Drive Thru History® series to watch for fun. When I heard that there was a sequel to "The Gospels" I could not wait for it to be released and we were very excited to be chosen to review Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation."
What is it that makes Drive Thru History® so special? It is a video series that brings history to life. We may never get to see in person the places that Dave Stotts tells us about in the videos, but with amazing cinematography, factual information on the history, geography, culture, and art of the locations, and a fun and quirky host it is like you are really on a road trip experiencing history. Dave uses the Bible as his main source text but also uses other historical sources and artifacts. We have learned so much through watching Drive Thru History®.
For our review we received:
3 DVDs and a Study Guide in a Hardcover Case. The study guide is attached to the case keeping everything where it belongs!
Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" picks up where "The Gospels" left off. Dave uses the book of Acts as his roadmap while following the lives of the disciples and tracing the paths of the missionary routes of Paul and his companions. The series finishes off with John on the island of Patmos and a drive through the seven churches of Asia Minor.
There are 18 episodes in the series with each episode lasting just under 30 minutes long for a total of about 9 hours of content. The suggested age range is 6th grade and up, but it absolutely can be enjoyed by children younger then 6th grade. Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" contains the following episodes:
Episode 1 - The Gospel Shared at Pentecost- At Pentecost the apostles were empowered with the Holy Spirit and the church was started after Peter's first sermon and they went to the temple grounds to preach each day.
Episode 2 - The Church Grows in Jerusalem - The church continues to grow, Peter and John heal a crippled man and Stephen is martyred for his faith.
Episode 3 - The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles- Dave travels outside of Jerusalem to the Samaritan city of Sebaste, the Roman Road to Gaza, the Judean of Lydda, the port city of Joppa, and Caesarea,.
Episode 4: Saul of Tarsus and the Road to Damascus - Dave visits Saul's hometown of Tarsus, travel part of the road to Damascus, climb Mt. Bental, and end in Caesarea,to explore the life of Herod Agrippa.
Episode 5 - Paul’s First Missionary Journey: The Island of Cyprus -Dave travels to modern-day Antakya, Turkey, and the ancient church known as “St. Peter’s Cave,” and visits the island of Cyprus.
Episode 6 - The Journey Continues: Pamphylia, Galatia and Asia Minor - Dave continues on Paul's first missionary journey sailing north from Cyprus to the coast of Asia Minor visits Perga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe and other ancient sites in Turkey.
Episode 7 - The Jerusalem Council and Paul’s Second Missionary Journey- Paul and Barnabas returned to Syrian Antioch then return to Jerusalem for a meeting where it is decided that the Gentiles do not need to follow Mosaic Law. After returning to Antioch, Paul and Silas left on a second missionary journey that lasts about 3 years revisiting the churches in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch.
Episode 8 - The Second Journey Continues: Philippi and Thessalonica- Dave visits the ancient ruins of Philippi then takes a road trip to ancient Thessalonica.
Episode 9 - A Road Trip to Athens- Dave takes a trip from Berea to Athens in present-day Greece, visiting ancient sites such as Mount Olympus and Thermopylae.
Episode 10 - Ancient Corinth- Dave explores the accounts of Paul working and teaching in Corinth and investigates artifacts that support the Biblical record.
Episode 11 - Paul’s Third Missionary Journey: Ephesus- Dave travels to Ephesus in present-day Turkey.
Episode 12 - Paul’s Final Trip to Jerusalem and Caesarea- Dave makes the trip from Jerusalem to Caesarea, investigating the harbor, ruins, and artifacts.
Episode 13 - Adventures at Sea: the Island of Malta- Dave explores Ancient Malta.
Episode 14 - A Final Journey to Rome- Dave travels the Appian Way to the Eternal City, explores Pantheon and the Roman Forum, and Trastevere section of Rome.
Episode 15 - The Martyrdom of Paul and Peter- Dave investigates the burning of Rome and visits some of the most famous churches in Rome that honor Paul and Peter.
Episode 16 - John and the Island of Patmos- Dave travels by Sea to the Island of Patmos visits the Cave of the Apocalypse and explore the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian.
Episode 17 - The Seven Churches of Revelation- Dave travels to the ancient province of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) and takes a road trip to the 7 churches talked about in Revelation.
Episode 18 - The Book Closes on the New Testament Period- Dave ends his road trip through Asia Minor at Laodicea and Colossae,and then returns to the Island of Malta.
The included Study Guide has a section for each of the episodes that includes: a summary of the episode, quotes, discussion questions, reading assignment, and side road information. The illustrations and photographs in the study guide are beautiful! The side road information gives interesting information on a topic related to what is covered. For example in the third episode we learn about Joppa and in the side road there is information about the Harbor at Joppa and that today it is known as Joffa and is known for its restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions. In the back of the guide you will find the answers to the discussion questions.
I have been watching Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation" with my 7,9,11,13, and 15 years. We have been watching 2 episodes per week and answering the discussion questions in the study guide. I think that Drive Thru History® is wonderful just to watch and you do not have to follow a certain schedule to study it or fit it in to your course of study. Interestingly, even though I didn't plan it that way, the episodes we have watched have lined up with what we have been studying in our once a week after school Bible study program at our church. The day that we watched Episode 2 which talks about Stephen being stoned, we had that exact lesson at church. Many of the children at church don't think about the Bible lessons taking place in "real" places. By watching the Drive Thru History® episodes my children have been able to put a place in their minds to go along with what they have read in the Bible and I think that makes it more real to them (and for me too!) It is absolutely amazing to see the places mentioned in the Bible come to life! And some of the sad realities as well. We know of the troubles going on in that area of the world, but that was made more real to us in Episode 4 when Dave was unable to travel the entire road to Damascus because of ISIS.
My children love Dave. They are fascinated by his interesting rides, obsession with food, and quirky sense of humor. Each episode is packed full of information but it is presented in a fun and interesting way. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! Watching these episodes and following the travels of the apostles including Paul and his companions on their missionary journeys have given us a greater appreciation of what the travels were like for them. Dave uses modern forms of transportation that they did not have. Also while you read in the Bible about the dangers of being robbed while traveling we had not thought about dangers faced by wild animals. We have learned so much history and the life and times of the early Christians by watching this series.
I highly recommend Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation"and other series from Drive Thru History® not just to homeschool families but anyone interested in taking a road trip through history.
Other members of the Crew also reviewed Drive Thru History® "Acts to Revelation".
To see what my Crew Mates had to say, stop by the Crew Blog!
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