Under His Construction

• Feb. 6, 2008 - Our Nouns Lesson

The kids have been learning all about nouns and so I thought I would share our research for those of you interested in seeing the Principle Approach in action. So far we have only covered common nouns and idea nouns. We still have proper nouns, collective nouns and pronouns to look at.
This is what we have come up with so far as we used the 4R's method (research, reason, relate, record) of study:

NOUN, n. [altered from L. name.] In grammar, a name; that sound or combination of sounds by which a thing is called, whether material or immaterial.

MATE'RIAL, a. [L. materia, matter.]
1. Consisting of matter; not spiritual; as material substance; material bodies.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:     -Col. 1:20

IMMATE'RIAL, a.
1. Incorporeal; not material; not consisting of matter; as immaterial spirits. The mind or soul is immaterial.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:     -Col. 1:16

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:     -Romans 1:20

Here we stopped to reason through whether we were part of the creation that God could be clearly seen through and what word the Bible uses to represent the evidence of Him at work in our lives. We decided that we were indeed part of the creation that God could be seen through and that the word the Bible uses to represent this is fruit.

FRUIT, n.
    4. Production; that which is produced.

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.    -Matt. 7:17

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.     -John 15:4-5

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. -Gal. 5:22-23

So here are our conclusions:
Nouns are the words that represent everything that God has made, whether they are seen or not seen. The unseen nouns that God created are seen through the seen things ands that includes us. God is seen through us when we exhibit these unseen nouns in our actions and words. The Bible calls this fruit. We can produce good fruit which shows the presence of God in our lives or we can produce bad fruit which shows the lack of God in our lives. Invisible (immaterial) nouns are words that represent this.