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Studying God's Word (grades K-7)

Studying God's Word

Books A and B introduce this non-denominational Bible study series targeting kindergarten and first grade levels. Book A features faithful retellings of some of the most important Bible stories from both Old and New Testaments using language suitable for young children. Comprehension questions are included after most of the stories. Book B focuses on Bible doctrine at a level appropriate for young learners. Each week's lesson is introduced in catechism format with one or more doctrinal questions and answers. Throughout the week parents read related Scriptures with their children, help them complete fill-in-the-blank exercises, and direct the weekly activity (craft, game, coloring, crossword, or object lesson).

Book B seems to take a more serious, purposeful approach than does Book C. Book C uses stories from the Old Testament to illustrate basic truths. The text of each lesson may be read by or to the child. The lesson text is followed by a page or pages with fill-in-the-blanks, coloring, cut-and-paste work, mazes, matching, and other traditional workbook activity. Print is appropriately large for young eyes. An inexpensive teacher's manual/answer key is also available beginning with Book C.

Book D is subtitled, "Exploring the Truths of the Life of Christ for the Young Reader." Like Book C, instead of following a chronological presentation, it is foundational in coverage. It uses stories from the life of Christ to illustrate basic truths and doctrine. Readings are all from the gospels. There are some cut-and-paste activities, but more written work--filling in the blanks, crosswords, word searches, matching exercises--than in Book C. Because of the interests and attention spans of young learners, books A-D do not follow the comprehensive chronological approach we find in books E-H, but instead offer Bible study via different approaches in each book.

The remaining books use a chronological approach. Book E covers from Genesis to Ruth, Book F covers First Samuel to Malachi, Book G covers the message and ministry of Jesus Christ, and Book H studies the Book of Acts.

Books of the Bible are taught chronologically rather than in the order they appear in the Bible. For instance, when studying through the books of Kings, lessons from other Biblical books that correlate are inserted in their proper places.

I almost hate to list this series under "curriculum" because the emphasis is on the Bible more than in typical curricula. Lessons reinforce Bible knowledge rather than developing slightly connected topics as do many so-called Bible curriculum lessons. The historical books are given more attention because the goal is to get the overview of God's plan as I recommend when I talk about how we should best approach Bible study for children.

A Scripture passage(s), lesson goal, and a memory verse are listed at the beginning of each lesson along with a small timeline to help us place events in context. This is followed by background and explanatory information, then questions that require both recall and thinking. Thought questions prompt students to apply Scripture to their lives. Supplemental exercises (crosswords, word searches, mazes, etc.) are included after many of the lessons. Constant references to a time line help students to keep the "big picture" in sight. Unit tests are also in the student book.

CLP sells very inexpensive and very brief Teacher's Manuals for most levels. The few pages of introduction are essential reading. The remainder is your answer key. Although each book is recommended for a grade level, they need not be limited to those levels. Books A through D are the most limited because of the younger style activities, but the other books can be used across much wider age spans. If just beginning the series with students past third grade, you will probably want to begin with Book E. Books E through H can be used interchangeably for students in grades 4 through 8. These upper level books offer interestingly-written, good, solid Bible study—one of the most effective, yet relatively inexpensive options you'll find.

Although this series (books A through H) is designated only for use up through seventh grade, the books do not show grade levels, and we might use some from the end of the series beyond seventh grade. They are particularly useful for students who have not done any significant amount of Bible study. While they might be "too young" for some students, Books E through H are interestingly-written, solid Bible study for students who need to build a foundation.