The Mystery of History is a unique history curriculum blending biblical events and secular history. It spans creation to modern times across four volumes, making it perfect for families wanting a Christian perspective in their lessons.
Research from the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) shows that homeschooled students typically score 15 to 25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized academic achievement tests. Most homeschool families report completing core academic subjects in 3-4 hours per day for elementary students, compared to the 6-7 hours typical of traditional schools, due to the one-on-one instruction and absence of classroom management overhead (NHERI, 2024).
What is the Mystery of History?
The Mystery of History is a celebrated world history program by Linda Lacour Hobar, published by Bright Ideas Press. This series aligns biblical events with secular history on a single timeline, covering everything from creation to today in four volumes. Each volume includes a hardback student reader and a digital companion guide with activities tailored for younger, middle, and older students.
Multi-age teaching approach
Each lesson features three activity levels: one for younger kids (about K-3), one for middle students (4-6), and one for older students (7-12). Parents can read out loud to the little ones, while older kids can read on their own. This setup allows families to learn history together instead of juggling different curriculums for each child. Plus, hands-on activities keep kinesthetic learners engaged.
What sets it apart
Unlike most history programs that separate sacred and secular topics, The Mystery of History integrates them. It shows how Abraham's life connects with Egyptian dynasties and the early church's growth as Rome declined. For families wanting a complete understanding of biblical history in a world context, this approach fills a gap left by other programs. You’ll find 84-108 lessons in each volume, spread over three lessons a week to fit a typical school year.
Companion guide contents
The companion guide for each volume is about 500-600 pages long and includes pretests, quizzes, semester exams, mapping activities, timeline figures, book lists, and detailed instructions for activities. This makes it easier for parents since they won't have to research to create meaningful projects. Audiobook versions of the first quarter of each volume are included for auditory learners or families who practice car schooling.
The bottom line
The Mystery of History is perfect for families who want a Christian perspective woven into their history studies, rather than treating it as a separate subject. Its multi-age design makes it practical for families with kids in different grades. Each volume costs about $100, with discounts available at places like Christianbook and Rainbow Resource. The open-and-go format means parents can teach effectively without spending hours preparing each week.
