We
have done it in so many different ways. One year we read
Pilgrim's Progress, another year we used a "canned" curriculum (when
the kids were really little) that took us through the Bible. But
my very favorite memories are when we just used the Word of God and
read it word for word, verse by verse, chapter after chapter and
discussed what God was teaching us that day.
It was amazing. It never failed that the very thing we read was
exactly what we needed to learn that day. Oh how I miss those
times! (Those children are grown now.) They were truly
precious and beautiful times that have made glorious memories.
We would read a couple of chapters in the Old Testament, one chapter of
proverbs (one for each day of the month and yes, we did it all year,
repeating Proverbs monthly), and one chapter of Psalms and one chapter
of the New Testament.
This took us about an hour and a half daily, but I cannot express what
a sweet and precious time it was. I just might start it up again
this summer with my young kids still here at home. (They have
autism and have a hard time listening.)
We also spent some family worship seasons just going through one
particular book of the Bible and studying it. We went through
Revelation, for instance, one year and learned so much we hadn't
already known!
There is always something new and wonderful in God's Word!
Now that we are "cottage schooling" (teaching our own children and a few others),we do Bible Study time a little differently.
First, we start the day by saying our pledges -- American Flag,
Christian Flag, and Bible. Then, we sing a patriotic song and
then a spiritual song. After that, we take our seats and go over
prayer requests and pray over them.
After prayer time we get out our Grapevine Bible Studies
books and everyone works on their own level. These books are
awesome! Be sure to check them out. I have students ages 3
years to adult, and everyone is able to work at their own level.
Basically, you stick-figure your way through the
Bible. The pages have time lines, and the students draw in what
happens in the bible story for the day. The kids really remember
the stories this way and not only the stories, but the order in which
they happen and who did what when! :-)
After our Bible time we stand and pray the Lord's
Prayer. That closes out our worship time at cottage school, and
it is always a blessing. Anytime we start the day without chapel
or Bible study the day just seems to be "off." The day just
doesn't seem right without putting God's Word at the top of it all!
(I will be posting a review of Grapevine Bible Studies on my review blog if you want check it out!)
