We all want Godly character in our students as well as ourselves, right? Well, the number one best source for finding it and learning how to is Scripture itself.
But what if you already read the Bible and don’t feel you’re getting anywhere? Well, it takes a bit more than just reading. No, worksheets and fun puzzles aren’t necessary, though they may be enjoyable. Just strictly memorizing verses here and there doesn’t work so well either.
What’s a family to do? Spend the time not just reading, but studying His word. A pre-packaged curriculum might work in a Sunday school class where some children may just be visiting and hearing His word for the first time. For deeper understanding and application, deeper study is necessary.
One great resource to guide you and your family into a deeper study of Scripture is Judah Bible Curriculum. I feel that having “curriculum” in their name is a bit of a misnomer. This is unlike any other curriculum, Bible or otherwise, that we have seen.
Judah Bible Curriculum works more like a guide for the teachers – or in a homeschool family’s case, the parents. This is a whole approach to studying God’s word that is unlike most anything out there. I say most only because I have never encountered anything like it, but there may be something. While it may sound new or revolutionary, it really isn’t. It is similar to the way my husband has done his own studying of the Word for many years. He just doesn’t use the notebooking method to write it all down. He keeps it all in his head.
That is a bit too much for me (and my over-worked brain). I learn best by writing, taking notes. Using the Key sheets and other notebooking ideas through JBC are just perfect for our family. Each child will study and work at his own level, yet we are all reading the same passages, studying the same main themes and using the same weekly focus.
The themes, 1) Creation, 2) The Plan for Redemption Begins, 3) Kingdom of Israel, 4) Kingdom of God, 5) Early Church repeat each year with specific keys being the focus. It is set up with a 6 year cycle that you would repeat as necessary. The program seems to be set up primarily for Christian schools. Many of the planning pages showing which keys are covered during which quarter, etc. show grade level divisions. In our family, we would not split up by grade but keep everyone together and study as a family.
When you purchase the Judah Bible Curriculum ($44 download, $74 (shipped) hardcopy) you will receive three things, tools to help you implement this approach. The K-12 manual, the Elementary Notebook Ideas booklet and an 8 lecture audio set. The audio set is directed toward you, the teacher and not intended for your learners. The audios start with an overview of what the Judah Bible Curriculum is and how to use it. The other sets cover the themes and materials that you will then present to your students. On the website (accessible after your purchase) their is also a powerpoint presentation and section called “teacher walk-through”. These are especially helpful if you are not an audio learner and need a bit more to fully understand what you are hearing (I did – if I’m not careful, audios can put me to sleep. I need to be doing something with my hands, have something to look at, etc.)
The manual has examples of the key sheets and weekly focus divided by main themes and grade levels. There are many helps within these 100 pages. The notebook ideas are just that, ideas to make your own notebook pages with your younger learners. Coloring pages are also suggested for the youngest of your learners. There are also examples of quizzes, etc.
It should really be emphasized that this is not a curriculum or someone else’s lessons that you should teach or pull out from the Bible (just stories, etc.). The Bible is the text you and your children are studying and learning from. The themes and weekly focus are guides to go step by step (through repeated years) deeper and deeper into studying the Bible.
There are many plans dividing scripture into parts to read through in a year, the Judah Bible Curriculum is not like that. This is not just a reading schedule, but a whole approach to study–getting more from Scripture than reading alone would do. The method of study is called the Principle Approach. I have been reading more and more about this philosophy of learning, but don’t feel qualified to explain to anyone–I’m still learning it myself. Other reviews do get into more detail on this.
I have only covered some aspects of this ‘curriculum’. Many other reviewers touched upon other parts, so to get a full picture, you really should check out their reviews as well. Of course, be sure to also check out the website for Judah Bible Curriculum to see a few examples and read what the creators have to say about their philosophies and intentions.
