For years we didn't actually use a Bible curriculum. I didn't want anything too "hokey", and we always figured we could make it up better ourselves. And we did a very valiant job trying.

But somehow Bible always seemed to fall through the cracks. The kids were memorizing verses and doing devotions, but not really studying the Bible as a subject to understand it.

So we broke down this year and finally admitted we needed help (that's the first step, right? :) ).

And we bought Veritas Press, Grade 4, Chronicles through Malachi for Katie. Rebecca's getting Bible through the Omnibus program.

I thoroughly recommend it. It's very rigorous, and by the time Katie is through she will really understand the prophets and the major stories in order. A lot of the stories she's studying now are really interesting, but they haven't learned them in Sunday school.

A problem we often run into in Christian teaching circles is that the girls get the same story over and over, but miss out on some of the not as well known stories, even if they're very informative. So they've done Jonah a bunch of times but never really Jezebel and Ahab. They've done Daniel, but not Elijah. That sort of thing. So this is really rounding out her knowledge.

The program stresses memorizing the names of the stories in order, so they really get a sense chronologically of what happens.

Each week we have four sessions: one we read the summary card and talk about it; two, we read the story out of the Bible and complete a worksheet; three, we do one of the projects (there are usually two for each week, but we skip one), and then four, there's a test. The test is a good chance to check her cursive, too!

I'm a big believer in learning stories in context. For instance, you learn about each king, rather than learn about the concept of grace in the Bible, or famous kids in the Bible, or even famous creeps in the Bible. I think when you understand the point of the Bible, it makes more sense. So I would highly recommend this!

You can visit Veritas Press here.

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Posted by LittleEblingsAcademy

I met you through Robin's Nest.... It was nice getting to know you this evening. You have a lot of great information about the curriculum that you are using. Thanks for the wonderful insight!!

Blessings, Beckie :o)

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Posted by Angelheart

Thanks for you post on my blog. I think the devotional has made a difference in our lives as well. We do this along with a family time. So any grievances are places on the table and we talk about them. Then the devotional I can kind of gear toward our family needs. I have been searching for a curriculm for us as well. I have a 9, 6, 14, and 10 month old. I have been wanting to do some girl topics with the 14 year old over tea time. Its kind of hard though because I know that the 9 year old will want to come to and I am afraid the 14 year old wont be as open. Anyway thanks I will look up you curriculm. I agree whole heartedly on the same lessons at churches.

Nikki

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Posted by mumof5

Wow! I could have written those first few paragraphs! I too have found most of the programs 'hokey.' I'll have to check out Veritas. Thanks for posting about this. Science and Bible are the two subjects I have not found a great fit for yet. Hoping that will change ....

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