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
