Curriculum – Bible

In years past, we have memorized Bible verses for our ‘curriculum’. We have also used Rod & Staff and Explorer’s Bible Study. All of the above have worked well, but did not meet all of my expectations. Here’s why…

We did memorize Bible verses and review them daily. This is good, because it’s planting seeds in their hearts. But, I wanted more. I really wanted us to learn more about the Bible instead of memorizing verses out of context.

So, last year I added a ‘curriculum’. Isaac used Rod & Staff while Emma used Explorer’s Bible Study. Both of those are fantastic Bible studies, and I highly recommend both. However, I really wanted something we could all do together. I wanted something that really digs deep into the Bible. I found that in Bible Study Guide for All Ages.

Each day follows the same format. We start with some drill. Currently we are learning about and discussing the divisions of the NT, and then we’ll begin memorizing the books of the NT. There are review games or Bible drills which have the kids (namely Emma) practicing to find books/chapters/verses in the Bible.

Then we review things we’ve learned in earlier lessons before moving on to the new lesson. After reading the day’s text from the Bible, we read additional scriptures that tie in to the theme of the day’s message.

NOTE: The curriculum can be supplemented with mapping and a Bible timeline. However, we do NOT do these. I really just wanted the focus to be on the Bible itself.

Now, on that note, I do use the workbook pages for Emma. These are separate from the teacher’s guide which is all you really MUST purchase to use this curriculum. She and I both love the workbook pages. One side is a mixed review – reviewing information from previous lessons. The other side is a review of that day’s lesson. It is in comic book format, but it is so neat! It goes trough the lesson verse by verse to review. See the photos for examples.

Emma does the workbook page while Isaac and Logan narrate. I like that they are able to make connections between what happened before and what is happening now (in the lessons). Below is a sample of one of Isaac’s narrations about Joseph…

While Joseph was in charge his brothers came for help. Over 20 years had past since they sold him as a slave and they did not recognize Joseph. Joseph recognized them and told them to come back with there younger brother but there father would not let them take there younger brother because the last time they took a younger brother he was killed.

I’m pleased that Isaac remembered what he’d learned about how long it had been since Joseph had seen his brothers. This was because BSGFAA had us ‘do the math’ and figure out how long Joseph had been gone. I think that tidbit of information lends a bit more to the story of Joseph (and is a fact I never paid attention to in all the times I’ve read/heard the story of Joseph).

I really do LOVE this curriculum. I like that I have found something that all of us can use together as we dig deeper into God’s Word!!