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Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Bible Road Trip
~
A 3 Year Bible Survey
Parent/Teacher Guide
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Bible Road Trip ~ The Short Explanation
Bible Road Trip is a 3 Year Bible Survey Syllabus ~ A schedule of Bible study
(book by book), Scripture reading and memorization, and additional activities such
as: notebooking, crafts, and great videos and books.
Each year consists of a 32 week, customizable schedule. ~ This schedule can be
expanded to allow for more time for study in any given area.
5 separate levels of study (Preschool-Kindergarten, Lower Grammar ~ Grades 1-3,
Upper Grammar ~ Grades 4-6, Dialectic ~ Grades 7-9, Rhetoric ~ Grades 10-12)
Each level is designed to coordinate with the other grade levels, while allowing
growing students to delve deeper and even begin to share what they are learning in
new and exciting ways (consistent with the theories underlying Classical
Education).
Bible Road Trip does not address specific theological or doctrinal arguments.
(There are some discussions over the manner in which we approach Scripture in
the upper grades.) For example: Though I believe in the literal Creation account,
and I was careful to choose materials that did not discount that very valid view of
the Bible, you will not find anything here that specifically addresses Creationism.
There are many wonderful ministries that you can consult for additional materials.
Rather, weeks 3-5 of Year One of Bible Road Trip will acquaint students with the
book of Genesis – its authorship, themes, storyline, and timing in actual history.
Bible Road Trip offers free weekly notebooking packs for students in the Lower
Grammar, Upper Grammar, and Dialectic levels of study. You can find these at
Bible Road Trip.org.
Bible Road Trip is free for you to use in your home or small group. I ask that
you refrain from copying (in whole or in part) any part of the curriculum to your
blog, website or social media, but I encourage you to share the links to the
curriculum so that your friends can have the opportunity to begin their own Bible
Road Trip in their homes!
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
You’ll need:
A Bible! I absolutely recommend giving each child their very own Bible. For
Preschool and Kindergarten, we’re using a Bible storybook: 365 Great Bible
Stories by Carine Mackenzie. For the Lower Grammar level, I’ve suggested The
ESV Children’s Bible. It has nice illustrations, but is also a full-text Bible. Of
course, a nice study Bible will work as well
Each grade level has necessary texts, as well as suggested resources. A detailed
list follows. I have no affiliation with any of the publishers or authors I’ve
suggested in the resources. Every resource listed has been suggested by a pastor, a
number of reputable catalogs and indexes, or is a resource that my family already
uses and loves. Many of the resources can be located at the local public library,
but it was my goal to choose resources of value, so that every family can invest in
discipling their children. Many of the “spine” resources will take your children
through the full three year survey in their grade level.
Basic art supplies: Scissors, 3-ring binders, cardstock and construction paper,
pens, pencils, paints, etc. I’ve tried to make the craft projects simple to
coordinate, and something your children can value for years to come.
Time! You’ll want to schedule time each week to spend with your family taking
advantage of Bible Road Trip. This can be daily, or several times a week.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Bible Road Trip ~ The Long Explanation
Bible Road Trip is a 3 Year Bible Survey for children and young adults, beginning in
Genesis and progressing through Revelation. Year One covers the books of the law and
history in the Old Testament. Year Two covers the books of poetry and prophecy in the
Old Testament. Year Three covers the New Testament.
Bible Road Trip may be used as a class in your homeschool, in a Sunday School, co-op
or small group setting, or as a plan to assist in your evening family worship.
The Bible Road Trip syllabus is highly customizable. You may choose the items that
appeal to your family. The time your family needs each week will depend upon which
level you are using, and how many of the additional resources you choose to apply. For
example, there are several craft suggestions each week for the Lower Grammar level.
You can do all, or none, of the crafts. DVD and literature suggestions may enrich your
Bible Road Trip experience, but are, again, optional.
Each year is scheduled over a 32 week period of time. This allows for four weeks of
leeway in a standard 36 week school year. You may choose to use those four weeks to
spend more time in any given book. You will notice the reading per week is divided by
topic rather than by work load. You may wish to spend more time on a week with a
heavy reading load, such as Year One Week Eight ~ Leviticus.
The survey is written as a syllabus, and divided into grade “levels”. You may choose
from Preschool-Kindergarten, Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9, Grades 10-12, or you
may pick and choose resources from the 3 sections to meet the needs of your family. You
will want to consider your students individually when choosing the level for your family.
Bible Road Trip will prepare your students for a lifetime of Bible study. Students will
journey through the Bible book by book, studying each book for the background history,
major themes, key verses, God’s messages, and the book’s role in the overall revelation
of God’s story.
Suggestions are included each week for core background reading, Scripture reading,
notebooking, memory verses, prayer, enrichment activities, and art projects.
Following are the yearly schedules, as well as the primary resources required for each
level. Please observe the copyright statement when using Bible Road Trip ~ I appreciate
your consideration.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Year One ~ The Books of the Law and History Week One What is the Bible?
Week Two Exploring the Old Testament
Week Three Genesis – Part One
Week Four Genesis – Part Two
Week Five Genesis – Part Three
Week Six Exodus – Part One
Week Seven Exodus – Part Two
Week Eight Leviticus
Week Nine Numbers – Part One
Week Ten Numbers – Part Two
Week Eleven Deuteronomy
Week Twelve Joshua – Part One
Week Thirteen Joshua – Part Two
Week Fourteen Judges – Part One
Week Fifteen Judges – Part Two
Week Sixteen Ruth
Week Seventeen 1 Samuel – Part One
Week Eighteen 1 Samuel – Part Two
Week Nineteen 1 Samuel – Part Three
Week Twenty 2 Samuel – Part One
Week Twenty-One 2 Samuel – Part Two
Week Twenty-Two 1 Kings – Part One
Week Twenty-Three 1 Kings – Part Two
Week Twenty-Four 1 Kings – Part Three
Week Twenty-Five 2 Kings – Part One
Week Twenty-Six 2 Kings – Part Two
Week Twenty-Seven 2 Kings – Part Three
Week Twenty-Eight 1 Chronicles
Week Twenty-Nine 2 Chronicles
Week Thirty Ezra
Week Thirty-One Nehemiah
Week Thirty-Two Esther
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Year Two ~ The Books of Poetry and Prophecy Week One What is the Bible?
Week Two Exploring the Old Testament
Week Three Job – Part One
Week Four Job – Part Two
Week Five Psalms – Part One
Week Six Psalms – Part Two
Week Seven Psalms – Part Three
Week Eight Psalms – Part Four
Week Nine Proverbs – Part One
Week Ten Proverbs – Part Two
Week Eleven Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon
Week Twelve Isaiah – Part One
Week Thirteen Isaiah – Part Two
Week Fourteen Isaiah – Part Three
Week Fifteen Jeremiah – Part One
Week Sixteen Jeremiah – Part Two and Lamentations
Week Seventeen Ezekiel – Part One
Week Eighteen Ezekiel – Part Two
Week Nineteen Daniel – Part One
Week Twenty Daniel – Part Two
Week Twenty-One Hosea
Week Twenty-Two Joel
Week Twenty-Three Amos
Week Twenty-Four Obadiah
Week Twenty-Five Jonah
Week Twenty-Six Micah
Week Twenty-Seven Nahum
Week Twenty-Eight Habukkuk
Week Twenty-Nine Zephaniah
Week Thirty Haggai
Week Thirty-One Zechariah
Week Thirty-Two Malachi and the Inter-Testamental Years
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Year Three ~ The Books of the New Testament
Week One What is the Bible?
Week Two Exploring the New Testament
Week Three Matthew – Part One
Week Four Matthew – Part Two
Week Five Matthew – Part Three
Week Six Mark – Part One
Week Seven Mark – Part Two
Week Eight Luke – Part One
Week Nine Luke – Part Two
Week Ten John – Part One
Week Eleven John – Part Two
Week Twelve John – Part Three
Week Thirteen Acts – Part One
Week Fourteen Acts – Part Two
Week Fifteen Acts – Part Three
Week Sixteen Romans – Part One
Week Seventeen Romans – Part Two
Week Eighteen 1 Corinthians
Week Nineteen 2 Corinthians
Week Twenty Galatians
Week Twenty-One Ephesians
Week Twenty-Two Philippians
Week Twenty-Three Colossians
Week Twenty-Four 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians
Week Twenty-Five 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy
Week Twenty-Six Titus and Philemon
Week Twenty-Seven Hebrews
Week Twenty-Eight James
Week Twenty-Nine 1 Peter and 2 Peter
Week Thirty 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude
Week Thirty-One Revelation – Part 1
Week Thirty-Two Revelation – Part 2
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Necessary Resources for Bible Road Trip – Years One – Three
Preschool – Kindergarten Years One – Three
365 Great Bible Stories, Carine Mackenzie
Grades 1 – 3 and 4-6 Years One – Three
What the Bible is All About: Bible Handbook for Kids, Frances
Blankenbaker or What the Bible is All About for Young Explorers, Frances
Blankenbaker (older version)
What the Bible is All About Resources: Reproducible Maps, Charts, Time
Lines & Illustrations (Gospel Light)
Window on the World, Daphne Spraggett with Jill Johnstone
Bible
o A full-text Bible of your choice. We like the ESV Study Bible. For
Lower Grammar, the ESV Children’s Bible is a nice choice.
Grades 7-9 Years One – Three
The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook, J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott Duvall
Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th
Edition,
2010), Jason Mandryk
Grades 10-12 Years One – Two
Encountering the Old Testament, Second Edition with CD-ROM, Bill T.
Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer
Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th
Edition,
2010), Jason Mandryk
Year Three
Encountering the New Testament, Third Edition with CD-ROM, Walter A.
Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough
Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th
Edition,
2010), Jason Mandryk
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Suggested and Optional Resources for Bible Road Trip – Year One
Preschool – Kindergarten What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVDs #1-7 (Highly
Recommended)
Grades 1 - 3 What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVDs #1-7 (Highly
Recommended)
God’s Special Tent, Jean Stapleton (Highly Recommended)
How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
Grades 4 – 6 What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVD Series #1-7 (Highly
Recommended)
God’s Special Tent, Jean Stapleton (Highly Recommended)
How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
The Student Bible Atlas, Tim Dowley (Suggested)
Tirzah, Lucille Travis (Optional Historical Fiction)
Hittite Warrior, Joanne Williamson (Optional Historical Fiction)
God King, Joanne Williamson (Optional Historical Fiction)
Within the Palace Gates: The King’s Cupbearer, Anna Pierpoint Siviter
(Optional Historical Fiction)
Grades 7-9 and 10-12 How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #1: Covenants,
Kings and the Promised Land (Suggested)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #2: Jericho to
Megiddo: Conquest, Canaanites, and the Holy City (Suggested)
Tower of Babel DVD, Bodie Hodges (Optional)
The Exodus Revealed: Search for the Red Sea Crossing, DVD – Questar
The Fall of Jericho, DVD – Vision Video (Optional)
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Suggested and Optional Resources for Bible Road Trip - Year Two
Preschool – Kindergarten What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVDs #8,9 (Highly
Recommended)
Grades 1 - 3 What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVDs #8,9 (Highly
Recommended)
How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
Grades 4 – 6 What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVD Series #8,9 (Highly
Recommended)
How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
The Student Bible Atlas, Tim Dowley (Suggested)
Victory on the Walls: A Story of Nehemiah, Frieda Clark Hyman (Optional
Historical Fiction)
Adara, Beatrice Gormley (Optional Historical Fiction)
A Sparrow Alone, Alicia Peterson (Optional Historical Fiction)
Grades 7-9 and 10-12 How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #1: Covenants,
Kings and the Promised Land (Suggested)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #2: Jericho to
Megiddo: Conquest, Canaanites, and the Holy City (Suggested)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #3: Miracles,
Messiah, and the Roman Empire (Suggested)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #4: Temple, Cross,
and the Empty Tomb (Suggested)
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Suggested and Optional Resources for Bible Road Trip - Year Three
Preschool – Kindergarten What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVDs #1-7 (Highly
Recommended)
Grades 1 - 3 What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVDs #10-13 (Highly
Recommended)
How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
Grades 4 – 6 What’s in the Bible? With Buck Denver ~ DVD Series #10-13 (Highly
Recommended)
How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
The Student Bible Atlas, Tim Dowley (Suggested)
Forbidden Gates, Denise Williamson (Optional Historical Fiction)
Out of Darkness, Alicia Petersen(Optional Historical Fiction)
Quintus, R. Weerstand (Optional Historical Fiction)
Polycarp: Reign of Fire, William Chad Newsom (Optional Historical
Fiction)
Twice Freed, Patricia St. John (Optional Historical Fiction)
Grades 7-9 and 10-12 How the Bible Came to Us, Meryl Doney (Recommended)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #3: Miracles,
Messiah, and the Roman Empire (Suggested)
Drive Thru History with David Stotts Holy Land DVD #4: Temple, Cross,
and the Empty Tomb (Suggested)
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Why Bible Road Trip?
It was in the midst of a terrible time in my life that I first read the Bible cover to cover. I spent
88 days reading roughly 12 pages a day. It changed my understanding of who God is, and what
His plan for humanity is.
It wasn’t that I hadn’t studied the Bible before – I had. I had done those Bible studies that start
with a point and then rocket you to verses all over the Bible to prove the point. I had read
snippets of the Bible, whole books, and I had even studied sections in order. I had read the Bible
– all of it – as a disjointed conglomeration of happenings and thoughts.
It wasn’t until I read the Bible from beginning to end that I really got it. I really understood
God’s story. I was excited. So excited that I started a 90 Day Bible Challenge on Facebook (it’s
still there with a reading schedule under the info tab). Every summer, I read through the entire
Bible, taking in the stories, the prophecies and the truth.
Soon, it wasn’t enough to just read the Bible cover to cover. I wanted to really study each book.
I wanted to understand all that I could. I was excited about this ancient manuscript that holds the
answers to life. It holds meaning. It points me to Jesus – the whole way through.
I wanted more than to intimately know God’s Word. I wanted my kids to know it too. But I
couldn’t find a curriculum that had my children actually studying the Bible and reading it too. I
wanted them to really read Scripture – not just snippets of it. I found curriculums that taught
theology, doctrine and worldview. I found synopses of the Bible. I found a curriculum with
study questions for each verse, but nothing to guide the children into the history of the writers
and the books.
Where were the Bible curriculums that would teach my boys about Judges – who wrote it, when,
why, what the major themes were, and what it all means – then walked them through reading it?
Where were the multi-media curriculums that still used the Bible along with their teaching?
I couldn’t find what I wanted. I know I’m picky. But the Bible is important to me. Teaching it
to my kids is the main focus of my parenting. I can’t think of anything more important than
having my children understand the whole of Scripture. We plan to do Bible Road Trip over and
over until they leave home – that should give them 3 times through the Bible at deepening levels.
That’s my reason for writing Bible Road Trip. It has turned out to be much more consuming
than I had anticipated. I do a lot of research each week to ensure my study questions aren’t
completely off-base, and that the intro page is accurate. That research has been a gift to me, as it
has driven me deeper into the Word. I am growing, and I’m so pleased to experience the same
with my boys. Watching them dive into God’s Word each week has been so exciting. I can’t
think of a better way to spend my time.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Stages of Learning ~ The Five Levels of Bible Road Trip
One of my favorite ways to educate and disciple our children – both before we homeschooled,
and now as we educate at home – has always been to gather at the couch, read aloud, discuss
what we’ve learned, then apply those lessons in some concrete way. As children age, this
approach changes a bit. After all, we want to help our children own their faith in Christ. Part of
discipleship is passing the torch onto another believer. What a blessing to be able to do that for
our children!
Bible Road Trip, is a program that allows every family member to survey the Bible at their
own developmental level. Yet even with five levels of learning, your family will be able to
discuss the week’s lessons at the dinner table. You’ll notice that each developmental level is
studying the same area of Scripture at the same time, yet with a different emphasis. Bible Road
Trip is designed so that a child beginning the program in 1st grade can cycle through the Bible
survey four times before they leave home. Each trip through the Bible will provide a deeper,
richer experience. This design follows the Christian Classical model of education. For those
who want to include their Preschooler and Kindergartners in the Bible Road Trip journey, I’ve
added a fifth level. While this age level isn’t included in the classical model, 4 and 5 years olds
(and precocious 3 year olds) can really benefit from the program.
Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn of Trivium Pursuit have written a terrific article “Definition for
Classical Education” on the different developmental or learning stages employed in Christian
Classical Education. Their work may help clarify some of the thinking behind the stages. You
can find that article at their blog. Here’s the address:
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/articles/definition_for_classical_education.php
I’m going to briefly outline the five grade levels employed in Bible Road Trip. Please do not
feel constrained by the grades I’ve listed. I have put grades in to help you choose a level that is
appropriate, but the program levels are based on the developmental stages of learning:
Grammar, Dialectic (or Logic), and Rhetoric. You’ll want to have an idea about how each stage
develops, as it will help you understand the goal for your child.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Preschool-Kindergarten
The ages of 3, 4, and 5 are a wonderful time of exploration and learning. Time spent on formal
education should be short, fun and focus on the vitals. This is a great time to acquaint children
with the basics: Who God is, the gospel, the basic story of the Bible, and what Jesus has done for
us.
Children this age love highly visual resources, fun songs, hands-on crafts, and time spent with
Mom and Dad (or Grandma and Grandpa!). The program at this stage is all about helping
children understand the very basic themes of the Bible.
There won’t be a notebook assignment for this age. We’ll concentrate on family read-alouds, a
weekly movie time, a fun craft, and a short memory verse.
Lower Grammar ~ Grades 1-3
The grammar developmental stage is all about gathering facts, information, and knowledge.
Children in the lower grammar stage delight in learning new things. The world is a fascinating
adventure, and YOU are the tour guide! This is a wonderful age to introduce children to the
Bible. As they learn about God’s Great Book, they’re laying a foundation for the rest of their
lives. Bible Road Trip will help your children understand that the Scriptures are more than just
random stories. The Bible is the story of God’s plan for redemption for the human race.
Children this age love highly visual resources, fun songs, hands-on crafts, and time spent with
Mom and Dad (or Grandma and Grandpa!). The program at this stage is all about building a
framework to understand the Bible. This is foundation on which their understanding of the Bible
can be built.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Upper Grammar ~ Grades 4-6
Upper Grammar students also delight in gathering knowledge. Their brains are ready to soak up
whatever they encounter. What better information to encounter, but the Word of God? As
Upper Grammar students progress, they can take on more of their learning on their own. If you
have not started a daily Bible reading program with your child, you may want to begin by
reading the Bible aloud together, and end in Year 3 with your child reading silently, then meeting
with you later to discuss the reading. At this developmental stage, it is wise to support your
child’s educational journey, yet to allow them greater freedom to learn on their own. Perhaps
Scripture reading will remain a family activity, and notebooking will be an individual project.
Children at this age are growing, and we must watch them for clues as to their needs. Bible
Road Trip for the Upper Grammar student is still highly visual, relational, and creative.
Traveling through the Word of God is an exciting adventure, and the middle grade years are an
important time to begin, or continue, the journey. Is your 1st – 3rd grader ready for a little
greater challenge? Move them up to Upper Grammar! Is your 4th grader struggling with one
too many Bible memory verses? Adjust it to the Lower Grammar level, or something in
between. Don’t worry about grades or ages ~ we’re concerned about developmental stages. As
your children develop a deepening understanding of the Bible, they will be able to take on
greater challenges, and to layer in more information.
Dialectic ~ Grades 7-9
The Dialectic stage can be among the most challenging for parents. These are the ages at which
children are developing a greater understanding of connections. They’re making developmental
leaps, and looking for ways to relate the knowledge they’ve gathered. This is the Logic stage –
where everything is a debate, and everything is negotiable. Our tendency, as parents, can be to
throw up our hands at this age and walk away. Instead, let us delight in the fantastic mental
pathways our children are forming! The Dialectic stage is vital. Our kids are learning to debate,
to stand on their own beliefs, and develop a deep understanding of Scripture on their own. I
can think of no more important time in childhood to depend upon the Lord for strength, to
persevere, and to marvel in the opportunity we have to disciple growing human beings.
Bible Road Trip for the Dialectic student will encourage children to develop research skills, and
to make connections not found in the text. Many of the notebooking and crafting projects for
this age will incorporate information that will help your children put a solid structure of
understanding on the foundation they are already building. Mini-research projects, a timeline
(because events in the Bible occurred in history – and we know when!), and an increasing
challenge to learn about – and pray for – believers around the world are all a part of the Dialectic
level of Bible Road Trip. I have intentionally left a lot of room for creativity in Bible Road
Trip. I want you, and your children, to be able to own this journey.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Rhetoric ~ Grades 10-12
The Rhetoric developmental stage is truly a time for children to take the wheel. On this Road
Trip, your high school aged students should be driving, and you should become a trusted
navigator and companion. In the Rhetoric stage, young adults begin to apply all the knowledge
and the logic they’ve gathered and connected. This is the stage at which your children will begin
to venture into the world, to develop wisdom, to communicate what they’ve learned. The
Rhetoric stage allows young men and women to apply what they’ve learned in a supported
environment, to dig deeper, to own their faith, and to develop their walk with Christ.
Bible Road Trip for the Rhetoric student should be a challenge. Encountering the Old Testament
and Encountering the New Testament are beginning college level texts. A student who has been
trained to think, and who has been educated and discipled consistently, should be challenged by
the resources, yet not stymied. If your student has not trained him or herself to think deeply yet,
you may consider using the Dialectic text instead; this will still provide your child with an
excellent overview of the Bible. However, if you are spiraling upward through the levels in
Bible Road Trip, the previous stages should have prepared your Rhetoric student sufficiently.
Because Rhetoric students are moving into an adult role, in which they are able to appropriately
communicate their faith and their wisdom, the Crafting Through the Word section includes a 3
year project in which your student will begin a blog or a vlog (a video version of a blog) to
communicate what he or she is learning on a weekly basis. I understand that there may be
concerns about internet safety. I leave all decisions to actually publish your student’s work
online at your discretion. Should you be uncomfortable with a public format, students could
make a series of videos, edit them and store them on a DVD. They could publish to a private
blog, or just keep a notebook of “blog” entries. Alternately, they could begin their own small
group, in which they lead (with your supervision) a Bible Road Trip of their own a week or two
behind their personal studies. Rhetoric students are preparing to share their faith. Whether they
practice or actually make the leap to a public forum is up to your family. The Lord has placed
you as their shepherd, and I trust your discernment. The Rhetoric level will also feature a
deepening emphasis on service and community involvement. Again, all suggestions are intended
to allow your young adult to develop a faith and a walk of their own.
Because Rhetoric students are preparing for college, I have not created notebooking sheets for
this level. I want to give your high school students the freedom to take notes as they feel led, on
the subjects that interest them.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Mapping the Journey ~ An Overview of Bible Road Trip Sections
Dig Deep
The first page of the syllabus for each level covers the “Dig Deep” section. Here, you’ll find
“Researching the Word” and “Reading the Word”.
The “Dig Deep” section of Bible Road Trip is the crucial part of the curriculum. If you do
nothing else, be certain to introduce your children to the section of Scripture being studied
through “Researching the Word”, and to read the Scripture selections listed in “Reading the
Word”. The discussion questions are designed to allow your family to explore the Scripture
section together. As children age, you will want to have them become responsible for more
independent reading. You’ll know when they’re ready to read the Bible on their own. (I knew
because mine insisted on reading aloud to me, then began to read on their own).
Meditate On It
The top half of the second page for each developmental level covers the “Meditate On It”
section. Here, you’ll find “Memorizing the Word”, “Notebooking the Word”, and “Praying
about the Word”.
I encourage you to memorize Scripture with your child. I’ve provided more verses to memorize
as the children move up in the developmental stages. However, children can have vastly
different aptitudes for memorization. It’s important that you adjust the number of verses per
week depending upon your child’s abilities.
Notebooking is an important skill that aids retention and comprehension. For younger children,
notebooking may be too much work. You may want to take their dictation for them, or you can
stick to crafts, and the memory verse art project described in Year One Week One (your children
will illustrate their verse each week). For the older children, I encourage you to have them keep
individual notebooks. The amount they record is completely at your discretion ~ you know your
own child better than anyone! To help you implement the notebooking, and to make it fun, I’ve
created weekly notebook sheet packs which are available for free on BibleRoadTrip.org.
The prayer section of “Meditate On It” will give children an opportunity to learn more about the
Church in the world today. Students will learn about other cultures, religions, and the challenges
to modern missions. This section is provided to help you affect your child’s perspective and
worldview. The reading for the Dialectic and Rhetoric levels should be spread over several days,
as it can be hefty. Over the three year survey, students will cover the entire book they are using.
This section, while valuable, is certainly optional. Your family may choose another prayer
focus. Be sure to pray together, though! The time you spend praying with your children now
will help form a lifelong habit for them.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Explore Further
The “Explore Further” section on the bottom of the second page of each level gives students an
opportunity to explore fun resources, put their new knowledge into practice, and create some fun
crafts (projects for the older students). Everything in this section is optional, but highly
recommended. If you can find the time for these activities, your child is far more likely to enjoy
and remember what they’ve learned.
For the Grammar levels, I’ve recommended the excellent DVD series “What’s in the Bible with
Buck Denver”. These videos are written by Phil Vischer (of Veggie Tales fame), and are just
fabulous. For the Dialectic and Rhetoric levels, I’ve chosen a few fascinating documentaries for
Year One, as well as the “Drive Thru History [Holy Land] with David Stotts” series for Year
One through Year Three. They’re fun, engaging, and they allow your children to actually see the
places history was made.
There are other suggestions, but I just wanted to mention those two series, as I am truly excited
about the multi-dimensional feature they add to the curriculum. If cost is an issue for you, please
consider approaching your public librarian. Our public library carries the “What’s in the Bible
with Buck Denver” series only because a little friend of ours advocated for the purchase every
time she went in! The DVDs are blessing numerous families now, and many of us have loved
them enough to purchase our own.
The Long Story Short
Bible Road Trip was designed to help facilitate your family’s journey through Scripture. Don’t
like something about it? Change it. You can add, subtract, or alter the curriculum without any
guilty feelings what-so-ever. After all, you are in the driver’s seat!
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Dig Deep ~ Researching the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
“Researching the Word” is a vital part of the Bible Road Trip curriculum. The work your family
does here will help map your trip through the Bible that week. Children will have an opportunity
to become familiar with the book they’ll be studying. They’ll learn about the storyline, the
theme and message, the characters, the writer, biblical archaeology supporting information found
in the book, ancient literature, and (for the older grades) any debates or issues surrounding the
book itself.
Let’s take a quick look at the spine resources for Bible Road Trip, used in “Researching the
Word”:
What the Bible is All About for Kids, based on work by Henrietta C. Mears ~ used
for Upper and Lower Grammar (grades 1-6), Years One – Three
o What the Bible is All About for Kids is a fantastically visual, easy-to-understand
resource which outlines the Bible book by book. It helps children understand the
books of the Bible in the context of the greater “library” of God’s Word.
What the Bible is All About Resources: Reproducible Maps, Charts, Timelines &
Illustrations ~ used for Upper and Lower Grammar (grades 1-6), Years One – Three
o This wonderful resource coordinates with What the Bible is All About to allow
children to book outlines, timelines and maps to their individual notebooks (be
sure your child has a three-ring binder!). My younger children have been using
this resource for several years (they’re headed into 3rd
and 4th
grade), and will
often copy a page when they want something to color. The resource is
worthwhile for the black-and-white outline maps alone.
The Baker Illustrated Bible Handbook, Edited by J. Daniel Hays and J. Scott
Duvall ~ used for Dialectic (grades 7-9), Years One – Three
o This fantastic book-by-book Bible guide has four pages of contributing scholars
listed! With over 500 full-color illustrations, maps and photos, the book is highly
visual and engaging. Each section is written for the lay person, and does a
fantastic job of explaining the book, the issues, and the theme(s). There are
sidebars that cover archaeology, ancient literature, customs of the day, and
important biblical themes and concepts. The book is written for the lay person,
and is perfect for middle school (or for the high school level, should you choose
to have your Rhetoric students use this book instead).
Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey (Second Edition), by Bill T.
Arnold and Bryan E. Beyer ~ used for Rhetoric (grades 10-12), Years One – Two
o First, let me tell you that I am loving Encountering the Old Testament!
Recommended to me by one of our pastors, Scott Gassoway, this is a fantastic
resource, well worth owning. Second, let me tell you that this is an entry-level
college course text. The text is highly visual and engaging. It does, however,
require a student to think. Much of the teaching involves explaining specific
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
debates regarding an area of Scripture. The authors are thorough and careful in
explaining the issues, without assuming prior knowledge on the part of the
student. They present both the argument and the flaws in the theory. This was
not true of many of the texts I reviewed for Bible Road Trip. You will want to
review the text as well, so that you can discuss the reading with your young adult.
This book is best suited to children who have some experience with challenging
their minds. If you are beginning Bible Road Trip with a high school-aged
student, and you’re concerned about the level of academics involved, you may
wish to use the spine text for the dialectic level: The Baker Illustrated Bible
Handbook. In addition to being a fantastic resource in and of itself, Encountering
the Old Testament (Second Edition) includes an interactive CD-ROM with
software you can load to your computer. Students can read each chapter on the
computer, quiz themselves after each section, view maps, videos, photographs,
read about various areas of biblical life and culture, etc. It’s fantastic! The CD-
ROM in the second edition is compatible with Windows 7 and older versions of
Windows.
Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey (Second
Edition), by Walter A. Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough ~ used for Rhetoric (grades
10-12), Year Three
o This text follows the same structure as Encountering the Old Testament, and also
includes an interactive CD-ROM. I expect it will be just as fabulous as the Old
Testament text.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Reading the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
“Reading the Word” is the central part of the Bible Road Trip curriculum. The whole goal
behind Bible Road Trip is to allow your children to gain a knowledge and understanding of the
Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. As they cycle through the developmental stages, they
will have the opportunity to learn the Bible with a deepening comprehension and awareness. By
the Rhetoric (or high school) stage, your child will read - and study! – the Bible cover to cover in
three years.
For the lower stages, I’ve tried to keep the weekly reading to a manageable level. Because the
curriculum addresses the Bible somewhat thematically, you will not find an even amount of
reading each week. Rather, you will find reading related to one particular section of the Bible.
For instance, in Year One Week Three, we read Genesis 1-11. In Year One Week Four, we read
Genesis 12-36. In Year One Week Eight, we cover all of Leviticus. All of Leviticus takes about
two hours to read. I think that for a high school student, two hours of reading in a week is
reasonable, even on top of the rest of the curriculum. However, if you find your student needs
more time on the weeks with a heavier reading schedule, you can always take two weeks. A
standard curriculum length is 36 weeks. Bible Road Trip is 32 weeks long to allow you to
schedule extra time in your year if you need it. For the lower stages, I’ve worked hard to have a
more even reading schedule.
Let’s talk about what they’ll be covering:
Preschool-Kindergarten
Preschool and Kindergarten students will be learning to understand the story of the Bible. The
amount of weekly reading for this level will be highly variable. Narrative sections of the Bible
are naturally a better fit for a Bible story book than genealogies or sections of law. Some
chapters of prophecy would be quite scary for a four-year-old. On weeks where you don’t feel
there is enough reading for your child, feel free to use chapters from the weekly Lower Grammar
assignments. Read aloud to your student; make it a bonding time.
Lower Grammar (Grades 1-3)
For Lower Grammar Students, my goal is to limit the reading to around 5 chapters a week; that’s
one chapter a day for five days. However, there are weeks when your student may be reading an
extra chapter a day, as some of the narrative is vital! Is your Lower Grammar child clamoring
for more time reading the Bible? Move them up to the Upper Grammar reading schedule. Read
aloud to your student; make it a bonding time.
Upper Grammar (Grades 4-6)
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
For Upper Grammar Students, my goal is to limit the reading to around 10 chapters a week;
that’s two chapters a day for five days. However, there are weeks when your student may be
reading an extra chapter a day, as some of the narrative is vital! Is your Upper Grammar child a
terrific reader? Do they want more challenge? Move them up to the Dialectic reading schedule.
Are they struggling with two chapters a day? Read aloud to your student; make it a bonding
time.
Dialectic (Grades 7-9)
Dialectic readers will be reading about 15 chapters a week, or three chapters a day. Again, this
isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it should hold true most weeks. There may be weeks when the
narrative is very important, and more reading is called for (or the chapters are very short), and
some when we just don’t have as much reading to do. If your Dialectic student needs more of a
challenge, they can always do the Rhetoric reading schedule.
Rhetoric (Grades 10-12)
As I mentioned above, the Rhetoric students will be reading the entire Bible in 3 years. Even on
the heaviest weeks, the reading shouldn’t take more than 2 or 3 hours total for the week. May I
suggest that you, as the parent, also read according to the Rhetoric schedule?
Discussion Questions
Every learning stage but the Preschool-Kindergarten includes discussion questions for each
chapter. These questions are meant to help you connect with your student and find important
facts or major themes in each chapter. You can use the questions in a family worship setting, in
a discussion time in your homeschool, or you can have your child journal the answers (just be
certain they’re not overwhelmed with “work”). I’ve included the same questions for each level
to facilitate an effective discussion time in families with children in multiple developmental
stages.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
What About the Tough Passages?
Let’s be honest… some passages in the Bible are difficult to understand as an adult. Children are
going to need your help processing some of the reading. For Upper Grammar readers, I took out
some of the dicier sections, but if you hand your child a Bible, they may read it! By the Rhetoric
stage, everything is read.
So… how do you address issues like sex, rape, and violence?
My husband and I have found it’s best to be really honest and straightforward. We explained to
our children what sex is, how it works (just basic mechanics), and THEN we explained God’s
plan for sex. After our kids had a good idea of what God’s plan for sex is, we were able to
address how fallen our world is. We could talk about sin, evil, and the broken choices people
make.
Round Robin Reading ~ One Way to Read
Our boys are in 3rd and 4th grade, so we’ve been using the Upper Grammar level, which has an
average reading load of ten chapters a week from the Bible, in addition to reading about the
Bible and other cultures. We read two chapters a day, five days a week, and discuss each chapter
as we go.
We’ve been reading the (adult) Bible together for about four years now. I’ve read the Bible to
them while they colored, and they’ve read the Bible to themselves quietly. With Bible Road
Trip, I wanted our journey through the Bible to truly be a joint venture. We bought each boy an
ESV Study Bible (the adult kind), and I got one for myself as well. We each have the same
version of the Bible, which is helpful as we read together. We sit at the table together, and we
each read a paragraph, going in a circle until we’re done.
It’s working really well for us! Everyone remains engaged in the narrative, we all get a turn to
read out loud, and no one carries the majority of the load. I think we’ll continue this way for the
next two years, and reassess when we reach the Dialectic level.
I’m finding that using the discussion questions helps engage the children as well. They usually
have a number of their own questions, and it gives me time to add information from my studies.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Memorizing the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
Long ago, before Jesus was born into the humble home of sheep and cattle, and long after Joseph
brought his brothers and their father into the green land of Goshen, the people of Israel messed
up. They didn’t mess up just a little. No, the people of Israel committed spiritual adultery for
generations. They turned their backs on the Lord, and they bowed to carved sticks and golden
statues. God’s people forgot Him. It’s not that God didn’t remind His people to turn from evil
and follow Him. God sent prophets to remind His children Who they belonged to. Even so, the
people of Israel persisted in their idolatry.
God is really patient. But every action has a consequence, and Israel was taken into captivity
and led from the land God had given them.
It was in the post exilic era that we think Psalm 119 was written. Now, I know Psalm 119 is
really long. If Psalms could run marathons, this Psalm would be the winner. Still, it’s worth
reading this week. There are 22 strophes, so you could read 3 a day. Maybe read 4 on one of the
days. Maybe read it aloud to your children. Let’s read the Beth Strophe (Psalm 119:9-16 ESV)
together:
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Could there be any better reason for memorizing Scripture? How can our kids follow God’s
Word if they do not know it? “Memorizing the Word” gives children the opportunity to store
God’s Word in their heart. That way, they can keep their way pure!
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
I considered giving you statistics and important facts about memorizing Scripture. But I decided
that the words of a man – exiled from his country, in love with God’s Word, and committed to
living for the Lord - would be more effective.
In Bible Road Trip, I chose Scripture memory verses that pertain to the week’s Scripture reading
– either to the content, or to the theme. Rhetoric students will memorize more Scripture than
Lower Grammar students. Do you have verses you feel are more relevant? By all means, use
those. Do your children need more of a challenge? Add some work for them. Bible Road Trip
is ready-to-use, yet you are welcome to customize it for your children. I’ve only cited the
Scripture references, so that you can choose the Bible version you’d like your children to
memorize.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Bible Memory to Go
When our children were younger, I used to print a Bible verse on the bottom of a piece of
cardstock and have them create a work of art to illustrate the verse. Then, we’d tape the
cardstock to the door and read the verse aloud several times a day until they knew the verse well.
Now, my children are not excited about illustrating the verses, and we have more verses to work
on. We started our verse memorization for Bible Road Trip by writing the verses on a 4×6″ card
at the beginning of the week. We used the cards to memorize the verses. The problem? The
cards were getting stained or misplaced. So, we laminated the verses. Then I purchased some
2″ “book rings”, a $2 hole punch, and voila! – we have our own Bible verse rings. The kids
don’t lose individual cards, nothing gets bent or sticky (I know that never happens with your
children), and we can carry them around with us.
We don’t eat a lot of sugar in our house, so for fun I reward the kids for memorizing the verses.
They get a piece of licorice for each new verse. At the end of the week, if they can say every
verse for me with minimal prompting, they receive another 3 pieces of licorice. That’s 5 licorice
pieces a week… it makes the whole thing fun for them. By the end of Year One, we should have
some 60 or 70 verses memorized (I’m memorizing, too!).
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Notebooking About the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
Notebooking simply involves creating a notebook for a given subject in which a student can
write, draw, map, keep a timeline, do copywork, and record their observations. Writing (and
composing sentences and paragraphs) helps a student retain information in an entirely different
manner than listening, crafting, or filling in blanks.
When a student is able to create their own record of what they’ve learned, they’re able to employ
their mind fully. This, of course, adds to their retention of what they’re studying.
Throughout history, notebooking has been an important part of education and innovation. You
may recognize the names of a few notebookers from years ago; Thomas Edison, Leonardo Da
Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein all kept notebooks.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Your children may be prolific writers, or writing may be painful for them. Don’t push your
students too hard. Allow them to record their observations in a manner that you both agree on.
This may be in the form of lists, drawings with labels, or in a full-blown weekly essay (for older
students). Certainly, as you work through three years of Bible Road Trip, you will both notice a
vast difference in your child’s first notebook page, and in their last notebook page. Anything we
practice is bound to improve!
To help you and your students with the notebooking, I have created notebook page packs for
each week for the Lower Grammar, Upper Grammar and Dialectic levels. You’ll find these
listed with the corresponding week of curriculum on the indexes at the top of the page at
BibleRoadTrip.org.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Praying About the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
I wanted children to develop a habit of daily prayer, and of mission-minded concern for people
groups around the globe. Did you know that, according to the Joshua Project, there are 4,366
unreached people groups in the world?
The Joshua Project defines “unreached” as: “An unreached or least-reached people is a people
group among which there is no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate
numbers and resources to evangelize this people group. The original Joshua Project editorial
committee selected the criteria less than 2% Evangelical Christian and less than 5% Christian
Adherents.”
That’s a lot of people who have no access to the Word of God.
Children who go through “Praying about the Word” will learn about countries and people groups
across the globe. They’ll hear about the problems facing missionaries and Christians, the
hopeful signs of Church growth, and the areas which really need prayer.
Lower and Upper Grammar students will cover major countries (and a number of smaller ones)
over the 3 year survey. Window on the World is a fantastic book that allows kids to see a slice of
life in a given country, and explains the state of Christianity there.
Dialectic and Rhetoric students will cover every country in 3 years. They’ll read important
statistics, and detailed explanations of the state of each country. They’ll hear about the
challenges the Church faces, and how they can pray for disciples in each area. Operation World
is an incredible resource. Older students will come away from Bible Road Trip with a mature
understanding of global Christianity today.
I urge you to include “Praying about the Word” for your children. As you study the Bible as a
family, begin to pray for other families throughout the world.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Learning More About the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
In this section of Bible Road Trip, children will have an opportunity to examine what they’ve
learned in a new and different way.
For the Lower and Upper Grammar levels (grades 1-6), this includes the incredible “What’s in
the Bible with Buck Denver?” DVD series. This series is so fantastic! If cost is an issue for
your family, nag your local librarian until the library purchases copies of the series. We have
friends who did this, and the series has blessed many children in the community. We love the
series enough to make sure we own copies. We’ve also given them as gifts many, many times.
We’ve been watching our DVD episode on Fridays to finish up our weekly unit… my boys look
forward to our puppet and popcorn time each week.
For Upper Grammar (grades 4-6), I’ve chosen several fantastic biblical historical fiction novels
each year. I know your family is busy, and that your children have homework, or other classes
with reading, so I’ve spread the reading out over several weeks. This gives kids lots of time to
get their reading done. Why read biblical fiction? It gives children an opportunity to envision
themselves in the time period, living out some portion of what they’ve read. Over time, I’ll be
reviewing these resources individually at Thinking Kids.
Dialectic and Rhetoric levels (grades 7-12) also have the opportunity to see interesting videos
throughout the course. The majority of these videos deal with biblical archaeology. One of my
favorite resources for the upper grades of Bible Road Trip is the “Drive Thru History: Holy Land
(with Dave Stotts)” series. The films are funny, engaging, and provide a tour through actual
Holy Land archaeological sites. The episodes are scheduled geographically (rather than by book
of the Bible), so I’ve done my best to schedule them in a reasonably related manner. The goal of
allowing young adults to learn about biblical archaeology is to allow them to see the Bible as a
historically sound document. It’s important that our children understand that the events of the
Bible actually occurred!
Dialectic students will also have the opportunity to do a mini-research project each week. The
goal here is to give them a direction in which to explore, a little guidance, and see what they
come up with. They can record their findings in their notebooks. Rhetoric students are not
included in this research, as their crafting project each week requires its own research; however,
they are welcome to use the Dialectic topics as a spring-board.
I urge you to include “Learning More about the Word” in your family’s weekly journey through
the Bible. The DVDs and activities will help the Bible come to life for your students.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
Crafting Through the Word ~ An In-Depth Look
“Crafting Through the Word” allows children to really internalize what they’ve been
learning. When we create works of art to represent what we’ve been learning, it employs our
brains in a whole new method of study. “Crafting Through the Word” changes as children age.
Explore Further ~ Crafting Through the Word ~ Preschool, Kindergarten, Lower and Upper Grammar
For the Preschool, Kindergarten, Lower and Upper Grammar levels (grades 1-6), the
crafting section of Bible Road Trip is designed to be simple, fun, and artistic. Children can
experiment with different mediums and art forms, expressing what they’ve learned for the week.
Some projects, like the “bookshelf” pictured at the beginning of this post, are ongoing. The
process of creating the bookshelf will help children remember the order and category of each
book of the Bible. Other projects, like the painting above, deal with a portion of the reading for
the week.
Grammar students are still filing information into their brains for later use. They excel at facts
and figures, and at memorization. Many grammar level children enjoy creating, and would much
rather paint than write. Crafting is a wonderful way to help these students connect to the stories
they’ve heard, and to make the Bible come alive.
As an art major, I always think that minimal instruction is best at this age. We want to give our
kids a direction to work in, hand them the materials they need to complete their work of art, and
encourage them liberally. For our art projects, we have a stock of colored and white cardstock,
paper, construction paper, colored pens, permanent markers, colored pencils, crayons,
paintbrushes, watercolors, acrylics, finger paints, scissors and glue. We also keep a few fun
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
3-dimensional supplies on hand for moments of inspiration. We have a basket of odds and ends
like glitter, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, google eyes and pompoms.
In short, the crafting suggestions in Bible Road Trip exist to help you support your children’s
creative expression of what they’ve learned. Using their hands to form their lessons is a fantastic
way to aid the educational process.
Don’t worry if your child’s cloud and fire pillar drawing looks unrecognizable. Just encourage
them for making the effort, tape it to the refrigerator (or file it in their notebook), and thank them
for such great work. Over time, their ability to put ideas onto paper will improve. Children are
often discouraged by the fact that the picture in their head doesn’t always translate onto the
page. Our job as parents is to let our kids know that art is creative, and that we may be surprised
(a little) by the way something turns out. Art is also hard work. It takes practice to perfect our
skills. As they become less sensitive about their work, we can note fun new techniques they can
try that may change the look of their art.
Explore Further ~ Crafting Through the Word ~ Dialectic
For the Dialectic levels (grades 7-9), the crafting section of Bible Road Trip is designed to help
your middle school students associate what they are learning about the Bible to history and to
archaeology. It will also help them understand the chronology of the biblical narrative.
Dialectic students will create and manage a biblical timeline for the three years of their Bible
Road Trip. As they read, they will add dates to their timeline.
By the third year of in Bible Road Trip, Dialectic students will have a good idea of how the Bible
is situated in history. They’ll understand how the various kings relate to each other, and where
the prophets were located in the narrative. Additionally, they will have some knowledge of what
was occurring in the rest of the world.
Bible Road Trip ~ A 3 Year Bible Survey Parenting Guide
© 2013 Danika Cooley All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced by printing or photocopying only. Permission is given to use said document in a home, Sunday School or Co-Op setting. This document may not be transmitted in any other form or by any other means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Danika Cooley. This document is not for sale. While you may not copy this work to your blog, website, or email, you may link back to this document at Thinking Kids: http://thinkingkids.wordpress.com, or at Bible Road Trip: http://bibleroadtrip.org.
As students do their mini-research projects (see “Learning More about the Word ~ Dialectic”),
they can add dates they locate in their research as well. This allows children to truly engage in
and own their Bible studies.
“Crafting Through the Word” for Dialectic level students will help build a foundation of
understanding for a life time of Bible study. Students will gain a solid understanding of the
biblical narrative in history. It will become more 3-dimensional for them as they add layers of
knowledge to their studies.
Explore Further ~ Crafting Through the Word ~ Rhetoric
For the Rhetoric levels (grades 10-12), the crafting section of Bible Road Trip is designed to
help high school students communicate what they’ve been learning about the Bible with
others. By the time your student is in high school, they should be developmentally moving into
the “rhetoric” stage of learning, where they are ready to effectively present information, respond
to questions, and really share their faith and knowledge.
I’ve suggested that Rhetoric students choose a topic each week to blog or share a video
presentation about. It is completely at the discretion of each family whether this presentation is
made public. Whether your student shares their thoughts over the internet, or just with your
family or youth group, I urge you to consider having your child write about their studies each
week. The practice of sharing their new knowledge of the Bible will not only help cement the
information in their mind, but will help them gain the confidence to speak about God’s Word
with some authority.