A Mom's Quest to Teach is a regular column covering elements of teaching and learning (with an eye towards homeschooling), parenting, crafting, and all of the discoveries, joys, and daily roller coaster rides that occur while being a mom.
I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of
this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not
required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way.
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"What does it mean to truly worship the Lord?" In Authentic Worship: The Path to Greater Unity with God, the late A.W. Tozer sets out to answer this question. I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing Authentic Worship, a compilation of Tozer's thoughts on worship, compiled and edited by James L. Snyder. I found this 154-page paperback book to be full of great insight and helpful observations.
About the Book
Tozer sets out over the course of seventeen chapters to examine the definition and practice of authentic worship through scripture, reflections, prayer, and hymns. In the introduction, Snyder writes, "Tozer's passion concerning worship was that it always be pleasing to God, as authentic worship, not worship that pleased the carnal Christian or the world" (7).
Throughout Authentic Worship, Tozer makes the point over and over that the church of today, the Christians of today, often fall into "Cain Worship." People are only interested in worshipping in ways that make them feel good or enable them to go back to their normal lives for the rest of the week. Tozer firmly states that this is not the way we should worship. There should be no doubt that when we die, we will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." If we allow our worship of God to be anything but authentic, we are in jeopardy after we die.
Tozer reminds us of some important things necessary in our faith:
We should praise God at all times.
God made creation and loved what He did.
God is the Most High above all earth.
The things of this earth are fleeting, and we don't take those things with us.
We must forgive and not hold grudges.
My Thoughts
Authentic Worship was a joy to read. Tozer provides so much inspiration for those willing to move towards worshipping God authentically. It is a book on worship, "and yet learning how to worship doesn't come from a book" (151). So, while there aren't specific steps to take, Tozer did inspire me. There were more than a few moments where I felt the need to step back because I needed to question my own worship and beliefs.
I really appreciated the inclusion of scripture at the beginning and throughout each chapter. Bringing everything back to the Bible and the Word of God is very important to me. The inclusion of a prayer and a hymn at the end of each chapter was also very nice. Being able to pray over the thoughts presented really helps bring them into my heart.
Readers will walk away from Authentic Worship hoping to worship God with other believers and show the rest of the world the power of Christ. Tozer says we are "called to be a burning bush, a bush with fire in it" (145). We need to be separate from the world but also be welcoming to those who are not Christians. Jesus Himself said, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). It is tragic that 60 years after Tozer's death, his words still ring true: Cain worship outweighs true worship in much of the church.
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links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy
page. Thank you.
I had the pleasure of designing and creating several crafts for The Canadian Schoolhouse's Virtual Family Retreat: A Purposeful Life. This virtual family retreat is perfect for homeschoolers. The goal is to share about how to live a purposeful life so that you'll gain new insight into God’s plan for your family and your commitment to home education. And the best part? The whole family has a place in this retreat. There are special speakers addressing both homeschooling moms and dads, crafts for your children, and more.
One of the most important things to remember is that God is Love. Our Father loves us and wants us to be with Him. So, how can we remind ourselves to be loving all the time? How can we be purposeful with our loving? Let's look at the focus quote from day one of the retreat from 1 John 4:7-8.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Our children's youth program at church says: "Love God! Love Others! Nothing Else Matters!" While this is a very simplified look at what God calls us to do, it is one that is perfect for children. Everything that is important Biblically is tied up in loving God and loving others. If we don't love God, we won't know Him. We will struggle with loving others.
Today, to help us remember God's love, we are going to create an art piece with paint, markers, painter's tape, and more! So, let's get our materials!
1. After you get your paper, you will need to create the words using the Painter's Tape. You can make the words as small or as big as you want. They just need to fit on the page. If you are letting your children form the words, remind them to take their time as they shape the letters. You don't want white space to overlap the pieces of the tape. There are different ways to form the letters. So, don't be afraid to try different styles.
2. Next, paint over the letters. Paint all around them. You don't want to see the edges of the tape. Paint lightly on top of the letters. The harder you push on the letters with the paintbrush, the more difficult it will be to lift the tape. You can paint the whole page or just where the word is.
3. Use any color you want. Just maybe not blue, because it does make it hard to see where the paint begins when you need to peel away the painter's tape.
4. When finished, the tape will leave a wonderful white space behind. Your words will really stand out!
Where do you think you will hang your finished art piece?
I received a COMPLIMENTARY copy of
this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not
required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way.
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms
of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.
This 233-page paperback book is the second book by the authors, Giammona and Anderson. In the foreword, Dr. Robert Jeffress states, "Because we are at war with powerful forces of darkness, we no longer have the luxury to sit back and watch from the sidelines." To help prepare readers, The Military Guide to Disarming Deception looks at spiritual deception, deception in the world system, and personal deception.
In the preface, we learn that "the purpose of this book is to train people of all ages to fight and overcome deception" (17). As military leaders have used deception throughout history, the authors examine how Satan and evil use deception too.
Each chapter opens with a personal experience relating to the military as told by Colonel David J. Giammona. The rest of the chapter relates back to the real-world story shared with Bible quotes and a multitude of references from a variety of individuals including Reverend Kevin Jessip, Paul Pickern, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Derek Gilbert, and others.
After presenting ways in which we may be deceived, the chapters close with tactics, techniques, and procedures. These are generally all very practical pieces of advice such as asking God for discernment, reading your Bible, and finding a pastor and church that preaches the truth of God's Word based on the Bible.
My Thoughts
I think if you were sitting on the edge of being deceived, this book would really be eye-opening. As our family has been living in a world where we have directly felt the deception of family and friends who lack discernment, I don't know if I learned a whole lot of new ideas. I agree that God's image and Word are being distorted. I agree that Christians are questioning God but not what they see on TV, the news, social media, and other places. Division is being created. The authors remind readers of Ephesians 4:14. We shouldn't be "blown here and there by every wind of teaching," but that is what is happening. New groups are questioning and rewriting the world around us — and never based upon the Word of God.
I truly appreciate the practical suggestions at the end of each chapter. They are good reminders to continue doing the things we are already doing in our house, such as listening and critiquing with discernment, reading the Bible, and homeschooling our children. So while I was hoping that The Military Guide to Disarming Deception would equip me specifically with ways to reach family and friends, I did find it encouraging that the authors put into words ideas that many see as farfetched.
I would recommend this book to those seeking guidance in today's world. If you are afraid of what you have seen on the news or read on social media, this book helps break it down and examine it from a Biblical worldview. I think it provides excellent reminders for all to seek God and read their Bible. I hope it helps you expose the enemy's lies.
I received a FREE copy of this
book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required
to write a positive review, nor was I compensated in any other way. This post
contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure
Policy page. Thank you.
I was very excited to read and review The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible by Tara-Leigh Cobble. The beautiful hardcover book is designed to help you read through the entire Bible in one year using a chronological plan. For those who struggle with understanding what they have read after reading the Bible, this will be a great resource. Cobble sets out to explain and connect the story of the Scripture over the course of 365 days.
What Is The Bible Recap?
The 752-page book offers first the three mistakes that the author made when trying to read the Bible cover to cover and presents a simple explanation as to how to use the book. Cobble presents the information according to a one-year chronological plan but encourages you to use your regular Bible as she has her plan presented in the book. The English Standard Version (ESV) will be the primary translation used in The Bible Recap, but you can use your own preferred version. After you read the Bible chapters for the day, return to The Bible Recap and
Read the summary provided
Visit any links provided
Read "Today's God Shot" where Cobble "points to one place where God's attributes are on display in that day's reading"
While I haven't read The Bible Recap cover to cover yet, it appears that each day's readings' summary and "Today's God Shot" are presented on two pages. This makes it very easy to read and digest during the time you read your Bible. For example, one of the books I find to be the most difficult to read personally is Job. The first two weeks spend time in Job. I found the summary to be one of the most clear – if not the clearest – summary of the book of Job I have read.
What Did I Think of The Bible Recap?
While The Bible Recap is less scholarly and provides more of an overview of the Bible, I think I am going to thoroughly enjoy using it this coming year to read through the Bible chronologically. (This is something I have wanted to do for several years, but I haven't found a plan yet that I liked.) Looking through the book, the readings appear to be manageable, which is important for this homeschooling, work-at-home mom. As I started reading The Bible Recap, I discovered many places in Cobble's summary where I wanted to go back to reread the Scriptures to identify the references she was making. I really appreciate books that make me look more deeply into the Bible.
In the "Today's God Shot," I appreciated the fact that the author points out how God's character is found in each of the day's readings. For example, on Day 160, we read Proverbs 19-21 where we see how God identifies himself with the poor and as someone who reimburses the giver. "God not only identifies with the poor, but He's also generous to the rich" (337). In each "God Shot," Cobble ends with "He's where the joy is!" This is a wonderful reminder as we read through the Bible.
As I wrote earlier, I have not read The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible yet in its entirety. I usually do read a book cover to cover prior to writing and sharing a review, but this is not like the normal fiction or non-fiction books I review. The Bible Recap requires you to read through the Bible and this book to get the full appreciation of the author's words. Through the year, I will be sharing on social media my thoughts of the book as I progress through it as I will use this work as my main Bible reading plan for 2021.
I recommend The Bible Recap for those seeking a Bible reading plan. As it is a chronological reading plan, you might want to keep that in consideration of whether it will work for you and your Bible reading. You could use this book at the start of 2021 or pick it up at any time of the year as it is not dated with specific days like January 1 or January 2, but each day's readings are listed as Day 15, Day 16, and so on. So whether you receive the book prior to the start of the New Year or buy it mid-year, The Bible Recap can still work as your 'reading through the Bible' reading plan guide.
Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product
through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not
required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.
On a few occasions, I pick a book to read and review based upon a cover. This was the case with my desire to review Venturing with God in Congo by Darrell Champlin published by Conjurske Publications. It is a beautiful hardcover book with an intriguing cover that makes one feel like they are in the jungle with the missionaries as they share the Word of God. And when you flip through the book, you will find illustrations of various African animals on the pages at the end of the chapters.
What is the Story About?
Venturing with God in Congo is the story of missionaries bringing the word of God to those living in the jungles along the rivers of Kasai and Lukenie in Congo. The stories told mostly occur from 1954 to 1964 and, in general, the chapters can be read almost independently of each other. Darrell Champlin introduces us to his family, their journey to their mission at Nkole Nkema, and their experiences while ministering to the natives of Congo.
As the story is set in Africa, there are a lot of tales involving animals and the necessity to killing those animals to survive. A few of the photographs are even of animals that Champlin killed such as the rogue elephant, a python, and a cape buffalo. The stories regarding elephants, pythons, and other hunting expeditions are detailed in various chapters. Through the chapters we also learn how they traveled either by bicycle or truck on the uneven roads and stayed in the rest houses of the small villages. In some villages they were quite welcome, while in others, like Ongo, the Gospel was rejected (at first).
As I said, you can read most of the chapters independent of each other but—if there is a connection—notation is made either with a small explanation at the beginning of the chapter or with a footnote referring to the corresponding chapter where you can learn more about the story. For example, in the chapter, "Independence: Congo Style," readers are referred to the chapter, "Bima! Bima! Irene Ferrel," to read more about the history of Congo and the independence from Belgium.
What Did I Think?
I really enjoyed reading Venturing with God in Congo. I found it to be an informational, uplifting, and a wonderful account of the lives of missionaries, specifically those in Africa. I would recommend it to those who seek to know more about the lives of individuals who are bringing the message of God around the world. It is very well-written and easy to understand. I could see it working quite well as a read aloud for families with slightly older children than we have (four-year-old and six-year-old). I will be asking our teenage son to read it when he is done his current religious studies course because I think it is very eye opening.
There are many specific things I appreciated about the book's messages. I love the point that was being made when discussing how the people of Africa are different from those who live in America. There are many who feel that missionaries should not be going into different worlds and trying to change those people. After all, those individuals have their own religions. Champlain's response is: "They also have their own medical systems...so why do you champion better health care for them?" I love this point. If people object to missionaries changing tribal peoples, then where do we draw the line? Just with religion? I feel that after reading the chapter called "The Little People in the Phonograph," I think I am better equipped to justify missionaries now.
In addition to being better equipped to explain the importance of missionaries, I also came to the realization that it is a lifestyle I do not think I could lead. Besides facing Congo natives who were not friendly, Champlin and his family also lived with a great variety of insects (including ants that could eat a person's home to nothing), ate a poor diet (which was supplemented with Champlin's hunting of native animals), lacked easy access to medical care (reading the birth tales was scary), and faced many more difficulties.
I appreciate the fact that many of the chapters begin and end with a quotation or reference from the Bible. On more than one occasion, the inclusion of the Bible quote led me to putting down Venturing with God in Congo and picking up my own Bible. Books that encourage thinking behind the book are great. One specific example occurred at the end of the chapter about Mark's illness. Champlain quoted Jeremiah 33:3. The family called upon God and He answered.
My only problem with the book came with the consistent calling of venomous snakes as poisonous snakes. Champlin writes of killing "poisonous snakes" in their home. He even devotes a chapter to his wife's fear of them ("Killing a Poisonous Snake A Missionary Wife's Way"). There is no such thing as a poisonous snake as they are not dangerous to eat. They are classified as venomous as they inject their venom into victims through biting. This does not distract from the book at all. It is a personal pet peeve of mine but one that may annoy others who are into animals and zoology.
I would recommend Venturing with God in Congo for those who enjoy reading Christian non-fiction, stories about missionaries, and those seeking to open their eyes and the eyes of their families to the world around them.
Who is Conjurske Publications?
With the high quality of Venturing with God in Congo, you might be interested in learning more about the publisher. Conjurske Publications has a simple mission: "to reprint the greatest Christian literature from the past several centuries and present it to Christians across the globe today." One of the keys to their mission is providing quality books that will "satisfy the desire in each of us to hold, read, and possess beautiful books" and I feel they completely fulfilled that goal with Venturing with God in Congo. Personally, I will be looking at their books to see what else they offer to add to our bookshelves.
And don't forget I wasn't the only one reading Venturing with God in Congo. The Homeschool Review Crew had the opportunity to read and share the book in their homeschool.
This post contains affiliate links. I received a copy of the book from the publishers in return for my honest opinion. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy page. Thank you.
I was very happy to see The Most Important Stories of the Bibleas a review option from Bethany House Publishers. A few years ago I decided to read the Bible cover to cover for the first time. I found the reading of the entire Bible to be difficult. I had lots of questions and sought out guides and plans to help me better understand what I was reading. I really wish that I had The Most Important Stories of the Bible by Christopher D. Hudson and Stan Campbell that first year. Even though there is a limited selection of stories from the Bible (due to the nature of its being a thin book, only 185 pages), I found it extremely helpful. While most of the stories are well-known ones, there is still an inclusion of a selection of stories that may not be as familiar. For me, those stories are in the sections on the Kings and Prophets and the Stories of the Early Church.
The paperback book is split into 6 parts after a brief introduction:
Beginnings
Patriarchs
Israel's Family Becomes a Nation
Kings and Prophets
Stories of Jesus
Stories of the Early Church
One thing I appreciated the most was that each section is set up in the same way:
Title with Biblical reference so you can read the story for yourself
The Story Continues which provides a connection back to the past tales of the Bible
The Essential Story which is a summary of the story being shared
The Essential Truth which provides the 'so what' or the reason why this story is important or how one can relate to the story
I found The Most Important Stories of the Bible very easy to read. The style of writing and the organization made it possible for me to pick it up and be able to read a few sections at a time. I did not have to devote long periods of time to reading the book (although I did find myself reading through it rather quickly because it was enjoyable and interesting to read). I think the only thing that might have made this book even more useful for me would have been the inclusion of lines or pages for me to take notes regarding what I have just read.
I would recommend The Most Important Stories of the Bible by Christopher D. Hudson and Stan Campbell to those looking to refresh their Bible history. It would also work well to accompany the reading of the Bible.
This post contains affiliate
links. I received a copy of the book from the publishers in return for my honest opinion. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy
page. Thank you.
I recently read Overcoming Fear: The Supernatural Strategy to Live in Freedom by Dawna De Silva, published by Chosen (a division of Baker Publishing Group). A metaphor of a recipe helps explain the ideas behind Dawna De Silva's theory of how to overcome fear. While people face many fears – anxiety, stress, financial problems, marital problems, etc. – God has provided us with the path to overcome that fear. With her experience as founder and co-leader of International Bethel Sozo Ministry, De Silva shares many examples of people who were helped and overcame fear through the Sozo sessions. She also provides readers with the steps to fix the recipe for ourselves.
About the Book
Overcoming Fear is a 190-page book divided into five parts:
Part One: Fear
Part Two: Power
Part Three: Love
Part Four: Self-Discipline
Part Five: Application
Each chapter ends with group discussion questions, activation prayers, and declarations. Among the many examples there are many scriptural references and Bible quotes.
The three main parts of the recipe – that all people need in balance to overcome fear are power, love, and self-discipline as referenced in 2 Timothy 1:7.
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Through parts 2-4, De Silva takes the reader through how these three things may be out of balance, what things may be substituted in place of power, love, and self-discipline, and how to find the balance again and fix the recipe.
My Thoughts
I was very excited to receive Overcoming Fear to review but I don't know if I got as much out of the book as I had anticipated. I think perhaps I will add it to my to re-read list to see if I can glean more wisdom with a second reading.
Even though De Silva provides readers with a glossary, I felt that because I had never attended a Sozo Session I was at a disadvantage. Personally, I also find myself having trouble with the idea that God will show me what I need to know (De Silva gives an example of one session in which a pastor was shown a 'beautiful red and yellow horizon' and he was able to interpret that as his future).
I think Overcoming Fear could be the right fit for some individuals. I will re-read it again later this year to see if I can see the healing and liberation that De Silva speaks of in the book.
Disclaimer: I received this unit study for free from the author in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy. Thank you
Bringing up our children to be good Christian citizens who do their best to personify the character of Jesus is very important to my husband and I. Reviewing Volumes 1 and 2 of Character Building for Families by Lee Ann Rubsam from Full Gospel Family Publications has provided us with the ability to start focusing on the character traits we would like to see developed in our family. Each volume focuses on different traits and presents them in a similar manner.
Over the course of over 200 pages, parents can use the manuals as either family devotions or in a homeschool setting. One of the fantastic things about Character Building for Families is the way in which the information is presented. Even though each lesson is labeled by days, it isn't set up by weeks so you can work your way through each character trait and not worry if you don't use it on a set schedule (like Monday-Friday). The twelve topics of Volume 1 are spread out over 165 lessons while the five topics of Volume 2 are spread out over 135 lessons. If you are interested in seeing more, you can view a sample.
Our family only needed the manuals and our copy of the Bible to study the character traits. Each lesson contains one or more references to the Bible and many even incorporate the memorization of Scripture. All of these things help reinforce the importance of each character trait as being rooted in the Bible.
What Characters Traits Will Be Studied?
Volume 1
Obedience
Orderliness
Diligence
Loyalty
Deference
Cheerfulness (Joy)
Gentleness (Kindness)
Contentment
Gratitude
Truthfulness
Servanthood
Hospitality
Volume 2
Stewardship
Teachableness
Mercy
Patience
Desire for Jesus
Even though Rubsam has listed out the character traits in the order that her family studied them, she reminds us in the opening that families can follow any order that God wants us to follow.
What We Like
This is really a character study that can be tailored for one's own family. We can all learn together and improve all of our lives. Even through there are many lessons, they can be taught however they best fit the needs of your family. If your children need more time on a concept, you can extend lessons. Conversely, if your children are older, you may wish to combine lessons. For example, when looking at Contentment in Volume 1, you may not need 17 days because your children may be familiar with the Scriptures discussed or memorization may come easily to them.
I also find this to be an excellent way to introduce the idea of Scripture memorization to our family. As I was reading through the lessons, I was highlighting the verses referenced and creating images in my Bible app to share with my family. Another way to reinforce the memorization could be copywork.
I wrote out the shorter Bible quotes on notes to include in the book for easy reference.
These volumes by Rubsam are easy to read, understand, and apply to our family's life. But they still have a deep and powerful message of building important character traits that will help them be good Christian citizens.
Let's Highlight One Trait from Each Volume
Volume 1 – Gentleness (Kindness)
Gentleness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit and very important to display in a family. Being thoughtful of others' feelings and caring for others are important character traits for siblings. Over the course of 14 days, our family reviewed Galatians 5:22-23, the story of the Good Shepherd, how Jesus treated children, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and other stories from the Bible that emphasize gentleness and kindness.
Each day we were able to review Scripture, discuss the Bible, work on memorization of key Scriptures, and pray for thoughtfulness, sensitivity, and compassion. By spending two weeks on the topic, our family was thoroughly able to examine the character trait.
The Good Samaritan
Volume 2 – Patience
Another one of the Fruits of the Spirit is patience or longsuffering. Even though this is a difficult character trait and will require constant practice and revisiting, I think it is an important one to work on with our family.
The character study states: "God is patient. Can you think of any stories in the Bible that show us God's patience with people?"
This is an excellent opportunity to review the Bible stories that our children already know. Day by day, the character study presents various examples of God's patience including examples from Genesis, Exodus, the Psalms, the Epistles, and more. Each day ends with a reminder to pray and thank God for His help.
I would recommend these books for families who are desiring to develop character traits that will help them be more like Jesus.
Do you want to learn more about the author – Lee Ann Rubsam?
Lee Ann Rubsam homeschooled her children for 25 years, until they reached adulthood. Character Building for Families was originally written for her family. She continues to mentor younger homeschool mothers through social media and writing, including The Character Building for Families Blog.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher in return for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. For more information please see my Terms of Use and Disclosure Policy. Thank you.
"My aim for this book is to help you understand this clear word from God. What is God saying? Where can I hear this voice that's going to give me direction throughout my life?" (18)
A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night: Finding and Following God's Will for You by A. W. Tozer (compiled and edited by James L. Snyder) is an excellent book taken from the sermons Tozer preached just prior to his leaving his church in Chicago. The book focuses upon the story of God in the Old Testament as He leads His people into the Promised Land.
I really enjoyed having the opportunity to review A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night because Tozer presents many interesting points and ideas. From his first chapter, Seeking Direction, in which he discusses his journey to starting a new church to his last words of encouragement reminding us that "there is nothing that could ever happen to us that God has not prepared us for" (162), I have found many words of wisdom. In fact, I have over a dozen passages marked off to reread and just as many notes for myself from the book.
Each chapter is set up in a similar fashion with a prayer at the beginning, the main body of text, and an excerpt from a hymn that relates to the chapter. Personally, I like that I can go through the book and read the prayers again separately from the reading of the rest of the book.
I love how the title of the book – A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night – helps set up Tozer's entire work as he references the story of Moses and the Israelites. Their journey is woven through Tozer's book and there are connections provided to our lives today. I also found the introduction of the book extremely helpful.
I recommend A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night: Finding and Following God's Will for You. The short chapters make the book perfect to read via one chapter a day. It is simple at first glance but it covers many complex topics – we are warned about embracing the enemy, reminded that God is always with us, and reminded that God loves us always.
Interested in more book reviews from A Mom's Quest to Teach?
Whether you are looking for a review of fiction, non-fiction, or even a children's book, A Mom's Quest to Teach has a variety of books reviewing as part of our Book Club.
Reviewing the latest DVD collection from Drive Thru History® was a wonderful opportunity for our family. Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" looks at what happened after the Gospel accounts of Jesus Christ. Our host, Dave Stotts, takes viewers on an adventure through the modern Mediterranean world so we can travel back in time to see what the lives of Peter, James, Paul, Barnabas, and others were like during the early history of the Christian Church. Everyone in our family was eager to get started with Dave again as he drove "Steve McQueen" through Israel and then continued his adventures in Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, and Rome in other vehicles.
The special edition is a beautiful 3-DVD set with a Study Guide attached to the DVD case that provides beautiful photographs, summaries, discussion questions, suggested readings, and additional historical information. The case is well made and looks very nice sitting on our shelf as we watch each new episode. My only complaint would be that I would prefer if the Study Guide was removable but I can also see the potential for it getting lost if one could remove it.
Drive Thru History® offers "fast-paced, content-rich history" through over 50 episodes and this latest series is no different than the others in the series that we got to watch when reviewing Drive Thru History® Adventures last year.
Watch the Trailer!
How Our Family is Enjoying Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation"
Almost every night after dinner, our family has been joining together in the living room to watch Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" much like we did when we reviewed Drive Thru History® Adventures. By watching Dave Stotts present the lives of the individuals in the New Testament as he traveled through the Mediterranean Sea area, we are able to pause and discuss what he was talking about in each episode. There are many opportunities to make connections to modern day events, such as those in and around Syria.
When our two younger children are older, we will use Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" as part of our homeschool curriculum as we read and discuss the questions and the recommended readings from the Bible. For now, they are enjoying watching the programs with us as a family.
The Study Guide
The Study Guide of Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" provides viewers with an introduction to the 18-episode series. In the last series of Drive Thru History®, viewers joined Dave Stotts in modern Israel as he documented the birth, ministry, life, and resurrection of Jesus according to the Gospels. With this new series, each episode is covered in the Study Guide with an introductory quote, summary of the episode, discussion questions, reading, and a side road.
Example of Study Guide for Episode 13
"When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved." Luke, Acts 27:20
The summary shares a map of Malta as well as a brief explanation of the "perilous journey at sea." The Side Road provides some background information about Publius, the chief official of Malta. Discussion questions include:
Name at least two other people that were on the ship to Rome with Paul.
After the shipwreck on Malta, why did the locals think that Paul was a god?
At the end of each episode there are suggested readings for the viewers.
What We Like About Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation"
A short list of the aspects of "Acts to Revelation" that our family enjoys:
Humor of Dave Stotts
Use of maps
Examination of historical sites
Cool cars
Perfect length of episodes (approximately 27 minutes)
Use of paintings to illustrate Biblical events
We love the use of technology in the episodes.
Throughout the series a number of paintings are used to help bring the stories to life.
Our three-year-old has enjoyed looking through the photographs and images in the Study Guide with me as we watch the episodes while I like being able to use the discussion questions to check for comprehension and retention. Having the answers in the back of the Study Guide is also helpful in case you need your child to watch the episode and answer the questions before you are able to sit down and enjoy Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" yourself.
One of our five-year-old's favorite parts are the maps. Both my husband and I agree that it is very useful to actually see on a map where the early leaders of the Church traveled. In addition to the maps, our five-year-old son also loves the theme song. At the end of each episode, he gets up and dances through the credits.
Two specific scenes that really stuck with our two younger children were that of Dave in the sheep's clothing and the image of Dave getting dressed into the armor that the Spartans would have worn at the Battle of Thermopylae.
The history major in me LOVES how Dave incorporates different historical facts to provide evidence of the historical accuracy of the Bible. I also like the fact that the variety of religions is not shied away from but included. I feel discussing the different temples in such places as Corinth really helps viewers understand the challenges that Paul and other early leaders faced as they traveled the early Mediterranean World.
Another feature of Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" that I like is the overlaying of the ancient buildings and cities on top of the modern day cities. I love being able to see the comparison and change that has taken place over time.
My husband enjoys seeing the maps which enable the viewer to follow the travels of the early Christians as we move through the books of the New Testament after the Gospels. They provide a good correlation to the book of Acts and the corresponding letters of the Bible.
Our family would recommend Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" for families, couples, or individuals interested in learning more about the time after the resurrection of Jesus. Each episode is short but packed full of amazing information as Dave tours various historical sites as well as modern day cities. Personally, I think this is one DVD collection we will watch over and over.
The enthusiasm of Dave and his obvious love of history are great parts of this series.
If you would like to learn more information, please visit the following sites:
If you would like to see how other families have used Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" in their households, please visit the reviews of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Homeschool Review Crew.
%202.png "A Mom's Quest to Teach: Crafts: God is Love Painting - Create a simple painting to remind you and your children about God's love.")
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