Sunday, January 19, 2014

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal

Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal
Written by: Stacy Farrell
Published at Home School Adventure Co. Publication

About the product

The classic work commonly known as Mere Christianity is actually a four-book series which explores the common ground upon which all Christians stand. It brings together Lewis’ legendary radio talks broadcast during World War II previously published as: Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe, What Christians Believe, Christian Behavior, andBeyond Personality (or First Steps in the Doctrine of the Trinity), and provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.

The Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal is a powerful tool to strengthen critical thinking while cultivating a biblical worldview. Although it was originally created to be a companion resource to Philosophy Adventure, it may also be used as group or independent study for teenagers or adults.

It provides 10-16 questions for each chapter which can be discussed in:

  • homeschools
  • co-ops
  • classrooms
  • Sunday school
  • small groups
  • families

Who is Stacy Farrell?

Stacy Farrell’s worldview changed when she embarked on her homeschooling adventure in 2002.

Her background as a consultant and writer well-prepared her to teach communication skills; however, only hands-on experience (and much time spent on her knees) equipped her to mentor her sons through the character-transformation required to help them work toward their full potential.

Stacy has spoken at a variety of homeschool conferences and has published articles in leading Christian magazines. She wrote scripts for Willow Creek’s youth ministry, copy for Pastor Bill Hybel’s “Defining Moments” Audio Newsletter, and a broad range of material for corporate and non-profit clients. She also managed a law firm that specialized in civil rights litigation and constitutional law. Today, she loves to help empower students to recover territory lost by “fuzzy thinking” and low expectations. To that end, she created:

  • Philosophy Adventure™—Pre-Socratics – designed to help students 6th-12th grade cultivate and defend a biblical worldview by teaching them how to write skillfully, think critically, and speak articulately as they explore the history of ideas
  • Philippians in 28 Weeks™ — a simple and painless way to memorize an entire book of Scripture
  • The Wise Woman with Literary Analysis Journal Questions – an enchanting fable that unmasks the ugliness of pride and selfishness
  • Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal -- a powerful tool to strengthen critical thinking while cultivating a biblical worldview.

Although Stacy loves to write, speak, and teach, she considers her role as wife to Roger and mother to two precious sons to be her greatest work and privilege. You can learn more about her resources at ttp://www.homeschooladventure.com.

My Thoughts

I am very impressed with the products I have received from Home School Adventures Co. Publication so far.  Each time, I am in awe with the quality and the the depths of each product I have gotten from them so far.   This time around I had the opportunity to review the Critical Analysis Journal for Mere Christianity which was written by C.S. Lewis.

I will be honest with you.   Apart from listening to the Chronicles of Narnia with the family while vacationing a few years ago, I have never picked up a book from C.S. Lewis to read it.  So when I had the opportunity to review the product of Stacy Farrel, I thought it was also the perfect opportunity to tackle something that I have been thinking for quite some time with my oldest son, Alexandre, who is in grade 7 of homeschool – reading Mere Christianity together.    Unfortunately, it took me two weeks to receive the Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics which arrived just before Christmas and since we don’t do school during the Christmas weeks, well… our reading and journaling didn’t start until January.   But so far, I think we are learning well together.   We each read  a chapter at a time individually and then we come together in order to answer the questions found in the Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal.   For each chapter, you will find about 10 questions which will require you to dig in the chapter in order to find the answer or to simply formulate an answer based on what you think (there are some questions that will require your student to formulate a personal answer to it).  These personal answers will allow your student to express himself/herself according to their own thoughts.  At first, my son would answer with a short answer but I challenged him to write more profound answers.

I wasn’t sure how he would react.  Part of me thought that the book was a bit too much for him.  But doing it together encourages us to talk about what we read and how to answer the questions.   The fact that we are taking the book with bite size steps allow us to better understand what C.S. Lewis was saying.  The Critical Analysis Journal is also an excellent tool to have in hand when we decorticate the meanings of Lewis’ writings.  

I personally found this product challenging on many levels.  Not only will it encourage you to read a book that was on the back of my mind for a couple of years now but it is stimulating to work on something alongside with my oldest son.   Though he finds it challenging to read the chapters (I do find it is a bit above the middle school level), he is coming to a point that he is taking advance in his reading and willingness to work on the Critical Analysis Journal has move from reluctant to somewhat motivated.   I believe in challenging my kids in reading books above their level in order to prepare them for higher level schooling and the Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal allow me to challenge my son in doing his best when something is more challenging.

The Mere Christianity Critical Analysis Journal is available for purchase on Homeschool Adventure Co. for the price of 28.95 in print edition and 18.95 in digital download.  

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