Why Choose a Homeschool Bible Curriculum?
Many parents create a mission statement when they begin homeschooling. It is a way for them to state their homeschooling goal and what kind of education they will provide for their students. For our family, our mission statement or goal for homeschooling was to teach our kids to love God, love others, and do ALL things as if they were doing them for the Lord.
For us, one way we do that is through bible time. This time together is an essential part of our day. We come together during our morning time and pray, study our bible, chat about our relationship with the Lord, and leave the table ready to tackle what comes our way.
It has always been important for me to teach my children about God, but to also nurture my children’s relationship with the Lord. I want them to leave our home with their own faith, and their own understanding of God’s plan and calling for their life. For us, the Bible is more than just a subject to mark off of our to-do list, it’s about building relationships with each other, and most importantly between my children and their savior.
There have been times through the years when we have had a dedicated bible curriculum and times we have not. With three kids spanning a 7 year age gap, it was hard to find a Bible curriculum that touched where all three were at. However, over the years when we did have a solid Bible curriculum, I noticed that we had a lot deeper discussions, and we were more connected during our time at the table. Looking back, I wish I had made more of an effort to find something all three kids could study together.
Do you need a designated Bible curriculum to study the Bible with your child? No. All you need is a Bible and a notebook. But there are some great reasons to consider a Bible curriculum. Let’s take a look.
Why Choose a Homeschool Bible Curriculum?
“Of the three sorts of knowledge proper to a child, the knowledge of God, of man, and of the universe, – the knowledge of God ranks first in importance, is indispensable, and most happy-making.”
— Charlotte Mason
Spiritual Discipline
Coming to the saving knowledge of Christ is the most important decision our children will ever make. Learning about God, knowing who He is, is one of the most important pieces of knowledge our children will acquire in our homeschool. Teaching our children from a young age to read, study, and meditate in God’s word is a spiritual discipline that they will hopefully carry away from our homes and into their own homes. God’s word should be at the core of our lives, molding us and shaping us into the character of Christ. We don’t “do Bible time” to check it off of the list. That is not what Christianity is. It’s a discipline and one we want to model to our children. A solid Bible curriculum or Bible study that we sit and do with our children daily can help them learn this.
Sets a Biblical Foundation
Chances are you are using a Christian homeschool curriculum for your other subjects, and that is great! A Biblical worldview in all areas of homeschooling should be a priority. When you choose a homeschool curriculum with a biblical worldview, then the Bible is everywhere in your homeschool and in everything you do!
A homeschool Bible curriculum can take this a step further and help your family build a Biblical foundation for their faith and values while helping your children know their value, defend their faith, and understand the value of others. It can also help children develop a Biblical worldview and understand the Bible’s truths and God’s plan for mankind.
How do I Choose a Homeschool Bible Curriculum?
Once you have decided you want to purchase a homeschool Bible curriculum, it is important to consider a few things. There are a ton of amazing Bible curricula out there. So, how do you narrow it down? To start, ask yourself a few questions.
What’s the Goal?
What is the goal of this curriculum I am looking at? What is it teaching my children? Does the doctrine line up with my family’s beliefs? What is the mission of the company behind the curriculum? These are all important things to consider when it comes to a Bible curriculum.
Can Multiple Ages Use This Curriculum?
If you have a wide variety of ages (like I did). You will want to make sure whatever you purchase can be used amongst all of your children. In the years we did not have a Bible curriculum, we tended to study one chapter of the Bible or a character of the Bible, or the kids did their devotions during our Bible time. It was not the same as having us all studying the same program, with questions and discussion ideas laid out for me. Having something on hand that allows you to dive deep into conversations with your kids makes Bible time much easier for mom!
Is this Engaging?
If your children are younger, you will want something that engages them in Bible time. This may look like singing songs, videos, verses of the week, catechism questions, hands-on activities, or something else that helps get them involved and moving. Older kids can help the younger ones, and family-style learning can be on full display. You want Bible time to be a fun and engaging time where everyone comes together and learns about the word of God. If your kids are older, you will still want to consider whether or not the questions spark discussion, or is something they are interested in. An engaging program that brings students in with colorful pictures, stories that bring people to life, and questions that spark discussion can make a huge difference in how our children learn and retain God’s word.
Homeschooling allows us as parents to tailor our child’s education to our family’s beliefs and values. A Bible curriculum can help ensure that Christian values and Biblical principles are deeply rooted in our children’s education.
Apologia Bible and Worldview Curricula
At Apologia, we offer a few amazing Bible and Worldview curriculum options for your homeschool.
Word in Motion
The Word in Motion Bible curriculum equips families to read the Word of God with passion, purpose, and big-picture understanding and to tell the grand story of God’s love for His people. These vibrantly illustrated Bible courses include a textbook, student notebook, and streaming video lessons featuring author Rachael Carman. Auditory learners can also enjoy the audiobook version of the course so they can listen while they learn.
What We Believe
Explore Apologia’s Worldview homeschool curriculum, a comprehensive and engaging program designed to equip students with a deep understanding of foundational truths about God, themselves, and the purpose for which they were created. Our Worldview homeschool products are meticulously crafted to guide students through a journey of discovery, helping them to grasp the essential principles of a Christian worldview.