Bible / Forum / Homeschool

Hi everyone! Welcome to day 2 of my curriculum forum discussions! Today we’re going to talk about how we study the Bible.

bible1

 

Bible is an important part of our homeschool, and for whatever reason it was always one of the hardest for me to find. But since finding the Grapevine Studies we’ve really been  loving our Bible time. These studies work really well for teaching multiple levels and my kids are really enjoying doing them as well, so I plan to continue with these next year.

I recommend getting the multiple level student workbook and Teacher’s Manual. You really can’t do these lessons without the TM and then of course you need the student workbooks as well. The TM has the lessons as well as sample drawings for those of us who are artistically challenged! And really these are so flexible they can be done with kiddos as young as Kindergarten I’d say. For preschooler’s they’ve also just released traceable versions as well! We will be using that shortly to help include the Teeny Tot in our lessons and I can’t wait to try them out!

 

bible

Pros:

  • Great visual walk through the Bible.
  • Works great with multiple levels.

Cons:

  • Can be expensive to purchase multiple workbooks for each student.
  • Don’t have a lot of books released yet.

 

Another addition we’re making next year are the Kay Arthur Bible studies for kids. I think they’re great for teaching independent study skills to older kiddos. I’m going to be using them with Turbo who will be in 4th grade and Strawberry Shortcake who will be in 5th grade next year. I wouldn’t recommend starting these much sooner than 4th or 5th grade though.

Each book includes directions as well as instructions for the students to complete as they go through the study so they are basically self contained. Students will be writing inside these books however, so you’ll need to purchase one per student.

bible2

 

Some more great Bible resources:

Pros:

  • Great for independent study
  • Good way to teach younger students about inductive Bible study.

Cons:

  • Students write in books, so you have to purchase new books for each study.

 

So, now comes the fun part!

What are your favorite Bible curriculum, resources, websites, etc? Leave a comment below discussing your choices for this year and why.

Feel free to ask questions or reply to each other too!

It’s my way of doing a forum without actually doing a forum haha!

And hopefully this will help us all as we start the process of researching curriculum, and trying to decide what will be the best fit for our homeschool.

Note: Please keep today’s conversations geared towards BIBLE, I will be posting one for each subject separately so we can keep our comments organized.

Disclosure: This was not a sponsored post, I may however be affiliated with one or more products mentioned. The opinions expressed in this post were not influenced by the company. They are products I have used and felt like sharing, cuz’ it’s my blog and I can if I want to.

109 Comments

    1. They are actually working on a version for younger kiddos right now. I really liked the looks of this, and we are on a list to be notified when the younger version is ready.

      Georgette
      Reply

      1. We are doing the Picture Smart Bible now and loving it. My 3rd and 4th grader are doing well and use the tracing worksheets. My 6 year old Kindergartener listens in and colors with us (using the pre-drawn version). Some of the bible goes over his head, but he picks up a lot of it.

        Cyndi
        Reply

    1. We LOVE the Discover for Yourself Bible study books!! Jonah would be a good one to start with- it’s a ittle shorter and less “involved” (you stay in the book of Jonah rather than referencing other books of the Bible) than some of the others. I used Jonah with a small group of 3rd-5th graders last year, and we all really enjoyed it. Since then, my son has also completed Covenant Code and is currently working through Daniel, both of which are a lot more detailed and involved.

      pepper
      Reply

    2. I think it depends on what you are doing w/ the rest of your studies. We were in ancient times, so we started w/ Genesis. We have taken it slow, and are in the second book. The first book had 6 wks, there are 5 days/wk. We often do a day over several days, so it took us 12 wks, (we don’t do extra Bible on our co-op day). We took Dec off for our advent story. We are currently in wk 7 of the second book (there are maybe 9 wks in this book?) I tried to have them (I have 9 yo twins) do it on their own as a personal Bible study type thing, but they often need my help. I would def suggest getting an inexpensive copy of the version she recommends (NASB maybe). We don’t have one, and so I use my phone app for the verses that are not in the back of the book. IMO, it’s kind of a pain to flip back and forth, I find it much easier to read it side by side (questions next to scripture). i think it’s easier for the kids this way too. My kids often got frustrated when using their own Bible, which is NIrv, b/c the words didn’t match up exactly. I have done several precept studies, which is why I chose this, but it is definitely hands on. All that to say, it is a good study, but be prepared to do it with your kids, esp if they are on the younger side. 10-11 yo kids may not need the amt of help my kids do.

      Katherine
      Reply

  5. We have used Scripture Adventures, and really like them. Have done the oLd Testament so far, but plan on doing more of them. I confess I print them out and comb bind the books though–works better for us. The cost is VERY reasonable, though, and you can use for all your children, so the main cost is for printing it out yourself.

    Susan
    Reply

  6. We have used Telling God’s Story. It works great for our kids who are close in age and we do it together. The main focus of the story is JESUS. Instead of starting at creation or other Old Testament Bible stories, the focus is on Jesus and how his life is interwoven throughout Scripture. The activities are easy to organize for the week and fun to do!

    jenni h
    Reply

    1. We also really love Telling God’s Story. A breath of fresh air, really, when it comes to teaching kids about the Bible. It sticks to things kids are ready for and saves complex OT stories they aren’t prepared to understand for later years.

      mary
      Reply

      1. We started this at Kindergarten, age 5. The first book is reccommended for 1st grade but even our 2 year old does the coloring sheets and activities. The concepts can easily be grasped by little ones because it is about Jesus…. who calls little children to come to Him.

        jenni h
        Reply

    3. I, too, thought the concept of Jesus being the focal point made this curriculum VERY appealing. I was impressed by the lesson samples online, as well. Considering a purchase, I checked out who wrote it, and it is Peter Enns. As it turns out, Peter Enns wrote the book “The Evolution of Adam,” where he proposed that biological evolution is fact and that there was no literal Adam or Eve or literal Fall. I have a BIG problem with that. So, considering that perspective must be woven (however subtly) in his other materials, I am choosing to stay clear of this curriculum.

      My sharing this is in no way meant to attack Jenni, it’s only meant to be informative, since I believe most Bible curriculum seekers desire (and perhaps assume) a Creationist view point.

      Kimberly
      Reply

      2. I took some time to learn more about Peter Enns, and what I found out is shocking. After learning about his view of the Old testament and creation and Adam and Eve, I would never use his books to teach my children. He gives equal weight to near-eastern creation myths as he does to the real Creation story. Thanks so much Kimberly.
        Is there another curriculum that has Jesus at the center?

        Scott
        Reply

        1. I was challenged to read a book by Peter Enns….I almost hesitate to even write the title of the book as I think that it can send a searching person into a very confusing place. His take on the Bible is extremely concerning. I would definitely take issue with teaching my kids anything that he has written unfortunately 🙁

          Dana
          Reply

    4. If you are looking for a Christ centered curriculum, I would also recommend Telling God’s Story by Peter Enns (currently only through 2nd grade). I picked up the Parent’s Teaching Guide at Barnes and Noble and then purchased the actual curriculum later. If you are interested in finding out more about this curriculum, I would recommend doing this.

      As far as Peter Enns goes, as stated here by others, his personal views follow closely to theistic evolution. Although, in the actual curriculum, theory has so far not been discussed as this is Christ centered – and ALL Christians believe in the teachings of Christ.

      Dr. Enns holds a M.Div from Westminister Theological Seminary, a M.A. from Harvard, and a Ph.D. from Harvard. He is an expert in biblical studies. I have absolutely NO problems teaching my kids out of his curriculum. In fact his main thesis in his publications for adults is that as Jesus was both 100% man and 100% God, so is the Bible. I personally find no fault with this at all, because after all the Bible was literally written by both man and God. And I in fact disagree with his view that there is no literal Adam – but I like his Bible Curriculum for kids.

      Oh, and Enns does not give equal weight to other creation myths:
      “Genesis 1 is a strong argument AGAINST such stories as these. The intent of the creation account is to keep Israel from falling into the trap of worshiping someone other than the true creator. This is both repeated and developed further in the rest of the Old Testament. Continually, the reasons given for why Yahweh should be worshiped are that he is not only the Creator, but also the deliverer. This dual theme continues into the New Testament: the Creator is the Redeemer.” p. 61, Telling God’s Story: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching The Bible, Peter Enns

      Anyway, if this type of curriculum piques your interest, check it out! Do not be scared of venturing outside of what others condemn without investigation.

      An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
      and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
      Proverbs 18:15

      And in case anyone is wondering, the reason I am giving such an in-depth response and what may appear to be a little “fan-girly” here, is that I truly believe there is nothing wrong with pulling curriculum from places or people that you may not necessarily agree 100% in regards to the lens they use to analyze the theory behind biblical views…and miss out on something really good. This whole battle between YEC and OEC and theistic views, etc., is getting WAY out of hand. We all believe in Jesus and that the Bible is God’s Word. Find the curriculum that best translates this to your children. The worst thing we can do for our kids is teach them to bash other Christians.

      “‎We must recognize that it is one thing to be loyal to Christ but it is another thing to be loyal to someone’s interpretation of loyalty to Christ. We should resist coercion at the latter level. We must in turn be aware of harsh, judgmental criticism that would equate loyalty to our beliefs with loyalty to Christ.” William Abraham

      Lisa
      Reply

    5. We use this curriculum and love it. I really like a Jesus centered Christianity! My son has really enjoyed it as well. The Bible studies consist of a little background for the parent and a section to read to the child. I read both on two different days to our son. We do 1-2 activities and then move onto the next story. And, yes, I am familiar with the rest of his work and, though much of it is not appropriate for our young son I don’t have to agree with everything an author says to use the things with which I do agree. I like the emphasis on a relationship with God, believing in Jesus and focusing our daily life on our relationship with God and faith in Jesus Christ. What else do I need in a NT Bible study?

      julie quan
      Reply

  7. We will be starting grapevine next year and I am looking forward to something more consistent.
    I would like the share the Answers in Genesis Sunday School Curriculum. It is great! Our children get the study through our bible study group. So,I bought the flip chart…. which I LOVE. We go over it sporadically during the week. It has songs, memory verses, large picture for each lesson, and the entire lesson for teacher/class is on the back. It is geared toward preschoolers, but the rest of the curriculum is for all ages…. right up through adults. I love that we are all learning the same thing. It goes chronologically through the whole Bible.

    Tab
    Reply

    1. Would you consider purchasing the Sunday School curriculum to do at home if your kids weren’t receiving it at church? We don’t do this at church but after looking at it I’m very intrigued.

      Marianne
      Reply

  9. Answers in Genesis is good; that’s what our church uses for children’s church. At home we just use the Bible itself. Nothing fancy. Right now I’m reading the book of Daniel aloud to them and they’re memorizing 3 John. For reading we use the NIRV; for memorizing, it’s ESV.

    Wendy
    Reply

    1. Thank you Danika! I’ve looked in to this and cannot believe how much work you’ve put in to this! I’m excited to start this with my 3 and 5 year olds 🙂 I’m just waiting to get the 365 great bible stories and then we’re going to get started!

      Kim
      Reply

    2. I could cry! I went to look and it looked perfect for our whole family but they no longer have it for free. With a special needs child, teenager and soon to have foster children, there’s no extra money. I wish I had seen this when it was still free.. 🙁 Thank you so much, Cassy
      CassySatterfield@gmail.com

      Cassy Satterfield
      Reply

      1. The curriculum is still free, just click on “bible curriculum” and then choose which one you’re interested in, just make sure to select the “original” versions. They are free to download.

        erica
        Reply

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