6.

How the Sun Produces Energy

“...Power
[energy]
belongeth
unto God.”
Psalm 62:11

A. Producing Energy 212

B. Solar Energy 214

God is the source of power [energy],

and in Him it actually abides.
This one voice of God we ought
always to hear, so as to be preserved
from putting our trust in creatures
in whom there can be no power [energy],
since all power [energy] is in God.

The Solar System – The Sun – Student – Page 211

 Research
A. Producing Energy
“And out of the throne
proceeded lightnings and thundering [energy] and voices....”
“...Power [energy] belongeth unto God.”
Revelation 4:5; Psalm 62:11
The Sun radiates energy into extremely hot. It has a temperature of
space in the form of light and heat many millions of degrees. Because of
(this reminds us of the energy which the temperature the nuclei of atoms
constantly flows from God). Look at a join together in the process of thermo-
clock or watch with a second hand. nuclear fusion. It was later explained
With each click of the second hand that thermonuclear fusion releases a
there are about 4 million short tons sufficient amount of the Sun’s energy
(3.6 million metric tons) of the Sun’s to keep the Sun shining and energy
mass changing into energy. But the radiating into space.
Earth receives only about 4 pounds
(1.8 kilograms) or one two-billionth, of “The mighty power that works
the total energy radiated by the Sun through all nature and sustains all
each second. It is just enough for things is not, as some men of science
Earth’s needs. claim, merely an all-pervading prin-
ciple, an actuating energy.”* “For by
What makes sunshine? How can him were all things created....And he is
the Sun shine if it gives off so much before all things, and by him all things
energy each second? It was about 1900 consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). “The
when people began to discover the hand that sustains the worlds in
answers to these questions. space, the hand that holds in their
orderly arrangements and tireless
In trying to explain how the Sun activity all things throughout the
produced light and heat some people universe of God, is the hand that was
once believed that it was a giant ball of nailed to the cross for us.”** He was
burning coal. Some thought meteors also the babe who was born in Bethle-
fell into the Sun, releasing its energy. hem and carried to the temple to be
And once it was thought the energy dedicated.
came from the slow shrinking of the
Sun. All these ideas were wrong.
Reinforce
In the 1900’s Sir Arthur Do more study
Eddington, a British astronomer, about thermonuclear fusion.
showed that the center of the Sun was
*Education 131 **Education 132

The Solar System – The Sun – Student – Page 212

 Reflect
“Upon all created things is
seen the impress of the Deity. Na-
ture testifies of God. The suscep-
tible mind, brought in contact with
the miracle and mystery of the uni-
verse, cannot but recognize the
working of infinite power. Not by its
own inherent energy does the Earth
produce its bounties, and year by
year continue its motion around the
Sun. An unseen hand guides the
planets in their circuit of the heav-
ens. A mysterious life pervades all
nature—a life that sustains the
unnumbered worlds throughout
immensity, that lives in the insect
atom which floats in the summer
breeze, that wings the flight of the
swallow and feeds the young ravens
which cry, that brings the bud to
blossom and the flower to fruit.
“The
same
power
that
upholds
nature...
control
human life.”
*Education 99-100
The Solar System – The Sun – Student – Page 213
“The same power that upholds
nature, is working also in man. The
same great laws that guide alike
the star and the atom control hu-
man life. The laws that govern the
heart’s action, regulating the flow of
the current of life to the body, are
the laws of the mighty Intelligence
that has the jurisdiction of the soul.
From Him all life proceeds. Only in
harmony with Him can be found its
true sphere of action. For all the
objects of His creation the condition
is the same—a life sustained by
receiving the life of God, a life exer-
cised in harmony with the Creator’s
will. To transgress His law, physi-
cal, mental, or moral, is to place
one’s self out of harmony with the
universe, to introduce discord, anar-
chy, ruin.”*
 B. Solar Energy
“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
Psalm 121:4

The energy of the Sun is not The untiring ministry of the

lessened by its long trip on the way
to Earth. This energy can be used
instead of coal, gas, or oil to heat
buildings and do other things.
People are very interested in har-
nessing the Sun’s energy since fossil
fuels are being used up. This can
call to mind how when earthly re-
sources fail us we will still have an
unfailing supply in the “Sun of
Righteousness.”
Sun makes us think of God. “Be-
hold, he that keepeth Israel shall
neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm
121:4). “He hath showed his people
the power of his works” that they
might believe in the energy of His
creative word (Psalm 111:6). “For
the word of God is quick and power-
ful” (Hebrews 4:12).

People use sunlight for power

Illustration
in many ways. Some examples are: Solar Power
The effects of sunlight cause wind, Scientists are
which some people use to power developing new
ways to capture
windmills. Sunlight also evaporates solar energy and to
Sun
water, which eventually falls as put it to use where
rain. The rain forms rivers. Hydro- and when it is
needed.
electric power plants on the rivers
use the power of moving water to South-facing
windows in a home
generate electricity. Solar furnaces Solar let in heat from the
use mirrors to focus sunlight to heat Energy Sun. The walls and
water in boilers. Solar energy cells floors absorb the
Do more heat during the day
provide power for artificial satellites study and release it at
and spacecraft. about night.
solar
Solar
Actually, when you think energy.
Panels
about it, all our energy sources—
coal, oil, electricity, and even water
power, are possible because of the
ministry of the Sun.

The Solar System – The Sun – Student – Page 214

 Using light from the Sun for
energy teaches us that a sin-dark-
Reinforce
ened soul must be enlightened be- Solar Cooker
fore he can have spiritual energy.
“The entrance of thy words giveth Materials
light” (Psalm 119:130). Energy is Empty round oatmeal box plus lid
light; light is energy. “Energy is Glue
imparted to the soul by searching Masking tape Plastic wrap
the pages of the Bible.”* Aluminum foil Tofu hot dogs
Scissors or knife Skewer
A specially-designed solar cell
can convert the Sun’s energy into Instructions
electricity. These cells need to be • First glue and tape (masking
recharged often. What a good object tape) the lid onto the oatmeal box.
lesson of our need to recharge our
spiritual batteries daily with God’s • The teacher can help you cut the
Word. box in half, lengthwise.

The heat energy from the Sun
is as important as the light energy.
Heat is really a form of light. In
Psalm 19 the heat energy of the Sun
is mentioned, and it is followed by a
sentence about the converting
power of the Word of God. “...There
is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, con-
verting the soul” (Psalm 19:6-7).
This shows us that God’s Word
should be presented in warmth and
zeal to have converting power. It is
written, “He sendeth out his word,
and melteth them” (Psalm 147:18).
• Then cover the inside and outside
with foil, keep smooth with the
shiny side out.
• Next punch 2 holes at each end of
the box.
• Place the skewer through the tofu
hot dog and then through the box as
the picture shows.
Solar
Cooker

Energy is light; • Place it

light is energy. in the Sun
while it cooks.
*Review and HeraldMay 13, 1890

The Solar System – The Sun – Student – Page 215

 Review
Place I - II - III
1. Can our eyes always be trusted to
discern important matters? Give
an example.
2. Explain how it is thought the Sun
radiates energy into space in the
form of light and heat.
3. Once God created the Sun how
did it continue to operate?
Place II - III
4. Explain how man can tap solar
energy.
5. Share with your teacher some
spiritual lessons from solar energy.
“For by him
were all things
created...
And he is before all things,
and by him
all things consist.”
Colossians 1:16-17
The Solar System – The Sun – Student – Page 216
Remind
1. As the Sun shines through the
windows of your home that you are
washing, and warms the room, be
reminded of solar energy.
2. Have you ever climbed into your
family’s car and found it very hot?
That is solar power!
3. When watching people, be careful
not to trust your eyes for you could
surmise something untrue.
4. When noticing ice or snow melt-
ing in the sunshine, think of how
God’s Word is powerful. It can melt
the hardest heart.
5. Putting a new battery in the car
or recharging the old one is a re-
minder of studying the Word of God
to be recharged.
6. The family car being driven by
Father is a reminder how God the
Father continues to guide the en-
ergy of the Sun even after it was
created by Christ.