What’s in the Bible Review
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I’ve been hearing about What’s in the Bible? for a while now. While I am a huge Veggie Tales fan and I knew Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, is also the creative genius behind What’s in the Bible?, the videos looked like they were for much younger viewers than my crew, so I hadn’t really paid much attention to them.
Fast-forward to the 2:1 Conference. I got What’s in the Bible?, Volume 1 amongst all the swag. I gave it to Megan, telling her that it might be too young for her, but she could see what she thought.
Then, the opportunity arose to take part in a What’s in the Bible review. I asked Megan about it and she said the first one was really cute and she’d like to see another one. So, we browsed all the titles to see which one she was most interested in.
She chose Volume 5, Israel Gets a King, which explores the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Samuel.
What is What’s in the Bible?
What’s in the Bible? is a series of DVDs (Volume 8 was recently released with more to follow) that teach viewers – what else? – what’s in the Bible, book by book. Some volumes cover only one book, such as Genesis in Volume 1, while others cover two or three books – Volume 3, for example, covers Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
Not only does the series tell many of the familiar Bible stories, but it also defines terms and explains concepts that may be confusing to kids (and many adults). Israel Gets a King explains concepts such as the Trinity and the Davidic Covenant, and it defines terms like repent and consequences.
The DVDs are perfect for today’s kids who expect their entertainment to be fast-paced. There are a whole host of characters (puppets, not computer animated) in each 25-minute segment (two segments per DVD), from Michael (Megan’s favorite) who introduces each segment to Buck Denver, the Jelly News anchor.
You’ll meet Sunday School Lady with her flannel graph (old parents like me, you might have to explain to your kids what a flannel graph is), Clive and Ian (my personal favorites), Chuck Waggin, and Captain Pete (who sounds suspiciously like Pa Grape to me). And, Phil Vischer himself is there interacting with the onscreen characters and speaking straight to the camera, explaining things to viewers.
There are even segments with kids answering questions like, “What would you ask God for?” I really like those because you’ve got the kids who give the really non-spiritual answers that make parents cringe like, “Definitely not underpants. I have a bunch of pairs of underpants.”
Then, of course, there are the kids who give the answers that make their parents beam with pride…and hope that they quit talking now before they say something embarrassing like that underwear kid.
I really like the way that What’s in the Bible? ties the Old Testament to the New Testament. Oftentimes, the Old Testament can seem like a bunch of rules and stories, while the New Testament contains all the “Jesus stories.” What’s in the Bible? shows how all the things that happened in the Old Testament tie in to God’s “rescue plan” that unfolds in the New Testament.
What Ages is What’s in the Bible For?
Like I mentioned, I thought What’s in the Bible was going to be way too young for my crew, but Megan, who is almost 11, and I really enjoyed it. Josh (12) even sat down and watched part of it with us.
This is Josh:
As you can see, he’s at that stage where he doesn’t like to smile for cameras and he’s going to make sure that he doesn’t laugh at things that might make him look like he’s not cool, but even he cracked a smile at my favorite part of What’s in the Bible?, Volume 5.
If you were ever a Veggie Tales fan and you enjoyed Silly Songs with Larry, you’re going to love Popsicle Stick Theater. That was my favorite part and the part that made Josh crack a smile.
If you’ve never heard the story of how King Saul turned to the Dark Side, you’ve got to get your hands on Volume 5.
You know how so many kids’ movies today have grown-up humor – the kind of things that the adults get, but it mostly goes over the kids’ heads? What’s in the Bible? has that, too – only it’s not the tacky kind that you are sincerely hoping is going over the kids’ heads. It’s just funny stuff.
Let’s just say you might want to be prepared to explain who Forest Gump is.
What’s in the Bible Supplemental Activities
You know how we homeschooling parents are. We don’t want just a video. We want stuff to go with it. What’s in the Bible’s got that!
There are coloring pages available for download from the What’s in the Bible website, as well as a coloring page that comes inside each DVD volume.
The website also features crafts and games and flashcards. The crafts and games link includes templates to make your own Popsicle stick theater, as well as crossword and word search puzzles. Most of the current activities are for Volume 1, but new stuff is being added.
Under the “parents” tab, you’ll also find a study guide for Volume 1. This is also the spot where future study guides for the other volumes will be added.
So what do you say? Are you excited to check out What’s in the Bible now? Well, you can! I’m giving away a copy of Volume 1. If you live in the U.S. and you win, you’ll receive a DVD copy. If you’re outside the U.S., you’ll receive a digital copy.
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me which of the DVDs you like the best if you’ve seen any of them already or which one you’re most looking forward to watching if you haven’t. Then, click the Rafflecopter widget below to complete your entry.
The giveaway will and a winner will be drawn on Monday, July 2. By entering, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by the official rules governing the giveaway.
You can also enter to win on any of the other participating blogs. You can also stay up-to-date on all What’s in the Bible happenings, like new releases or additions to the activities available on the website, by following What’s in the Bible on Twitter and Facebook.
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I also received monetary compensation for the time invested in writing the review and administering the giveaway. The opinions expressed are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.
Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.
They all sound cute, but I would LOVE to see how they tackle Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy….phew! Even mom could use a fun DVD to help with those books sometimes!! 😉
Amen to that! 😉
My boys are younger and love VeggieTales. This sounds like a great video series and more! Thank you for reviewing it.
Michelle
I LOVE Veggies! These look like they have that same feel, silly but the real message stays with you. I can’t wait to see King Saul turning to Dark Side. lol We’re Star Wars geeks as well so you had me there.
That part was so cute I’ve watched it a couple of time. By myself.
I think my kids would really love these. Me too!
I’m a begin at the beginning kinda gal, so DVD 1 works for us!
We’re big What’s In The Bible fans around here. I didn’t realize there were so many new ones out. I’m going to have to go stalk, er, check out our library’s page to get them on hold! Is it bad that I’m a maybe a little too excited to see Vol 5 where repentance and consequences are explained hopefully in a way my kids will finally really get it? (It was 5 right?)
Yes, it was Volume 5.
My kids love them! (Even my teens will watch them with the younger kids!) We’ve watched them at church (I’m a part-time cm, so we spend some time at the building), and the kids want a set for home. Have only seen the first two volumes. We used the coloring sheets and activity pages, too.
My kids are a little older as well, so I’m excited to see how they respond. I’d love to see the volume with Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. And I’m very interested in how they tie the old and new testaments together. Looking forward to checking these out with my bunch! 🙂
I would like to see them all but it would be nice to start with the first one. 🙂
We have all 8 videos. They are great! Very funny and entertaining, all the while teaching the Bible. If you sign up for emails from their website, then it gives you an opportunity to pre-order new videos when they come out.
I think Vol 3 would have to be amazing to explain those books. That’s a lot of material to cover and most of it is hard for kids. My 2 (9yr girl and a very uncool 13yr old boy) still watch Penguins and from time to time Penguins. So they’d probably love these.
I meant from time to time Veggie Tales.
I have not seen any of these…have heard a lot of great things about them!! I would love any of them!! My kids are 10, 7, & 4.5 and they would love any of them!! 🙂
From the previews I have seen they look amazing! Do I have to pick just one I want to see? I am a bit OCD, so I would have to go in order. I guess that puts DVD #1 at the top of my list!
We’re huge fans of Veggie Tales and 3-2-1 Penguins, so I’m sure we’d love these too! My kids are 10 1/2, 9 and 5. We don’t own any and have only seen previews, so starting with #1 would be perfect. Thanks for the chance!
I am excited to see any of them. Even my 12yr old still LOVES Veggie Tales. How awesome is this??? 🙂 Would love to get vol. 1 and go from there, esp Vol 5 and Popsicle stick theater!
I thought my kids were too old for this, but I am interested. I would love to see how they handle the law books so volume 3 interests me the most.
They look like a great series–and I am just anal enough to want to start with volume 1! 🙂
I’ve been looking for something to educate both me and my children….I need a little help with explaining what’s in the Bible! 🙂 I’ve not seen them, but have been a fan of VeggieTales for a long time. Looking forward to the chance to try one out!
We would love to win these. They sound great.
Blessings, Dawn
We haven’t seen any of them yet, so the first one would be a good place to start! 🙂
I would like to see volume 3 – the law books. Thanks for the review – it was VERY helpful!
I’m really looking forward to seeing this new series!
We haven’t seen any yet so I’d love to see them. My OCD tendencies would make me start with volume 1!
I would like the volume 5 – we all love veggietales and would love to see their take on explaining the biblr
My kids love these videos. Our church uses them in kids church.
I haven’t seen any of them. I think I would like to see DVD 8 the most
I never heard of these DVD’s until last week! I am always looking for good solid biblical things for my daughter 🙂
Could I just say all of them? 🙂 I would like to see Vol 3 if I have to choose.
Hi! We would all enjoy seeing any of these DVDs because we have been Veggie Tales fans for years and now my kids would get a lot out of these videos, too!
Wow, these look great! I would love to start at the beginning with volume 1, but volume 5 would be fantastic, too – we are reading about Saul and David right now, so volume 5 would be a great resource.
my kids would LOVE these!!
Veggietale-lovin’ family here! These have interested me for quite a while. Glad to read that your family liked it!
Since we haven’t seen any, I’d say Volume 1
We’ve never seen any of them, so I’d like to start with volume 1. Looks very cute!
So far the dvd’s are good except the explation of creation. He completely rejects the 6 day creation account that God had written in Genesis 1 for a reason. Why have Genesis 1 in the bible and speak of days and nights the start with? Why did God have written in exocus that in six days God made the heavens and the earth and rested on the seventh for a model for us? Do we rest for millions of years or just for a day. We know from Romans that death came into the world due to the sult of the sin of Adam. If the earth is millions of years old there would be death before the first sin.
What Phil has done has compromised with the theory of evolution instead of trusting in what God has written in the bible. In the context in in hebrew, the word yum is one 24 hour day. Even a child will tell you a day and a night is a 24 hour day. Would God make creations confusing?
The dvd initially said that God spoke creation into existence and then later Phil said that Genesis is not about how creation came into being. But Genesis does tell us how. He spoke and it was done.