Pro Series Bible Curriculum

Positive Action for Christ

Although this curriculum is written for the classroom, almost everything is easily adaptable for the home school. This is a “meaty,” non-denominational Bible-based curriculum with a strong emphasis on character development. In grades K5-6, Bible reading, illustrative stories, hymns and choruses, Scripture memory, and seatwork make up each lesson. Because of preferences for different versions of the Bible, the curriculum (both student and teacher books) is available in either KJV or NIV versions.

The bulk of each lesson is contained in the teacher’s manual, while a student workbook has activity pages (dot-to-dots, puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks) that reinforce lessons. Teacher’s manuals are available for all levels in a three-ring binder. For some levels, you also have the option of purchasing only the looseleaf pages without the binder or the entire manual on a CD-ROM. Since the teaching comes primarily from the teacher’s manual, this is not an independent study curriculum, but one that requires teacher/parent involvement. However, a minimal amount of lesson preparation is required because the teacher’s manuals are well-designed.

Each year of curriculum contains thirty-five lessons (about one per week) developed around a unifying theme. (Different lesson plan options are suggested in the beginning of each volume.)

Kindergartners are introduced to “the basics”: God’s character, Bible doctrines, and Scriptural principles. First graders learn about God’s gifts, including the gift of salvation. God’s promises are the topics for second grade. Christian growth is studied through the lives of Joseph and Daniel in third grade. Fourth grade is a survey of the New Testament, focusing on the life of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the apostle Paul. A survey of the Old Testament is presented in fifth grade. An athletic theme challenges sixth graders to put their Christian faith into action while focusing on a deeper study of God’s word and foundational doctrines. Because children (and adults) often need repetition before truly learning something, both character traits and Scripture verses are reviewed every few years in greater depth. 

Their detailed scope and sequence booklet shows developmental activities, “target truths,” God’s promises, and character traits covered in each lesson so you can easily choose the level that meets the needs of your child/children.

An important feature of the curriculum is that it recognizes various levels of thinking skills and goes beyond simple recall of facts to develop understanding and application of knowledge.

Both traditional hymns and choruses are incorporated into the curriculum. Cassette tapes of hymns and choruses are available for those of us who are not familiar with those that are used. The publisher also sells Dr. Al Smith’s Treasury Of Hymn Histories ($35), which briefly tells the story of each of the selected hymns and provides the sheet music. This adds an extra dimension of understanding as children learn the hymns. Sing and Be Happy ($15.95) is the music book for the choruses used in grades K-6. Words for all hymns and choruses are found in both teacher and student books, but you will need the two above-mentioned resources for the music. A single cassette tape or CD for each grade also has all of the hymns and choruses.

By including character traits, thinking skills, and deeper music study, this curriculum attempts to be more comprehensive than most others for the elementary grades.

An important feature of the curriculum as you move into junior/senior high level is that it recognizes various levels of thinking skills and goes beyond simple recall of facts to develop understanding and application of knowledge. It also recognizes that teens are at different levels of spiritual growth. This fact has prompted the publisher to offer a number of choices for the junior high level so that you can select that which best fits your teen’s need. The original junior high material assumes a more mature Christian walk. Since those materials are similar in format and challenge level to those for grades 9-12, I will discuss them first.

The original junior and senior high books (grades 7-12) are challenging studies for students who are interested in spiritual growth. Dynamic Christian Living (suggested for seventh grade) is the foundation for the remaining levels. (Start here if in doubt.) The God-Man is designed to bring eighth-grade students to a deeper knowledge of the person of Jesus Christ through a study of the book of John. Alternatives that are less challenging for junior high students are Wise Up! and Route 66, which I will discuss just a little later.

The Inner Man (ninth grade) confronts students with the need to develop inner character rather than rely on the outward appearances of Christianity. The Christian Adventure (tenth grade), based on Pilgrim’s Progress, is an exciting study of the application of the classic allegory in our lives. Behold Your God (eleventh grade) is designed to help students develop depth in their personal relationship with God. Twelfth graders study the principles of life as laid out in the book of Proverbs in a study appropriately titled Proverbs. Change/Transforming Principles from the Beatitudes, is an alternative to The Inner Man (less challenging level) for ninth grade level which also addresses internal spiritual changes through study of Matthew 5:1-10. The “high school” level studies should even be useful on an adult level. These are not simple, fill-in-the-blanks materials, but challenging, growth-provoking studies.

As with younger levels, these studies are all dependent upon presentation from the teacher’s manuals. At least some of the teacher’s manuals are also available on CD-ROM at about half the price of the printed binders. A separate student book contains study questions plus reading material (e.g., the text of Pilgrim’s Progress is contained in the student book, The Christian Adventure.) Student books are designed to be written in, so they are not reusable. More preparation and presentation time will be required for upper level course.

Wise Up! and Route 66, alternative courses for junior high level, both assume a lower level of spiritual maturity (probably a more realistic viewpoint) than the above courses. They assume that the teenager is struggling with typical issues—salvation, friends, obedience to parents, self-control, decision making, etc. The student books have written exercises, but most of them direct the student to Scripture rather than provide entertaining busy work. Wise Up! is subtitled “Wisdom in Proverbs.” Scripture study here ranges far beyond Proverbs, but it centers around “getting wisdom” in all areas of life. Route 66 (of which I have only seen a preview) looks like a Bible survey course with an emphasis on understanding God’s relationship with man throughout history. It moves chronologically from Genesis to Revelation, even covering the minor prophets. Either of these courses is easier than those described above, yet they are still spiritually challenging.

All courses are designed to take a full school year, so for grades 7-9 you would choose one of the two options.

Downloadable sample lessons are available on their website.