How can you be confident
that you have a program that is based on proven
standards and provides a solid Christian education?
Whether you are a new or seasoned educator, or
somewhere in between, we can help you sort through
the maze of curriculum choices. It is our aim to
minister to you in the great task of educating
students in the fear and admonition of Christ.
Our site not only outlines curriculum for each
grade level but also provides a guide to evaluating
the various subjects from a biblical worldview.
It is our goal to provide you with the highest
possible quality of Christ-centered educational
materials at an affordable price. Please take time
to discover how our resources can help you.
Curriculum Options:
Individual Book Purchases—Using our Shop
by Grade Level, Shop by Subject, and Shop by Category
links, you can find the educational products and
support materials your children need or books for
your own edification. See also our Shop for Bargains
link for low-cost products.
Testing/Evaluation Services—To help you
in the critical task of selecting appropriate materials
for your child, Christian Liberty Press has developed
specialized services for homeschoolers. We can
test your child and provide a customized curriculum
recommendation that is suited for your child’s
skill level.
Curriculum Kits—We have assembled curriculum
kits for each grade level (K–12). Each kit
contains all of the materials you need at one low
price, including tests and teacher materials. Most
kits provide you with some choices when ordering;
simply choose the text(s) that meets your need.
Christian Liberty Academy School System (CLASS)—For
those who are interested in a full service home
education curriculum for their children, please
consider the CLASS program. CLASS can provide an
individualized curriculum for your children based
on standardized testing, and even issue report
cards and transcripts when the work is submitted.
Standards for Evaluating Christian Curriculum:
You have come to realize that it is your God-given
responsibility to train up your children in the
fear and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). You
soon discover, however, that there is an overwhelming
number of resources available. Today, the challenge
is not to find a Christian curriculum but to judge
the quality of what is available. How can you evaluate
curriculum in the light of Scripture?
There are many admirable qualities to seek in
a curriculum—good organization, scholarship,
interesting material, accuracy, etc. All these
combined, however, do not result in a curriculum
that is Christian. How can you discern what characterizes
a curriculum or textbook as Christian?
1. Christian curriculum should have the Bible
as its foundation and standard.
Curriculum must be built on a solid foundation.
Only Scripture provides that foundation. It is
the infallible rule for Christian education. Although
the Bible is not the textbook in every subject,
it should be used throughout. How is this to be
done?
First, actual texts of the Bible should be used
appropriately in each course. This helps to reinforce
that each subject is to be studied in the light
of Scripture. Throughout, Scripture should be used
as the standard by which to judge the opinions
of men. It should not end there, however.
The student should learn the great truths of Scripture
and see how these provide the principles by which
he should evaluate all things. In this way, he
will learn to reason biblically and bring every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor.
10:5).
2. Christian curriculum should embody a consistent
biblical worldview.
Curriculum is not made Christian by merely adding
Bible verses, talking about Christian topics, or
teaching moral character. It must not be guided
by a philosophy which is after the traditions of
men (ancient, medieval, or modern) but after Christ,
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge (Col. 2:8). The sacred Scriptures
reveal the mind of Christ and provide us with a
unique worldview. This biblical worldview must
be clearly evident in the way subject material
is taught.
While there are many attempts to formulate a biblical
worldview, the simplest approach is to follow the
basic doctrines of Scripture. Textbooks and other
materials should be shaped by the fundamental truths
of Scripture. Doctrines such as the Trinity, creation,
sin, redemption, etc., should direct the approach
to every subject. These truths have been summarized
in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms
(1647). These embody the great teachings of the
Protestant Reformation and are the tradition in
which we stand. They render a unified and integrated
system of truth which provides the framework for
curriculum.
3. Christian curriculum should have a God-centered
unity.
Because biblical truth is the criterion of Christian
curriculum, each subject should be understood as
a part of God's comprehensive view of the universe.
A Christian curriculum will be characterized by
a God-centered unity. Since there is only one God,
and He reveals one unified system of truth in Scripture,
Christian curriculum should be a coherent whole.
God's truth must undergird and integrate the whole
curriculum.
Because God created the world, it reflects His
order. As a result, all aspects of the world in
which God has placed us should be taught in an
organized and systematic fashion. Each part of
this knowledge is interrelated. Furthermore, this
unity should be conveyed from subject to subject
and from grade to grade. A fragmented curriculum
promotes a fragmented concept of reality and teaches
the student that there is no one philosophy that
accounts for everything.
4. Christian curriculum should be Christ-centered.
A God-centered curriculum implies that it should
be Christ-centered. It must not be centered around
the child, his needs, society, nor any other
aspect of creation. While it must indeed minister
to the child, it should seek to subject the whole
child (spirit, mind, and will) to the whole Word
of God, which focuses on Christ.
Christian education means that Christ is central
to the curriculum. Because of this, the gospel
of Christ must be integrated into each textbook.
It is by means of the gospel alone that the child
will become a student of God. It is by faith alone
that sound teaching will result in good behavior.
Therefore, the gospel should neither be neglected
nor simply added as a supplement to a secular presentation.
Rather, the gospel claims of Christ must be woven,
like a thread, into the very fabric of the curriculum.
5. The goal of Christian curriculum should be
to make disciples of Christ.
True Christian education takes place when wisdom
and maturity in Christ are attained. Its goal must
not be simply to train children to be well-educated
or prepared for a vocation, but to glorify God
and enjoy Him forever. This means that they need
to be taught not just reading, writing, and arithmetic
in a neutral vacuum. Instead, each child must be
encouraged to exercise faith in Christ so that
he will read, write, and count for God's glory.
In this way, education is part of fulfilling Christ's
Great Commission. Teachers should employ a curriculum
that helps them to nurture and instruct their students
to be disciples of Christ.
Curriculum is thus never an end in itself. Textbooks
are important tools in teaching, but in the final
analysis only God the Holy Spirit can make good
materials effective. To that end, the teacher should
pray and work that the student may be subject to
God's authority. God is the primary teacher and
we must depend upon Him to make teaching successful.
6. Christian curriculum should incorporate sound
Christian scholarship.
Because God created every
part of the universe according to His own wisdom,
a Christian curriculum
should seek to uncover the facts which He created
and the laws which He ordained. God made us in
His own image, and our minds should reflect His
own wisdom and intelligence.
Good Christian textbooks will therefore be characterized
by a thorough study of all the relevant God-interpreted
facts and pay close attention to how these are
organized according to a biblical worldview. Christian
curriculum should not follow secular models as
the standard of what is best. It should not be
led away by every wind of doctrine. Instead it
should forge out a unique Christian approach through
building on the achievements of sound Christian
scholars. It must popularize and apply their insights
into a biblical approach to each discipline that
is academically sound.
7. Christian curriculum should be presented in
a manner that is interesting and appropriate for
each grade level.
To effectively train students, you must not only
have sound content, but the presentation of that
content must minister to each child as they grow
to maturity. A course of study should be appropriate
for the maturity level of each student. Materials
should be suited for their level of understanding
and should engage their interest. Nevertheless,
it should not be judged merely by its enjoyment
or entertainment value. Study is hard work, and
students must learn the satisfaction of exercising
their intellects to the glory of God.
In the early grades, basics should be stressed.
Students should concentrate on memorizing concrete
facts, general information, and learning basic
skills and the rudiments of God's truth. These
common areas of study are necessary for every child
to have in order to serve Christ effectively. In
essence, these lay the foundation for further education.
As they develop, the course of study should include
a study of the following subjects:
Bible & Christian Doctrine
Phonics & Reading
Writing, Spelling & Grammar
Literature
History & Geography
Biography
Government & Economics
Mathematics
Science & Technology
Culture & the Arts
As students grow older, they should grow in godly
wisdom and develop discernment from Scripture.
They should be able to articulate a biblical worldview
and defend it against false beliefs. They should
become skilled in communicating God's truth to
others.
God has also endowed students with unique gifts.
Teachers should help students identify and develop
their gifts by specialized study and activity.
Therefore, Christian Liberty Academy curriculum
offers a number of elective courses and supplemental
materials which you can use to minister to your
students.
While no perfect Christian curriculum exists,
you should endeavor to obtain one which most effectively
communicates the biblical worldview and helps you
disciple your children to Christ. At Christian
Liberty Press, we have sought to implement this
by collecting, evaluating, and publishing materials
which reflect this biblical worldview approach.
Outline of a Christian Curriculum:
Bible and Christian Doctrine
Foundational to the Christian curriculum is the
study of the Bible. Students need to be mastered
by the Word of God before they can properly evaluate
the writings of men. Bible study focuses the
student's attention on the inspired text of the
Bible. Its purpose is not the mere study of religion,
nor even historical studies of Bible characters,
but to arrive at a unified understanding of the
biblical system of truth. In addition, the Christian
student should be equipped to translate his knowledge
of the Bible and its teachings into a philosophy
that can challenge the wisdom of this world.
Therefore, our curriculum includes training in
a biblical worldview and apologetics.
Phonics and Reading
Our understanding of language begins with God's
Word. The three persons of the Trinity have spoken
to each other eternally. In the beginning God
spoke and it came to pass. When God created man
in His own image, He gave him the gift of language.
Because God is the source of language, He must
regulate its use.
Christian education requires the student to study
God's Word. To this end he must learn to read,
and the best way to learn reading is to begin with
phonics. Learning sounds of letters and letter
combinations provides the key to pronunciation.
Phonics develops the linguistic abilities that
help students to glorify God.
Skills in phonics are reinforced and developed
through a good reading program. Since reading is
basic to learning all other subjects, this program
provides reading opportunities in a range of subjects.
Such reading should help the child prepare to read
God's Word and other textbooks.
Writing, Spelling, and Grammar
After the basic foundation is completed in phonics,
grammatical skills must be developed as the foundation
for writing and communicating well. The skill
and art of writing is critical for students to
express their thoughts clearly. Students need
to learn how to use different kinds of sentences,
to bring them logically together to form paragraphs,
and to organize these paragraphs skillfully while
developing stories and essays. They also need
to learn how to spell correctly and choose the
appropriate vocabulary.
Writing, however, is never neutral. Therefore
students must be taught to write and speak God's
truth in love. Students need not only to master
language but learn how to use it correctly. They
need to learn how to communicate effectively for
the glory of God.
Literature
Christian curriculum should seek to acquaint students
with the great literature which has helped shape
Western Civilization. The study of such literature,
however, must be judged by the greatest book
ever written—the Bible. The student should
be challenged to evaluate the words of human
authors by the Word of truth.
He should also be taught to distinguish Christian
classics from the classics of unbelief. Priority
should be given to the great classics which have
either been written by Christians or reflect Christian
values. Students should be encouraged to read these
and become acquainted with good writing. This should
both inspire them to live a life pleasing to God
and help them write well.
History and Geography
God is the Lord of history. History has not only
been planned by God but proceeds according to
His purpose. For this reason all history—ancient,
medieval, and modern—must be viewed as
the sovereign rule of God over the affairs of
men. All men and nations are accountable to Him.
The study of history warns students that God's
curse falls upon unfaithfulness and His blessing
rests upon faithfulness.
A proper understanding of history is built around
the key events of creation, man's fall into sin,
the cross of Christ, and the return of Christ.
Because of sin and grace, history is a conflict
between the children of light and the children
of darkness. Students should be equipped to study
the vain attempts of apostate men to build the
kingdom of man.
But above all they should learn that history has
one center and purpose. God's plan is to sum up
all things in Christ (Eph. 1:10). Consequently
its meaning and interpretation must be understood
in terms of Christ. It is more than a chronicle
of names, dates, places, and events. Its meaning
is found in the redemptive work of Christ and how
He is building His church. This is why church history
and missions are an integral part of studying history.
Our history program concentrates on the unfolding
of world history with a special emphasis on the
shaping of Europe and America. It seeks to trace
the hand of God's providence in history as He used
the efforts of Christians as they applied God's
Word to their nations and cultures.
Biography
Our biographies focus on the lives of key individuals
who have contributed much to shaping history.
The primary focus is upon great Christian leaders
whose lives glorified God. The details found
in these books will provide a more in-depth look
at a particular historical period. They should
also provide models for young people to imitate
in regard to both their faith and their achievements.
Government and Economics
A biblical presentation of the social order is
needed to address effectively the current corruption
of society and show forth God's pattern for a
godly society, government, and economy. The Bible
and its laws provide the tools for evaluating
the various social structures of different nations
and peoples.
The Old Testament reveals God's system of law
for civil government. The student who learns this
system has the proper criterion by which to critique
human governments of the past and present. By using
God's perfect law as the standard, political orders
can be analyzed as to their structure, laws, and
policies.
God is the possessor of the earth, and the giver
of all wealth. He owns it, and gives it to whomever
He wills. He also ordained laws to govern economics.
God has given men the right to own private property,
the right to choose an occupation, the right to
make a profit, and the right to decide how earnings
should be spent. Scripture provides guidelines
for how an economic system can glorify God and
how people can show charity toward the needs of
others.
Mathematics
God is a God of order (1 Cor. 14:33). As students
study His created universe they should see His
marvelous numerical order. Students should be
led to marvel at God's mathematical ingenuity.
They should learn that it is not possible for
them to understand creation without His gift
of mathematics, for they would not have the tools
for measuring His works.
Mathematics is also a tool to help men rule over
the earth under God. All callings in life demand
planning, calculating, and evaluating in order
to carry out one's responsibilities. Students should
learn that math plays an important role in their
lives. They should see how it is used in such areas
as business, medicine, engineering, art, science,
linguistics, and economics. They should master
this wonderful gift to advance God's glory on earth.
Science and Technology
The study of science should focus on God's creation
and not just critique evolution. By studying
God's creation, students see God's awesome power,
the beauty of His handiwork and the design reflected
in every creature.
After creation was brought into existence by God
in six days, man was created to understand and
subdue it for His glory. He is to cultivate, care
for, and develop each aspect of the world. To subdue
the earth as God commanded, the student must acquire
an organized and systematic scientific knowledge.
He must study the God-created facts of the world
and understand how they are related by means of
divinely ordained laws for creation.
As students grow in their knowledge and appreciation
of creation, they should learn to use this knowledge
for the glory of God and the good of others. Scientific
knowledge has always resulted in the development
of new technology. Consequently, students should
learn about its role in modern life, and how they
may serve God through its proper use.
Culture and the Arts
The arts are gifts given by the Holy Spirit. Students
should be taught to develop their artistic skills
to reflect the glory of God, enrich life, and
minister to others. These talents should be developed
in harmony with God's truth. They should also
study God's own creativity in nature and learn
to imitate Him.
Students should also learn how to evaluate the
culture and works of art made by others. To do
this, they must understand a Christian view of
culture and art. The non-Christian uses culture
as a way to revolt against God and glorify himself.
In contrast, the student should understand that
art should glorify God and be subject to His Word.
It does not need to be religious in the narrow
sense, but it should reflect a wholesome biblical
worldview.
Publishers Used In Our Curriculum:
Christian Liberty Press produces much of its own
curriculum materials but also carry products from
other prominent educational publishers. We do so
to provide families with a well-rounded curriculum
that is cost-effective, academically sound, and
presents a biblical worldview.
Most of the publishers used by Christian Liberty
Press are well known to both home educators and
Christian schools. Some of the publishers we use
include:
A Beka Book
Alpha-Omega
American Vision
Bob Jones University Press
Christian Liberty Press
Christian Schools International |
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Crossway Books
Great Commission Publications
Modern Curriculum Press
Presbyterian and Reformed
Saxon Publishers
Steck-Vaughn |
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