Educational Curriculum

  Click for sample lessons. (First sample is Second Grade. Second sample is Third Grade)

The second volume in the three-volume art curriculum set, Behold the Beauty, is designed to be used by teachers or homeschooling parents for second and third grade. 

Behold the Beauty was also written with practical considerations in mind: to assist instructors who have had little or no training in art. The lessons are clear and easy to use, requiring minimal supplies without compromising objectives.

The ultimate objective of every lesson is exactly as the title implies: to behold the beauty of creation and to praise God in doing that. As students learn to more closely observe creation while rendering what they see in pencil, paint, or other artistic media, they will be trained to meet that objective. The lessons teach how to use the elements of art, such as line, shape, and color, while introducing the principles of design, such as unity, variety, and focal point. Not only do students learn to behold the evidence of God's glory all around them by these means, they also learn to make objects of beauty in order to communicate that glory to others. The curriculum is based on the infallible Scriptures, and the twelve lessons of each grade level comprise a thorough, biblical, and systematic art education.

Connie Meyer is a 1982 graduate of Calvin College with a BA in art education. She is a wife and the mother to five children. She has used Behold the Beauty lessons with her children and has helped teachers teach art in their classrooms. 

• 179 pages
• softcover, spiral bound
• ISBN: 978-0-916206-90-1

Other Books in the Behold the Beauty Series: 

Behold the Beauty - Art Curriculum (Kindergarten & First Grade)

Behold the Beauty - Art Curriculum (Grades 4-6)

View a sample lesson from Grade 4. 

View a sample lesson from Grade 5. 

View a sample lesson from Grade 6.

This third volume in the three-volume art curriculum set, Behold the Beauty, is designed to be used by teachers or homeschooling parents for kindergarten–6th grade.

Behold the Beauty was also written with practical considerations in mind: to assist instructors who have had little or no training in art. The lessons are clear and easy to use, requiring minimal supplies without compromising objectives.

The ultimate objective of every lesson is exactly as the title implies: to behold the beauty of creation and to praise God in doing that. As students learn to more closely observe creation while rendering what they see in pencil, paint, or other artistic media, they will be trained to meet that objective. The lessons teach how to use the elements of art, such as line, shape, and color, while introducing the principles of design, such as unity, variety, and focal point. Not only do students learn to behold the evidence of God's glory all around them by these means, they also learn to make objects of beauty in order to communicate that glory to others. The curriculum is based on the infallible Scriptures, and the twelve lessons of each grade level comprise a thorough, biblical, and systematic art education.

Read review by Renita Kuehner (The Old Schoolhouse). 

What others have said about this curriculum:

"This book has been a great introduction to art for my son. We've been using it for over a year now and have made many wonderful art projects. I even have his 2 yr. brother participate and he has fun. It teaches great art concepts and includes godly wisdom alongside."

"This is a great book. There is a small amount of prep (little more than making sure you have the materials), and no special skills required. I have been working through this with my 6 year old (started when she was 5. Her little brother also tries to do the projects (and is successful for the most part). Highly recommended."

Connie Meyer is a 1982 graduate of Calvin College with a BA in art education. She is a wife and the mother to five children. She has used Behold the Beauty lessons with her children and has helped teachers teach art in their classrooms. 

• 280 pages
• softcover
• ISBN: 978-1-936054-30-5

Other Books in the Behold the Beauty Series: 

Behold the Beauty - Art Curriculum (Kindergarten & First Grade)

Behold the Beauty - Art Curriculum (Second & Third Grade)

 Click for sample lessons. (First sample is Kindergarten. Second sample is First Grade) 

This first volume in the three-volume art curriculum set, Behold the Beauty, is designed to be used by teachers or homeschooling parents for Kindergarten and first grade.

Behold the Beauty was also written with practical considerations in mind: to assist instructors who have had little or no training in art. The lessons are clear and easy to use, requiring minimal supplies without compromising objectives.

The ultimate objective of every lesson is exactly as the title implies: to behold the beauty of creation and to praise God in doing that. As students learn to more closely observe creation while rendering what they see in pencil, paint, or other artistic media, they will be trained to meet that objective. The lessons teach how to use the elements of art, such as line, shape, and color, while introducing the principles of design, such as unity, variety, and focal point. Not only do students learn to behold the evidence of God's glory all around them by these means, they also learn to make objects of beauty in order to communicate that glory to others. The curriculum is based on the infallible Scriptures, and the twelve lessons of each grade level comprise a thorough, biblical, and systematic art education.

Read review by Renita Kuehner (The Old Schoolhouse). 

What others have said about this curriculum:

"This book has been a great introduction to art for my son. We've been using it for over a year now and have made many wonderful art projects. I even have his 2 yr. brother participate and he has fun. It teaches great art concepts and includes godly wisdom alongside."

"This is a great book. There is a small amount of prep (little more than making sure you have the materials), and no special skills required. I have been working through this with my 6 year old (started when she was 5. Her little brother also tries to do the projects (and is successful for the most part). Highly recommended."

Connie Meyer is a 1982 graduate of Calvin College with a BA in art education. She is a wife and the mother to five children. She has used Behold the Beauty lessons with her children and has helped teachers teach art in their classrooms for many years. 

• 179 pages
• softcover
• ISBN: 978-0-916206-89-5

Other Books in the Behold the Beauty Series: 

Behold the Beauty - Art Curriculum (Second & Third Grade)

Behold the Beauty -  Art Curriculum (Grades 4-6)

Click to look inside

For many, the term “ancient” implies drudgery and irrelevance. However, the outset of this book will dispel any such notions. The ancient age brims with interest, instruction, and encouragement for today’s readers. This was an age of miracle-working apostles, fearless martyrs, and stalwart church fathers; an age that preserved the scriptures, prescribed the creeds, and produced timeless Christian classics; an age when the church was buffeted by fierce waves of persecution and assailed by heresies of every sort. Through this volume and the ones that follow, students will learn how the Lord Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the church, sovereignly shepherded his beloved church by his word and Spirit.

In this first volume of Christ and His Church through the Ages, author and historian Herman Hanko tells the fascinating story of the ancient church during the first six centuries of the New Testament dispensation. He relates how Christ faithfully guided the church from the ministry of the apostles through the fall of the Roman Empire. Highlights of this history include the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles, the persecution of the church under Roman emperors, the deliberations of the ecumenical councils, and the battle for the truth of sovereign grace.

Through this and future volumes, students of church history and interested readers alike will surely grow in their love and appreciation for the saga of Christ’s church. They will find church history to be, as the author once affectionately described it, “the exciting adventure of the marvelous work of grace.”

Read a review by Prof. Doug Kuiper (The Standard Bearer) and Martyn McGeown (PRCA).

Herman Hanko (1930-2024) served as a minister in the Protestant Reformed Churches from 1955 to 1965, when he was appointed to serve as professor in the Protestant Reformed Seminary in Grandville, MI. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2001. Until his passing in April 2024, he continued to lecture widely in the USA, the United Kingdom, and other countries, including Singapore and the Philippines. He is the author of several RFPA books.

Dan Van Uffelen is a church history teacher at Covenant Christian High School in Walker, Michigan. He has taught church history for almost two decades.

• 272 pages
• hardcover
  
• ISBN 978-1-944555-75-7
• Release date: 2018, 2021

eBook version available

Other Books in this Series:

COMING SOON!

3rd edition

Click for sample chapters

This Bible storybook is one of the RFPA's best selling publications!

Come, Ye Children has been a favorite of Reformed children for decades. A Christian school teacher and gifted storyteller, the author tells 198 Bible stories from Genesis to Acts in language easily understood by young children. Each story is true to scripture and includes a thought to remember and an illustrative drawing.

For this current edition, the pictures have been edited so that they no longer include pictures of Christ.

What others are saying about this book:

"All Christian homes, schools, and church libraries should definitely add this to their holdings." —Christian Observer

"Each story is scripturally sound and written from a Reformed perspective, with the covenant theme woven throughout." —The Outlook

• 606 pages
• hardcover
• ISBN 978-0-916206-27-7
• Release date: 1983, 1998, 2010

Also available in Tagalog!

The English version of this Bible storybook is one of the RFPA's best-selling publications! Now, you and your family can read Halikayo, Mga Anak in Tagalog, the most widely spoken language in the Philippines. 

Come, Ye Children has been a favorite of Reformed children for decades. A Christian school teacher and gifted storyteller, the author tells 198 Bible stories from Genesis to Acts in language easily understood by young children. Each story is true to scripture and includes a thought to remember and an illustrative drawing.

• 573 pages
• hardcover
• ISBN 978-1-944555-51-1
• Release date: 2019 (Tagalog)

Also available in English!

Praise His Majesty is a sheet music book containing 254 Psalter tunes arranged for beginning pianists. Teachers of piano will find this book a worthwhile supplement to their students’ course of study. The beginning piano student will be able to play the first few songs after only a few piano lessons, and adults with limited experience on the piano may also find this book to be of value. 

The book gradually progresses to levels that are more difficult. Upon completion of this book, a pianist of any level should be ready to play out of The Psalter itself.

This 8½ x 11 book has a sturdy semi-concealed double-wire binding and glossy nylon laminate covers.

What others are saying about the book:

I have taught piano lessons for many years now, and I have found this book a wonderful way to introduce Psalter playing to my students. They all love to play Psalters as soon as possible, but it takes a long time before most of them are ready to play from our regular Psalter. So I find this book a great addition to my teaching material, and my students all love it as well. - Jeanne K.

• 180 pages
• softcover, spiral bound
• ISBN 978-0-916206-92-5
• Release date: 2005

This set contains one textbook (teacher's manual) and one workbook each of SMTW Grade 4, SMTW Grade 5, and SMTW Grade 6.

This curriculum series, Show Me Thy Ways (Grades 4-6), teaches the same material as Suffer Little Children, but on a more advanced level, and consists of a student text and a workbook for each grade.

Show Me Thy Ways Textbook (Grade 4)

Show Me Thy Ways Student's Workbook (Grade 4)

Show Me Thy Ways Textbook (Grade 5)

Show Me Thy Ways Student's Workbook (Grade 5)

Show Me Thy Ways Textbook (Grade 6)

Show Me Thy Ways Student's Workbook (Grade 6)

Read a review by Jennifer King (Worth a Bowed Head)!

What others are saying about these books:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M.

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" -Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

 Click to view a sample lesson

This textbook for Grade 4 covers Genesis 1 through 1 Samuel.

What others are saying about this book:

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program 

• 372 pages
• hardcover 
• ISBN 978-0-916206-35-1
• Release date: 1988, 1994, 1995, 2008, 2018

 Click to view sample lesson

This textbook for Grade 5 covers 2 Samuel through Malachi.

What others are saying about this book:

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program 

• 372 pages
• hardcover 
• ISBN 978-0-916206-40-6
• Release date: 1991, 1997

 Click to view sample lesson

This textbook for Grade 6 covers the intertestamentary period and New Testament history in the Gospel and Acts.

What others have said about this book: 

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program 

• 338 pages
• hardcover 
• ISBN 978-0-916206-44-4
• Release date: 1993, 2000

RELATED PRODUCTS 

Show Me Thy Ways Workbook (Grade 6)

 Click to view a sample lesson

This workbook for Grade 4 covers Genesis 1 through 1 Samuel.

What others are saying about this book:

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program 

• 71 pages
• paperback
• ISBN 916206-36-X
• Release date: 1988, 1994, 1995, 2008, 2018

 Click to view sample lesson

Workbook for Grade 5 covers 2 Samuel through Malachi.

What others are saying about this book:

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program 

• 75 pages
• paperback
• ISBN 978-0-916206-41-6
• Release date: 1991, 1997

 Click to view sample worksheet

This workbook for Grade 6 covers the intertestamentary period and New Testament history in the Gospel and Acts.

• 74 pages
• paperback
• ISBN 978-0-916206-45-9

What others are saying about this book:

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

This set contains one textbook (teacher's manual) of SLC Grade 1, and one textbook and workbook each of SLC Grade 2 and SLC Grade 3. Please note: Grade 1 has no workbook, per the author's view that "The method of teaching Bible in grade one will be almost exclusively that of telling stories" (SLC Textbook 1, "Introduction"). Textbook 1 includes an introduction to the series, which provides a basis and approach for teaching Scripture, as well as practical tips on storytelling and other teaching aids.

Suffer Little Children Textbook (Grade 1) (no accompanying workbook)

Suffer Little Children Textbook (Grade 2)

Suffer Little Children Student's Workbook (Grade 2)

Suffer Little Children Textbook (Grade 3)

Suffer Little Children Student's Workbook (Grade 3)

What others are saying about this set:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M. (Orlando, FL)

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

 Click to view sample lessons

This Grade 1 textbook covers the material of Genesis 1 through 1 Samuel 31. There is no accompanying workbook because on this level, the students do not have the skills to use one. The teacher will find all the lesson suggestions in the teacher's manual.

What others are saying about this book:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M.

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

• 339 pages
• paperback
• ISBN 978-0-916206-16-5
• Release date: 1977

 Click to view sample lesson

This Grade 2 textbook covers the material of 2 Samuel through Malachi.

What others are saying about this book:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M. (Orlando, FL)

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

• 189 pages
• paperback
• ISBN 978-0-916206-18-1
• Release date: 1978, 1992, 1996, 2003, 2020

Click to view sample lesson AND sample worksheet (please note: the sample lesson is taken from this Textbook, but the matching lesson's worksheet is only available in the Workbook, which can be ordered here. This sample PDF also includes the author's introduction and methods)

This Grade 3 textbook begins with a lesson on the intertestamentary period that explains the transition from the Old to the New Testament and then covers New Testament history in the Gospels and Acts.

What others are saying about this book:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M. (Orlando, FL)

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

• 200 pages
• paperback 
• ISBN 978-0-916206-20-3
• Release date: 1979, 1991, 1996

 Click to view sample lesson

This Grade 2 workbook covers 2 Samuel through Malachi.

What others are saying about this book:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M. (Orlando, FL)

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

• 55 pages
• paperback 
• ISBN 978-0-916206-17-3
• Release date: 1978, 1992, 1996, 2003, 2020

 Click to view sample worksheet

This Grade 3 workbook begins with a lesson on the intertestamentary period that explains the transition from the Old to the New Testament and then covers New Testament history in the Gospels and Acts.

What others are saying about this book:

"I was raised by immigrant parents who were new to the faith. My mom used all of Gertrude's curricula to teach us the Bible, and she learned as much from teaching it as we did! I remember studying and filling out all of the 6 workbooks as a child. Now, I'm a graduate of Reformation Bible College, and I'm continuing a career in theology with Ligonier...[That] all started with these curricula." - Giovanna M. (Orlando, FL)

"I have been homeschooling now for 19 years. When our family first started homeschooling we bought a package curriculum from a company named Covenant Home. Included in that package was the Gertrude Hoeksema curriculum. We have used it in our home for years. I now own a small business that provides a one day per week enrichment program for homeschooled students (K-8th). We will be using the curriculum this year in one of our classes during the Bible lesson. I was so thrilled to discover that [the RFPA] carried exactly what I was looking for!" - Jenny Watts, The Friday Program

• 54 pages
• paperback 
• ISBN 978-0-916206-21-1

• Release date: 1979, 1991, 1996

This book teaches children...

• what God’s law is: his ten words to his people
• how we obey God's law: by loving him and our neighbor
• why we keep God's law: to thank him for delivering us from our sin, to be assured that he has made us his children, and more

This book explains and applies each commandment in two to three chapters, covering both what God forbids and requires. Chapters include discussion questions, a Bible memory verse, and a related psalm to be sung.

Read reviews by Amanda DeBoer (Clarion), Judy Joyce (Embracing a Healthy Family), Abby VanSolkema (The Left Fork), Dawn Peluso (Schoolin' Swag), Vanessa Le (The Outlook), and Todd and Nicole Kooienga (The Grandville Gleaner)! Also, check out our feature on Challies.com here!

Ronald L. Cammenga is professor of dogmatics and Old Testament studies at the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary in Wyoming, Michigan. Ten Commandments is his first children's book.

Ana Sebastián is a digital illustrator and visual development artist based in Madrid, Spain. 

• 63 pages
• Hardcover
• ISBN 978-0-916206-30-7
• Release date: May 2023

Find other Reformed children's books here.

Find other New Releases here.

Other books in the Doctrine for Children series: COMING SOON!

eBook version available