Homeschool has a particular synergy...

that makes my heart thrill. With so much retrospection on how compartmentalized my own learning process was, I'm thankful for seeing and living a difference with my sons.

Our history period this year is the Medieval Ages, and while the boys can hardly wait until we get to the castles and knights section, the curriculum we are using also chronicles the history of the church. I use Veritas Press as our history curriculum because I like the way it incorporates the literature with the history from a Biblical perspective.

For instance, our card this week is on Mohammed and Islam, detailing who Mohammed was and how he developed Islam. I wanted the boys to understand the Biblical truths behind the story from Genesis, namely the line of Ishmael, God's promise to make him into a nation, and how that has impacted Christianity ever since.

So we went to the Bible and read in Genesis 12 how God called Abraham and promised to make him into a great nation that would be a blessing to all the nations. (Gen 12:1-3) Then we looked at Genesis 15:1-6 where God makes this promise again and specifically promises Abraham a son. Abraham through faith given by God believes God's Word and is credited righteousness. In Genesis 16 though, Abraham and Sarah attempt to control the timetable of God's promises by having Hagar, Sarah's maidservant, bear a son. That son is Ishmael, but God in Genesis 17 clearly tells Abraham that His promises will not come through Ishmael, but through Isaac. (Gen 17:21) However, at this same time God does say that He will make Ishmael into a great nation as the father of twelve rulers. (v.20)

Finally, Isaac, the son of promise is born in Genesis 21 when Ishmael is about 14 years old. Dispute between the two women, Sarah and Hagar, results in God telling Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away, that they will be His charge. (Gen 21:12-13) The next time you read about Ishmael is in Genesis 25 in the listing of his sons. The key verse is 18, "His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers."

Amazing, huh? The Bible is true for historical events. The Bible is true for spiritual principles. The Bible is true for practical applications. The Bible is true, indeed.

What started out as a mere history lesson became for the boys a powerful underlining of what is preached to them every Sunday--the Word of God is our rule for ALL of life and practice. How can they understand the Middle East strife? Read what the Bible says about how the nations were formed. How can they understand the persecution of Christians and Jews in Muslim countries? Read what the Bible says about the heart of man that is turned from Him in rejection and rebellion.

How can the boys understand that all of God's promises are true? Read the Bible.