Homeschool Happenings: Drive Thru History ~ A Review

My children and I have been navigating our way through another great adventure from Drive Thru History ®. This is not our first time traveling with Dave Stotts, via video field trips exploring history or the Bible. This time we enter into the world of the first Christians as we study Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation". Drive Thru History offers multiple courses for students - Ancient History, American History, The Holy Land, The Gospels, and Acts to Revelation. Unlike most history curriculums Drive Thru History takes students on adventures as they travel with Dave Stotts, via video field trips exploring history. This curriculum is geared for students 6th grade and above. Younger students can glean from the curriculum from watching the episodes and answering the more simple questions with their parents. Older students can be challenged more by doing research outside of the curriculum on topics of interest, writing research papers, completing projects, and digging deeper into subject matter of interest from within the episodes. Acts to Revelation consists of 3 disks. The total running time is 495 minutes. The 124-page study guide is bound, like a book, in between the discs. This hardback like book fits nicely in the sleeve and will look nice on your bookshelf.

So what exactly will your student be doing during their "adventure with Dave Stotts" each week or however often you choose to watch episodes? Well, here is a short run down list of what they can expect:

Students will watch an episode adventure - each episode has short written summary
Answer Discussion Questions
Side Road

There are a total of 18 30-minute episodes in the Drive Thru History "Acts to Revelation" study. Here is the breakdown of the study by episode:

The Gospel Shared at Pentecost
The Church Grows in Jerusalem
The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles
Saul of Tarsus & the Road to Damascus
Paul's First Missionary Journey: The Island of Cyprus
The Journey Continues: Pamphylia, Galatia & Asia Minor
The Jerusalem Council & Paul's Second Missionary Journey
The Second Journey Continues: Philippi and Thessalonica
A Road Trip to Athens
Ancient Corinth
Paul's Third Missionary Journey: Ephesus
Paul's Final Trip to Jerusalem & Caesarea
Adventures at Sea: the Island of Malta
A Final Journey to Rome
The Martyrdom of Paul & Peter
John and the Island of Patmos
The Seven Churches of Revelation
The Book Closes on the New Testament Period

What draws me into Dave's way of teaching history is the fact that he takes his students on REAL adventures to the actual places where history took place. Unlike history books that only give its readers visual pictures and LOTS of words to be read, Dave brings an intimacy to history, a relatability. He describes the events of history at the actual sights describing in detail the historical significance, the background, while bringing it all together. In each episode not only do you get to see the sights of where history took place but Dave uses maps, historical pictures, and captivating background music to draw the viewer in. After watching an episode of Drive Thru History you cannot help but want to watch more. It it truly a fantastic way to learn history.

Here are a few of the episodes that we watched.

The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles (episode 3)

Philip proclaiming the Word of God. Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. First record of an African being baptized. St. George the Dragon Slayer of Lydda, follower of Jesus. Beheaded for his faith. Dragon Slayer - the dragon he slayed was satan, legend. Peter went to Lydda and performed a miracle, lame man, Anayas. Peter raised Tabitha from the dead in Joppa. Acts 8, wild vision, Peter.

Discussion Question
How long was an ancient Roman mile?
Answer - The Roman mile was supposed to be 1,000 paces. This is where we get, mile, or mille, which is Latin for 1,000. The old Roman measurement of a mile is estimated to have been around 4,860 feet, which is 420 feet shorter than today's American mile of 5,280 feet.

A Road Trip to Athens (episode 9)

Summary

"Paul, Silas, and Timothy escaped Thessalonica and set-up shop in the remote city of Berea, where they preached the Gospel. Once again, the mobs got violent, and Paul want sent ahead to Athens for his safety. Dave takes a 300-mile road trip from Berea to Athens in present-day Greece, visiting ancient sites such as Mount Olympus and Thermopylae along the way. In the epic city of Athens, Dave investigates the accounts of Paul, including his work as a tentmaker in the Agora and his preaching of the Gospel at the Areopagus."

Various screenshots from throughout the episode. These shots do not do justice to

the actual footage at all.

One of the places that Dave Stotts visited was Mars Hill. This was a small mountain, not sure why they called it a hill, where men would gather to discuss and debate ideas. Wow, if only that mountain could talk. The wealth of information it saw over the years! Some of the greatest philosophers, scholars, and officials of Athens spoke on that mountain. Can you imagine?

The Seven Churches of Revelation (episode 17)

1.Ephesus. The choice to follow Christ comes at a great cost, even today in some places. 2.Smyrna, once a thriving port city, known for its wealth and prestige fell. The Christians, warned by John, would in Revelation 2, would more than likely be presecuted and be imprisoned. They would greatly suffer for their faith. 3.Pergamum, worshipped idols, had the largest open are theater. 4.Thyatira, hometown of Lydia. Part of the Roman Road has been found there. Pagen city. Jezebel, false prophet. 5. Sardis, stronghold city. Military strength. Gymnasium and bath complex. John said that the Christians were alive but dead. Revelation 3. Great earthquake. 6. Philadelphia, brotherly love. One emperor military route. The only church that was not criticized for anything. 7. Laodicea, neither cold nor hot. Rev 3:14-20.

Discussion Question
What city had the steepest theater in the Roman Empire?
Answer - Pergamum had the largest open air theater. It was told that if one fell from the higher seats to the bottom that you pretty much would be dead.

Look at this amazing picture of the theater in the study guide.

Can you imagine being in the crowd?

My children said, "Acts to Revelation was great just like the other Drive Thru History Adventures that we have watched. It is really cool to hear about the historical background of Scripture. I love seeing the places that Dave visits and how they make you understand history and the Bible so much more."

I would definitely recommend Drive Thru History to families and educators.

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