Homeschool Bible Study
Homeschool Bible study is important
to us – we want our children to know God in their hearts and with their minds.
We give this area of study the priority in our day. Bible study often gets
separated in the minds of homeschool families, it is as if we have our family
devotions with the kids, and then we homeschool. When we set out to disciple
our children though, this part of our life becomes a part of the children's
study.
Finding your way around this page:
How to Study
Personal Devotions
Lesson Time
Multi-ages and Bible Study
Family Worship - Going to Church
Audio Stories
Further Reading
FAQ regards Bible Study
Personal Devotions
Lesson Time
Multi-ages and Bible Study
Family Worship - Going to Church
Audio Stories
Further Reading
FAQ regards Bible Study
How to study the Word of God
When it comes to finding a family
Bible Study curriculum for the children, I have tried to approach it in the
same way I approach my own personal studies.
- I read
- I research
- I write
- I talk about it to others
Setting out to Disciple our children
in this area of our life has had its challenges. Preconceived ideas,
accumulated resources and set habits have been hard to break. We don’t want our
studies to be all head knowledge and yet we do want them to know the Word and
seek understanding. In balance with this we want our children to know the life
that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus. We want them to understand
that the Word of God has something to say to every area of their life. We want
them to have the courage to live by this belief.
Read a short list of Methods for Bible Study. A list of questions you
can guide your children in as they develop study skills.
Personal Devotions
Most of our days start with each of
us having our own individual time with God – we call it Devotions or Quiet
Time. Because we don’t segregate our day into home life and school life this
time is very much a part of Discipling our children.
Daily Quiet Time is a habit that
both Peter and I formed in our youth and it is one that we desire for our
children. We want our children to know God personally, to build a strong
relationship with Him, to know His Word and to live by it.
What is Daily Devotion?
Our Role as Parent
Give your Child the skills
Devotions with Young Children
Children having Devotions on their own
When Children Resist
When it becomes a bore
Choosing Resources
Our Role as Parent
Give your Child the skills
Devotions with Young Children
Children having Devotions on their own
When Children Resist
When it becomes a bore
Choosing Resources
Lesson time
When we do get to our “Desk” time
our main priority is Discipleship Studies - which includes studying the
Scriptures. At this time we:
- Have a Family Devotional time
- Study Character and / or
- Have our Bible Study Lessons
When we study the Bible the children
have to:
- Read
- Research
- Respond
To respond means they have had to think,
discuss their thoughts with the family, this often (though not always)
this leads to a notebook page, writing, or it may well be left at the
discussion (which is a pre-writing activity even for the older children.)
Therefore, the core skills required for any learning are covered while we are
learning about God's ways. In planning our day, I take this into account and
don't necessarily seek opportunity for these skills during the rest of the day
(especially for younger students.)
Multi-ages and Bible Study
Family Bible Study
can be tricky - considering the ages of my children, their different level of
understanding and their different desire for God (maturity of their own walk
with God). Over the years we have found a way that works for us, not against
us.
Since the whole of our life is
providing our children with the whole of their education we cannot separate the
lessons we learn on our day of Worship from their other learning experiences.
This is not to say that I plan lesson plans etc but rather there is a wealth of
opportunity to grow as a Christian, when involved in corporate worship. We
learn to read the scriptures out loud, we learn to pray in a group, we learn to
respect what others share all in the context of our family and then when we
join with other Christians the children can participate in worship and be
active members of the body of Christ.
Many people focus on keeping their
children quiet in church so that they, the parents, can worship. Our family
focus has been to keep the children quiet in church so they, the children, can
worship. Kendra from www.PreschoolersandPeace.com writes how she has gone about
training her children to be involved In God's House
Audio Stories
We have discovered several audio
presentations that enhance our Bible Studies. Some of these are Bible stories,
often dramatised which makes for good listening. Others are good stories with a
moral lesson. We use both in our teaching our children God's ways.
Some Resources
Our Story
Hour - These dramatised Bible stories are a delight to listen to.
Not only are the stories very clearly portrayed but they are done in such a way
that you get to know the characters, they become real people with real issues
to work though. This makes the Bible come alive and real to children.
LogosMultimedia
Bible Stories for Children This website not only discusses the
benefits of audio Bible stories but has some great offers as well.
Further Reading
The Heart of Wisdom Teaching
Approach has had a big influence in our thinking. I encourage you to read their
free download articles, especially on the issues of Bible First.
Discipleship homeschool is all about
inviting our children into our lives and how much more important can it be than
to invite them into our relationship with God and to study His Word together
Disclaimer: This material comes from Lifestyle Homeschool blog. I copied it for my own personal use with my children. All links will lead to to this blog site.
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