Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Theo: Teaching Children God's Word - God's Truth {A Review}



I received a free copy of Theo: Teaching Children God's Word - God's Truth DVD from Family Christian in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way for writing the review. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this information in accordance with the FTC Regulations.

I had never heard of the series Theo: Teaching Children God's Word before this review opportunity came up. So I did some research before our animated DVD arrived. Theo is a gentleman that lives in a cottage in the English countryside. His two mouse companions, Luther and Belfry, accompany him in explaining doctrine issues. Scripture and Bible stories are used to emphasize the lessons in the series.

~The Home Edition Series~
The Home Edition is designed especially for parents and their children. Each lesson starts with the characters doing ordinary things. Theo uses these simple everyday situations to teach Biblical principles to Luther, Belfry, and us. Using directives from scripture, Theo describes and defines what they mean and then he points to a Biblical example to show us how it looks. 

We reviewed God's Truth, which is the fourth video in the series and contains lessons 11-13 with a bonus video.


~What's Included in the Fourth DVD?~
Lesson Eleven - Abiding in Christ is 9 minutes in length and defines the word abiding (as the branch abides in the vine). Belfry is mimicking everything Luther does, much to Luther's consternation. Theo explains that we may like to mimic those around us, but we should be sure to abide in Christ. Fruit comes from the branch when it is abiding in the vine. Christ is the vine and you are the branch. The Biblical example provided is of Paul. He is an example of abiding in God's presence.

Lesson Twelve - Light Unto my Path starts with Belfry and Luther lost in the woods. Theo teaches them and us that Jesus is the lamp to your feet. The Bible is the very word of God, sweeter than honey. The Biblical example is of King Josiah, the 8 year old son of wicked King Haman. Josiah determines to be a king of God, restores the temple, brings down the false idols and gods of his father, and turns to the law of the Lord. It has a running time of 10 minutes.



Lesson Thirteen - What is the Church? begins with Luther making rules to his new "Us Only Club." Most of the rules involve snubbing others, being inclusive only to Luther and Belfry. Theo explains that the Church is a place for "spirit-filled believers," not a club that only includes certain members. Others should "see Jesus in your church, so that they give the glory to God and come to him." This video is 10 minutes.


Bonus - The Good News focuses on the verse, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~John 3:16. Theo explains how sin separates us from God. How God has made a way for us to accept Jesus and walk in truth and love. Theo explains the word sin is an archery term that means "missing the mark."

A Parent's Guide comes with the DVD and includes a summary of the lessons, discussion questions, family activities, suggested scripture references, closing prayers, and nightly devotionals for six days.

You can get your very own copy of Theo: Teaching Children God's Word - God's Truth DVD here. 




~Who Would Like This~
Just as Sunday School teachers, youth teachers, youth ministers, and youth directors would find the Church Edition to be a terrific fit for their needs this DVD series in the Home Edition would be a great fit for family devotions. We recommend it for kids 5-11 years of age. 

~How we Used it~We've found that on our way home from church on Sunday we had just the right amount of time to watch the short segment for the week. Then starting Monday we would break up the scripture references, discussion questions, and nightly devotionals. We'd work on them through Friday. On Saturday, we would culminate the lesson with the family activity, final devotional, and closing prayer.

~What the kids say~
Jo-Jo says that she thinks Luther and Belfry are funny. She especially likes the lesson when Theo was talking about how the Bible is a light unto our path (lesson twelve). At the end, Belfry puts a light over his Bible. When Luther asks what he is doing. Belfry tells him that Theo says the Bible is a light unto our path and now they will be able to see at night. As the bright light shines on Luther, he says, "Oh yes. I can see clearly now."

Li says, "The mice were making crazy faces. I learned that God made us."

~Inspiration for Me~My word for 2015 is obedience. When watching lesson thirteen, I decided that I would like to spend some time reading about Josiah in my own studies.

~A Final Note~
The Good News ends with asking Jesus into your heart. In our family, we used this bonus lesson as an oppurtunity to study some of the over 40 scripture references to salvation; such as, Mark 16:16. 

~Giveaway~ Family Christian has generously offered to giveaway one $10 appreciation certificate for our US readers to put toward the purchase of a Theo Teaching Children God's Word DVD or another one of your favorite things from Family Christian.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

You may redeem your Appreciation Certificates at any Family Christian store or for online orders enter as a coupon (or call customer service). Use only one per transaction, no cash value.

The winner will be randomly picked by Rafflecopter and will be notified by Bethany from Little Homeschool Blessings via email and posted here. Entrants must be 18 years or older and reside within the United States. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The prize will be issued by Family Christian. By entering this giveaway you are also acknowledging that you have read and agree to all of the Rafflecopter terms & conditions.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,



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14 comments:

Debra said...

I love that this series addresses actual theological issues in language kids can understand.

Bethany said...

Yes. I agree. It doesn't change scripture to explain it to them either.

Melanie said...

Bethany, I love the Scripture and Biblical truths this teaches. So important to continue to speak these truths into our precious children's lives! :)

Carol said...

A series that uses real Scripture to teach theology is great. Making it available to kids' understanding level is wonderful.

Jennifer said...

My son watched the first of this series over and over. I love Scripture in it.

Bethany said...

The earlier the better I say.

Bethany said...

We love to read directly from scripture so this fits our style.

Bethany said...

This is the first we've seen, but we are excited for more.

Gena at ichoosejoy.org said...

This series sounds very cute!

Bethany said...

The mice definitely give it some cuteness. :)

Dede said...

I hadn't heard about this series until we got the DVD. It's a neat way to go over theological topics with kids.

Bethany said...

I totally agree!

Kristy Jensen said...

I love that it is biblically based. My kids would love this.

Bethany said...

My kids asked when we would watch more.

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