The Coconut Palm
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Brief analogy for older children dealing with a coconut palm.
Description
This is the analogy not just a description:
When God created the coconut palm tree He had a wonderful plan for its use in the tropics. The Coconut Palm is found growing on many islands in the Pacific Ocean. There are few if any places in the tropical islands where it won't grow. For the people who live on these islands there is no part of this tree that does not have a use.
The outer husk is used for mulching purposes around plants to help keep moisture in the soil and stop weeds from growing. The husk can also be burned as cooking fuel. Fibers of the husk are pulled apart and used for weaving and making rope.
The hard inner shell is used for carving things, or used as a dipper. This part of the coconut can also be burned as fuel for cooking fires.
The clear liquid inside the coconut is used for drinking when the coconut is still young and not fully grown. After the nut has finished growing, this milky water has a strong unpleasant taste and is no longer good for drinking. On some of the smaller Pacific Islands this liquid from young coconuts is the only source of drinking water because there are no streams or rivers. The only water is salt water from the sea.
The white meat of the fully grown coconut is used as food to eat. It is also dried to make “copra”. Copra is the white meat of the coconut which is dried, then shipped on boats to other countries to be used by companies in making things like soap and cosmetics.
The coconut milk is drained and used in food preparation. The meat is grated and covered with water. The grated coconut is then kneaded and squeezed through the water until the sweet, fatty juice is released. This liquid is collected for cooking. It is white and sweet and looks very much like milk. The coconut milk is very rich and is the main source of fat for Pacific Islanders. It is also delicious. After the milk is pressed out of the grated coconut, what is left is fed to the pigs – so nothing is wasted.
The leaves of the coconut tree are used for all sorts of things. They are used for lean-to shelters. They are used to thatch the roof of buildings. They are used for weaving mats, walls, hats and baskets. And they are used for outdoor decorations.
The trunk of the tree is used for temporary fence posts. It is used for building houses. It is used for firewood and a number of other things.
Just as every part of the coconut is useful, every part of the Word of God (The Bible) is useful. Even the genealogies are useful! For you they may not be very exciting but for many people groups on the Pacific Islands and other parts of the world, knowing about ancestors is of great importance. In fact, the lists of families in the Bible are what has convinced these people that the Bible is true! It is the Word of God! Those careful records God has given of the ancestors of Jesus Christ shows them that God wants people to know the ancestry of his son. Jesus was who he claimed to be – the Son of God.
As you look at the picture of the coconut you might notice a sprout emerging. This shows that it is alive and will produce a new coconut tree. That new tree will produce more fruit. So too, the Word of God is “alive and powerful”, the life-giving source of the truth regarding eternal life through Christ. We who believe and follow Jesus must share the “Good News” with family, friends and people we meet. We must produce more ‘fruit' as in new followers of Jesus, through our sharing of this news.
Considerations
- This analogy is best used with older children and adults.
Limitations
Guidelines for Use
- Use as a story with a real coconut as a prop.
- Might be useful as a audio cassette analogy.
- Might be used as a radio program.
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
There is no charge for its use.
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Author: Vida (adapted from the logo explanation for the Solomon Islands Pijin Bible translation project.)
Current copyright owner
Other Information
This is the product. It may be downloaded.
