Genesis: Finding Our Roots

Another fascinating Bible history book by Ruth Beechick, author of Adam and His Kin. The product of much research and knowledge of ancient history and the Bible, it is suitable for teens or adults as a short course in ancient history. But, more than that, it is the story of truth - and how that truth has come to be perverted through history. It is the story of righteous and wicked men and kings. It is the story of civilizations - how and where they sprung up and flourished. It's the story of our roots. The historical and literary evidences of Biblical truth, the tracing of the recorded truth that eventually became our Bible, and the chronology of our "family tree" are masterfully woven together in this extremely readable text. Throughout Ruth's narrative, we can see the origins of false religions and flawed world views. Taking us through Genesis 1-11, it contains six units, corresponding to the "books" written by the earliest recorders of history. Using the King James translation, each unit begins with the actual Scripture to read. A Scripture study includes activities to help students understand the reading - activities such as drawing maps, listing genealogies, memorizing key verses, noting specific words used, comparing the reading to other Scriptures, etc. Topic studies address particular references in the Scripture reading and expand on them, using historic, literary, and linguistic sources. Ruth's many insights and expert compilation of information make these studies engrossing. Each topic is followed by questions that can be answered orally or in writing. Further study has the student do a little research and reporting of his own. In these sections, source books and other readings are recommended. There are also suggestions for several correlating writing projects. If using the study with several students, you may want to assign each a different one. Other types of activities are also included, varying by unit. The book is recommended for use independently for junior high and up, or for a family study with children of all ages. I know my eight-year-old would enjoy this study as much (or more) as my older children. I would be surprised if parents purchasing this book as an independent course for their older children didn't end up reading it from cover to cover themselves.