I am all for Simplicity. I also want my children to learn to think and reason Biblically and be able to recognize internal worldviews that drive external actions. Therefore we do a lot of reading and discussing together.
We are currently reading through a couple of books that have chapter long biographies of key figures God used in HisStory. They are: God’s Mighty Hand by Richard Wheeler from Mantle Ministries, and Trial and Triumph by Richard Hannula.
After we read each chapter together as a family, I have one of the children orally narrate the story for us (or sometimes several of them narrate along the way). Narration sure beats typical tests in evaluating whether the child has been attentive to and understood what was read. After this re-telling, even the younger children should be able to understand the story, as it has been retold closer to their level.
Then we begin discussing the story, looking at key aspects and reasoning from the facts to the principles behind them. As we study these people we usually follow the format of a Key Individual sheet, looking at the influences in their life as well as their influences on others.
The first thing we look at is their history/background. This is pretty factual info. When and where did they live? What was it like? What was going on in the world and in their area? How was God preparing the world for their contribution?
Next we look at the influences in their life. What was their home life like? What role did church play? What education did they have? How did their friends, books, circumstances, and others influence them? We are having to start thinking about the facts we’ve read and reasoning from them.
Next we look at their character. This probably isn’t spelled out in the story. We will have to think about their attitudes, habits, disciplines, reputation, etc. to develop this area. This will take more thought and reasoning.
Last we look at their contribution to HisStory. Not only what did the person did, but again thinking it through. How did it serve, affect and influence others?
All these things can be easily discussed with children of all ages. Younger children will need more leading to reach conclusions, but that is what we are doing – teaching them to reason. Older children will be able to go into more depth. They can take these ideas we’ve discussed, do further research if desired, and write a composition on the person.
To close our study we add the person to our PIPEline of HisStory, both wall and notebook timelines.
For more on teaching HisStory, see our Freedom & Simplicity in HisStory guide.
