🌳The Tree of Spiritual Growth

A Family Faith Lesson for Children

(Inspired by The Urantia Book & the Wood Dragon → Wood Snake Years)

🌱 Opening Story (Read Aloud)

“Every living thing grows.

Trees grow from tiny seeds into tall, strong beings.

People grow too — not just our bodies, but our hearts, minds, and spirits.”

In The Urantia Book, we learn that God helps everything grow, and that each person has a divine spark inside them that helps them become more loving and wise.

Today, we are learning about our own Tree of Spiritual Growth.

🌰 Part 1 — The Seed

(Urantia Papers 1–2: God is Real & Loving)

🌱 Teaching for kids:

Inside every person is a tiny seed of God’s light.

This seed helps us know right from wrong, feel love, and want to grow.

Just like a tree seed already knows how to become a tree,

your spirit already knows how to grow.

🗣 Ask:

• “What do you think your inner seed helps you do?”

• “How do you help it grow?”

🪵 Altar symbol: a seed, acorn, or small wooden bead

🌳 Part 2 — The Roots

(Urantia Paper 3–4: God Is Spirit & a Mystery)

Roots grow underground where we can’t see them —

but they are what keep a tree strong.

🌿 Teaching for kids:

Your roots are:

• Love

• Kindness

• Curiosity

• Trust

• Listening to your heart

Even when life feels confusing, your roots are growing quietly.

🗣 Ask:

• “What helps you feel safe and strong?”

• “What are your kindness roots?”

🪵 Altar symbol: a root, branch, or Chumpi/Apu stone (mountain roots)

🐉🐍 Part 3 — The Trunk

(Urantia Paper 5: Personality of the Universal Father)

The trunk holds everything together.

🌳 Teaching for kids:

Your personality is like your trunk.

It’s what makes you — YOU.

God gave everyone a different trunk:

• Different strengths

• Different feelings

• Different ways of loving

The Wood Dragon years helped us grow strong and brave.

The Wood Snake years helped us grow wise and aware.

Now our trunk is stronger than before.

🗣 Ask:

• “What makes you special?”

• “What did you learn in the last two years?”

🪵 Altar symbol: a solid piece of wood or log slice

🌿 Part 4 — The Branches & Leaves

(Urantia Paper 6: Personality in the Universe)

Branches reach outward. Leaves catch light.

🌿 Teaching for kids:

Your branches are:

• The things you learn

• The people you love

• The ways you help

Your leaves are:

• Smiles

• Words

• Actions

• Kind choices

Every year, trees grow new branches.

Every year, you grow new abilities too.

🗣 Ask:

• “What new branch grew for you this year?”

• “Who do you share your leaves with?”

🪵 Altar symbol: leaves, drawings, or family names on paper leaves

🌲 Part 5 — The Rings Inside the Tree

(Urantia Paper 7: Spiritual Value of Personality)

Inside a tree are rings — one for every year it lived.

🌲 Teaching for kids:

Each year of your life adds a wisdom ring inside you:

• Happy years

• Hard years

• Learning years

Nothing is wasted.

Everything helps you grow.

Even dragons shed skins.

Even snakes grow by releasing what no longer fits.

🗣 Ask:

• “What is one thing that helped you grow this year?”

• “What are you ready to let go of?”

🪵 Altar symbol: tree ring slice or drawn spiral

🔥🌳 Closing Ritual — Ending the Wood Dragon & Snake Years

Have everyone touch the wood or tree symbol.

Say together:

“We thank the years of Wood,

The Dragon who gave us courage,

And the Snake who gave us wisdom.

We honor our roots, our growth, and our becoming.

May our inner tree grow strong, kind, and full of light.”

✨ Take-Home Reflection for Kids

• “How did I grow this year?”

• “What kind of tree do I want to become next?”