Inside the Guide: Beyond Little Heart’s Bible Study and Music Boxes of Plans
This “Inside the Guide” series provides a quick snapshot of Beyond Little Heart’s Bible Study and Music boxes of plans! It’s a handy “how-to” reference, just one or two boxes of plans at a time. Here’s your quick-start “Inside the Guide” for… Beyond Little Heart’s Bible Study and Corresponding Music boxes of plans!
Quick Start Info
Time It Takes: 10 minutes
Days It’s On: Days 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Description: Beyond’s Bible Study and Music boxes teach Biblical values to children ages six to eight. First, children hear God’s Word and second, they “hide it in their hearts”. This parent-led Bible Study includes reading and discussion of key Bible verses, Scripture memorization exercises, corresponding music, and heartfelt devotions. The Bible Study plans also coordinate with the history theme.
A Handy How-ToÂ
Any Bible can be used for Beyond’s Bible Study, but the questions work best with the King James or NIV version. Each week, a new memory verse is introduced. Verses include a practical meaning and also reinforce God’s plan through history. Each day, children practice their verse in a fun, interactive way. These follow-ups not only aid in understanding and memorization of the verse – they also encourage mind/whole body connections.
Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em in Your Heart Volume 2 downloadable musical selections correspond with the Bible memory verses in the Bible Study box. These catchy, original songs help young children memorize their verses and sing praises to the Lord too! They come in a download format, and you can always access them in your Heart of Dakota account.
Finally, one day each week parents enjoy reading aloud a devotional connection from Morning Bells by Frances Ridley Havergal. This jewel of a book first made its debut in 1875 as Waking Thoughts for the Little Ones, and it has now been reprinted for young children today. Each devotion links to the history stories, and also emphasizes basic Biblical lessons in an understandable way. A related Bible verse, story, and quotation from a hymn are part of each devotion.
Box Specific Notes Tips #1 to #2
Since this Bible Study links to the history, I read the history prior to doing the Bible Study. The Bible Study need not be done directly after the history reading, as the rotating box of plans works well after that. So, my first tip is to do the Bible Study “some time” after the history reading.
This box, in my opinion, is irreplaceable. It may be the most important 10 minutes of your day with your child. This box has big goals. It teaches every day is a day for children to hold their own personal Bible in their hands and read it. Not just Sunday at church, not just Wednesday at AWANA – though those are good things too – every day, and not with just any Bible, with their Bible. So, my first tip is to get your child his/her own personal Bible. We enjoyed the Adventure Bible! It comes in many versions and works well up to about age 11.
Second, this box teaches your child the habit of setting aside at least 10 minutes every day to do Bible Study and sing praises to God too. Children this age can read or are starting to read, and it sends a powerful message every time they see “Bible Study” in the guide and realize their parents will not skip it. So, my second tip is to dedicate 10 minutes to this box each homeschool day!
Box Specific Notes Tips #3 to #4
Third, this box includes short, yet excellent discussions. Are you worried? Weary? Do you need encouragement? Do you believe God has a plan for your life? This box opens the door for talks about God in a real way. Hopefully, that door for conversation stays open between you and your child forever! So, my third tip is to put your whole heart into your discussions! However, keep things moving – attention spans are short, so about 10 minutes is “enough”!
Fourth, the hand motions you come up with together on Day 1 are important. The mind/body connection helps with memorization. You’ll keep these hand motions for the week, so make them meaningful (match the verse’s meaning), memorable (just on important words), and simple (easy to do quickly). Likewise, the large body movements on Days 2 and 4 teach calisthenics, facilitate left/right brain connections, and add bodily/kinesthetic learning to the day. So, my fourth tip is to join in the fun yourself and don’t skip the hands-on, bodily kinesthetic, mind/body connections that are so important at this age!
Box Specific Notes Tips #5 to #6
Fifth, Morning Bells uses words like Thy, Thee, and Thou. These words are used in the Bible and in important historical documents as well. The author, Frances Ridley Havergal, also wrote the hymn “Take My Life, and Let It Be.” She has a way with words. Her every word shines for the Lord! And that includes her words like Thy, Thee, and Thou. So, my fifth tip is not to replace those words with more modern words. Rather, cherish them! They are reverent! Read this little book and look for the “gold” in it, for there is plenty to be had.
Sixth, on Day 5, children share their memory verse with someone special. My sons called my Dad and shared their Bible verse with him on the phone. They wrote their Bible verse and sent it in the mail to my Grandma Star. They said it to their Nana, their favorite stuffed animal, their older brother, my hubby, and their pet dogs and cats. God’s Word is meant to be spoken and shared joyfully! My sixth tip is simply to let them choose who to share it with, have them do it right away… and enjoy it!
Box Specific Notes Tips #7 to #9
Seventh, I read the key idea at the end of the 10 minutes. It links the Bible Study beautifully to the history!
Eighth, marching around while we sang Steve Green’s music was fun! Or, playing the music while my kiddos had their snack was fun too.
Ninth, I liked to tuck my little one under my arm or under a cozy blanket right next to me as I read aloud the devotion. Sitting on the couch and having the book open between us encouraged my little one to focus and try to follow along. We read the Day 5 Reading About History Bible story connected to the Bible Study box that day the same way. So special!
To order Morning Bells, click here!
Interested in ordering Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em in Your Heart Volume 2 download? Well, click here!
To order complete packages for Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory, click here, and then click on each basket to customize your order!
