TOS REVIEW: Apologia: Who Is God- & Can I Really Know Him?

Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him?

ISBN: 978-1-935495-07-9

Cost: $39.00

Ages: 6-14 recommended (but it can be geared up or down, in my opinion)

from Apologia Press

As the saying goes, stand for something or fall for anything. It is important to know our worldview. Apologia brings a four volume series dealing with issues that should be close to our hearts. I was sent a copy of Volume 1 through The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew for review.

From the website:

Who is God and Can I Really Know Him?, introduces the concept of worldview while laying the foundational truths upon which the evangelical Christian worldview is built: God is truth and He reveals His truth to people; He is the one true and almighty God; He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; He created everything; we are God’s children and are made to love and to praise Him; God meets all our needs; sin keeps us from God; and Jesus is the only way to God.

Spanning 252 pages in 10 Lessons, this book helps solidify a Biblical worldview of God and Truth. You can see a PDF of the Table of Contents at Apolgia's site but here is a short rundown:

• Where Am I Building My Life?
• How Can I Know What's True?
  What Is God Like (Part 1)?
• What Is God Like (Part 2)?
• Who Are the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
  If God Created the World, Why Isn't It Perfect?
• Why Did God Create Me?
• Will God Meet All My Needs?
• Why Does Sin Keep Me from Knowing God?
• Is Jesus the Only Way to God?

The Lessons have subheadings of interest such as (very incomplete list!):

• The Big Idea
• What You Will Do
• Think About It
• Words You Need to Know
• What Should I Do?
• A Prayer
• The House of Truth (Biblical Truths #1-8)

Included throughout the book are great bits such as "The Great Pyramid of Giza", "Phenomenal Brownies" recipe, "How to Make a Samurai Sword", and many more. You can view a sample lesson at Apologia Press in PDF here.

At the beginning of the book, before the Lessons start you will find "How to Use This Book" and I think that this part of the book is very important. The intended method for implementing the book is very close to what I like to use in our homeschool for other subjects. Although notebooking is very new to us, the read-aloud and narrating is not. There is also a link to additional resources that help to teach the course. 

The link brings you resources such as:

• Teacher Helps (PDF)
• Notebooking Pages (PDF)
• House of Truth pages (for building through the Biblical Truths) (PDF)
• Online Bibles (links)
• Bible Study Tools (links)
• Worldview Studies (links)
• Christian Apologetics (links)
• Movie, TV, Video Games Reviews (links)
• Book Reviews (links)

We used this as a Bible class in our school. The kids were allowed to sit or lie anywhere they felt comfortable with their Bible, a pencil/pen and a notebook by their side. My kids are 11 and 14 but they still love read-alouds. I would read a portion of the Lesson while they wrote or drew in their notebooks what caught their mind, what they wanted to remember. For instance, my son liked to make sure he wrote down the Scriptures being cited (not the entire verses just the book, chapter and verse) whereas my daughter waited until the "Hide It in Your Heart" to write down the Scriptures. Both of them drew pictures as I read. When we came to the end of a section they would 'narrate' back what we'd learned based on their drawings.

A little tip on the Scriptures: the authors have chosen to use various translations of the Bible. Personally, I like the KJV but I don't think not using this particular translation detracted from the application of Scriptures in this book. The translations that are used are: 

New International Version

New Living Translation

International Children's Bible (New Century Version)

New American Standard Bible

New King James Version

English Standard Version

New Century Version

New Revised Standard Version Bible

It would be very difficult for me to pick out my favorite part of this book because I really am enjoying it all. We're not done with it yet and plan to continue all the way through. Both kids said that it would be something that they would consider continuing on through (the other 3 volumes). That in itself is pretty impressive. This is a subject that although not difficult in the same way as math is, it is not their favorite subject (honesty is always best lol). There were some tough topics in this book that really got us to thinking. So what do they think of this book?

Fox really liked the stories- they are interesting. He likes the recipes throughout the book (I like the references behind the recipes) as well as the 'random' hands-on activities and facts. Lee, being older and in that place between a child and a woman, likes the fact that it is a textbook. A very good point she gives for liking this book is the font and message is clear; no small hard to read font or hard to grasp concepts.

When I asked about "The Prayer" that is included in each Lesson both of my kids were uncomfortable with them. They felt as if these were other peoples prayers and that they were almost impersonal. Fox specifically stated that they were long and not something that he would ordinarily say when praying. I did try to convey that these are guidelines, not a set prayer that we are to pray. But that is how they feel about that...

They both love the photographs and pictures. I think that there were just enough to not seem to flashy or overcrowded; appropriate at the right time.

When I asked for their opinion of how notebooking goes along with this study aid, they both responded that it is something positive. By notebooking they are able to catch the thoughts as they come, whereas if they were to wait at the end of the reading, they may misplace a few thoughts. Lee pointed out that there are different formats, I guess that would be a good word, for the notebooking. By that I think she means in one you write Scriptures, in another you write down you feelings, in yet another you draw what you see/think. They both liked the 'narrating' back from their notebooking to each other.

The Lessons they felt were a bit long. Perhaps, even though my kids are not the 'typical' x+ hours-a-day-watching-tv-playing-video-games kids, they do like their lessons to be a bit shorter. Perhaps I read too slow... I think the lessons are just fine in regards to time length and topic coverage.

Bottomline:

This is a beautiful book in visual as well as spiritual terms. I would definitely recommend this to others- homeschoolers or otherwise. It is a book that would make a great addition to any home library and a keepsake. This could be read again and again.

I apologize that I do not have any visuals in this post as I really think that would be a plus! Be sure to check out the Sample Lesson at Apologia's website. This book is beautiful and well done. We like this book here in our school/home :) We are seriously considering purchasing the coming books as well.

Also! Coming soon (Spring 2011) they will have a Notebooking Journal ($24), Coloring Book ($8) and an Audio MP3 CD ($15) to go with this. You can request a 2011 catalog or search the pdf catalog at Apologia.

Would you like to hear what others had to say about this? Head over to the TOS Crew blog for more reviews from fellow TOS Crew members.

**Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Apologia Press through the TOS Crew in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine or my childrens' and were not required to be positive. See Disclosure/Policies.**