A CHARLOTTE MASON BIBLE STUDY LESSON
“But let the imaginations of children be stored with the pictures, their minds nourished upon the words, of the gradually unfolding stories of the scriptures, and they will come to look out upon a wide horizon within which persons and events take shape in their due place and in due proportion.” (Mason, vol 1)
First, I explain why I’m focusing subject by subject. I also include Charlotte Mason quotes because I find her original lectures on education to be inspiring and helpful.
Next, please keep reading to see the break down of implementing lessons, the schedule, and resources I’m using that fit our family. Finally, I share the wealth of quality Charlotte Mason resources I have found helpful, from those mothers who have gone before me.
PREPARING THE FEAST
“Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests.” (Mason, vol. 3)
There are MANY subjects included in a Charlotte Mason education because she believed in spreading a wide feast. Sometimes, it feels a bit daunting for a new homeschooling mama. Therefore, I’m attempting to learn, digest, and absorb how I’m going to be teaching each subject. I have decided to compose a blog post on each subject for Form 1B. This will help me prepare to teach my oldest son in the Fall.
SPREADING THE FEAST IS GOOD
“As a matter of fact, it is the man who has read and thought on many subjects who is, with the necessary training, the most capable.” (Mason, vol. 6)
Ms. Mason suggests spreading a wide feast in education, in order to nourish a child’s mind. A Charlotte Mason curriculum aims to be wide and varied. This gives the child a chance to develop many interests and become well rounded. A Charlotte Mason education certainly intends to be rich, varied, and life giving, and this is partly why I choose to focus on her philosophy of education.
“He requires much knowledge, for the mind needs sufficient food as much as does the body.” (Mason, vol. 6)
I became interested in healthy eating almost 12 years ago as a yoga instructor. Once my children were born, I became more focused on nutrition. Thankfully, I was able to breastfeed both children, as babies, because it was a wonderful nutrition option for them.
When I became a Health Coach last year, I focused even more on nutrient dense foods to nourish my family. I aim to give them a great start in their little lives.
“The mind feeds on ideas, and therefore children should have a generous curriculum.” (Mason, vol. 1)
Presently, I continue to to give them a varied and nourishing feast. This carries over to their education. I take it as my job to give a nourishing feast for their minds and body.
Ms. Charlotte Mason also says,
“But, believing that the normal child has powers of mind that fit him to deal with all knowledge proper to him, we must give him a full and generous curriculum…” (Mason, vol. 1)
A CHARLOTTE MASON BIBLE STUDY
WHAT
“Children between the ages of six and nine should get a considerable knowledge of the Bible text.” (Mason, vol. 1)
First, Charlotte Mason says a standard Bible should be used. The Bible lesson should not come from a children’s Bible or devotional. Instead, the child should hear the actual text of the Bible since the stories of the Bible are so rich. Therefore, children are worthy of the very best, and rise to the occupation of listening to the Bible in its whole form.
Personally, I choose a beautiful and journaling Bible because I thought I would really enjoy it. So, I’m using a King James Version. Its called Praise: A Creative Journaling Bible.
In Parents and Children, Ms. Mason says the child, “should not be able to recall a time before the sweet stories of old filled his imagination.” (Mason, vol. 2)
If you have preschoolers, this is my FAVORITE Children’s Bible…though the true Bible should also be read to them from a young age.
Finally, THIS is my dream Bible set! Look how beautiful! But, clearly, for a special occasion, because its a little expensive!
WHEN
Charlotte Mason called the Bible lesson, the “chief lesson.” Its upheld as the most important subject, since it teaches a child right from wrong. Therefore, she urges the Bible lesson to be the first lesson of the day. The lesson should be about 15 minutes long. A Charlotte Mason Plenary has linked to the Parent’s Union school Form 1 schedule, which shows “in all cases the Bible text must be read and narrated first.”
Finally, a Bible lesson should occur once a day, five days a week.
Additionally, Sunday readings were recommended from: Parables from Nature.
WHY
“And perhaps it is not too beautiful a thing in this redeemed world, that, as the babe turns to his mother though he has no power to say her name, as the flowers turn to the sun, so the hearts of the children turn to their Savior and God with unconscious delight and trust.” (Mason, vol. 1)
I love this quote because it shows we should model humility, and faith for our children so they may come to have a relationship with God. Perhaps most importantly, the child learns to have a heart for God, and to develop a personal relationship with God.
“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven? And He called a little child, and set him in the mist. Here is the divine estimate of the child’s estate.” (Matthew 18: 1-2 King James Version, and Mason, vol. 1)
Then, the Bible goes onto say that those who enter Heaven must be like the child. Since children are so precious to Jesus, we should respect them as persons and nurture them in this endeavor.
“…their Bible lessons should help them to realize in early days that the knowledge of God is the principle knowledge, and therefore, that heir Bible lessons are their chief lessons.” (Mason, vol. 1)
Also:
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name…” (Psalms 92: 1 King James Version)
The purpose of the Bible lessons is to lead the child to the knowledge of God.
HOW
“Read your Bible story to the child bit by bit; get him to tell you in his own words (keeping as close as he can to the Bible words) what you have read, and, then, if you like, talk about it; but not much.” (Mason, vol. 2)
For Form 1B, in other words, first grade, the Bible lesson encompasses most of Genesis from the Old Testament. Also, it is suggested to cover the appropriate portions of Matthew from the New Testament. A Delectable Education recommends to alternate Old Testament and New Testament daily for lessons because it may hold a child’s attention better. Each Bible lesson should cover about 10-20 verses per day.
Additionally, Charlotte Mason says the parent should continue to read aloud the Bible passage, even after a child can read it on his own.
NARRATION
- First, read the Bible passage to the child once.
- Then, ask the child to tell back what he heard, using as close to the words he heard as possible. This is narration.
- Finally, Mama and child can discuss what was read.
- As an option, Charlotte Mason Poetry notes suggest on how to begin the lesson: ‘Tell the story to the child, only giving the necessary explanations.’
RESOURCES FOR MAMA
Here are some suggested readings for Mothers to prep Bible lessons and discuss with their children following their narration.
“But it is well to let the pictures tell their own tale. The children should study a subject quietly for a few minutes; and then, the picture being removed, say what they have seen.” (Mason, vol. 1)
PICTURES
Moreover, you can choose to share pictures to compliment the Bible stories following the narration or Bible lesson.
RECITATION
“The learning by heart of Bible passages should begin while the children are quite young, six or seven.” (Mason, vol. 1)
Finally, you can have young children learn by heart parables and stories from the Bible. For recitation purposes, the Homeschool Mama should read aloud the passage a few times. Then, the child can narrate back only when they feel they know the words.
FAVORITE RESOURCES
Finally, I have come across some outstanding resources in learning about a Charlotte Mason education. I’m so happy to share them with you! Some of these are sources I return to daily because I’m preparing to teach my children. Also, some of these listed below are specific to a Charlotte Mason Bible lesson study.
GENERAL CHARLOTTE MASON RESOURCES
- A Charlotte Mason Soiree Educator Courses (free and amazing!)
- A Charlotte Mason Soiree Facebook Support/Discussion Group
- Volume 1 Charlotte Mason’s Home Education
- Volume 2 Charlotte Mason’s Parents and Children
- Volume 3 Charlotte Mason’s School Education
- A Delectable Education Scheduling Cards
- A Delectable Education Curriculum Templates
- Morning Tide to Even Tide Homeschool Planner
CHARLOTTE MASON BIBLE LESSON RESOURCES
- A Delectable Education podcast on the Bible subject
- Also another A Delectable Education podcast on a simulated Bible lesson
- My Current Bible I plan to use for lessons (Praise: A Creative Journaling Bible, King James Version)
- Charlotte Mason Poetry – Presentation on Mason’s Program for Bible Lessons
- Penny Gardener Children’s Bible Scripture Suggestions
- Suggested Bible Artwork Resource
- Another Bible Artwork Space Online
- Homeschooling Printing Company to Print out Bible Pictures
- King James Version of the Bible
- Parent’s Union School Form 1 Schedule
- Dream Bible Set
- Volume 1 Charlotte Mason’s Home Education (pg. 247-253)
OUR PICKS
Finally, if you are interested in additional Charlotte Mason information, feel free to check out these previous blog posts:
Thank you so much for checking in! Please stay tuned for the next A Charlotte Mason Subject Lesson post.
Homeschool Preschool Supplies List
All of the quotes mentioned in this blog post, come from Home Education by Charlotte Mason. The Living Press published my favorite version of her books. I TRULY recommend any parent read Charlotte Mason’s books since I have gained so much from them! They are truly treasured words I believe I will be reading and re-reading for many years to come.
