Welcome to Firm Foundations!

Firm Foundations is a foundational apologetics curriculum meant to give children, youth, and people of all ages a general understanding of the evidence of God’s hand at work in and through the world by use of the following:

1. An examination of the available scientific and archaeological evidence for a Biblical worldview and
2. A basic overview of the development of Christianity through a simplified study of church history.

This course is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive, but rather intended to serve as a starting point, hopefully allowing young people to learn that science, history, and archaeology are friends rather than enemies of faith in Christ.

Because the main goal of this curriculum is to build faith in Christ, an attempt has been made to reach as broad of an audience as possible within the frame of solid Biblical Christian theology. Therefore, this curriculum does not attempt to promote only one of the two commonly held Biblical creation theories (either young or old earth creation theory) but instead serves to give families the opportunity to examine the evidence and begin discussions. Whether individual families prefer to hold to old or young earth creationism is not a salvation issue, and this curriculum does not intend to make it as such.

In addition, because the videos included come from a wide variety of sources, both Christian and secular, some videos contain minimal references to “evolution”. It is hoped that families will use these references as a starting point for conversations regarding how Christians can respond to secular claims as to the origin of life and the universe. It is also hoped that students will learn to engage the scientific and archaeological world at large without fear of hearing words like “evolution” and “natural selection” because they have gained a broad understanding of what the evidence is and how it can be interpreted.

Primarily, the intention of this study is to help students to see the fingerprints of God in the physical world in order to give them confidence in the spiritual world. This curriculum therefore also includes a guide to facilitate the development of a daily alone time with God as well as a weekly space, on Fridays, for parents (or facilitators) to disciple their children by connecting with them individually to discuss their spiritual development and to build a strong parent-child relationship as a reflection of God’s father heart toward his children.

Below you will find the materials list for this curriculum. This list contains only materials that must be purchased or require a membership. The cost for these items is minimal, particularly if you already have an Amazon Prime membership. All other materials not listed are free via youtube.com or other websites.

Essential Materials:

• Book: It Couldn't Just Happen: Knowing the Truth About God's Awesome Creation by Lawrence O. Richards ($6.49 for Kindle edition OR $11.79 for paperback version). Throughout this curriculum we have used the abbreviation ICJH to refer to this book. Click here to find this book on Amazon.com
• Movie: The Voice of the Martyrs Presents: The Messengers (Free on Amazon Prime) Click here to find this Movie on Amazon Prime
• Movie: The Voice of the Martyrs Presents: To Every Nation (Free on Amazon Prime) Click here to find this Movie on Amazon Prime
• Video Series: The Torchlighters - Heroes of the Faith [Episodes: 2 - The William Tyndale Story, 7 - The Perpetua Story, 11 - The Augustine Story, 13 - The John Wesley Story, and 15 - The Martin Luther Story] (Free on Amazon Prime) Click here to find this video series on Amazon Prime
• Journal and Pen/Pencil: Every student will need a journal or notebook to write down highlights of what he or she has learned through each of the daily lessons as well as questions he or she may have. This can also be done electronically if you have access to a tablet or computer. Parents/Facilitators: After each day’s lesson, please give kids and youth the opportunity to share with you their questions and what they have written in their journal.
• Mom/Dad and Me Journal: This is a journal specifically for children who are going through this curriculum with a parent or facilitator. This journal should be separate from children’s learning/Quiet Time journals. These journals will be used on Fridays during discipleship time. There are several truly excellent Mom/Dad and me journals available on Amazon.com that would be a fun treasure for kids, but a plain notebook or even paper and pencil will work.

Optional Materials:

• 1 Year Annual Digital Subscription to the Biblical Archaeology Society ($34.95 at biblicalarchaeology.org; Note: some articles referred to in the curriculum may require this subscription, but the articles, while recommended and helpful, are not essential to the curriculum) Click here to setup this subscription
• Book: Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Richard M Hannula ($9.99 for Kindle version; $18.44 for paperback version on Amazon.com; Free with Kindle Unlimited subscription from Amazon.com). Wonderful collection of biographies about key people in the history of the church. Arranged chronologically. Some parts may be intense for younger children so parents may want to pre-read chapters before reading them to their children. Click here to find this book on Amazon.com
• Stickers to put on each child’s daily journal page for work well done (or stamps).

Materials for optional hands on visuals, crafts, and activities: