Bible Unearthed

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.

Drive Thru History® Adventures is one of our family's favorite video series, so we're always excited when we get to review something from them. This time, we've gotten early access to a brand new series called Bible Unearthed. 

Dave Stotts, the host of the award-winning Drive Thru History®, believes that "education should be culturally engaging, fact-filled, and super fun." He spends his time traveling the world to teach on location to give viewers a glimpse of historic sites and bring history to life. He calls it Adventure Learning, and not only is it educational, it's highly entertaining. Dave is able to take documentary-style dialogue and add in humor and silliness in a way that grabs the attention of even the littlest ones of the family. 

In Bible Unearthed, Dave teams up with a couple men to explore the importance and impact of archaeology: Randall, Drive Thru History® lead writer and longtime travel companion and Titus Kennedy, PhD, archaeology expert and friend. The three of them explain how discoveries help us better understand the ancient world through this 12-part series.

Archaeology, or "study of the ancient," is a "rediscovery of the past through systematic investigation and excavation." Though the topic is woven throughout the Drive Thru History® segments secondhandedly, they wanted to highlight it through episodes of its own.   

1. What Is Archaeology?
2. The Impact of Archaeology
3. Locating Archaeological Sites
4. The Life of an Archaeologist
5. What's Being Discovered Today?
6. Archaeological Mysteries
7. Top Discoveries in Bible Archaeology
8. Getting Involved in Archaeology
9. Trends in Archaeology
10. Weird Archaeology
11. Accidental Discoveries in Archaeology 
12. What's Left to Be Discovered?

The men sit in their "secret lair of archaeology" and discuss the topics for each segment. They incorporate replicas of artifacts, maps, tools, the Bible, timelines, pictures, and more and use a chalkboard to teach. There are also clips on location of real archaeology sites.   

Each episode is around the 15 minute mark, packed with enough information to whet your appetite without feeling overwhelming. Of course, in typical Drive Thru History® fashion, there is some subtle humor mixed in, such as Dave playing with replicas or dropping them, getting reprimanded, and other silliness. 

Bible Unearthed is more than just videos though. It is a full 12-week course with written exposition, worksheets and answer guides, Dig Deeper articles, and activities. There is also a sample weekly schedule for those who want to stay on track. 

The written expositions expound on the topics in greater detail and are filled with fascinating pictures. The worksheets have 5 discussion questions for each episode such as What suggests that the David and Goliath story was a historical event? and What kind of architectural evidence relating to the book of Esther did archaeologists find in Susa?. The Dig Deeper articles were written by Dr. Titus and cover topics like the importance of chronology, the Mesha Stele, the Gallio Inscription, and Solomonic Gates. The activities, like copying a portion of an ancient Biblical text, drawing and analyzing pottery, excavating coins hidden in the yard with a metal detector and mapping the location, and learning about weight price by pretend bartering with a friend, add a deeper, hands-on approach to learning about archaeology. 

Our family is thoroughly enjoying this study of Biblical archaeology.  My kids range in age from 5-14 years of age. Here is what  they said:

"I like everything!"

"I like that it's about archaeology. I like learning history." 

"I like how they talk about different things they've found at dig sites and about different tools they use. I find it cool how they found things proving that the Bible is true."

"I like that they actually go to the places instead of just showing pictures of them. And I learned that they use sandbox toys, haha."

"Dave is hilarious! Because of that it's easy to pay attention and want to learn more."

Bible Unearthed is engaging and full of content. It is different from the other Drive Thru History® Adventures, but it is equally appreciated in our home. Not only has it taught us much about the past and how it relates to the Bible, it has sparked an interest in archaeology in my kids. Who knows, maybe one of my little ones will find his own rare discovery one day!

You can connect with Drive Thru History® Adventures on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

You can read more reviews of this series on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

The Action Bible Anytime Devotions

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.

Reading God's Word daily is so important, not only for adults, but for kids, as well. We were able to review The Action Bible Anytime Devotions from David C Cook which is designed to grab kids' attention while teaching them truths from the Bible.

David C Cook began publishing Sunday School materials for homeless children all the way back in 1875 after the Great Chicago Fire. His nonprofit publishing ministry, which was officially established in 1942, has become the largest interdenominational supplier of children's ministry curriculum. The company's mission "to aid and promote the work of religious education without profit to any person or group" is made evident by reaching 97 countries with materials in 50 languages worldwide. Even though reaching children is the heart of the ministry, they also offer resources for men, women, pastors, teens, groups, and more.

The Action Bible Anytime Devotions was written for kids 8-12 years old to connect with God through Biblical truths.  Each of the 90 devotionals follow the same format:

• Learn God's Word with a Bible verse
• Apply it to your life -- a brief story or examples to get the child to think
• Relate it to real people in the Bible -- a short description of a Bible character that matches the theme
• Think about it to help you grow -- questions for reflection
• Talk to God using simple prayer guides -- a sample prayer
• Share with others through both questions and actions -- suggestions for putting the application into practice
• Take it further by additional Bible reading -- the Scripture references that correlate to the character in the lesson

Each devotion addresses topics that are relevant to tweens--anger, discouragement, honesty, weaknesses, thankfulness, bullying, leadership, jealousy, humility, friendship, and so much more. The lessons are designed to build their faith in God and strengthen their character. They offer applicable stories, practical applications, and encouraging advice. Each one directs the child to seek God through the Bible and godly counsel. The devotions fall into 8 main qualities--love, courage, hope, trust, kindness, faith, strength, service--which can be found both in the contents section and marked at the top of the pages in black tabs.

The pages are full-color with comic-book-style art. The colorful illustrations grab your attention as they portray scenes from Bible stories. Three to four stories are shown at the bottom of each devotion. There are 16 groups of two-page spreads that are repeated throughout the book. Every now and then, an illustration matches the story, but for the most part, the pictures are random.

The Action Bible Anytime Devotions can be used as a tool for parents to explore biblical truths with their kids or be used as personal devotion time for kids by themselves. The past few weeks, my 10-year-old has been reading through the book during his daily time with God. The book references a different version of the Bible than we do, so he looks up the verses in his own. The lessons are easy for him to understand on his own, while challenging him to have a stronger faith, a more passionate love, and a dedication for personal morals. He hasn't learned anything new necessarily, but the daily reminders are beneficial and essential for a growing relationship with the Lord.

I love that The Action Bible Anytime Devotions not only gets kids in the Word of God, but also challenges them to put the lessons into action along with encouraging them to seek advice from their parents. My boy and I have had some sweet discussions as he'd worked through these devotions. I pray he always has a heart for the Lord and continues to follow Him.

If you're looking for a devotional book for kids that grabs their attention and helps them connect with God, this might be the book for you.

You can connect with David C Cook on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

YouTube

You can read more reviews of how homeschoolers are using this book on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

The Heart Changer

If you know our family, you know how important reading is to us. We read many books each week for both personal and educational reasons, so it is a blessing when we receive a new one to review. My daughter, especially, is a voracious reader. She's 11 years old now, and though she still enjoys reading cute picture books to her little brothers, she devours a good chapter book by herself.

It can be tricky to find books that have quality writing and literature for her age level. Often, the stories include themes and topics that are either too mature or too crude. I was excited to hand her a paperback copy of The Heart Changer by Jarm Del Boccio, Author as it meets my requirements for the middle grade level.

Jarm Del Boccio is a world traveler with a background in elementary and high school education and school librarian. Her passion is to make Scripture and history come alive by developing the backstory of key characters. Her debut novel, The Heart Changer, was inspired by II Kings 5 and focuses on the "little maid" that waited on Naaman's wife. Though the Bible doesn't tell us anything else about this girl, we know that she trusted in the healing powers of Jehovah and was instrumental in helping others trust in the true God. Jarm has taken this girl and has given her not only a name, but a story, as well. 

The story begins in the midst of battle as the village of Shunem was ransacked by Syrian warriors. Twelve-year-old Miriam, tried to hide, but was captured by one of the soldiers and taken far away from her family. Mile after mile she walked. Captive. Her muscles screamed in pain and with each step her heart hardened a little more.

Exhausted, sore, and bitter, she arrived in her new home days later. Everything was different--the sites, the smells, the food, the people. She wondered how the Almighty could allow this to happen. But as she watched the other captives chained and put on the auction block as she herself was claimed by the commander of all of the Syrian armies, she felt a flicker of hope in her situation. 

Miriam felt many conflicting emotions as she struggled to settle into this strange place. Torn between needing love and hating those who put her in this situation confused her all the more. Yet through it all, her captors were kind and she knew that the Almighty had a perfect plan. God chipped away at her bitter heart and though she missed her family and worried about their safety, she desired to do her best. When she learned that her master was plagued with leprosy, she played a vital roll in his healing. More than his physical restoration though, Miriam herself experienced a spiritual healing as her own heart began to heal and she fully trusted in the One who made all things.

My girl grabbed the book the day we received it in the mail and headed to her room. A little over an hour later, she handed it back to me. Her only complaint? That she didn't get to use the bookmark that was sent with it. There's no need for a bookmark when you read the entire book in one sitting!

After she described it briefly, here is what she said about it:

"I really liked it! It was a good book. I like that it was based on the Bible."

I also read the book in just over an hour. At less than 120 pages and written for 7-12 year olds, it is a quick, but powerful read. Jarm has done a lovely job filling in the gaps of what could have been that little maid's life. I find it helpful to put myself in a character's place when reading the Bible--imagining how they felt, what experiences would have influenced their decisions, what components would have shaped their perspective. Understanding the details, especially of a culture so very different from our own, truly helps the Bible become more alive and real. The Heart Changer does exactly that.

There is also a PDF teacher's guide (half way down the page, click on the white box with text). The guide is a simple 12-page accompaniment to the book. There are questions to get the reader thinking, including

If you were taken from your home, what would you miss the most?

Do you think it was wrong of Miriam to light the candles to Adara's god?

What character did you relate to the most? Why?

Would Miriam have influenced Naaman for good if she would have shown hate instead of forgiveness?

There are also prompts to research the setting further. What happened to people with leprosy, why Israel was taken into captivity, the distance between Israel and Syria, what the landscape was like are all things that would have played a roll in the story. Learning more details will help the reader understand the situations better. There are additional activities, helpful studies and devotionals, and even a few authentic Syrian recipes. The guide also includes some fun aspects like a brief interview with the author and some "favorites" of the main character.

The Heart Changer is a beautiful story to teach about forgiveness and faith. Even when our path leads us a way that seems painful, we can trust that God is guiding each step.

Jarm Del Boccio, Author has a talent for making a small character with a big roll come to life. I'm excited to see whose story she chooses to write next.

You can connect with Jarm Del Boccio on the following social media sites:
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram

Head to the Homeschool Review Crew blog to read more reviews of this book.

Big Bible Science

My kids will happily spend their days experimenting with supplies, observing reactions, and investigating scientific data. It is no surprise that they are excited to review science-related materials and explore how the world around them works. Christian Focus recently sent us a book that perfectly speaks to our hands-on approach to learning called Big Bible Science.

Christian Focus has been producing books since the early 1970s. Their mission, "staying faithful" to God and His Word and "reaching out" to the world with the gospel of Christ, is made manifest through the resources they publish. From their Bible studies to their biographies to their children's books, and everything in between, the books point readers to God and the Bible. Their materials are written by authors all over the world and have been translated into over 70 languages.

Since we are big science-loving, hands-on learners, we have used many science and experiment books over the years. Big Bible Science, written by Erin Lee Green, is unique from everything else I have seen.  Rather than simply teaching scientific concepts and observing laws and theories through experimentation, this book demonstrates how God designed the world and all of its scientific aspects. It highlights various Bible stories that coincide with science facts and incorporates many other Scripture references. The book uses a version different from our own, so we keep a Bible with us during our lessons to read.

This paperback book contains just shy of 100 pages of fun. The pages are thick, glossy, and filled with bold colors and images. There are photographs, clip-art, and sketches that complement the written text. The book begins with an introduction explaining the importance of introducing kids to new concepts and all about a biblical worldview of creation. There are also pages with teaching tips, safety protocols, a list of activities and the adult-assistance needed, and other miscellaneous information. There is a page dedicated to the explanation of notebooking and the importance of keeping a scientific journal along with detailed directions to do so.

Big Bible Science covers 21 topics:

• Gravity
• Newton's First Law of Motion
• Newton's Second Law of Motion
• Newton's Third Law of Motion
• Coefficient of Friction
• Static Electricity
• Acids and Bases
• Combustion Reactions
• Plant Requirements
• Lunar Craters
• Water Cycle
• Angle of the Sun's Ray
• Basic Animal Classification
• Animal Classification: Zoo Trip
• Nervous System
• Muscles
• Bones
• Respiratory System
• Circulatory System
• Digestive System
• Urinary System

The science topic are divided into chapters/experiments. Each chapter follows the same format:

• Objective -- a brief explanation of the learning goal for the chapter
• Materials -- a list of needed supplies
• The Big Idea -- the scientific explanation; ties in a biblical perspective and memory verse
• Activities -- scientific demonstrations, games, and experiments
• Apply It -- ideas to find examples of the lesson in the real world; reinforces key aspects of scientific and biblical principles
• Go Beyond -- challenges and experiments for deeper study    

I have been using this course as a group activity with 4 of my children (ages 11, 9, 7, 4). I love reading through the Big Idea sections with them. My favorite part of homeschooling is the time we learn together--expounding on a topic, gaining a glimpse into their minds, and learning and growing together. Not only do these sections teach my little ones scientific concepts, but also incorporate biblical stories and truths into the lessons. We've discussed how Zacchaeus accepted Jesus and related it to Newton's First Law of Motion, the goodness of God's creation and Psalm 34:8 through acids and bases, how adding good habits and character traits to our lives is similar to Newton's Third Law, and more.

My kids' favorite part, by far, are the activities! Some of the chapters list a single experiment for the topic, while others offer many ideas to fully understand that concept. From driving toys cars through a masking-tape finish line to creating moon craters with balls and flour to classifying animals on a trip to the zoo to acting out the components of the blood, there is something to appeal to all little learners. Some of our favorite activities were sending balloons through the house attached to a straw on a string while learning about Newton's Third Law of Motion and tasting various foods found in our kitchen while learning about acids and bases. The activities are simple enough to be enjoyed by my 4-year-old but exciting enough to interest my 11-year-old, as well.

Another aspect of the book that I really appreciate is the mini biography section in the back. I require my kids to read a certain amount of their literature every week in a biography book. There is much you can learn while reading about people's lives. These brief accounts highlight various men who changed the world through their scientific advancements. Some of the 11 influential men that are included are Svante Arrhenius, Benjamin Franklin, Carolus Linnaeus, Leonardo da Vinci, and Lynn Townsend White, JR. 

Big Bible Science is a fantastic resource for learning detailed science concepts through the light of God's Word. Scientific facts, biblical truths, hands-on activities, short biographies--this book has it all.

You can connect with Christian Focus on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

Instagram

Some of my crewmates received other books from Christian Focus including a full biography about a Christian hymn writer and a couple cute ABC picture books that teach about God.

You can read those reviews on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

Drive Thru History® ~ Acts to Revelation

Two years ago, our family was introduced to Drive Thru History® and immediately fell in love with both the style and the content. We were thrilled when we recently received Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" DVD set and study guide to review. These videos are a fantastic way to learn history and the Bible and are a favorite in our house. Besides, what kid doesn't want to "watch TV" for school, ha.

Dave Stotts, the host of the award-winning television series Drive Thru History®, has been involved in professional video and media production for two decades. In 2004, he began driving "thru history"  to bring the past to life in a fun and unique way. Using storytelling as the driving force behind his work, he creates engaging videos that are full of content. Our family is learning while being entertained.

The company is not simply about entertainment though. We have learned so much about the lives of the first Christians and the events that took place as the disciples and missionaries helped spread the gospel across the land through the midst of persecution.

The videos are divided into 18 episodes on 3 discs and cover over 8 hours of material.

• Episode 1: The Gospel Shared at Pentecost
• Episode 2: The Church Grows in Jerusalem
• Episode 3: The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles
• Episode 4: Saul of Tarsus & the Road to Damascus
• Episode 5: Paul's First Missionary Journey--The Island of Cyprus
• Episode 6: The Journey Continues--Pamphylia, Galatia, & Asia Minor

• Episode 7: The Jerusalem Council & Paul's Second Missionary Journey
• Episode 8: The Second Journey Continues--Philippi & Thessalonica
• Episode 9: A Road Trip to Athens
• Episode 10: Ancient Corinth
• Episode 11: Paul's Third Missionary Journey--Ephesus
• Episode 12: Paul's Final Trip to Jerusalem & Caesarea

• Episode 13: Adventures at Sea--The Island of Malta
• Episode 14: A Final Journey to Rome
• Episode 15: The Martyrdom of Paul & Peter
• Episode 16: John & the Island of Patmos
• Episode 17: The Seven Churches of Revelation
• Episode 18: The Book Closes on the New Testament Period

Each episode showcases multiple ancient sites that are still preserved today. Temples, cities, the remains of a market, amphitheater, stadium, catacomb, and possibly one of the first and oldest churches. We learned about the oldest functioning harbor in the world and one of the oldest inhabited cities. Dave travels all over the region and visits cities including Cyprus, Tarsus, Jerusalem, Lystra, Philippi, Gaza, Antioch, Ephesus, Colossae, and many more. He drinks coffee 1,165 feet above sea level, devours a full Turkish meal (of course, my kids still laugh at Dave's obsession with cheese from prior episodes, ha), purchases handmade soap, and examines an ancient latrine. There is also a captivating demonstration of throat singing, which prompted our family into a further study of the art.

Because the series weaves in stories and facts from the time period that are not recorded in the Bible, other historical figures are mentioned, like Pompeii the Great, Marc Antony, Octavian, Cleopatra, Sergius Paulus, Josephus, and others. I loved when my 9-year-old blurted out, "Marc Antony and Octavian? I read a Shakespeare book about them!" It's always exciting when the pieces fall into place.

I love this view of an ancient road of Gaza flowing into a current road.
It's a perfect application of this series applying the past to the present. 

Dave recites Scripture (though not the version we personally use) and references ancient quotes throughout each episode. He explains the culture during this time and shows how the rule of the Romans influenced the people. Dozens of paintings and illustrations that depict the stories are shown throughout each episode. Dave makes it easy to visualize Saul's encounter with God on the road to Damascus or Paul and his companions as they were persecuted by the people or John as he wrote the book of Revelation on the island of Patmos. The stories come alive.

"The Bible is not just made up stories. 

It is a documentation of real people in real places 

who live very real lives." -- Dave Stotts

Included with the 3-DVD set is an accompany study guide. It is broken down by disc and episode. The format is consistent for each episode: a Bible quote, summary of the episode, a list of discussion questions, corresponding Bible passages, and an additional tidbit of information or "side road." The pages are covered with additional art and photographs. There is an answer at the very back of the booklet. My kids are enjoying looking at the various pictures and reviewing the topics of discussion. The study guide itself is attached to the middle of the DVD case. While I appreciate the fact that my little ones cannot misplace the booklet, it does make it somewhat difficult to use. I would rather have the guide printed as a separate book that could be placed in a sleeve in the case.

It is always fascinating to me to see how the Bible and other historical events line up. Though I know that the Bible is fact and the events truly happened, it can be difficult at times to see how everything comes together. Drive Thru History® has done a phenomenal job of portraying the chronological telling of biblical stories mixed in with information from other resources. There is so much information that we could watch this multiple times and still not remember it all.

While some documentaries can be dry and boring, Drive Thru History® is fun, exciting, and entertaining. It is appropriate for the whole family and is an excellent educational resource.

You can get a taste of Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" by watching this trailer.

You can connect with Drive Thru History® on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

To see how other homeschool families used these resources, please read the reviews on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls Continues

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My kids loved the first two books in the The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls series and couldn't wait to read more of the adventures. Imagine their surprise when the next two books arrived from WorthyKids, an imprint of Hachette Book Group for us to review!   

WorthyKids of the Hachette Book group is a Christian publishing company in Tennessee. They partner with authors whose content are characterized by talent, creativity, and compelling ideas. They create colorful, interactive books for children, but their other imprints include products for adults too, like journals, devotionals, inspirational books, and much more.

The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls was written by Mike (M. J.) Thomas. When he couldn't find any books to teach his son about the Bible in a fun and imaginative way, he decided to create his own series. The books combine biblical accuracy with adventure and imagination. The main characters are named after his son, his niece, and his dog.

Though these are stand-alone stories, they all take place while Peter and Mary are staying with their great-uncle for a month. There is a prologue in each book that explains that Great-Uncle Solomon was an archaeologist who collected treasures from around the world. He even introduced them to his greatest discovery of all--the Legend of the Hidden Scrolls. These ancient scrolls sent the siblings back in time to events in the Bible to decode secret messages and learn truths found in God's Word.

In The Great Escape (Book #3) Peter and Mary found a room filled with Ancient Egyptian artifacts--including a real sarcophagus!--in Great-Uncle Solomon's house. After grabbing supplies like a dagger, map, binoculars, and a flashlight, they answered the lion's roar. They chose a scroll, broke the wax seal, and found themselves in the middle of an Egyptian dessert.

The kids and their dog found a pyramid to explore. Golden doors, elaborate paintings, and lighted torches filled the long hallways. Just as they found the treasure room and opened the sarcophagus, a panther chased them away and into the river. The trio followed the Nile's current and were saved by Pharaoh's young daughter. They were with the princess when Moses came to tell Pharaoh to let God's people, the Israelite slaves, go free. They watched as the rods turned to snakes and experienced the plagues. They were wading in the water when it turned to blood, were surrounded by frogs, attacked by lice, and surrounded by flies. They watched as the animals became diseased and the people covered in boils. Eventually, Peter and Mary had to flee the palace and found themselves in Goshen with God's people. As the Israelites escaped the Death Angel and fled Egypt, the kids followed and saw how God protected them. As they were struggling with the Great Magician in the middle of the parted Red Sea, they solved the scroll and returned home to the library.     

Peter and Mary learned a new secret about Great-Uncle Solomon in Journey to Jericho (Book #4). Before he became an archaeologist, he was an international spy. He taught them some important skills and filled their adventure bag with spy gear before they were whisked away to their next adventure.

Little did the siblings know but their brief spy training would be put to the test when they found themselves in the middle of the Israelite camp just before the people conquered the Promised Land. The met Joshua in the Tabernacle and convinced him they were friends because they knew God's secret "code name." When they saw some men in robes sneak out of the camp under the cover of darkness, they followed them, across the raging river and into the city of Jericho. There, they evaded an enemy, stopped some bullies, befriended a family, met the spies, and made a daring escape. The next few days were spent hiding in a cave in the mountains before it was safe to return to the camp. Once they got back, they learned that God told Joshua it was time to claim the Promised Land. Peter and Mary witnessed amazing miracles including the parting of the Jordan River and the crumbling of Jericho before they solved the mystery of the scroll and found themselves back in the library with Great-Uncle Solomon.

These are cute little stories, right around 120 pages each, perfect for ages 6-9, and a quick read. They are fiction books, for sure, but filled with much biblical truth. Not everything is accurate though. I am all for poetic justice, except when the author changes definite details in the Bible. For instance, in both books, the people crossed over dry ground (Red Sea and Jordan River). While the author himself does say that in the story, the pictures show puddles. "A picture is worth a thousand words" and people, especially kids, are going to remember those images more than a single, fleeting word. Not only do those puddles undermine the Bible, they take away from the miracles.

Other than that issue, we really liked these books. The characters are likable and funny. We all laughed when Peter explained how the shofar got its name. The kids have already started rereading the first two books and are eyeing the newest book about David and Goliath. I have a feeling that as this series grows, so will our collection of it.   

I used these as family read-alouds. Here's what the kids had to say:

I like that they're about the Bible.

I like the adventures!

I like how they travel back in time to the Bible stories.

If you're looking for adventure-filled stories that teach your little ones about the Bible, The Secret of the Hidden Scrolls is a great series to have.

You can connect with WorthyKids on the following social media sites:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Be sure to read more reviews of these books on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.


* Some of the links in the content above are affiliate links. If you click on a link and purchase an item, I may receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I recommend products or services that I have used personally and all the text and opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 225.

Kingdom Files

Reading is a huge part of our days, so we're always excited when we get new books to review! This time, we got not one, but two books from an author we've enjoyed in the past. Matt Koceich, a public school teacher for twenty years, wrote a series of books called the Kingdom Files. This collection helps kids learn more about key Bible characters in a fun, detective-style format. 

Barbour Publishing was kind enough to send us this book. The company has been publishing Christian classics at value prices since 1981. With over 1,000 titles--covering audio books, Bibles, reference books, children's, devotionals, fiction, nonfiction, activity books, music, and more--there's something for everyone. This was the company that introduced us to the Diary of a Real Payne years ago (which we liked so much that we purchased the other two books in the series) and Imagine. . . The Great Flood, also by Matt Koceich. I was looking forward to reading these new offerings.

These Kingdom Files books helps kids put themselves in the times and places of leading Bible figures in God's kingdom. The books are written with a detective flair, which makes them charming and unique. Each book takes the reader through an investigation as it teaches all about the character's life and is broken into three sections:

• Fact File -- lists key information such as name, occupation, location, years active, important stats, a mini timeline, and more
• Action File -- explains the story of the character's life through the events in the Bible
• Power File -- applies truths from the story to our lives today and lists an accompanying Bible verse

Sprinkled throughout the story are also clue boxes that reiterate important information and point out various details that encourage the reader to think. Line art images that enhance the narrative can be found throughout the whole book.

There are currently half a dozen cases in the Kingdom Files, but we've read only two so far. The first one was  Who Was Jonah?. This book relates the biblical book of Jonah from beginning to end. Not only does it tell that Jonah disobeyed God by running away from Ninevah, but it explains his fears and why he did so. The book follows his journey as he boards the ship to Tarshish, got caught up in a terrible storm, was thrown into the sea, was swallowed by the great fish, and eventually surrendered to preach to the Ninevites. Along with the big details that most people remember from Sunday School is the rest of the story, like that the sailors didn't want to throw Jonah overboard, that they offered a sacrifice to God and made vows, that even the king of Ninevah believed and wore sackcloth and ashes, that God grew a plant to shade Jonah and then sent a worm to destroy it, and more. 

The main theme that is reiterated all throughout the life of Jonah is mercy. Jonah has a bit of a pity party when the Ninevites repent and are spared by God, yet he ignores the countless times that God showed him mercy in this story alone. Some of the other applications that are pointed out in the Power File are Obey God, Don't Be Afraid, God Is Faithful, God Provides, and others.   

The second book we read was Who Was Mary, Mother of Jesus?. It describes how Mary must have felt when the angel told her about the pregnancy, when Jesus was born in a manger, when she found Him in the temple, and when Jesus was crucified on the cross. She likely experienced so many emotion, yet she trusted God through them all. The book also relates other details and individuals from Mary's life such as the wise men's visit, the wedding at Cana, meeting Simeon and Anna, John the Baptist jumping in Elizabeth's womb, and watching Jesus go up the Heaven, along with other events. 

Many times, the narrative reminds us that Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. What an amazing responsibility she had been entrusted with! Some of the life lessons that we can apply to our own lives are Let Your Life Glorify God, God Knows You, God Blesses You, God Lifts Up the Humble, and God Meets All Your Needs.

I believe that biographies are important and require my kids to cover a certain portion of their weekly reading with them. I love that these kid-friendly biographies are of key Bible characters. Not only do they review common details, but they also add depth through historical facts, geographical features, and cultural differences. You can also take the learning deeper by utilizing the extra resources on the site, such as a word search, trading cards, trivia cards, worksheets, and more.

There are portions of verses incorporated throughout the books and, of course, written out completely at the end of each power up in the Power Files. Although they reference a different version than we use, it was not a big deal. Because I read both of these books aloud to my children, I read the main text as is and considered it a paraphrase like the rest of the story. When we read the power ups, we simply looked up each verse and read it directly from our Bible, which added another aspect of learning as it gave the kids more familiarity with finding them. 

Here's what my kids think of these books:

They're pretty cool.

I like learning about people from the Bible.

They're really cool. I like that they're like detective cases.

These Kingdom Files books are a joy to read. With less than 100 pages each, they are quick reads and perfect for elementary-aged children. They are cute, accurate, and help bring excitement to learning more about God and applying His Truths to our lives. Come, be a reading detective and start your first investigation with the Kingdom Files! 

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You can read more reviews of these books on the Homeschool Review Crew blog.