Whether you are a homeschool parent planning for your most important subject (Bible!) or a working parent trying to decide what to use for family devotions at home, I have a great suggestion for you today…the Picture Smart Bible!
I was given a copy of the Picture Smart Bible, 4-Adult, in exchange for an honest review. I promise to only recommend helpful products to my readers!
I first saw the Picture Smart Bible at a homeschool convention. I was immediately drawn to it and knew that my crafty kids would be too. When I became a HEAV (Home Educators Association of Virginia) blogger and saw that the Picture Smart Bible would be a vendor at that convention as well, I jumped at the chance to interview them.
Our Behind the Scenes Interview…
Sometimes when you speak to someone, you know you are in the presence of wisdom. Click To TweetSometimes when you speak to someone, you know you are in the presence of wisdom. This is what my conversation was like with Dan Peters from the Picture Smart Bible. You could hear his excitement and love for God oozing out. I am excited to share his story with you…
First, what is the Picture Smart Bible?
The Picture Smart Bible reveals how to draw a picture for each book of the Bible. The teacher’s book shares the theme and stories of each book of the Bible. The student traces the pictures and completes important details. The concept helps renew your mind, as referenced in Romans 12:2. Creating the picture helps with retention.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV
What age children can use the Picture Smart Bible?
The Picture Smart Bible is for everyone, young and old. There are currently two versions: K-3 and 4th grade-adult. They are exploring splitting the program into more specific age ranges. This would work better for Christian schools and Sunday school programs.
What inspired the Picture Smart Bible?
Dan Peters left a career in art to become the principal of a Christian school, where he would work for 20 years. Meanwhile, he noticed that his students weren’t really engaged during chapel, so he prayed about it. Then God answered by showing him the pictures that would later turn into the Picture Smart Bible. He used the pictures as a teaching tool for 15 years before his wife suggested he turn them into a curriculum. Two years later, it was ready!
The driving force behind The Picture Smart Bible is to encourage families to teach the Bible at home. Christians can’t blame the government for removing the 10 Commandments and taking prayer out of school. By and large, families have stopped teaching the Bible at home and that is the real tragedy. The Picture Smart Bible is a fun, easy, and manageable way for families to do that.
Who uses the Picture Smart Bible?
The Picture Smart Bible is used by a wide variety of people.
- Dan himself has used it with his 3 children, 4 grandchildren, and even 3 great grandchildren. He has taught it to all of them!
- Homeschoolers are his biggest customers.
- The Picture Smart Bible is also being used around the world in countries such as Russian and India, where they are working on translating and distributing the materials in their own languages. Several other countries are getting on board too!
- Senior Citizens study it in nursing homes.
- Small groups from churches use it as well.
- Prison ministry is the next area they are trying to break into!
What is your favorite feature of the Picture Smart Bible?
One of the best things about the Picture Smart Bible is the Good News Starburst. The Good News Starburst describes how each and every book points back to Jesus as the true Messiah.
Learning the Word for Life–A Companion Series
Learning the Word for Life is a 3 book series that is referenced in the Picture Smart Bible, even though you can still use the Picture Smart Bible without them. The first book, Foundations, is about the basics of Christianity. The second book, Bread for the Wilderness, is about how to deal with character issues such as controlling anger and self esteem. The third book, God…Your Real Dad, discusses our relationship with God and the concept that God originally wanted us to call him Abba Father, Papa.
Memorizing scripture is good, but it is not the final step. The Learning the Word for Life books help you dialogue with God through writing. It helps get the truth from your head to your heart.
What versions of the Bible do you use in your materials?
Verses are referenced, but rarely written. The drawings in the Pictures Smart Bible work with concepts. There are no pre-printed words, so any Bible version you want to use can work with the Picture Smart Bible.
Do you have any new products in the works?
A new study for adults is being developed. It is based on Luke 24:27. This is the passage where Jesus had come back to life. He was walking with His disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples were having a hard time understanding what had happened to Jesus and if He was the true Messiah, so Jesus explained all the prophecies about himself. Accordingly, the new study will look at these prophecies. Students will create the picture themselves and focus more on application.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 ESV
Giveaway Time!
I am excited to host a giveaway for the Picture Smart Bible 4th grade-Adult CD. To quote Dan Peters, “God is doing a marvelous thing!” Now you can win a copy of this marvelous curriculum and experience it too. Enter below. Winners will be contacted via email and must reply with their mailing address within 24 hours or another may be chosen. Good luck!
What aspect of the Picture Smart Bible appeals to you most? What artistic endeavors help you connect with God?
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What a neat way for anyone to learn about the Bible & express their creativity through art. Irs neat that they have two versions for different age groups as well. I hadn’t heard of this before…enjoy!
This resource looks like something I could use with our grandboy in a few years. I’m feeling the lack of things to do with him that are Christ focused… but maybe I’m getting ahead of myself a little bit since he’s only 19 months. 😉 We homeschooled our two children and I’m soooooo looking forward to doing learning activities with the grandboy as the second generation!
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I understand your frustration about resources, but there seems to be more and more every day–especially in the blogging world! Enjoy your grandson! He is blessed to have a grandma that wants to teach him!
This sounds awesome! I’m planning to homeschool and would love this for my son. It would help him slow down and really process what the Bible is saying.
My oldest likes to fly through things, so I really think this will help him slow down and process it too.
This look like it is up my daughter in laws alley. Will send the info along!
Looks like a lovely way to learn more about the Word!
So important that the Bible be made easy for children to learn!
I find the Picture Smart Bible appealing because it is written with children in mind! I’d love to win this to use with my 5 year old granddaughter and in my Sunday school class!
Good luck!
I love this entire concept! As someone who has a definite leaning towards her artistic side… I know how many times drawing something out has helped me to retain something, often even helped me have a deeper understanding of it.
I agree. I love art. This is definitely more scripted than Bible journaling though, so even those that don’t feel quite as artistic can participate.
nice…like the idea and that it is being made easy
I love that this bible reaches across the aisle from child to adult. Awesome way to get discussion going
What a great tool for children and adults! So much truth and wisdom in God’s Word, not the fake news we so often hear about in this world.
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Seems like a neat product! I am a few years from having and homeschooling my own kids, but this could come in handy in my adventures teaching 1st and 2nd grade Sunday school.
Yes, definitely!
I love that it can be used for multiple ages. We can all learn together.
I agree. Our kids are more engaged when they see us engaged too!
thats a great giveaway for those who are interested!
Jasmine Hewitt recently posted…Learning Phonics Skills with the Kiwi: Season One DVD
Love this! What a great giveaway too 🙂 This sounds so good!!
This could not have come at a better time. In three weeks we begin our homeschooling journey. We are following an interesting curriculum that somewhat mimics public schools in our area so the Bible was not a subject that was on the curriculum. I planned on implementing it somehow, but wasn’t sure exactly how-(especially having ages 3, 7, & 10). Thank you, thank you! I look forward to researching this more!
I’m glad you found this helpful. Best of luck on your homeschool journey!
My daughter loves to draw so this seems like a really nice interactive way to teach her some bible stories! Thanks for the tip!
Sounds like an easy way for kids to learn!
This is definitely one of my favorite Bible study tools. It’s a fun way to engage and learn about the Bible.
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I love anything that teaches our children the word of God. I think this is a great way to get kids to spend more time on the individual books of the bible. ❤
What an awesome way to help visualize the Bible! I know that some of my boys did a walk through a Bible story book where they illustrated each story and it helped solidify it for them.
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Hi Tara,
I’m almost more excited for the upcoming product(s) based on Luke 24:27. I’ve told our church a number of times that the Old Testament is about Jesus. In Hebrews 10 He said, “I have come. The volume of the book is about Me.” Do you know if the study will show types and shadows or just prophecies?
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Thank you for this awesome giveaway! I think I don’t have a twitter account (do you have to to win? ) we are super excited to see who wins!
You can enter by doing any of the things listed above, not just with Twitter. Good luck!
I love how this gets the reader’s/hearer’s hands connecting with what they are reading and hearing, and how it can bring together an entire family–no matter the age! I also love that it highlights Christ in all of Scripture.