choose to do it.
It’s really exciting to me that God is tugging her heart in this direction. It’s one more way for her to make her faith her own. And, that, is the reason why I love playing with the Word as a means of introducing my girls to Jesus. It gives our kids a chance to experience their loving Creator in an engaging and age appropriate way.
BONUS Baptism Thoughts for Mama
Many churches these days do baptisms with a font or pool indoors. I was baptized in a glass front pool, high up in the sanctuary of my church at 7 years old. I remember wearing the robe and slowing wading into the water as the church looked up at Pastor Bonds and I.
It was a special evening. As meaningful as it was, I can’t help but to think about the added symbolism of being baptized in natural waters. Living in the PNW, the waters are cold. Each time I attend a beach baptism I am glad I am not out there freezing my patootsie off. Yet, there is such beauty about stepping out into wild, natural water. It’s like inviting creation into your baptism and faith, while also stepping into uncertainty and uncomfort in the Name of Jesus.
Play with Us
August is half way over, but you can still join in the Bible Bingo Challenge. Pick one of the prompts below, choose a Bible story or verse, and play! You can make a themed snack, make art, do a sensory activity, or go on adventure. The play is up to you! Keep it simple and have fun. We’d also love for you to post a pic on Instagram using #kidsplaytruth, so we can see what you are up to.
More Inspiration
Want more ideas and inspiration doing water Bible play or using any of the 9 prompts? Check out my friends below on Instagram. They have tons of fun ideas for all sorts of Bible Play.
What summer time water Bible play have you done this summer? I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below.
