Exploring the Bible through History

Exploring the Bible through History is an excellent resource for those teaching young children in the church. I especially like the 10-foot timeline that has illustrations for keeping the interest of those learners who need visual clues. I actually purchased this timeline years ago and can attest to the bright colors and attractive drawings. The layout of the lesson plans in the book is geared to most every child’s learning style.

The lesson plans are easy to follow and adapt to the age of the student and the size of the group. One of my favorite activities is to encourage children to connect with God through prayer. Too often we as teachers will pray but forget to teach children the importance of prayer and constant communication with God. Memory verses can also allow children to hide the Word of God in their hearts. 

After the introduction and presentation of the story, the activity section gives a number of Bible-centric activities from which the teacher can choose. Another favorite is using wads of paper to illustrate the food needed to feed the animals in Noah’s Ark. Children race to pick up the food and deliver it to the pretend animals. I can see where this activity could get the wiggles out of the children after they sat to hear the story. Being an elementary school teacher, I know how important it is to let the children release their natural energy in an acceptable way. There is one activity that I would suggest caution you. It involves soaking paper in a solution and then trying to burn it. Curious young minds may try to duplicate this activity when they go home. Although I would not use this activity, there is an abundance of different activities for use.

The teaching of the Old Testament is divided into Books of the Law and History with miscellaneous books. The New Testament highlights the Gospels and the Letters of the Apostles, History, and Prophecy using the book of Revelation. It was good to see a lesson on Prophecy especially during this time in our history.

At the end of the book, there are reproducible sheets for the child. Also, a printable timeline is available with dates that are in red at the top of the sheets. Students could help color the sheets. When connected sequentially, these can be mounted on the wall for a visual history through the bible. The major events include Creation, Abraham and Issac, Moses and the Exodus, through the notable Old Testaments characters. Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection is illustrated, as well as the disciples, and Paul, ending with John on the Island of Patmos.

Listed below is an outline used for each of the 25 lessons. Also suggested are 5 ways for the children to apply the lesson. This is a well organized and comprehensive book. I was given a PDF file for my honest and fair review.

Introduce it

Tell it

Pray it

Apply it

Show it

Act it out

Play it

Craft it

Snack it

Talk it out

Basic questions

Going further

Wrap it up

Suicide Prevention by June Hunt

I have reviewed many pamphlets written by June Hunt. They are Christ-centered and useful information for a variety of personal and family issues. Through my volunteer Christian ministries, it is imperative to recognize the early stage of Suicide. June Hunt has clearly listed three stages. The Downcast or Early Stage; the Distressed or Advanced Stage; and lastly the Despairing or Danger Stage. As a retired teacher and grandparent, I cannot stress enough the parents and teachers need to be aware of all of these stages. Each time I hear of another teenage suicide, I wonder where we are missing the mark with our children. I believe we can make a difference in the lives of our friends and family if we intervene early enough.  Repeated conflicts in the home and difficulties at school can signal a need for discussion. Just having the listening ear of someone with a compassionate heart can make a difference in the life of a downcast and depressed person.

I like the many scripture verses that the author used in this short but valuable resource. Many of these are my "go-to" verses in my communication with depressed and hurting women. Over half of the women who I minister to through online evangelism listed struggles with depression. Depression is listed in the Distressed Stage. “Trouble and distress have come upon me. ... Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.”  Quotes from the book of Psalms. I highly recommend this pamphlet as one way to educate others about recognizing stages in Suicide Prevention. I was given this PDF for a fair and honest review by Hendrickson Publishing and Rose Publication.