Sunday, April 22, 2012

GOD's Great Covenant

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"How many books are in the Bible?"  66
"The Bible is divided into 2 parts.  What are they?"  Old Testament and New Testament
"Great!  How many books are in the Old Testament?" 39
"How many books are in the New Testament?" 27
"Perfect!  The first 5 books of the Old Testament are called what?"  The Pentateuch "Yes!  They are the books of Law."
"And the first 4 books of the New Testament are called what?" The Gospels
"Exactly!  Because they tell the story of JESUS.  They are ALL about HIM!"

This has been my conversation starter for years!  I drill my children on this and I drill my Middle Schoolers on this.  I start almost every Bible Study off with these questions.  I think that it is SO VERY IMPORTANT for students to know basics about their Bible.  AND I think it is EVEN MORE IMPORTANT for students to know about JESUS!

And studying through the Gospels is perfect for learning about JESUS.  We had just recently finished our current Bible study material when GOD's Great Covenant, New Testament 1 arrived in the mail.  GOD's perfect timing!  Another great curriculum by Classical Academic Press, GOD's Great Covenant, New Testament 1 helps make the story of JESUS come alive as you study from HIS birth through ascension through the Gospels.

A historical, chronological study of GOD's redemptive promise that is written for students 4th grade and up, GOD's Great Covenant, New Testament 1 has been enjoyed by my 5th and 7th graders.  We've used a combination of methods to best utilize the curriculum and suit our needs.  I've read portions of the study aloud, we've listened to portions of the study together and I've had the children read portions of it for themselves.  The Review Worksheets at the end of each chapter have been used in much the same way.  We've reviewed orally (by answering the questions in the Key Facts and Story Facts sections) to make sure they were listening AND they've also spent time with the different crossword puzzles and activities.  I have also had them look up additional verses in their Bibles and answer questions based on their understanding of them.

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Here's what the website has to say about God's Great Covenant, New Testament 1:
In God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1: A Bible Course for Children, students will follow the story of Jesus, the Messiah and King, as He is born and fulfills all God’s promises. But Jesus does not arrive as people expected. The people were looking for a mighty warrior to deliver them from the oppressive Roman government. Instead, He came as the suffering Savior, who would die as the sacrifice for sin and death. He was building a kingdom that was not of this world—it was the kingdom of God. He is the Son of Man, God’s Servant, the Messiah, and the Son of God. Each of the four units in this text emphasizes one of these names of Jesus. God’s Great Covenant, New Testament 1 teaches the Gospels to students in fourth grade and up, using stories, worksheets, memory verses, devotional guides, quizzes, and a little boy named Simon. In the introductions to the text, students will also learn about the historical, cultural, and geographical setting of the New Testament. This book is a most comprehensive and heartfelt study of the Gospels, and many parents and teachers will find themselves learning along with their students.

A detailed Teacher’s Edition is also available. It is a full copy of the student text, and also provides answer keys and teacher’s notes with additional factual information to expand upon the historical, geographical, cultural, and theological concepts introduced in the text.  {I found this to be MOST BENEFICIAL to me in personal Bible study as well as in leading my children through the study.}

This HUGE resource (over 345 pages) is divided into 36 Chapters. You study just one chapter each week.  The Chapters are divided into 4 units -- each unit based on one of the Names of JESUS. Each chapter contains a multitude of learning tools including a memory verse, a key facts chart,  and a section that explains how JESUS fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.  Students are encouraged to think about the fact that GOD is real in their own lives.  There is even a worksheet and a quiz that can be used to make sure that your child really understands what you've been studying.

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One of my favorite parts of God's Great Covenant, New Testament 1 has been studying the maps included in the reading.  They have helped us to "see" where JESUS walked and ministered and have helped us to really understand what we study in the Bible.  It has made our Bible study time much more personal {and I've even snuck a little math in} as we've discussed how far away things really were (or how close!) -- and compared that to our distance from neighboring cities.

JESUS has truly stepped off of the pages of the text in this conversationally written book and right into our every day lives. It has been a positive reinforcement for all that I've been teaching my children through the years and I look forward to continuing our study throughout the summer.  I would also like to study the first two books in the series (Old Testament 1 and Old Testament 2) and make sure that my Boy Scout and my Princess have a solid understanding of GOD's Word.  In New Testament 1, we have seen the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the life of JESUS -- and we have had more opportunities to discuss how very much HE loves us!

You can peruse the pages of the first three chapters online and see for yourself how good it really is.  I wholeheartedly recommend GOD's Great Covenant, New Testament 1 for your family.  You can purchase the Student Text for $26.95 or you can purchase the entire Bundle for only $56.95. The Bundle includes a student book, a Teacher's Book, and the audio book download and has been most beneficial to us.


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~~Disclaimer:  I was given the opportunity to use and review GOD's Great Covenant as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew.  The opinions stated are mine and mine alone.  I was not paid to share my thoughts and feelings with you.  I received the curriculum in exchange for my honest review. You can check out the Crew Review and see what other members of the TOS Homeschool Crew thought of  GOD's Great Covenant by Classical Academic Press HERE.~~



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