The Amazing Bible Timeline is a wonderful resource for families who want their children to get a real overview of the history, both biblical and secular. One thing I always hated about “social studies” is that it never talked about any real history. All that mattered was that the Europeans married each other, discovered the “New World” and we broke away and became the United States. But what was going on in the rest of the world?
Well, this map let’s you know. And what’s really great about it is that it begins the journey through history with the creation of Adam. Reading the Old Testament (or Hebrew Scriptures) can get very confusing very quickly if you don’t have some reference points handy. This colorful chart allows you to trace our origins up until the present day. It not only makes the Bible’s timeline more interesting and memorable, but helps you to see what was going on around it.
One thing that I was really impressed by was discovering that King Solomon, Homer and Chinese “Period of Vigorous Thinking” were all occurring around the same time! I like the fact that all major historical cultures are included. I read a book once that stated that the reason that children don’t like history is because it’s taught in a vacuum. Well this map certainly makes that vacuum a thing of the past.
When we received our package from the post office we were all so surprised by the size. I knew that it was a large map, but not THAT large. So my first major challenge was to find a place to put it. I have an open floor plan, so wall space is a premium at our house. We finally settled upon the upstairs hallway wall. So you can’t get anywhere without catching a glimpse of it. The map is printed on heavy-weight paper that should stand up well in any household that doesn’t have toddlers running around. I put mine on the wall because my son has developed a very strong relationship with his safety scissors, so I thought it was prudent to put it out of reach .
In addition to the physical map that you can place on your walls, or roll away and take out for your history/bible lessons, you are also provided with interactive maps of the Holy Land. This interactive map lets you teach your family where the ancient cities reside in relation to our modern world. And a really cool feature of these maps is that you get to see how boundaries change over time since you get to see the world from a variety of perspectives (Abraham, Moses, David, Babylon, Christ and today). I mean, how cool is that?
Another feature that comes with the wall map is a digital version of the Amazing Bible Timeline that’s designed for research and lesson planning. It can also be used for slide shows and PowerPoint discussions in church groups as well. There was one free download that I really appreciated and shared with the Children’s Ministry and that was the Genealogy of Jesus Christ. It’s a large tree and each of the branches has a member of his genealogical line. That one’s hanging on a lower spot of my wall since I can reprint it even if the little one gets to it. And you receive all of these things for only $29.97, which is a really great deal.
My children enjoy tracing the timelines and comparing when people lived and what was going on in the world. It’s been invaluable to us both in bible study as well as secular history. The only downside, if you have a house like mine, is finding a good place to display the timetable. But aside from that logistical problem, this is a definite 5 Star product that I recommend not only for the family but for church groups as well.
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Grapevine Studies is a wonderful and creative way to teach children (and adults!) about the Bible. I was raised in a strict religion that included reading through the Bible once a year with weekly assignments, I can say without a doubt that this is WAAAAY more fun! (Sorry Mom!)
When I received the ebook I was shocked at the size of the Teacher’s Manual. I expected a couple of pages, maybe thirty pages on the outside. Nope. Not even close. The wonderful creators of this curriculum have left nothing to chance. Even if you have never read the Bible before, you’ll be able to teach your children with the help of the 322 page instructional book. (And that’s no typo!)
Even if you are a biblical expert, the Teacher’s Manual has enormous value. Not only does it explain the way to use the program and the subject structure they also give you every illustration and every explanation to share with your children. I am not very confident in my art skills and the manual makes it possible for me to stop worrying about being an “artist” and just have fun with the subject at hand. I think the stick figure concept is brilliant. Even the worst artist can draw a circle (for the head) and straight lines. And if you’re stuck for an idea for a particular passage, you can always refer to the manual to see what the author’s concept is and provide a starting place for your own creativity.
The Peanut Gallery Says …
Alaya: “It’s great because it’s really fun. You can draw all different kinds of animals. It’s really fun to learn the Bible this way.”
Jade says: “It’s okay. You get to draw pictures. Drawing the pictures help me learn and remember the important things in the Bible like names and dates.”
We are covering the Old Testament Levels 1-2 right now and I am really enjoying it. I am able to do one lesson with both of them without any stress. Jade is 9 and Alaya is 6, but since we’re using stick figures, everyone can join in (including Michael who is 2). At first I couldn’t understand why we created the timeline before starting the actual Bible reading, and thought about not following the directions. Boy, am I glad that I was faithful to the directions because once I got started it all became clear. The timeline provides the framework and when we’re filling in the details, the kids are understanding the bible reading and events much better. So “lean not upon your own understanding” and follow the directions — no shortcuts.
A surprising benefit of this program for me is the way it sets the tone for a much more productive day. The subject matter plus the relaxing nature of the drawing just puts everyone in a better frame of mind. While the children are drawing we’re having more intimate conversations on biblical and everyday concerns. So it’s proving to be an additional tool to create a close-knit family.
And In Conclusion …
The cost for the hard cover editions are $45.95, while the ebooks are available at the low cost of $22.95. The great thing about having the ebook is that you don’t have to print all of the pages at one time. When I teach my girls, I have the Teacher’s Manual open on the computer and give the girls the pages for the lessons that we’re working on. I use the large anti-rip oversized envelopes to help the girls keep track of their work. When we complete our studies I’ll have them bound at OfficeMax so that they’ll have a record of their spiritual journey.
I’m looking forward to completing the Old Testament and journeying into the New Testament. Grapevine Studies has provided a wonderful product that addresses art, literature, history and biblical studies all in one. It’s been an enjoyable experience for all of us and has enhanced our more “hum-drum” bible readings and studies immensely.
And best of all Grapevine Studies is offering a 30% discountto all of our readers. This discount ends September 30th. So, pick out the books of your choice and add the code “crew9” to the coupon line.
Oh, I almost forgot — you can get free samples by visiting their website at www.grapevinestudies.com to get a sneak peek at the treasures inside. And remember the coupon expires on September 30th, so don’t miss it!
I'm a homeschooling mom with seven children: 3 human, 2 feline and 2 canine. I'm also the wife of one very patient husband who seems to like the role of ringmaster to our circus. I am a virtual assistant who enjoys writing, crafts, music and laughter. I hope you'll visit often. Please be aware that this blog is supported by affiliate links, although every link isn't necessarily an affiliate program.
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