Tree Climbing
Theme: God designed trees with great strength.
Bible Verse: So he [Zacchaeus] ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him [Jesus], for He was going to pass that way. (Luke 19:4)
Materials Needed:
• Sheet of paper (heavy stock if available)
• Tape
• Several paperback books
Bible Lesson
Zacchaeus was lacking in height but not ambition. When the Lord came his way, Zacchaeus climbed a tree for a better vantage point. Jesus already knew Zacchaeus’s name and honored him by visiting his home. As a result, the Zacchaeus family household found salvation.
Trees play a prominent part in Bible history from the Garden of Eden to the cross. Some of the tree identities are uncertain; however, they include the gopher or cypress wood for Noah’s ark (Genesis 6:14) and the cedars of Lebanon for King Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 5).
The sycamore fig or fig-mulberry tree in our Bible story is a good climbing tree with spreading branches. It surely was unusual for Zacchaeus, an unpopular businessman, to boost himself up into the tree to see the Lord. One is reminded of the Lord’s comment on childlike faith in Luke 18:17. May we likewise be eager to see our Savior.
We can learn much by observing how God made the earth, including the trees. He is, after all, the Great Designer. Let’s thank God for creating trees for us to learn from and enjoy.
Science Activity
Let’s explore the design of trees by comparing two paper shapes. Which shape supports more weight, round or square? Fold and then tear in half an 8½” x 11” sheet of paper to make two 8½” x 5½” sheets. Roll one sheet into a cylinder with a bit of overlap and tape the entire seam so that it stands 5½” tall. Put four folds into the other sheet and make a square or rectangle, again with a bit of overlap for taping. The corners should be sharp.
Now let’s count how many paperback books the two shapes will support before collapse. Stand the square shape on end and carefully add paperback books to the top. The limit is usually three to six books before the square tower is crushed. Now repeat stacking books for the round shape. The cylinder may be narrower than the square, but it should hold additional books before collapse. It is clear that a round shape supports more weight than flat sides.
Paper with rounded shape supports more weight than paper with square folds.
Point out that the cylinder shape most closely resembles the trunk and limbs of trees. Participants may suggest other structures in nature with a round shape, including many seashells, flower stems, and bones. The cylinder shape also is found in items we build, such as pencils, canned goods, table legs, water pipes, barrels, some building supports, and barn silos. All are designed for strength.
Science Explanation
In the case of the square paper shape, the flat sides are the weak links in the structure. When the weight of the books causes a slight twist, one of the sides caves in. In contrast, the round shape has no corners and the weight is shared equally by all parts of the cylinder, giving added strength.
Most trees stand tall and straight for many decades. Their limbs may add up to several tons, yet they remain outstretched during winds, storms, heat, and cold. The giant redwoods in the western United States grow to nearly 400 feet tall, and bristlecone pine trees live for several thousand years. Whether they are young or old, short or tall, trees are a magnificent part of creation.