Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Michael Farris:
Do names like Herodotus and Thucydides send you running for the doctor? Is Euripides the question you ask your brother when he's ripped your favorite shorts? If you're like most people I meet, your daily conversation doesn't involve references to ancient history. Yet as Christians and homeschoolers, I believe we will benefit from a deeper understanding of the ancient world.

Children have a tendency to compartmentalize their world. They think, "This part comes from the Bible, and this part belongs to school." Studying ancient history along with your study of the Bible can help bring the Scriptures to life for your children.

Consider your child's excitement when he finds Ur of the Chaldeans, the home of Abraham, in the library book he brings home. Imagine studying the places Abraham trekked as he journeyed 600 miles from Ur to Haran. You'll see speckled sheep like those Jacob tended and see the beehive-shaped houses that Turkish shepherds still use.

Though we walk by faith and not by sight, seeing the reality of ancient life can help strengthen your child's faith in God and his gracious intervention in his people's lives throughout history.

As you study the patriarchs, the prophets, the life of Jesus, and the establishment of the church, you can learn about ancient Egypt, Phoenicia, Asia, Greece, and Rome—the backdrop for the history that God has emphasized.

Study ancient history and help your child gain a greater appreciation for the historical truth of God's Word. I'm Mike Farris.