Most Important Thing You'll Ever Study

Description

OK, I will have to confess that lately I've "treated the Bible like a box of fortune cookies - reach in, grab a handful at random, break them open, and read the short writings inside." This revelation dawned on me as I started to look over this series. The primary purpose of Scripture is to reveal who God is and what He is like. However, we also need to understand the intention of the human authors and likewise that it is also God's Word to people in all times and places. Lastly, we must have the help of the Holy Spirit so that we are not just able to explain biblical ideas but also to be moved to love, worship and obey God. The shallowness of the fortune cookie approach is painfully obvious, and I was struck by the beauty of treating my Bible like the book it is - a book to be loved and obeyed, and a book to be read and studied. Written by Starr Meade, author of Training Hearts and Teaching Minds, this series provides a user-friendly, empowering (not so overwhelming you're afraid you'll never get finished), and systematic tool for such Bible study.

The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Study is an overview course of the entire Bible that can be used either as a supplement to a read through the entire Bible plan or as a stand alone survey course. Bible passages to accomplish either goal are icon-designated right in the worktext. Although the general approach is chronological through first the OT and then the NT, there are plenty of back-and-forth references along the way. Chronological means that the Bible history sections (Genesis through Chronicles; Gospels & Acts) provide the framework and the OT prophets and the NT epistles are woven in at appropriate places. Although there are not daily or even weekly lessons, there is a systematic approach to each reading assignment: read, answer questions (both recall and thought-provoking), and be tested (after one or more reading assignments). The student (or parent administrator) can pace himself, and time needed to complete each assignment depends on whether the student is reading completely through the Bible or only the suggested study passages.

Each worktext has around 200 pgs (actual range: 186 - 227). There are two volumes for the OT and two for the NT. Old Testament poetry is covered in a 50 page section at the end of Volume 2. For a high school student working at a one-credit pace (i.e. an hour per day), I think both OT and NT could be completed in one academic year, but there would be few liabilities to slowing the pace and spreading it out over two years. Volume 5 is the answer key for all four volumes. ~ Janice

Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.