TOS Crew Review: Apologia's What We Believe Series: Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him Bk 1

"...student-directed, Bible-based curriculum, your children will learn how to use Scripture as a lens through which to view the world around them—to see everything the way God sees it—and know the truth." 

[from the Apologia website]

I cannot think of a better way to start a review than by quoting the goal for this curriculum series.  As I plan out and look for the next year's learning materials for my children, I always hit a wall when it comes to apologetics/worldview instruction.  I have found some material which we enjoy, but it seems to always leave us a bit disappointed in the end.  I did consider this very book, for this year, but was unsure if it would fit our learning style and needs-so I delayed purchasing it (and good thing too because I have it now to review!).  Boy was I pleasantly surprised when I actually got my hands on this great series (well book one so far).    

Not only is this a gorgeous book-inside and out, it is well written and provides amble activities, and thought provoking material that directly applies to my child's life.  Best yet, there are several areas which are really Charlotte Mason inspired-and because that is our basic philosophy for learning-it fits our family rather well.  

I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is when a curriculum includes such things as a rich delicious brownie recipe, as well as one for S'more Clusters and more!  I mean, sure-I have several cookbooks/recipes where I can find these things-but just imagine the delight and deliciousness of it all when moving through the chapter to suddenly find yourself staring at a fun, and tasty treat which ties into the lesson! Partner that with the amazing photography, applicable stories [to the child's experiences] used to illustrate the basic nuts and bolts of the main topic, vocabulary and Bible verse memory activities, prayer moments, and the exploration of Godly character traits. Best yet, it includes lessons to help the student apply what the Lord says in His Word vs what the world says.  That is what I love the most about this curriculum.  It asks the child to look at both sides of the fence to find the Truth.  By providing our son with the basic building blocks to create a solid [discussed within this text] foundation [built on the Rock],  we will see the good fruit unfold as he experiences "real world" situations in his life .  By fruit, I inferring that he will know how to reference what he is being told by friends, family, co-workers and the media to what God has to say.  Discernment in today's world is sadly hard to find.  By using this as a part of our growth in Christ, we are providing him with the tools he will require to fight the influx of wrongs out there.  The "Who Is God?" study  is an easy to use, thorough and excellent way to assist us with our son's spiritual walk.  

We are definitely going to continue with this series!

I highly recommend the Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him to anyone looking for a balanced, interactive and enjoyable apologetics curriculum.  What's more,  Apologia offers not only a possible 2 week lesson plan layout for you to follow, but they include information for downloading notebook pages you can use to further the learning experience (although, being that I consider notebooking pages to be somewhat different than their version-I prefer to call them worksheets.  If you are very CM oriented, you could use these as possible thought provoking narration questions, or turn them into other activities which apply more to CM's methods).  Be sure to download the sample lesson, Table of Contents and the FAQ material, to glean better insight to this wonderful program.   

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Apologia Homepage

Apologia's Who is God? info page

$39.00   [very nice hard back edition]

Age range:  6-14

Don't forget to read what my TOS mates have to say about this, and many other fine homeschool products over on our TOS Review Crew homepage.

***Apologia Educational Ministries provided me with a free Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him book, to use with my children and so that I could write this review.  I did not receive any financial compensation for my honest opinion of this product.