Our Top Homeschool Bible Curriculum Picks (Family)

I'm starting a new series on how to pick homeschool curriculum subject-by-subject. Today, let's look at how to pick your Bible curriculum in 3 simple steps.

1. Choose your criteria.
2. Use a chart to compare and rate. 
3. Make your top pick.

Sounds easy?  It is.  I hope you will enjoy:

• Our Top Homeschool Bible Curriculum Picks
• Comparison Chart Free Printable

Recently, my little Addie has been asking to read about God for our bedtime story.  She brought the book entitled, Baby's First Bible by Melody Carlson.  It has sweet pictures and rhymes.

Bible for the pre-school child

We've been enjoying this first introduction to the stories and characters that God chose. For everyday classic children's books, however, I have found that one word is missing, the most important word, God.  So, I was delighted to find a simple book series that mentions God in every book, Little Jewel Books by Rod & Staff.  These books, coupled with children's Bible books, are a great first introduction to God. Just read them at The Children's Hour.

​When children begin school, grades K-12, you will want to teach Bible in more detail (easily fit it into your day using this peaceful schedule), and that's when you'll want to pick a good curriculum.  So, let's get started!

#1 Choose Your criteria

It's important to compare apples to apples, when it comes to picking curriculum.  A good way to do this is to begin by selecting the criteria that is important to you. This is our top 5 criteria and we assign a number to each:   

1. Bible-based textbooks teach God’s word.
2. Living books bring the stories to life.
3. Beautifully written and illustrated books.
4. Affordable for all families.
5. Available handbooks that are in-print.

Next, we placed the criteria numbers in the top columns of our curriculum chart (below).

#2 Use a Chart to compare & rate

Next, we wrote down Bible Curriculums of interest in the left column and rated each curriculum with stars. If it met the criteria, it received a star for up to 5 stars.  We include the following.

• total cost per year 
• family together courses only

​
​So, here's a look at our comparison & picks.

#3 Make your top picks

For ease of reference, here is our criteria again.  The numbers coordinate with the chart.   

1. Bible-based textbooks teach God’s word.
2. Living books bring the stories to life.
3. Beautifully written and illustrated books.
4. Affordable for all families. (We chose a cut-off of $100 or less.)
5. Available handbooks that are in-print.

Top Homeschool Bible Curriculum	1	2	3	4	5	Total
​1.  Classical Teaching Textbooks - This chronological study in Bible, History, Geography, and Biography is a family together course with free booklist. 5 stars	*	*	*	*	*	$30/ ​family
2.  ​Rod & Staff Bible - A chronological study in Bible is for grades 5 to 12 with Bible as the textbook. +Additional workbooks for each child.  4 stars	*	no	*	*	*	$30/ ​family
​3.  Mystery of History - This chronological study in Bible, History, Geography is a family together course with no additional booklist.  3 stars	*	no	no	*	*	$65+/ ​family
4. Memoria Press - This chronological study in Bible is for grades 3 to 6 with The Golden Children's Bible. +Additional workbooks  5 stars	*	*	*	*	*	$72+/
5. Simply Charlotte Mason - This chronological study in Bible, History, Geography is a family together course with additional booklist.  3 stars	*	*	no	no	*	$150+/ family

So, with the comparison chart, you can easily pick at a glance.  Our 5 stars are:

• Classical Teaching Textbooks
• Memoria Press

However, if you're looking for a curriculum that incorporates living books that are good stories to engage your children, then consider:

• Classical Teaching Textbooks (family together for grades K-12)
• Memoria Press (grades 3-6)
• Simply Charlotte Mason (family together for grades 1-12)

If you are looking for the most affordable option, then you might consider:

• Classical Teaching Textbooks (family together for grades K-12)
• Rod & Staff Bible (grades 5-12)
• Mystery of History (family together grades 1-12)

Let's take a closer look at the benefits of each of our top homeschool Bible curriculum picks. 

#1 Classical Teaching Textbooks *****

The benefits include:

• Family Together for grades K-12
• 30 minutes daily
• 4 Subjects (Bible, History, Geography, Biography)
• Free Living Books Booklist
• Online Support Course?  Yes.
• Methods Used: Classical, Charlotte Mason, Mastery
• Total Annual Cost: $30

#2 Rod & Staff Bible  ****

The benefits include:

• Grades 5-12
• 30 minutes daily
• 1 Subjects (Bible)
• Additional Workbooks per Student
• Online Support Course?  No.
• Methods Used: Textbook
• Total Annual Cost: $30+

#3 Mystery of History  ***

The benefits include:

• Family Together for grades 1-12
• 30 minutes 3 times per week
• 3 Subjects (Bible, History, Geography)
• No living books; no additional books
• Online Support Course?  $99 - $350
• Methods Used: Classical
• Total Annual Cost: $65+

#4 Memoria Press   *****

​The benefits include:

• Grades 3-6
• 30 minutes daily
• 1 Subject (Bible)
• Living Book
• Online Support Course?  Not currently.
• Methods Used: Classical
• Total Annual Cost: $72+ (includes cost of required storybook)

#5 Simply Charlotte Mason  ***

The benefits include:

• Family Together for grades 1-12
• 30 minutes daily
• 3 Subjects (Bible, History, Geography)
• Living Books Booklist
• Online Support Course?  No.
• Methods Used: Charlotte Mason
• Total Annual Cost: $150+

So, now you have an idea on how to pick curriculum using criteria that are important to you.  Do you have a favorite Bible curriculum that is a family together course?  We'd love to hear about what you're using.  

Also, be sure to join our community of moms here.  Have a blessed week!