American Christian History: Self Government

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American Christian History: Self Government

Do you know the difference between Church History and American Christian History?  Many times these two history types confuse people.  But they’re not one and the same.  For Church History, as it implies, is the history of churches throughout the ages.  However, American Christian History has to do with the history of our nation and its foundations in the Bible—The Ten Commandments.  Plus, there are some other Bible Principles that the United States of America has at its founding.  One of those Bible Principles is that of self government.  And I’m excited to share with you about a favorite resource on American Christian History: self government. This homeschool curriculum is The Mighty Works of God Self Government.

Teaching American Christian History: Self Government

An Elevated Curriculum

Happily, we made our purchase of this excellent American Christian History self government homeschool curriculum (<<< affiliate link). I’m so thankful that we did.  While it’s geared toward first and second grade students, we actually have together school with it.  At this time our together school consists of my first, second and fourth grade students who go through it together.  Clearly this works really well because Bible Principles are for everyone.  While the vocabulary is definitely geared toward most first and second grade students, it’s an elevated curriculum.  Therefore, my fourth grader gets a rich education out of it even though her vocabulary is more extensive.

How We Use the Mighty Works of God Self Government Curriculum

To begin with, we sit together and I read aloud to my children.  As you may imagine, we’re usually either sitting on the sofas or at the table as we go through the chapters.  But sometimes we take the student text and teacher guide with us if we’ll be away for much of the day.  While printable notebook pages are available, we haven’t always used them.  For instance, it’s not always convenient to have to remember to take the notebook pages with us when we’re out and about.  Even so, it’s ideal to have them write down new things they learn.

Ultimately, the goal is to challenge the hearts and minds of my children with Bible Principles.  Additionally, it’s important to have them see how those principles apply to men and nations today.  If notebook pages aren’t utilized one hundred percent, the goal of teaching and learning the Bible principles and the cause-to-effect is being seen through nonetheless. For this reason, The Mighty Works of God series is the perfect American Christian History curriculum for my homeschool.

What I Love About The Mighty Works of God Self Government

Mrs. Ruth Smith gently walks us through the history of the United States of America with the her homeschool curriculum that teaches with the Bible and primary resources.

If you’re just starting out with or wanting a curriculum to go through the Principle Approach® method, this is a great curriculum for you. That being said, here are several things I love about this curriculum:

• It defines government in a way that’s easy for children to grasp.
• Civil government is taught to them in relation to self government.
• A chapter on Moses and the Law addresses sin and the need for the Ten Commandments.
• How Christ changed history is addressed.
• The Gospel moving Westward is taught.
• God’s Providential Hand in having the Bible printed and in different languages.
• How God is involved in the lives of men and nations is taught by examples of Christopher Columbus and the Pilgrims.
• The Founding Era is taught with a Providential view of history (His Story).
• It’s easy to follow and to teach.
• And above all else, the importance of self government through Christ is taught.

The Importance of God’s Law is Taught

Here’s a small excerpt from the curriculum on this topic:

“Since man is a sinner, he needs laws to direct his actions. God used Moses to give His laws to the people.

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them…” Exodus 24

The Mighty Works of God Self Government: A Child’s History of the United States of America ©2002 by Ruth J. Smith pp. 30, 31

For me this is highly important.  God has Kingdom Laws for His people to live by.  Definitely, we learn that God used and still uses the Ten Commandments to show people what sin is.

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.” Exodus 20:20 (KJV)

While the civil laws look differently with cultural changes, there are still Bible Principles which nations may be apply.  But how wonderful that Christ changed history—He governs individuals internally.  For when He Who knew no sin took on sin for me and for you, God put His laws into the hearts of mankind.  If you think about it, no one has to teach anyone that lying, murder, or that theft is wrong.  Hebrews 10:9-19  explains how since Christ came, a new covenant is made.  And that the Holy Spirit bears witness to our conscience and that His Law is written on our hearts. But I’ll leave that to you to read, pour over and think about.

What Comes With the Mighty Works of God Self Government Curriculum

To be sure, you can simply order the student text and come up with Leading Ideas and Bible Principles on your own. You can see how to easily pull together lessons on your own.  Specifically, the student text contains:

• Providential View
• 160-Pages
• Full Color
• Original Illustrations

And you can see samples of pages in the student text at Pilgrim Institute’s website by going here.

Or you can really make it easy on yourself and use the Teacher’s Guide along side the student text which contains:

• Ready-to-use lessons which already have a Leading Idea focus.
• Discuss reflection and reasoning questions which are given.
• Topics on cause-to-effect relationships, providential events, examples of character and conscience, and consistent Biblical thinking.
• Student Mastery Questions encourage students to keep record of main ideas.
• Also, printable student activity pages are available on disc consisting of maps, coloring pages, and charts.

Give Your Child the Gift of a Self Government Education

One of the best gifts you can ever give your child is time with you.  And what better way is there to spend time with your child than to gently lead them in Godly principles?  As you spend time learning and discussing from this curriculum, you’re giving hearts and minds opportunity.  Definitely, hearts and minds are given the challenge of recognizing truths in history and how they apply to men and nations today.  Ultimately, students don’t need to memorize information.  However, the main goal is to reach hearts and minds with truths from God’s Word.  What are you waiting for?  May you be blessed abundantly as you and your children engage in this rich education.

P.S. You’ll not find very many post with affiliate links on my blog; I’m choosy about what I use and promote. I back up The Mighty Works of God Series (<<< affiliate link) with my Principled Academy seal of approval because I use it in my own homeschool.

Blessings!