Pea of Sweetness

New Family Devotion Pack (and Amazing Summer Promotion) from Friends and Heroes!

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Our family enjoys the variety of great Biblical resources for kids from Friends and Heroes. We loved their Homeschool Unit Study and were definitely excited to check out their new Family Devotion Pack! Bible is a big part of our homeschool, and using Devotions that work for the whole family is a huge advantage.
Friends and Heroes Family Devotion Pack
Disclosure: I received the Friends and Heroes Family Devotion to facilitate our review. Regardless, all opinions are my own and those of my family. This post contains affiliate links. Please refer to my Disclosure Policy for more information.
Friends and Heroes offers a variety of great Family Bible Resources that kids love! The Family Devotion uses the exciting video adventures Friends and Heroes has been using in their materials that get kids excited to learn about the Bible!
Do you want to know the best part? Friends and Heroes is currently running their Summer Special through August 15, 2016. You can save up to 20% on their great resources including the new Family Devotion Pack! Their promotions only happen twice a year, so you’ll definitely want to check it out!

Family Devotion

When we received the Friends and Heroes Family Devotion we were excited to get started. The kids have loved watching the familiar stories and completing the fun activities together. Plus, we can continue to watch the stories on the DVD as much as we’d like!
The Family Devotion Pack includes parent-led devotions ideal for kids ages 5-12 that are easy to use. The materials for the devotions are on a CD-ROM as PDF files. Printing the files is easy, and you can use them multiple times. It’s perfect for families with multiple children because we can print multiple copies of the activities.
Each devotion follows a simple layout which includes: watching the video, reading a Bible verse, exploring the Bible verse by answering questions, sharing personal experiences and thoughts, and praying together. Guidance, including specific things to say as well as possible answers, is provided. It really helps everything flow smoothly and is really easy to follow! You can print the Devotions or simply save them on your tablet for easy access and readability!
Family Devotion Series 1
Additionally, families can use the printable activities to complement the Family Devotion as well. Many of the activities are tailored for different ages. For example, there is a simpler Word Find for younger children and a more complex one for older children.
Overall, I think the Friends and Heroes Family Devotion Pack is a great devotion for families with young children. The kids love the videos and the devotion is easy to follow and teach.

*Summer Promotion!*

Friends and Heroes Summer Promotion
If it sounds like a good fit for your family as well, you definitely don’t want to miss the great Summer Prmotion they have going on now!
Friends and Heroes is currently running their BIG Summer Promotion!
This promotion includes:

  • 10% off any purchase of $50 or more
  • 20% off any purchase of $125 or more

This is an amazing promotion, and it only happens twice a year, so you definitely don’t want to miss it! Check out the Friends and Heroes Promotion now! Don’t forget – this promotion runs through August 15, 2016.
 

Connect with Friends and Heroes

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And Sign up for the Friends and Heroes Newsletter
 

Learning the Bible in a Fun and Interactive Way {Veritas Press Review}

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Our kids definitely learn best when they are having fun. Recently, they have been learning the Bible in a way that is fun and interactive with VeritasBible.com. This homeschool Bible curriculum from Veritas Press has been a great addition to our homeschool curriculum.
Old and New Testament Online Self-Paced Bible Veritas Review
VeritasBible.com is an online Bible curriculum that allows kids to progress through their Bible learning at their own pace. All of the account information is saved into a single account for the whole family. It can be easily accessed online by signing in with your account information. Although there is only one account for the family, the kids still have their own separate accounts where their progress is saved. They simply choose their account from the main menu. When setting up children’s accounts, they can each be assigned a specific avatar to represent them.
I originally started an account for all three children but quickly discovered it is too advanced for our youngest son who is only 6. Even our 10 year old had some challenges as many activities required reading, and he is a delayed reader. So I would sit with him as he does it so I can help him with the reading when answering questions. Our 8 year old is also working through VeritasBible.com and is able to do so independently.
Veritas Bible Review Curriculum
VeritasBible.com offers three courses: Genesis to Joshua, The Gospels, and Judges to Kings. Both of our kids opted to start at the beginning with Genesis to Joshua. All three courses cover 32 events in the Bible, and they are not dependent on each other. If your child chooses to start with The Gospels instead of Genesis to Joshua, for example, they will be able to do so without challenges. We’re just a very “by the book” family and love to follow things in an exact order. I wasn’t surprised they both chose to start at the beginning!
To get started, they choose and click on their course. They are then taken to a screen that is similar to a map. It marks a path and shows where they’ve been as well as how many stars they’ve earned in a lesson. Certain lessons award stars based on their understanding and completion of quiz-like questions. This is where I need to help our oldest because they require reading. Although overall scores or grades are not given, they do have to receive at least one star to continue. Even though our children started at the same time, they are at different places on their path due to this. I like that this encourages and confirms understanding before proceeding.

Veritas Bible Review

VeritasBible.com Bible Curriculum Review
Our kids have really been enjoying VeritasBible.com. Lessons are presented in a way that is fun and enjoyable. They watch videos acted out in a fun way, learn music to help memorize events and do activities, projects, and worksheets in addition to the tests. They get to explore activities in a variety of ways which even includes activities in art, music, and geography.
They really seem to be doing well with this approach, and although our oldest son is progressing a little more slowly due to his special needs, I can tell he really is learning the Bible and doing so in a whole new way. Our daughter logs in and finishes her lessons before I even ask her! She can easily log in and complete the lessons by herself! The overall lesson times vary based on which lesson it is, but they generally seem to be between 30 and 45 minutes.
I love that they have been learning the Bible in a way that is fun and engaging. They have been going beyond just learning and hearing Bible stories to truly knowing them. I appreciate that they are challenged to have an understanding of them before proceeding. Of course, I love that they are enjoying it!

Get Connected with Veritas Press

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew have been using VeritasBible.com with their families as well as Veritas Press Self-Paced Bible. Learn more and see what they thought by clicking on the banner below.
Old and New Testament Online Self-Paced Bible Veritas Review
 
Crew Disclaimer
 

Spending Time in God's Word with a Journaling Bible

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Daily Bible time is something to which I know I need to be committed, but I admit I haven’t been diligent in my time in God’s Word. I’ve been so inspired by fellow bloggers who have been sharing their journey with journaling Bibles, I was excited for the opportunity to review a journaling Bible from Crossway!
Journaling Bible Review
Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
About Crossway:
The purpose of Crossway has been, from its founding as a not-for-profit ministry in 1938, to publish gospel-centered, Bible-centered content that will honor our Savior and serve his Church. They seek to help people understand the massive implications of the gospel and the truth of God’s Word, for all of life, for all eternity, and for the glory of God.
For my review I received the ESV Journaling Bible.
ESV Journaling Bible
About the ESV Journaling Bible:
The ESV Journaling Bible provides the perfect way for you to keep a journal of your spiritual life right inside the Bible that you read and study each day. With covers and formats that look like the finest journals, the Journaling Bible features two-inch ruled margins for writing observations, reflections, prayers, praises, notes, and journal entries. This unique Bible makes a great gift and lasting keepsake for anyone who values God’s Word.
Features:

  • Black letter text
  • Double-column, paragraph format
  • Cream-colored paper
  • 2″ ruled margins
  • One-Year Bible Reading Plan
  • Introductions and section headings for each Bible book

I used to diligently follow a Bible plan every year using an App, and this was a good option for me because my quiet time is usually at night and getting on my phone or iPad was a good option, but I really feel like I was missing something overall, and I now know that something was just this – the journaling. Sure, I could take notes, but it’s just not the same as actually holding the Bible and writing down notes. I feel like this has really transformed my experience.
ESV Journaling Bible Review
More than just having a physical Bible with journaling, this Bible has transformed my experience simply by providing a thorough introduction that really encouraged me to really get into God’s Word. It invites the reader to the Journaling Bible, explains why we should read the Bible, tells us what the Bible says about specific subjects. It also offers a great Preface and Introduction.
As someone who is really particular about following exact dates, I will be starting the One-Year Bible Reading Plan in January. It is laid out so each day I will be reading from the Old Testament, Psalm and the New Testament. By the end of the year I will have read the Old Testament once, Psalm twice and the New Testament twice. I am really looking forward to it because more than just reading through it, now I will be taking notes as the Scripture speaks to me as well.
ESV Journaling Bible Review
Overall, I am so glad I had the opportunity to review the ESV Journaling Bible. I feel like it has really encouraged me to get back into God’s Word more diligently and to really reflect on it and write this down so I can read it at any time. Did I mention this ESV Journaling Bible is beautiful?
This beautiful ESV Journaling Bible is $37.99. Crossway offers a variety of great Journaling Bibles!

For More Information:

Connect with Crossway on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
 

*Giveaway!!!* {Ended 11/23/15}

Journaling Bible Giveaway
Would you like to win this beautiful Journaling Bible? One winner will receive the ESV Journaling Bible. This giveaway will run through 11/23/15 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open to US and Canada ages 18+. Winner is subject to eligibility verification and will have 48 hours to confirm before a new winner will be drawn. For any questions/concerns please email emilee.roberts (at) peaofsweetness (dot) com (consider adding this email to your “Safe List” as winning email notification will be sent from this email).
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Please refer to the full terms and conditions in the Giveaway Tools.

 
Pea of Sweetness is not responsible for prize fulfillment.
 

Camp Genesis Curriculum Review

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Is your ministry looking for the perfect Vacation Bible School Curriculum this summer? Are you a homeschooling family looking to add to your homeschool curriculum? Are you a family looking to add to your family devotions? The Camp Genesis Curriculum is a great curriculum designed for Preschool – Grade 5!
Camp Genesis Review
Disclosure: I received the curriculum complimentary to facilitate my Camp Genesis review. Regardless, opinions are my own and those of my family.
About Camp Genesis:

Camp Genesis leads children on an exciting exploration of both God’s Word and His Creation, building a foundation of faith in their lives as they get to know their Creator better. Through fun games, creative crafts, tasty snacks, and interactive Bible lessons, children will discover God’s care for all of His Creation — each family, each child. As children take a closer look at God’s created world, may their response be to praise the Creator who designed it all and put their trust in Him.
Designed for children in preschool through grade five, this curriculum contains five days of lessons, crafts, snacks, and games that can be used in a variety of ministry settings including Vacation Bible School, day camps, mid-week programs, family devotions, or special events.

For our review we received the full Camp Genesis Curriculum, which includes:

  • Director’s Guide
  • Game Leader’s Guide and Printable Resources
  • Bible Lesson Leader’s Guide and Printable Resources
  • Snack Leader’s Guide
  • Craft Leader’s Guide and Printable Resources
  • Opening and Closing Leader’s Guide
  • Opening and Closing Slideshow Presentations
  • Volunteer’s Guide

It also includes additional printable resources:

  • Certificate
  • Daily Activities Overview Chart
  • Rotation Schedule
  • Postcards
  • Station Name Posters
  • Bible Memory Verse Posters
  • Promotional Posters
  • Registration Form
  • Volunteer Appreciation Resource

Because the curriculum is received via download, it is received quickly and ready to use right away! When I received it, I was in awe of all the resources! This is definitely a curriculum you can use whether you often organize events or are brand new to organizing an event! I am particularly a fan of the craft ideas because it is something I’m surprisingly not good at on my own!
Camp Genesis Curriculum Review Crafts
We have been using the Camp Genesis Curriculum with all three of our children who are ages 5, 7, and 9. We used the Camp Genesis curriculum for a week, and it worked in with it very nicely! It gave us a new transition into the summer months (during which we still homeschool), and gave me a nice idea of what it’s about so I could recommend it to our church as well!
What I love most about the Camp Genesis Curriculum is that it can be used with a few children within a family but includes materials to facilitate a large group even considering things like volunteers – applications and appreciation resources! I love that it encourages parents and leaders to reach out to children and share God’s creation with them. Although we homeschool all summer, I know many kids need to have additional activities during the summer, and I love that Camp Genesis offers a great curriculum for kids to be engaged and learn about God’s creation!
Overall, I think Camp Genesis is a great curriculum for homeschoolers, parents, and ministry leaders alike! It offers a lot of great resources, is very throrough, and is a curriculum with hands-on crafts and projects, music, Bible verse memorization, and more! Everything is laid out from the activities to even the words to speak out loud! It takes the guess work out of everything!

For More Information:

Visit the Camp Genesis page on Small Publishing
Connect with Small Publishing on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

*Giveaway!!*

Would you like to win the Camp Genesis Curriculum? This giveaway runs through 6/18/15 at 11pm Eastern Time and is open Worldwide ages 18+. Enter the Giveaway Now!