Old Testament Overview, Level 1

Devotions anyone?  Yeah, so tell me you have been real faithful with that all on your own so I can laugh.  Really, why is consistent Bible study time so difficult with the kids?  Since last year was our first homeschooling year, we meandered through different parts of the Bible.  We spent a month reading out of Matthew, which actually was really great and encouraged great questions and discussion.  Nothing seemed to stick consistently, though.  I wanted something that would make Bible study simple, yet impart to my kids the significance of delving into the Word of God and instill in them a love and desire to know Jesus more.  Oh, and get them to memorize!

Well, when I heard about Grapevine Studies my interested was piqued.  When I received the ebook, “Old Testament Overview, A Chronological Study of the Characters and Events of the Old Testament,” I thought this just might be a good thing.  When I read The Grapevine Studies Statement of Faith, I knew it was.

To check out Grapevines other studies, visit their website:  http://www.grapevinestudies.com

These lesson plans go beyond the typical persona of devotions (where the kids wiggle impatiently on the couch while the parents preach a sermon) and bring to light what family devos should be all about:  Participation.  I give a simple overview of the story of history from the time period we are studying.  I draw the stick figure on the board (and it’s a good thing it’s a stick figure, because I am a pathetic artist) and they can copy it or draw their own version (hopefully their own version, since my stick figure of Adam and Eve looks like two coat hangers after a plane crash).   It is hands on all the way.  On the last day of each week they make their own character cards that they design, cut out and keep as reference tools to remember the lessons, as well as for reviews.

The study is broken down into four days per week (which is great because Friday is free day in our house).

Day One:  Includes going over the timeline and memory verse review.  The teacher “stick figures” the images on a dry erase board for that period in history they are studying.

Day Two:  Students can fill in their timelines, copying the figure or making their own interpretation of the drawing.  My 8-year-old son loves making his timeline figures very elaborate, colorful and articulate, and since it makes him remember the information, that works for me!

Day Three:  Same as day two.

Day Four:  Students create their character and event card (which they love!) and review their memory verse for that lesson.  I will add that I am doing a sticker chart for my kids to go along with this, so they can track the Scriptures they have memorized.  This has been great motivation for the younger kiddos.

You will need a few items in order to effectively teach the series:

1. A Bible
2. Dry erase board and markers
3. Strong’s Concordance or Bible dictionary
4. Wall Maps
5. Colored pencils/pens

Not a deal killer.  I think we can manage that.

Things I like:

• My favorite part of this study  is the timeline.  As churchgoers we do not study the Bible in chronological order, so I have never had a good sense for what order history falls into.  This is awesome for providing a visual for the order of events as they are laid out in the Bible. The explanation of how Israel was divided into Israel and Judah is so simply laid out.  I could go on and on about that.  It is really cool.
• The art solidifies the deal with my kids.  You put a pencil and paper in the hands of any of my bambinos and tell them to be creative and draw, and they are in.  This really helps implant the information into their little brains.
• The simplicity of the schedule.  It does not take great amounts of time, either in preparation or presentation, so I am all about it.

Things I don’t like:

• Starting was overwhelming at first.  I had to force myself to just dive in because trying to figure out what to do on which days, and going between the teacher’s book and the student book was a juggling act.  In the first lesson you go through the entire Old Testament timeline, which was overload for the kids (and me).  Once I got past the first week, though, it was awesome!  I am going to continue this throughout the entire school year, and look forward to future editions!

Duration:  This is a one year study, although you can lengthen or shorten it to fit your needs.

Cost: For the Old Testament Overview Level 1 student ebook ($25.95 for use in family), and the Level 1/2 Teacher book ($45.95 for the book or $22.95 for the ebook).

Would I recommend this purchase?  Yes

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