Review: Bible Study Guide for All Ages

This summer we were sent some study materials from the Bible Study Guide for All Ages group.   More specifically we asked to review their bible guide materials available for the Intermediate Age group.  These are aimed specifically at grades 3 and 4 but because I have good readers I thought they looked like a better fit for us than their products for K-2 (they also have products for preschool AND older kids).

We were sent volume 1 of their Intermediate Student Pages which encompasses lessons 1-26.  There are 416 lessons total in the curriculum and the lesson packets come 26 to a set.  These sets are available for $5.95 each.  You need a packet for each child.  We were also sent the Bible Book Study cards, there are 66 cards (available in 2 different sizes) and they cost $24.95.

Thoughts:

• This program is pretty much open and go.  No prep work is needed and supplies are minimal.  You have probably noticed, if you read my reviews, that I favor these type of programs!  They are more likely to get done around here.
• This is easy to fit into a busy schedule.  It doesn't take long to do a lesson - I'd say it takes us about 20 minutes to fit one in.
• You can mix and match material for different ages but the lessons all tie into the same scripture verses so you can study the same bible material together.  This would be great if you had a wide age range of kids and wanted to study as a family.
• You can't have too much bible study, right?!  I think that even after completing this program (which will take 4 years if you do 2 lessons a week) there would be value in doing it again.  
• The program is fun - it is engaging and the kids don't complain about doing it.  Eager students are half the battle.  It also doesn't hurt to entice them in with a snack!
• The material, from what I have seen so far, does a good job of being non-denominational.  If you are interested in more information on exactly where this group is coming from, you can read their statement of belief here.  We are LDS and I felt like this program was a comfortable fit with what we personally believe.
• The materials are very affordable and nice quality (heavy card-stock bible cards and a nice weight to the student pages).

• The program does not simply move along from book to book in the bible.  It instead moves around which I think helps keep it more interesting.  The authors, rightly, point out that a purely chronological study of the bible wouldn't get to Jesus until year 3 of 4.  That's silly!  The lessons we have studied so far have focused on Genesis and Joseph.  As an aside, I like to think that my copy of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has partly contributed to their great knowledge bank on the many details in the story of Joseph! :)
• You can get an accurate feel for the material at each level by looking at full page samples available online.  Here are the sample pages for the intermediate level.
• You can use whichever version of the Bible you prefer as your main book to read from.  We use the King James version.
• Each lesson follows a specific order.  I like that a sense of routine is established.  First we do some reading, then some review, then work on a bible memory card.  Next we discuss a question from the reading, study a timeline, and have an activity.  There is an "apply it" area where you discuss how the Bible story applies in different ways to us today, and suggestions on what to pray about.  The back side of the page is an activity worksheet to be filled out that reinforces the material study.
• The study cards are great.  They provide visual cues to help the kids remember important information from the bible.  One side is just pictures, and the other side is information that's good to remember.  The reminders to use the cards are incorporated into the lessons so you don't have to remember "all on your own" - an extra plus.

• Parts of the lessons seem a bit "workbooky" to someone like me, who is adverse to work pages.  But it's not busy work and the activities seem designed to reinforce the learning.  I'm finding that it's been a good experience for my kids who have little exposure to workbooks - it's helping them learn to follow seemingly simple instructions.  :)
• There are songs and timeline materials available to enhance the program.  If you have the space to put up a 6 foot timeline I think it sounds like a great idea - I've been eying my walls and am pondering going for it.  Timelines are a great way to provide memory pegs for kids and cement knowledge.

I am really enjoying this product and plan to purchase more materials from Bible Study Guide for All Ages.  If you're looking for a well put together, easy to use, and cost effective program to add some bible study I think this one is worth a look.

Other members of The Schoolhouse Review crew looked at materials available for this level and the other levels of this program.  Check out their reviews here.