Here is another Bible Curriculum I was able to review this year.  Again, it is a wonderful, in-depth look at the Bible, with lots of personal digging and work to learn the Bible for yourself.

From Bill Burtness, author, Judah Bible Curriculum:

"With the Judah Bible Curriculum, it is helpful to remind ourselves just what we are trying to accomplish in our study of the Scriptures. 

The primary product of our education is the character of our kids - Godly (loving), self-governing under God (responsible), self-educating before God (literate).  We want applying God's word to all of life to be second nature for our children.  As they understand the truth from the Scriptures, they will be able to discern what is false.  They will need this basis in truth as they grow up and finally leave the nest on their own.  So we are building our children's worldview and future. 

As we have seen, freedom in society is dependent on this Godly character, so we are also building future civilization as we train our children.  This is serious and actually does take some labor and some thought.  But it's not beyond us. (Deut. 6:4-12, I John 5:3)

These concepts and ideals were common thinking when America was founded and through much of our history, but in the last several generations they have not been taught and we have really lost it.  So we are floundering."

 

The main concepts for the study are:
The hand of God in History, The hand of God in the life of the individual, the importance of Godly Christian character, and learning the relationship between individual Christian character and national liberty.
The Judah Bible Curriculum also focuses on the intelligence of following God-which really appeals to me since many Christians today are made to feel less educated than their liberal neighbors.
A strong Bible focus and background is one of the main reasons we personally chose to homeschool, and with this curriculum I feel like we are finally going to be able to do just that. I have spent a long time studying this curriculum, as it is teacher-intensive.


There are key sheets to fill out, and you are encouraged to add maps, timelines, and essays as well. There is a PDF of example student work to help you see what a student notebook should look like. There is even a teacher walk-through that holds your hand!
The other great thing about this curriculum is it teaches your child how to extract information, not just answer questions. I really think this Bible curriculum is fabulous, and all ages can use this curriculum' K-adult.

Every year you will teach the main ideas and principles of the Bible, but the student will be studying different details. Judah Bible Curriculum calls these details Bible Keys and they include individuals, events, institutions, and documents. This allows you to design the daily study to fit your family with the doctrinal emphasis left to you. A summary of the Bible Keys you will study can be seen in the Scope and Sequence.
The Judah Bible Curriculum can be purchased as a download ($44.00) or hard copy ($69.00) and includes:

• Judah Bible Curriculum K-12 Manual or e-book
• Elementary Notebook Ideas Booklet, download or view online
• Eight-lecture Teacher Training Seminars on CD, download or listen online

I have been absent lately.  Absent from this blog, and other things in my life.  Other than the occasional menu post or review, I just haven't been writing.  It has just been too hard, and I haven't had the gumption.

You see, we are a little topsy-turvy in our life right now.  Slightly over six months ago, God called us from the church He had led us to 4 years ago.  We packed up our entire life and moved home.  My parents, being the gracious people that they are, opened their home to us, and now 12 people are living under this one roof.

God saw fit to open a job up for Heath almost immediately.  The temporary holiday job has turned into a store manager position of a retail men's clothing store.  It seems far from the calling on our lives, but God is in control.  Heath works hard, and honors God with his diligence. 

Most days are spent juggling schedules, vehicles (we only had one until a few days ago), and routines.  Heath is only home 2 days a week, and usually gone before the kids are up and home after they are in bed. School has been sporadic, but is slowly evening out.  There is a constant need to pick up clutter and messes.  It just gets a little crowded if you let the piles of stuff stay more than a few hours.  There doesn't seem to be any down time, but that just keeps us working diligently unto the Lord, right?

There have been moments of stress, and a few meltdowns (we won't mention the names), but since faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6), we carry on.  In fact, it is because of the faith given us by God we can carry on.  I will be honest, it isn't always easy.  In fact, there are times I just don't want to do what is right.  So I put my trust in the God of the Universe, and follow.

Join me over the next few posts as I share specifically how we are carrying on.  In our home, our school, our yard, my kitchen, and my craft room, I'll share how we are surviving, and how we are stepping it up to thriving!