I want share with you how much impact your devotionals, geared for short-term mission participants, have had in the lives of those with whom I have participated on short-term mission trips.

Some of the training I have helped facilitate for short-term mission trip leaders introduces the idea that short-term missions done well is often mostly about making disciples of those participating in the mission trip. In the context of three short-term mission trips to very difficult parts of India, I have seen first-hand how the Lord has used your devotionals, in combination with the dynamics of the short-term mission experience, to challenge my friends to a deeper walk with Him.

In fact, during debriefing from one trip to India, my pastor told our team how a highlight of the whole experience for him was mornings spent with the Lord and your devotional guide. His practice was to go, with his devotional journal, to the rooftop of the home in which we were staying as the sun was rising over the nearby rice fields. It was there that he said the Lord spoke to him in very meaningful ways. (Incidentally, that same home was burned late last year during the horrific violence and persecution against Christians in the state of Orissa.)

Similarly, your devotional guides and the questions they invoked during those same short-term mission trips to India were certainly part of my own development and journey from the corporate American business world to a leadership position at Operation Mobilization's U. S. home office. God is using you both in a mighty way for his glory. Thank you for all you are doing to build God's kingdom through the gifts He has given you!

Grant Blair, CFO and VP of Support Services, Operation Mobilization USA

I want share with you how much impact your devotionals, geared for short-term mission participants, have had in the lives of those with whom I have participated on short-term mission trips.

Some of the training I have helped facilitate for short-term mission trip leaders introduces the idea that short-term missions done well is often mostly about making disciples of those participating in the mission trip. In the context of three short-term mission trips to very difficult parts of India, I have seen first-hand how the Lord has used your devotionals, in combination with the dynamics of the short-term mission experience, to challenge my friends to a deeper walk with Him.

In fact, during debriefing from one trip to India, my pastor told our team how a highlight of the whole experience for him was mornings spent with the Lord and your devotional guide. His practice was to go, with his devotional journal, to the rooftop of the home in which we were staying as the sun was rising over the nearby rice fields. It was there that he said the Lord spoke to him in very meaningful ways. (Incidentally, that same home was burned late last year during the horrific violence and persecution against Christians in the state of Orissa.)

Similarly, your devotional guides and the questions they invoked during those same short-term mission trips to India were certainly part of my own development and journey from the corporate American business world to a leadership position at Operation Mobilization's U. S. home office. God is using you both in a mighty way for his glory. Thank you for all you are doing to build God's kingdom through the gifts He has given you!
Grant Blair, CFO and VP of Support Services, Operation Mobilization USA

Thank you so much for being used of Him!
Sara Wilson

Dear friends at Deeper Roots,

I just received my order and I am so excited! I have been homeschooling for 18 years, and this is the best Bible curriculum I have ever seen! It incorporates the three components that I have constantly tried to find ways to teach my kids; Bible memory, inductive study with an emphasis on application, and a heart for the world resulting in participation in the Great Commission.

It seems like one or the other always ended up slipping through the cracks. I can hardly believe I found them all in one place! And with a teachers guide that helps me do it with excellence. I am honestly at a loss for words.

It is exactly the Bible program I would have written if I were to write one (and had the time and the talent!) How I wish I had "Deeper Roots" for my oldest three who are already graduated. But I still have three left, and I will thoroughly enjoy using your books for all of them! I will also be letting friends know about your products. I thank the Lord for you!

(Deeper Roots Publications)

Ever avoid putting off your special time with God because you don't know where to start when you do plan some time? This 30 day devotional book was written for just those times and will solve the dilemma.

This little spiral bound book is formatted like this: one day you read the scriptures and answer appropriate questions and conclude with prayer. The next day gives you two pages for journaling your own thoughts on the topic discussed the previous day.

If you have a set amount of time that you schedule each day, these studies will take you an average of thirty minutes a day. Even if you don't schedule your time very well - like me - you could easily purpose to sit down for that length of time.

I have found that some of my most productive times have been when I sit down with the children and do my own Bible study while they are doing their schoolwork. This allows them to see their mother being a student of the Word and hopefully they will remember their mom that way and want to emulate the same behavior.

To give you a small taste of the book, here is an excerpt from Day 1:

I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength. Phil 4:13

At times the overwhelming demands of homeschooling will make you feel inadequate for the task. In the context of the verse above, the Apostle Paul is sharing that in peaceful or in challenging times of his life, he knew that through Christ he would have the strength of the Lord to accomplish His will.

From there, you are directed to read another passage, Colossians 1:9-12, and then answer six insightful and thought provoking questions relating to that passage, such as:

According to verse 11, what kind of godly behavior is present when we are strengthened with God?s power and strength?

At the end there is a boxed area with Prayer Suggestions to lead you into a time of prayer, praise, confession and intercession.

Day 2 you are directed to read another passage of scripture related to the topic of being strengthened through Christ, and then you journal your own personal thoughts and insights.

I like the idea of studying one day and journaling the next. It gives it a nice break up between the "academics" of answering questions and the freedom of journaling your own thoughts and inspirations.

The covered topics in this devotional include discouragement, following in Christ's steps, joyful living, fear, the greatness of God and many more. The author also has a series of other devotionals in 14 day, 21 day and 50 day editions to choose from. For more information on these and other products, check out the website under mission resources at www.DeeperRoots.com.

By the end of the 31 days, you will be so encouraged, not only in your walk as a homeschool mom, but because of the fact that you had a purposeful time spent in the Word and in prayer each day, and are strengthened for the journey ahead.

Joli Atkinson Homeschool Mom

Everyone is on a search for rich Bible curriculum. I'm on the board of our Homeschool covering organization, and I'm thinking that I might use your ROOTED AND GROUNDED Bible curriculum for our next set of parent taught co-op classes. I taught a "How to Study the Bible" class last year, and it's amazing to me that even in "homeschooled" youth there is a strong post-modern thought process going on. There were several kids in my class who believed that truth is relative, and that the Bible wasn't inerrant. These are life-long homeschoolers who are very active in their churches. Of course, I had changed their minds by the end of my seven week class, but it startled me into the reality of our post-modern culture. Our children (MY children) need to have "deeper roots" if they're going to survive. –Joli Atkinson

L. Baker-Homeschool Mom

I am so impressed with your studies! I have had a hard time finding studies for my boys that are grounded enough in the Word, yet not so overwhelming that they became discouraged. Your studies are not only well grounded but FUN!!! I also love the missions outlook.

Sonya Haskins,

STL - homeschool advisor / reviewer

TOS-Homeschool Blogger,

Review by Adventures in Homeschooling

ROOTED AND GROUNDED (GRADES 10, 11 OR 12):A Guide for Spiritual Growth
Rooted and Grounded is a Bible study course put out by Deeper Roots Publications. It is meant for high school students and should last a year. However, this is not written in stone. The authors emphasize that if the student needs longer then you should take the time needed.

There are six parts to the program.
1. Prayer for "Unreached Peoples". Each section begins with this. A country and a people group are introduced with a summary of the religion of the region, the political information and basic facts. (The flag, population, where the region is in the world,etc.) Specific prayer ideas are offered.
2. Memory Challenges--One to three verses to memorize are recommended per lesson.
3. Review pages
4. Writing opportunities
5. Tests
6. Journaling--this is suggested to be a personal journal that *may* be off limits to us as parents/teachers.

Each section is broken into daily chunks. There is scripture to be read with questions following. The Teacher's guide has a copy of the student book with notes in the margin. There are suggestions on how to demonstrate the concept in a concrete way.

Pros: 1. Very in-depth and well laid out lessons. 2. I learned a lot along with my daughter 3. Scripture memorization 4. Unbelievable artwork!! 5. Detailed notes for the teacher. Thought provoking questions and comments throughout. For example, in Lesson 3, Day 2 Confession is the topic. The fact that confession is important yet consequences for our actions are still there is talked about. 6. The lessons are broken into small chunks. 7. There are prayer suggestions. I particularly like this because I know for myself I sometimes am not sure what exactly I should pray for. This helps with that. The Teacher's Guide goes for $39.50, the workbook is $23.95 and the Tests are $3.95. This is definitely worth the money. Deeper Roots also has curriculum for younger students. There are other resources as well that deal with evangelism and missions. Here is the site info: http://www.deeperroots.com/

TOS-Homeschool Blogger

Review by Lori,

ROOTED AND GROUNDED (GRADES 10, 11 OR 12):A Guide for Spiritual Growth
Deeper Roots Publications offer short term missions resources and Bible curriculum. Rooted & Grounded is the Bible curriculum offered for Senior High, recommended for grades 10-12. It contains twenty-seven lessons, covering topics such as sanctification, servanthood, forgiveness, submission, prayer,and humility and is meant to be used as a one year course.

A different unreached people group is highlighted at the beginning of each lesson, as a focus for prayer. This is similar to the Operation World books, with a beautifully drawn sketch and "people profile" designed to promote learning and interest in "different customs and cultures". Prayer suggestions are included.

This is an academic based study and would be best used as a Bible course rather than a devotional. It is ideal for those seeking a more academic study that is free of fluff and fun. This is a question and answer type program, which would be great for getting a student to dig into the Scriptures for their answers. There are Memory challenges and writing assignments are included in the text. A Unit Test package is available separately.

As someone not overly fond of question and answer type curricula, I grudgingly find myself impressed with this study. It hasn't been too difficult to find good devotionals for my teenagers but most of the good Bible class products that I have come across have been part of a larger curriculum (Starting Points for example). This study gets the student into the Bible and covers basic doctrinal principles.

My biggest concern is that it is so academic. There is a lot of writing and I know it would not appeal to my hands on learners. As I wouldn't want studying the Bible to become drudgery, I would either choose something else for my kinesthetic students or adjust the writing assignments to become discussions, skits or something along those lines.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HomeschoolCrew/611770/
JANUARY 11, 2009

Co Author,
The Debt Free Church

Cathy Duffy

Author, 

(Deeper Roots Publications)

student book - $21.95; teacheršs guide - $37.50; test booklet - $3.95

Deeper Roots Publications, 2100 Red Gate Rd., Orlando, FL 32818, (407) 293-8666, e-mail: DeeperRoots@aol.com, web site: www.DeeperRoots.com

Written for a high school through adult level audience, this is a topical Bible study course that should take a full year. Topics cover selected areas of theology, relationship with God, and Christian living. Each week also includes a two-page introduction of an unreached people group accompanied by beautiful artwork by Julie Bosacker. This makes it easy to integrate prayer for each of these groups with regular lessons--sort of like incorporating the same ideas presented in the book Operation World into your studies and prayer life.

The study is non-denominationally Protestant. Introductions to each lesson, aside from the unreached peoplesš information, are brief, so the focus is primarily upon Scripture itself. The student is directed to read directly from Scripture, then answer comprehension, analysis, and application questions. Frequently, lessons cross reference additional Scripture verses. Scripture verses are purposely not included in the student book so that students become more familiar with the Bible itself by looking up the verses. However, the teacheršs guide does include an appendix with all the Scripture verses--46 pages worth! Memory verses are included along with a suggested review calendar for optimum retention. Student books are consumable, so you'll need one for each student.

The teacheršs guide is quite useful. It includes all the student material, the Bible verses, sample lesson plans, teaching strategies, and notes/answers for questions students address in each lesson. Other features are weekly prayer suggestions relating to the lesson, weekly review quizzes, and some wonderful illustrations.

In addition, there is a Test & Answer Keys booklet. The eight tests in the booklet include a mixture of short answer, vocabulary, matching, and essay questions.

This is serious Bible study that would ideally be used by parent and child(ren) together. Although the publisher suggests using it only with upper level high school students, I believe that many homeschoolers in ninth and tenth grades would have no trouble with either the level of presentation or the ideas.

(This review may be copied, in its present form, and freely shared with those that might be interested.)

Education Consultant to PIONEERS

Home School Mom

Homeschool Buzz.com

Review by Kathy

Discovering Our Amazing God is a thorough and practical Bible curriculum that will take your teens to the very heart of God's word, bringing them to a deeper understanding of who God is, and what He is like. His character, His wisdom, His creativity, His faithfulness and more will be explored in nine main Bible lessons. Designed by home-schooling parents with teaching and missionary careers, this exciting curriculum will not only teach your children God's word, but also introduce them to world missions through un-reached people profiles.

The lessons are balanced, current and engaging to the student while the minimal preparation time makes this curriculum teacher-friendly. Material is based on less familiar biblical events, giving it a fresh and challenging edge. Creative writing exercises and your teen's own personal reflections on the lessons are encouraged with space for journaling in the student workbook. The memory challenges, reviews and tests included within each lesson are very beneficial in helping the student retain and comprehend scripture and Godly principles.

This could easily be used as a unit study as you tie in not only writing but also other subjects such as geography, critical thinking and science. Designed for home or classroom use, I can also see it working well in a group setting such as a weekly homeschool co-op. This is impressive, well thought out and meaningful curriculum. If your Jr. high students are ready for serious, relevant Bible study, you'll want to get Discovering Our Amazing God. Check out the publisher's website at Deeperroots.com to find additional bible curriculum and devotional studies.

Heart of Wisdom, Review by Amy Bayliss

I had the privilege of reviewing Discovering Our Amazing God, a bible curriculum from Deeper Roots. It is a very different kind of bible study. I have a deep appreciation for the incorporation of the 10-40 window and the focus on the unreached people by profiling groups such as the Muslims and the Hindu. I also like that it gave prayer focuses, self-reflection questions, and focused on character. I really believe this bible study is an excellent way to bring the holy spirit into our child's education.

There are nine lessons:

1. Discovering Our Amazing God
2. Discovering God's Power
3. Discovering God's Creativity
4. Discovering God's Love
5. Discovering God's Holiness
6. Discovering God's Faithfulness
7. Discovering God's Justice
8. Discovering God's Mercy

9. Summary Lesson

There is a good bit of focus put on scriptures that aren't typically taught in church or bible school settings. It helps you to become familiar with another area of scripture and expands the child's knowledge of the bible.

The teacher's guide is clear and precise, very easy to follow. The curriculum is for 7th, 8th, or 9th grade.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine-Homeschool Blogger

Review by: Train up A Child-Kimberly Kovach Jan. 22, 2009

Deeper Roots Bible curriculum that keeps 7th graders-Sr High students digging deeper.

When I first received this "Discovering Our Amazing God" book, part of the Deeper Roots Bible curriculum, I was so impressed that I immediately ordered another student book for my other 7th grader and a companion volume which has suggestions for including younger children.

Deeper Roots, www.DeeperRoots.com , is a company created by people who have a enormous love of missions. This is evident in the book as each lesson introduces the student to unreached people groups. For example, lesson 2 tells how Islam started, explains a little of their beliefs, and gives witnessing ideas. A prayer ideas are also given for that specific group. Since our family knows people who are living and working with unreached people groups in the 10/40 window, this aspect of the curriculum has been a nice addition.

The ease of use is wonderful with this product. The Teacher's Notes make very clear what is to be taught. Little preparation is needed leaving plenty of time for discussion with your student. The first page of each lesson or unit consists of Introductory Notes for the teacher. The goal of the lesson is written, plus a list of all items needed is given for the lesson. The student's book has pages numbered the same as the teacher's which is handy. In the teacher's book, the left half of the page is the student page and the right half of the page are the teacher notes for discussion and answers for questions from the student's page.

Memory Texts are given throughout and these are not your typical texts you hear all the time. I liked the very first one, I Corinthians 1:25, which I don't remember reading before. "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." My kids have memorized texts since they were tiny, so these lesser known texts are perfect.

The Writing Opportunities are wonderful since you can incorporate language arts into the Bible class. A journaling section is at the back of each lesson. Some of the ideas for journaling are imagining you are there during a Bible event and writing down your feelings, remembering when God has shown his power on your behalf, and writing about God's holiness. Then, there are also separate writing activities like one that has the student write a screenplay for a scene from Isaiah or Exodus. We haven't gotten that to that page yet, but I know mine will also want to act it out and videotape it!

These particular books are supposed to be using stories that may not be as well known. However, my kids have know all the stories so far. That being said, the questions do probe deeper than just rote memory type learning. Verses are explored more fully to decide what they are really saying.

The Suggestions for Including Younger Children companion volume which I bought as been helpful for including "Jack-Jack" in the Bible class. He has enjoyed the projects and listening to the older ones' writings. I have also thought of and added other activities for him.

I have really enjoyed teaching Bible with this curriculum. The ease of preparation and the depth to which it digs into Bible truths is a huge plus with me. The children enjoy it, too. I have not yet seen any doctrinal issues which disagree with our beliefs. If I do, we will discuss within our classtime. You can see the scope and sequence for the various books in the curriculum. I plan to check out the other samples of the Junior High and Senior High levels.

Here is a link to free samples of the Deeper Roots curriculum. http://www.deeperroots.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/22_60?osCsid=6d6d5b9a0ce12402d87d5688b79de6d1

The Deeper Roots junior high curriculum is made up of four books. They are "Discovering Our Amazing God", "Discovering Who I Am In Christ", "Discovering Christlike Habits", and "Discovering a Christ-Like Character". They can be done one a semester or slowed down and done one a year. I prefer one a semester.

If you are homeschooling a child, Bible should be as much a required subject as Math. To leave Bible teaching to be done only at church is truly a crime in my book. Even if you are not homeschooling a child, these would be adaptable to worship/devotional time with your children. With Biblical training, I believe God opens the minds of the children to help with other learning.

From what I have seen, Deeper Roots is doing a commendable job in teaching children more than just Bible stories. This curriculum is about applying spiritual truths to every day life. We all need to be doing that! Explore www.DeeperRoots.com for more information.

Lena Wall, Mt. Salem Christian School

This is our third year using Discovering Our Amazing God in our school. We enjoy this curriculum because it is creatively put together and brings out creativity in the students. Students don't just repeat facts or give "pat" answers but are required to think as they express themselves through poetry, drawing, hymn writing and journaling. Students regularly mention at their Grade Eight graduation that the Bible course was a highlight of their school year and that blesses my heart! They are definitely "discovering their amazing God" with this curriculum. Keep up the good work!

John Kallin, New Tribes Mission School - Brazil

I had the privilege of using the Deeper Roots curriculum with junior high students. Using this resource was one of the highlights of my teaching assignment. I followed the lesson plans as described in the teacher's edition and was tremendously pleased. The teacher's text is a helpful resource. I was able to easily plan ahead. The lessons are
creative and fun - my students enjoyed Bible Class. My students loved the dramas, the skits, and bringing cocoons to class. As a teacher, I liked that the curriculum integrated themes from other core subject. Most importantly, in my view, the class had great discussions on the meaningful and important topics covered in the curriculum. It was right
on target for junior high. I saw my students growing in knowledge and developing deeper relationships with the Lord. I highly recommend the Deeper Roots curriculum.

Homeschool Buzz.com

Review by Kathy;

DISCOVERING WHO I AM IN CHRIST (GRADES 7-9)

by Jan L. Harris, Howard & Bonnie Lisech
Reading Level: Jr. High level

The first book in this series (Discovering Our Amazing God) taught your teens who God is. This second book explores who they are in God. This exceptional curriculum will help your sons and daughters through the emotional changes and critical adolescent years by providing insight into their own spiritual identities. Nine comprehensive and engaging lessons will show they are precious, new creatures in Christ, who are loved and accepted by their Heavenly Father. These lessons will prove an invaluable resource to you as you disciple your teens towards spiritual maturity.

This curriculum is so versatile! Suggestions are provided to incorporate other subjects such as science, geography, and critical thinking into the lessons. A key element to the curriculum is journaling; mirroring David's inspired writing of the Psalms, your students will record their own personal reflections and meditations on God. What an encouraging and wonderful keepsake their own writings will make for them in years to come. Additionally, fascinating unreached people profiles (such as Banjar, Malu, and Balinese people) are included to stir hearts and promote global awareness.

The authors have made your teaching job easy; the lessons are clear and thorough, requiring only a reasonable amount of teacher preparation time. Appealing to all styles of learning, the curriculum uses memory challenges, repetition, reviews, tests, hands-on activities and practical applications to progress from basic facts and rote knowledge to learned and treasured truths. Designed to span over the entire homeschool year, Discovering Who I Am in Christ will likely prove to be your favorite homeschooling time spent together with your teen. Exciting, inviting, and meaningful, Discovering Who I am In Christ is more than an outstanding Bible curriculum at an affordable price, its a worthy investment that will reap eternal benefits.

Contributing Writer, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Tina Rice;

Discovering Christ-Like Habits (Book 3) (Grades 7 or 8 or 9)

Student workbook and Teacher's Guide, Home School Edition
Jan L. Harris, Howard and Bonnie Lisech
Deeper Roots Publications
www.DeeperRoots.com

Discovering Christ-Like Habits (DCH) is book 3 in the Discovering Series.
This is a 7th, 8th or 9th grade Bible Curriculum. Other titles in the Discovery Series are Discovering Who I am in Christ and Discovering our Amazing God. Discovering Christ-Like Character will be available in 2007. Lesson titles in DCH are Growing Faith, Our Ever Present Helper, The Secret of the Will, The Gift of Prayer, Celebrating God, and Feeding on God's Word.

DCH is an in-depth Bible study. In addition to scripture-based study about faith in God, the Holy Spirit, prayer, worship, and the importance of studying God's word, students will learn about unreached people groups and world geography, memorize scripture, and do a lot of writing. Besides the teacher's guide and student workbook, you will need a variety of items to teach this curriculum as it is written. Many of the needed items are not readily available at your local grocery store and will require a trip to a school supply store.

There are six lessons in DCH. Each lesson contains numerous days of work (Chapter 1 has 14 lesson days, one review day, and one test day). Successive chapters require 19, 13,21, 11, and 10 days to complete them. All lessons follow the same pattern; they begin with a history of an unreached people group and contain a prayer focus. Students work each day on scripture memorization (this is my favorite part of the curriculum). Each student workday has a corresponding lesson in the teacher's guide containing extensive teacher notes and answers to written questions. It is possible to edit some of the teaching material and use portions of it so that you can cut down on the amount of teacher time. Use whatever best suits your family (a fact I have to be reminded of over and over each year - I am not a slave to the teacher's guide, but it is a servant to me!). Each chapter ends with a study sheet and test (tests are found in the teacher's guide and are reproducible). If you do one lesson per day, DCH will be a half-year program.

Over the years I have had numerous friends use and enthusiastically recommend Deeper Roots publications. This is my first time using one of their products. After looking over the curriculum, I would not recommend it for most 7th graders because they lack the maturity to grasp much of the material, or for relaxed homeschoolers or unschoolers because of the amount of workbook-type work involved. I was unprepared for the amount of work involved to properly teach the curriculum. I was looking forward to a program that was student-led. This does not have to be a negative aspect, though. If you want to study along with your student, then DCH would make an excellent choice; on the other hand, if you want to have your student work independently, he will miss out on much of the teacher-led discussion and activities if you just hand over the student book. I expect that as you move through the book it will take less teacher preparation time, but the first few lessons each took one hour of my time. This broke down to 10 minutes of pre-lesson preparation, 20 minutes of direct teaching, 20 minutes of being available to my daughter, and 10 minutes for lesson correction. If I could change anything about DCH, I would make the teacher's guide more user-friendly. The instructions occasionally left me wondering what exactly I am supposed to do, and the tiny font in the teacher's notes section is difficult to read. I would also appreciate it if Deeper Roots added a comprehensive list of required supplies so that I could get my supplies all at once without reading through each chapter looking for required resources (For example, in Lesson 1, Day 1, you need a video that will most likely not be available at your local video store.)

Do I like DCH and would I recommend it to friends? Yes, I do like the curriculum, even though it is a bit more work than I would have preferred and is definitely not a good fit with my daughter's learning style. It lives up to the recommendations I have received from friends as a thorough program that will direct almost any student dig deeper into God's word. My daughter was hoping for a more self-paced Bible study, and she has not liked the fact that she has to wait for me to teach her lesson.

-Product Review by Tina Rice, Contributing Writer, The Old SchoolhouseŽ Magazine, LLC, August, 2006.

Review by Zach, Rainbow Resources

Discovering Christ-Like Habits (Book 3) (Grades 7 or 8 or 9)

Book three in the Deeper Roots Discovery Series focuses on encouraging 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students to form habits that will benefit their walk with Christ for a lifetime. Using an inductive Bible study approach, the scope of this book covers what the authors feel are some of the most important Christian disciplines for junior high students: growing in faith, the secret of the will, prayer, celebrating God through worship, and feeding on God’s Word (the Bible). There is also a chapter on the Holy Spirit and His ever-present help. The book has six lessons, which are divided further into days, giving a total of 90 days worth of study time–
(*180 days if you spend the following day debriefing and discussing each days’ assignment.)

Each lesson consists of memory verse challenges, comprehension questions, discussion points, reflections, and possibly some hands on activities. Also, insights are presented which show the importance of each discipline, and opportunities to practice and apply them are suggested. Many pages in the Student Workbook are consumable, though students could easily use a separate pad or exercise book to write their answers in.

The Student Workbook pages are actually reproduced in the Teacher’s Guide, along with notes for the teacher and the answers. The Teacher’s Guide also outlines the goals of each lesson and lets teachers know what extra items will be needed over the course of the lesson. Tied into this study are profiles of unreached people groups around the globe, and students are encouraged to pray for these people. Included are some illustrations to help get the points across, and repetition is used on occasion to really make sure a point has hit home. Journaling is also encouraged, and blank “reflections” pages are included at the end of each lesson which students can use if they so choose.
*authors note.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine-Homeschool Blogger

Review by Christy@MercyEveryMorning

Discovering Christ-Like Habits (Book 3) (Grades 7 or 8 or 9)

During breakfast time, my children and I have been doing a Bible study called Discovering Christ-Like Habits. Published by Deeper Roots, this study was written for 7th-9th graders. However with some adaptations, we've found that all three children (ages 5, 11, and 14) can benefit from working through the study together.

The first thing I noticed and very much appreciated, was that at the introduction to each lesson there is a beautiful sketch and description of unreached people groups who need Christ, and specific ways to pray for those people.

This curriculum encompasses several areas: Bible memory, Bible study, hands-on exercises, writing projects, videos and field trips. We have chosen to use it in a narrower scope, since we already have a very comprehensive writing curriculum, and are committed participants in regular co-op classes. However, for those who have a little more room in their schedule, incorporating these additional activities would be a wonderful idea!

Lesson five is on "Celebrating God" and focuses on worshiping God in song, in our giving, in service to others, in reading the Word and in prayer. The last lesson, "Feeding on God's Word" stresses the importance of studying the Bible. Methods of study are introduced, and opportunity given to practice those methods.

This curriculum has provided us with many valuable discussions already, and I am thankful to have such a systematic tool in hand as I seek to disciple my children. While we are working through the Teacher Guide ($28.95) orally at this time, and not using the accompanying student workbook ($19.95), it is nice to have the workbook on hand for later years. We'll need to cover these topics again in the future!

Several other titles are available in the junior high series: Discovering Our Amazing God, Discovering Who I Am in Christ, and Discovering Christlike Character. These books take a semester to complete and include study guides and tests at the end of each lesson.

For a detailed scope and sequence of these titles or free pdf samples copies and paste this address: http://www.deeperroots.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/22_60?osCsid=e6a256f92fa8475d13896c677c61af67

Review by Janice, Rainbow Resources

Discovering a Christ-Like Character (Book 4) (Grades 7 or 8 or 9)

Like the other studies in this excellent series, this is a serious, applicatory, inductive Bible study. Involving 7th through 9th graders in a quest to learn about Christ’s joy, integrity, forgiveness, humility, unselfishness, self-control and love is coupled with the continual challenge to become more like Christ in each of these areas.

The format is similar to the other Deeper Roots studies – 7 lessons further divided into 10-15 days of work for a total of 86 days of study. Some days the student is reading scripture and responding to thought-provoking questions either in writing or through discussion. Other days the student is working on special projects like essays or speeches. Most lessons include review and test days. Each lesson also introduces a people group with missions and prayer information. Journaling and scripture memory is encouraged throughout. The student books are designed to be consumable, but they could be used repeatedly by having the student write his responses in a separate notebook. Either way, the goal is to develop a resource that the student can refer to at later points.

The teacher book includes background information, teacher’s notes on each day’s work, and answers along with discussion question talking points. Since the teacher book includes the complete student book (compressed) in side-by-side columns with the teacher notes (and answers), it might be possible to use a single book if you were having your student write answers out in another notebook. Helpfully, the teacher book also includes all scripture referenced in the lessons in a parallel format with both the NIV and KJV.

L. Baker-Homeschool Mom

Discovering a Christ-Like Character (Book 4) (Grades 7 or 8 or 9)

I am so impressed with your studies! I have had a hard time finding studies for my boys that are grounded enough in the Word, yet not so overwhelming that they became discouraged. Your studies are not only well grounded but FUN!!! I also love the missions outlook.

Home School Mom & SS Teacher

Review by Amy Garner;

Firm Foundations – Creation to Christ:
Children's Edition published by New Tribes Mission

I was searching for a good strong Bible curriculum last spring and it had been on my heart for several months that I just needed to go deeper into God's amazing Word with my children. I was privileged to attend the 2007 GHEA convention last May and God led me to Deeper Roots Bible curriculum. As I sat and listened to Bonnie talk about the Firm Foundations material, the Holy Spirit prompted my heart that this was what He wanted me to have. I ordered it all and came home, waiting expectantly.

Once I received the Teacher's Guides, I opened them and completely read book 1 of the 5 teacher's books, which is for the teacher only. Just reading that book was an incredible journey on its own. I was so impressed with the teacher's books that I decided this was a course I needed to do with my junior Sunday School class, as well as with my own children.

I gave the book to my Pastor and he read some of it also. He gave me the go ahead to start using it with my children at church. I cannot tell you how much we have gleaned from this curriculum already. My teacher assistant and I have both been amazed at how much we all have learned. The children are always looking forward to what new thing they will learn in class. One thing that God had already revealed to me several months before I ran up on this curriculum is, that unless you have an understanding and grasp of the Old Testament, you cannot begin to understand God's holiness and his hatred for sin, nor can you really understand how desperately you need the Savior and why He had to come to save us. Studying the OT gives us such informative knowledge and lets us see how serious sin is to God and why we all so desperately need a Savior. The symbolism we have learned in how OT things relate to the coming deliverer have been very enlightening. Sometimes my assistant and I look at each other during class like AAHH, now we see how this fits together. It has been so much fun! Going back to the beginning in Genesis and working your way through is like putting pieces of a puzzle together, so that by the time Jesus comes the puzzle is then complete.

EVERY child and really every adult would benefit from studying this material. It has brought our Sunday School class as a whole into deeper knowledge of God and some that have struggled with their assurance of salvation have been reassured. I would recommend this material to all homeschoolers and Christian schools. Such a deeper knowledge of the Bible has been given to us all, and without a doubt, the Lord led me straight to this curriculum at the very same time He was revealing to my spirit the importance of studying how the Old Testament and New Testament fit together.

I feel very blessed to have spoken to Howard and Bonnie on many different occasions and they are truly humble servants of the Lord. If you have a chance, you need to at least go online and see the different samples they offer for their materials. We have just ordered the first book DISCOVERING OUR AMAZING GOD in the Discovering series and cannot wait to see what the Lord will do in our lives during this time of study and worship. Praise His name!