A New Adventure with Drive Thru History {A Curriculum Review}

Homeschooling four kids means I am always looking for an easier way to teach them. Whether I am combining courses to teach multiple grade levels simultaneously or looking to intertwine subjects, I need resources that allow me to homeschool in a more effective way. Thankfully, programs like Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” from Drive Thru History® allow me to do just that!

A Familiar Program

If you feel like you may have heard me talk about Drive Thru History® in the past you, dear reader, would be correct. Last year I had the opportunity to review their online program, Drive Thru History Adventures. The kids and I had a blast following host Dave Stotts as he trecked all across the globe making history come alive for my kids. This was the first time they were actually interested in a history program – a big win for our house!

This time though, we were trying something slightly different from a company we were already familiar with. Instead of diving into their online program we were working with one selection from their DVD series. Just as the name implies, Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” takes viewers through the Biblical chapters of the New Testament from Acts to Revelation. This program picks up where The Gospels, covering the New Testament Gospels, leaves off.

The timing of this review couldn’t have been any better either. The kids and I had previously started Acts to Revelation, but we had yet to finish it. We couldn’t wait for mail to deliver this series.

Something Old, Something New

Since we were already familiar with Drive Thru History®, the day the series arrived we were ready to jump right in. My eight-year-old had the privilege of opening the series and we prepared to start watching right were we left off.

Yet, I had some questions. I wondered how I would use the DVDs to teach? What about the questions that came with every online episode that we had come to rely on for the discussions with my older children? Oh, and what about the answers? Would a reading plan be provided? And how about those episode summaries that are super helpful for setting the stage pre-viewing?

I quickly found my answer upon opening the DVD case. Included were three discs containing 18 episodes, all roughly 30 minutes long. Also included, was a full colored information packet. This packet, conveniently attached to the case (read: I won’t be able to misplace it!), contained everything I was wondering about. A list of episodes and titles, episode reviews, recommended reading so you can follow along in your Bible, and the five discussion questions that allow you to dig deep into a conversation with kids and adults alike. Also included are images from the episodes, quotes, and interesting facts.

It’s Time To Drive Thru History

With our brand new DVD copy of Acts to Revelation open and ready to go, the only thing left to do was to put one of the disks in and hit play.

Seriously, teaching history couldn’t be any easier.

We decided to first recap the episodes we have previously watched and started the DVD series with episode 7 on disc two. As the title suggests, Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”, aims to teach viewers about the early church. The first six episodes of the series covered Acts 1-14 . This includes the day of Pentecost, the stoning of Stephen, the conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus, and Paul’s first missionary journey. Episode 7, titled “The Jerusalem Counsel and Paul’s Second Missionary Journey,” picks up with Paul and Barnabas as they work to strengthen the churches they are starting and encourage the new Christians to follow Christ.

And about once a week, we sat down in the living room together, to watch and learn from several additional episodes contained in Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”. Throughout disc two we followed Dave as he embarked on a journey to trace the steps of Paul’s second and third missionary journeys. We watched as he traveled to far away places in Turkey and Greece. We journey through Acts chapter 15 through Acts chapter 26. We covered many of Paul’s letters including Timothy, James, Corinthians, Ephesians, and Galatians. And we watched as the truths of the New Testament came to life. Presented in chronological order and offered up with a myriad of supporting details. Details which fascinate the viewer as Biblical passages come together with new meaning and strengthen the validity of the accounts as presented in the Bible.

Biblical History Meets World History

One of my favorite aspects of Drive Thru History® is the fact that Dave works really hard to show the truth contained within the scriptures. While the Bible is the main text from which Dave teaches, it’s not the only one. Dave does an amazing job of using outside texts as well as historical artifacts and structures to show the authenticity and truth behind the Biblical accounts. By traveling to the location, he takes viewers on a historical field trip that could only be trumped by purchasing your own plane ticket.

By including information about life in the 1st century, a deeper understanding of Biblical text is sure to expand. Understanding the Roman rule, the Greek influence, and the pagan cultures the founders of the early church faced only deepens your own understanding of Biblical concepts. Seeing the ancient artifacts, the remnants of ancient structures, and even viewing artists’ adaptations of how these ancient cities would have looked deepens your understanding of both world history and Biblical.

And if anything, your kids are totally going to love the episode where an ancient public restroom is visited. No longer in use, of course.

Not Just For Homeschool

Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” makes for a great homeschool curriculum. Combining history and Bible it’s a great resource for busy homeschool families. Yet, I’d be remiss if I didn’t let you know that this program isn’t just for homeschoolers.

No, the “Acts to Revelation” DVD series can also be used simply as a family program. Pop some popcorn, toss in the DVD, and enjoy an episode or two together as a family. Whether watching simply for fun and entertainment, or to deepen your own families’ faith, this program completely hits the mark. Add in scripture readings, and you have family devotionals covered.

And as a youth group co-leader, I am confident that this program would be an amazing addition to your church’s DVD library.

Moving Forward With Drive Thru History

Since we have not completed the entire “Acts to Revelation”, the kids and I are going to continue using this as our primary history program for the next several weeks. With a wonderful combination of world history and Biblical history, a recommended Bible reading schedule, and six episodes still to view, we are going to learn just as much as we can from this amazing history program.

The DVD series of Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” from Drive Thru History® offers us everything we already loved about Drive Thru History adventures but in a new and different way. Same great content, new method of taking it all in.

Want to know more? Check out the trailer for “Acts to Revelation” on the Drive Thru History® website. While you are there, watch an episode for free simply by telling them that I sent you!

Check out what other members of the Homeschool Review Crew thought about Drive Thru History!