The LAY IT OUT BIBLE is a teaching curriculum designed to give students both a basic big picture of Bible history and a basic knowledge of how the books of the Bible fit together. Language, culture, and geography are close companions to history and must be included in even the most basic big picture. The LAY IT OUT BIBLE provides exposure to these areas through the use of Hebrew words, an introduction to Appointed Times (Hebrew Feast Days), and map work. The Bible looks like one big book, but it isn't. It is 66 books stitched together. Like precision-cut puzzle pieces books of law, poetry, prophecy, and letters interlock with books of historic events to form a long and beautiful account of the One True God and His love for humankind. But there's a problem. History makes sense if you start at the beginning and read to the end, but the other books, the books of law that record God's instructions, the books of poetry crafted by kings and songwriters, the books of prophecy spoken through priests and prophets, and even the personal letters sent out by God's friends are meant to be read and studied differently than books of history. This makes starting at the beginning of the Bible and reading to the end confusing. By reading the stories and DOWNLOADING and PRINTING the activities offered in the LAY IT OUT BIBLE your students will soon be able to: - Learn the basic chronological storyline of God's love for humankind recorded in the Bible by laying out 63 illustrated Time & Event Cards. - Know when books of law, poetry, prophecy, and letters flow from Bible history by laying out 45 Other Book Cards beneath their corresponding Event Cards. The LAY IT OUT BIBLE was originally designed as a one-year weekly Bible class for children and clever adults. There was no age limit. Everyone worked together. Once a week, for 52 weeks, 35 students layed it out. Children as young as 3 were able to order and lay out the illustrated Time Cards and Event Cards that form the history matrix. Older children added the Other Book Cards. Daily practice was encouraged, but most students worked with their cards only during class once a week. And it worked! By the end of the year, everyone could lay out the cards in chronological order and tell the basic story. Students who completed the extra activities gained more knowledge, practice, and understanding. Many were also able to tell the chronological story of the Bible without the cards, show the geographical movement of the story on a map, discuss the 13 major time periods of the Bible, and recite prominent Bible passages from each period. It was a success. Now anyone can do it! Take a year or do it quickly. Just be sure to DOWNLOAD and PRINT the necessary activities from the back of the book, so you can LAY IT OUT!