Cindy Downes

May. 8, 2006 - Balancing the Sword Review

I made a great discovery at the OCHEC Homeschool Convention - a Bible study resource called Balancing the Sword. So many times, parents ask me what they should use for Bible study and I usually tell them - the Bible! I know that seems obvious but parents are so used to doing curriculum for everything that they think they need a curriculum for studying the Bible. Unfortunately, Bible curriculums are usually structured around someone else's theology or philosophy so it's hard to hear what God is saying to you personally.

Balancing the Sword is different. You simply read a chapter in the Bible and then refer to Balancing the Sword for questions about that chapter. You must also read the cross references listed to find all the answers. The cross references follow the theme of one verse throughout the Bible. By time you get done reading everything, you've learn so much more about the topic and all through reading the Word, not someone's commentary. it's amazing what you learn!

For instance, in the first chapter of Genesis, I learned:

1. God created light here on earth. There is no sun in heaven - He is the light.
2. Night time is the beginning of the Jewish day. We once walked in darkness but now we are in the Light.
3. God gave stars as signs for seasons, days, and years. These will remain as long as the earth remains, but will disappear at the Day of the Lord. A star was used to show the location of Jesus at His birth. Man uses stars to interpret the weather, but most are unable to interpret the signs of the times.
4. God wants us to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it using its vast resources in the service of God and man. God gives dominion to whom He chooses for His purposes.

There are two volumes. Each of the two volumes cover all 66 books of the Bible but with different questions so you can go through the Bible two times using the two books. You can do it from Genesis to Revelation or start anywhere in the Bible that you want to. Although it is based on the KJV, it does not seem to require that you use that version. I use the Amplified and The Message and had no problem.

You are given permission to make copies of the questions for your own family so you can give each child a blank sheet of questions to answer. (I would probably do this orally as a family - maybe once in a while writing the answers to keep in my portfolio as records.)

Check it out. This might be just what you are looking for!

See some sample pages here: http://www.balancingthesword.com/PDF_Files/Samples_of_Both_Volumes.pdf

Their website: http://www.balancingthesword.com/

May. 8, 2006 - Balancing the Sword...

Posted by ihopeyoudance

Hi there... I went to this website and it does look like a good way to study the bible together as a family. Just reading the bible together is good, but I think it would help to have all the cross references, questions, and PICTURES... sounds wonderful!

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May. 8, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by casedwards

Looks like a nice resource. It’s a shame there is not more out there. I write the curriculum for my church and I would love to start sharing that with everyone. After this weekend’s preview service I will post a few ideas.

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May. 10, 2006 - Looks interesting!

Posted by Anonymous

My children are 10, 5, 3, and 1 years old. Do you think it would work with younger children? I looked at the samples and wasn't sure. I'd love to hear what you think!
Thanks!

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May. 11, 2006 - Love it

Posted by homeskoolfamily

We recently purchase this from Vision Forum and are using it for Sunday morning Bible study. I only wish we could print out additional study sheets from the disc.
Christine

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