10/23/15

Explorer Series Journey #3! by Dave Miller, Ph.D. Brad Harrub, Ph.D.


http://apologeticspress.org/apPubPage.aspx?pub=1&issue=582

Explorer Series Journey #3!

by Dave Miller, Ph.D.
Brad Harrub, Ph.D.
Some four years ago, Apologetics Press embarked on a monumental project to produce a Bible class curriculum to teach third through sixth graders Christian evidences. Those efforts yielded the Explorer Series, which takes curious young minds on fascinating journeys through God’s Word and God’s world. Journey #1—“Christian Evidences for Kids”—was released in 2002. This first offering enables young people to examine proof for the existence of God and the inspiration of the Bible. This series includes facts from science that young people can use to refute the theory of evolution (including false ideas about their alleged ape-like ancestry). They are exposed to the evidence that dinosaurs and humans lived on the Earth at the same time. They can discover eternal truths about the deity of Christ and the uniqueness of His church.
A year after the release of Journey #1, the saga continued when Journey #2 was completed and released—“Faith-Building Answers for Kids.” Kids can learn about the Genesis account of Creation, and study such topics as the Bible and the age of the Earth, and how man was created in the “image and likeness of God.” The series also discusses the origin and mission of Satan, the Fall of man, the Genesis Flood, and the Tower of Babel. Studious children also can learn about the differences between the Old and New Testaments, how we got the Bible, alleged mistakes in the Bible, and how other religions differ from Christianity. The last two lessons in the series deal with the problem of evil, pain, and suffering, and the topics of faith and knowledge.
Now we are happy to announce the release of Journey #3—“Jesus: His Life and Teachings.” A veritable summary of the life of Christ on Earth, this journey begins with the anticipation of Christ in prophecy, His birth and childhood, and His baptism. Students are treated to a look at His Sermon on the Mount as well as the parables that He spoke and the miracles that He performed. Three lessons are devoted to the enemies of Jesus, culminating in His trial, crucifixion, and, of course, His resurrection. Another lesson summarizes His mission and message, followed by the final lesson that points the student to His second coming.
Each 8-page lesson is presented in the same format as Discovery, our popular magazine on Scripture and science for children. Every issue is printed in full color on enameled paper in an 8½x11-inch format, and includes professional artwork and illustrations, as well as activities such as puzzles, word-finds, fill-in-the-blanks, true/false questions, and mazes—all of which are designed to reinforce the teaching found within each lesson.
The series is designed so Bible school teachers have the freedom to send individual lessons home with each child, or compile all 13 lessons into a notebook that can be used in class and then given to the child for future reference at the end of the quarter. Sets containing all 13 lessons are shrink-wrapped. We recommend this series for use by Sunday morning and Wednesday night Bible classes, home-schools,VBS classes, Christian schools, and summer camps. In fact, a minister in Alabama wrote: “We are truly enjoying the Explorer Series in our 5th-6th grade class. The students continue to tell me they enjoy it and more than one teacher has told me that it is the best material we have ever had for that age group. We have used Series One and are about to finish Series Two. Is Series Three finished?” We are happy to say, yes, it is finished! This is something in which children and grandchildren will delight!