TRUTH CARRIERS MINISTRY
Ages 12-17
Name:
Date Started:
This workbook teaches practical homesteading skills grounded in biblical wisdom. Whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or dreams of a farm someday, these skills will help you grow food, develop self-sufficiency, and honor Yahuah through working with His creation.
What You'll Learn:
Each lesson uses the 6 Rs to help you really learn and remember:
| Step | What You Do |
|---|---|
| 1. RECEIVE | Read the lesson carefully |
| 2. REFLECT | Answer the questions |
| 3. RECALL | Close the book and write what you remember |
| 4. RECITE | Teach someone what you learned |
| 5. REVIEW | Come back and review at Day 1, 3, 7, 21, 60 |
| 6. RESPOND | Do something with what you learned! |
Yahuah (yah-HOO-ah) = The Father's Hebrew name (usually written "LORD")
Yahusha (yah-HOO-sha) = The Son's Hebrew name (usually written "Jesus")
Elohim (el-oh-HEEM) = Hebrew word for God
Did you know work was given to Adam BEFORE sin entered the world? Let's explore!
Abad (עָבַד) - "to work, serve, cultivate" - Strong's H5647
This word means our work in the garden is SERVICE to Yahuah!
Shamar (שָׁמַר) - "to keep, guard, protect" - Strong's H8104
Same word used in "Yahuah bless you and KEEP you" (Numbers 6:24). We guard the land as Yahuah guards us!
| Scripture | What It Teaches |
|---|---|
| 1 Timothy 5:8 | Provide for your family - it's a spiritual duty |
| Colossians 3:23 | Work heartily as for Yahuah, not for men |
| Proverbs 12:10 | Righteous people care for their animals properly |
| Proverbs 6:6-8 | Learn from the ant - prepare in summer for winter |
| Proverbs 31:16 | The wise woman considers a field and buys it |
1. When was Adam given work in the garden?
○ A) After he sinned ○ B) Before sin entered ○ C) After the flood ○ D) Never
2. What does the Hebrew word "abad" mean?
○ A) To rest ○ B) To work/serve ○ C) To sleep ○ D) To eat
3. According to Proverbs 6, who should we learn from about preparing for the future?
○ A) The lion ○ B) The eagle ○ C) The ant ○ D) The sheep
1. Work was part of the curse after Adam sinned. ○ True ○ False
2. Self-sufficiency means being independent from Yahuah. ○ True ○ False
3. Colossians 3:23 says to work as for Yahuah. ○ True ○ False
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for Yahuah, not for men."
Close the book. Write: What do "abad" and "shamar" mean? When was work given to Adam?
Explain to a family member why work is Yahuah's gift, not the curse.
Who I taught: Date:
☐ Read Genesis 2:15 and 3:17-19 - compare work vs. the curse
☐ Thank Yahuah for meaningful work today
☐ Other:
Ready to grow your own food? Let's learn the basics!
| What Plants Need | How Much |
|---|---|
| Sunlight | 6-8 hours direct sun (vegetables); 4-6 hours (leafy greens) |
| Water | About 1 inch per week |
| Soil | pH 6.0-6.8 is ideal for most vegetables |
| Space | Start small! 4x4 foot raised bed is great for beginners |
| Vegetable | Days to Harvest | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | 24-35 days | Very Easy |
| Lettuce | 30-45 days | Very Easy |
| Green Beans | 50-65 days | Easy |
| Zucchini | 45-55 days | Easy |
| Tomatoes | 60-85 days | Moderate |
| Cucumbers | 50-70 days | Easy |
1. How many hours of sunlight do most vegetables need?
○ A) 1-2 hours ○ B) 4-5 hours ○ C) 6-8 hours ○ D) 12 hours
2. Which vegetable is the FASTEST to harvest?
○ A) Tomatoes ○ B) Radishes ○ C) Zucchini ○ D) Cucumbers
3. What is a good beginner raised bed size?
○ A) 2x2 feet ○ B) 4x4 feet ○ C) 10x10 feet ○ D) 50x50 feet
1. Leafy greens need less sunlight than tomatoes. ○ True ○ False
2. You need a big yard to grow any food. ○ True ○ False
3. Radishes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. ○ True ○ False
"I have given you every herb bearing seed... to you it shall be for food."
Plant Something! Choose one of these to try this week:
☐ Plant radish seeds in a container or garden
☐ Start lettuce in a sunny window
☐ Grow an herb (basil, mint, or cilantro) in a pot
☐ Regrow a green onion from the store in water
What I planted:
Close the book. Write: What do plants need? Name 3 easy vegetables for beginners:
Teach someone how to start a small garden.
Who I taught:
☐ Plant at least one thing this week!
☐ Research your USDA hardiness zone
☐ Other:
Some plants help each other grow! Let's learn Yahuah's design in nature.
| Plant | Good Companions | Keep Apart From |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Basil, Carrots, Marigolds | Corn, Potatoes |
| Beans | Corn, Cucumbers, Squash | Onions, Garlic |
| Carrots | Onions, Tomatoes, Rosemary | Dill |
| Cucumbers | Beans, Corn, Radishes | Potatoes, Sage |
| Peppers | Basil, Onions, Spinach | Beans |
1. In the "Three Sisters," what does corn provide for beans?
○ A) Water ○ B) A climbing structure ○ C) Shade ○ D) Fertilizer
2. What do beans add to the soil?
○ A) Nitrogen ○ B) Sugar ○ C) Salt ○ D) Acid
3. Which insect is HELPFUL in the garden (eats pests)?
○ A) Aphids ○ B) Ladybugs ○ C) Grasshoppers ○ D) Slugs
1. Tomatoes and basil grow well together. ○ True ○ False
2. All insects are pests that should be killed. ○ True ○ False
3. Beans and onions should be planted together. ○ True ○ False
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor."
Close the book. Explain the Three Sisters and name 2 good companion plants for tomatoes:
Teach someone about the Three Sisters planting method.
Who I taught:
☐ Plan a companion planting for your garden
☐ Research how to attract ladybugs
☐ Other:
Turn kitchen scraps into garden gold!
Compost is decomposed organic matter - nature's recycling! Things break down and become rich soil that feeds plants.
| BROWNS (Carbon) | GREENS (Nitrogen) |
|---|---|
| Dry leaves | Fruit/vegetable scraps |
| Cardboard (shredded) | Grass clippings |
| Straw | Coffee grounds |
| Newspaper (shredded) | Eggshells |
| Wood chips | Fresh plant trimmings |
Ideal Ratio: About 3 parts browns to 1 part greens
1. What are "browns" in composting?
○ A) Green plants ○ B) Carbon-rich materials like dry leaves ○ C) Meat scraps ○ D) Water
2. What should you NOT put in compost?
○ A) Fruit scraps ○ B) Eggshells ○ C) Meat and dairy ○ D) Coffee grounds
3. What is the ideal ratio of browns to greens?
○ A) 1:1 ○ B) 3:1 ○ C) 10:1 ○ D) 1:3
1. You can put pet waste in compost. ○ True ○ False
2. Compost should be kept moist like a wrung-out sponge. ○ True ○ False
3. Compost is ready in about 2-6 months. ○ True ○ False
Start Composting!
☐ Start a small compost bin or pile
☐ Collect kitchen scraps for one week
☐ Make a "compost jar" in your kitchen for scraps
Close the book. What are browns and greens? What should you NOT compost?
Teach someone how to start a compost pile.
Who I taught:
☐ Start saving kitchen scraps
☐ Research vermicomposting (worm composting)
☐ Other:
Learn to save seeds and never buy them again!
| Type | Description | Save Seeds? |
|---|---|---|
| Heirloom/Open-Pollinated | Varieties 50+ years old, breed true | YES! |
| Hybrid (F1) | Cross between two varieties | NO - won't grow true |
| GMO | Genetically modified in a lab | NO - and often patented |
Key: Look for "heirloom" or "open-pollinated" on seed packets!
| Vegetable | How to Save |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Scoop seeds, ferment 2-3 days, rinse, dry |
| Peppers | Let pepper fully ripen, scrape out seeds, dry |
| Beans/Peas | Let dry on plant, harvest pods, remove seeds |
| Squash | Let fully mature, scoop seeds, rinse, dry |
| Lettuce | Let plant "bolt" and flower, collect dry seeds |
1. Which type of seeds can you save and grow true?
○ A) Hybrid ○ B) Heirloom/Open-pollinated ○ C) GMO ○ D) F1
2. What should you do with tomato seeds before drying?
○ A) Freeze them ○ B) Ferment them 2-3 days ○ C) Cook them ○ D) Nothing
3. How should you store seeds?
○ A) In water ○ B) In the sun ○ C) Cool, dry, dark place ○ D) In soil
1. You can save seeds from hybrid plants and they'll grow the same. ○ True ○ False
2. Heirloom varieties are at least 50 years old. ○ True ○ False
3. Most seeds last 2-5 years if stored properly. ○ True ○ False
"...whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."
Close the book. What's the difference between heirloom and hybrid? Name 2 easy seeds to save:
Teach someone why seed saving matters and how to do it.
Who I taught:
☐ Save seeds from a tomato or pepper this season
☐ Research Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org)
☐ Other:
Preserve your harvest to eat all year!
| Method | How It Works | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Canning | Heat kills bacteria, sealed jars | Fruits, tomatoes, pickles, jams |
| Dehydrating | Remove moisture | Fruits, vegetables, herbs, jerky |
| Freezing | Cold stops bacteria growth | Almost anything! |
| Fermenting | Good bacteria preserve food | Sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi |
| Root Cellar | Cool, dark storage | Potatoes, onions, carrots, apples |
No special equipment needed - just salt, water, and a jar!
1. Which preservation method uses good bacteria?
○ A) Canning ○ B) Freezing ○ C) Fermenting ○ D) Dehydrating
2. Low-acid foods (vegetables, meat) must be preserved by:
○ A) Water bath canning ○ B) Pressure canning ○ C) Just boiling ○ D) Sun drying
3. What temperature kills botulism bacteria?
○ A) 150°F ○ B) 212°F ○ C) 240°F ○ D) 100°F
1. Water bath canning is safe for all foods. ○ True ○ False
2. Fermented foods use salt and good bacteria. ○ True ○ False
3. You can store potatoes in a cool, dark place. ○ True ○ False
Try Fermenting! Make lacto-fermented pickles or sauerkraut with a parent.
Date made: Result:
Close the book. List 5 preservation methods and what each is good for:
Explain food preservation methods to a family member.
Who I taught:
☐ Make lacto-fermented pickles or sauerkraut
☐ Dehydrate some fruit for snacks
☐ Other:
Fresh eggs from your own backyard!
| What They Need | Details |
|---|---|
| Space | 4 sq ft per bird in coop, 10 sq ft per bird in run |
| Food | Layer feed (16% protein) + kitchen scraps + bugs |
| Water | Clean, fresh water daily |
| Shelter | Coop with roost bars and nesting boxes |
| Protection | Hardware cloth (NOT chicken wire!) to keep predators out |
1. How much coop space does each chicken need?
○ A) 1 sq ft ○ B) 4 sq ft ○ C) 10 sq ft ○ D) 20 sq ft
2. What should you use instead of chicken wire?
○ A) String ○ B) Hardware cloth ○ C) Cardboard ○ D) Plastic
3. Do you need a rooster for hens to lay eggs?
○ A) Yes ○ B) No ○ C) Only in summer ○ D) Only for brown eggs
1. Chicken wire is the best protection from predators. ○ True ○ False
2. Chickens eat bugs and provide pest control. ○ True ○ False
3. Many cities allow backyard chickens. ○ True ○ False
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast."
Close the book. What do chickens need? Why use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire?
Teach someone the basics of raising backyard chickens.
Who I taught:
☐ Check your local laws about backyard chickens
☐ Visit a farm with chickens
☐ Research beginner-friendly chicken breeds
☐ Other:
The wise prepare for hard times!
| Category | What to Store |
|---|---|
| Water | 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3 days, ideally 2 weeks) |
| Food | Non-perishable: rice, beans, canned goods, honey, salt (minimum 3 days) |
| Light | Flashlights, candles, oil lamps, batteries |
| Heat/Cooking | Propane stove, wood stove, fire supplies |
| First Aid | Bandages, medicines, essential oils, manual |
| Tools | Hand tools, manual can opener, rope, duct tape |
| Communication | Battery radio, paper maps, important documents |
Don't try to do it all at once - build gradually!
Preparation is biblical wisdom, not fear!
1. How much water should you store per person per day?
○ A) 1 cup ○ B) 1 gallon ○ C) 5 gallons ○ D) 10 gallons
2. Who stored 7 years of grain in Egypt?
○ A) Moses ○ B) David ○ C) Joseph ○ D) Abraham
3. What's the minimum number of days to prepare for?
○ A) 1 day ○ B) 3 days ○ C) 1 year ○ D) 7 years
1. Preparation shows lack of faith in Yahuah. ○ True ○ False
2. Proverbs calls preparation wisdom. ○ True ○ False
3. You should try to prepare all at once. ○ True ○ False
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished."
Start Your Emergency Kit:
☐ Store 3 days of water for your family
☐ Make a list of what you need
☐ Locate flashlights and fresh batteries
Close the book. List 5 categories of emergency supplies:
Teach someone why preparation is biblical wisdom.
Who I taught:
☐ Start storing water
☐ Create an emergency supply list
☐ Other:
Let's review everything you've learned!
Fill in the blanks:
1. Work was given to Adam sin entered the world.
2. The Hebrew word "abad" means to or cultivate.
3. Most vegetables need -8 hours of sunlight.
4. The "Three Sisters" are corn, , and squash.
5. The ideal compost ratio is 3 parts browns to 1 part .
6. /open-pollinated seeds can be saved and grown true.
7. Low-acid foods must be canned (not water bath).
8. Use cloth, not chicken wire, to protect chickens.
9. Store 1 of water per person per day.
10. Proverbs says a prudent man foresees and prepares.
Match the Scripture to what it teaches:
| Scripture | Teaching (Write the letter) |
|---|---|
| 1. Genesis 2:15 | |
| 2. Proverbs 6:6-8 | |
| 3. Colossians 3:23 | |
| 4. Proverbs 12:10 | |
| 5. Proverbs 27:12 |
A) Righteous care for animals
B) Work as for Yahuah
C) Work and keep the garden
D) Learn from the ant - prepare
E) The prudent foresee danger
Check what you've accomplished during this workbook:
☐ Planted something (garden, container, or windowsill)
☐ Started composting or saved kitchen scraps
☐ Saved seeds or learned how
☐ Made a fermented food
☐ Researched chickens or visited a farm
☐ Started an emergency water/food supply
☐ Taught someone what you learned
☐ Memorized at least 3 Scriptures
What is the most important thing you learned from this workbook?
What skill do you want to develop further?
How will homesteading skills help you serve Yahuah and your community?
Set a homesteading goal for the next year:
Scripture Fill-in: work
Multiple Choice: 1-B (Before sin), 2-B (to work/serve), 3-C (The ant)
True/False: 1-False, 2-False, 3-True
Scripture Fill-in: herb
Multiple Choice: 1-C (6-8 hours), 2-B (Radishes), 3-B (4x4 feet)
True/False: 1-True, 2-False, 3-True
Scripture Fill-in: better
Multiple Choice: 1-B (climbing structure), 2-A (Nitrogen), 3-B (Ladybugs)
True/False: 1-True, 2-False, 3-False (keep apart)
Scripture Fill-in: earth/ground
Multiple Choice: 1-B (Carbon-rich), 2-C (Meat and dairy), 3-B (3:1)
True/False: 1-False, 2-True, 3-True
Scripture Fill-in: seed
Multiple Choice: 1-B (Heirloom), 2-B (Ferment 2-3 days), 3-C (Cool, dry, dark)
True/False: 1-False, 2-True, 3-True
Scripture Fill-in: ant
Multiple Choice: 1-C (Fermenting), 2-B (Pressure canning), 3-C (240°F)
True/False: 1-False, 2-True, 3-True
Scripture Fill-in: righteous
Multiple Choice: 1-B (4 sq ft), 2-B (Hardware cloth), 3-B (No)
True/False: 1-False, 2-True, 3-True
Scripture Fill-in: evil/danger
Multiple Choice: 1-B (1 gallon), 2-C (Joseph), 3-B (3 days)
True/False: 1-False, 2-True, 3-False
Fill-in: 1-before, 2-work/serve, 3-6, 4-beans, 5-greens, 6-Heirloom, 7-pressure, 8-hardware, 9-gallon, 10-evil/danger
Scripture Matching: 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A, 5-E
Congratulations on completing Christian Homesteading!
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for Yahuah." — Colossians 3:23
Truth Carriers Ministry | Ages 12-17