Homeschool mother of 14 children and homeschool curriculum author, Marilyn Boyer, joins the Master Books podcast to introduce her What a Character: Notable Lives from History series of books for 4th-8th grade students.

This series is perfect for family read alouds, independent reading practice, and as a supplement to homeschool history, science, geography, and language arts courses. In this episode, Marilyn shares:

• The importance of using stories to help children learn.
• The importance of having a true representation of history as opposed to an edited version.
• Inspiring biographical stories of a war hero, an extraordinary animal hero, and Thomas Edison.

The series includes the follow books that offer 10 stories each.

• America's War Heroes
• Inventors & Scientists
• Extraordinary Animal Heroes
• America's Famous Spies
• Heroes from the War of Independence
• Famous Women in History

You can learn more about this amazing series of character building readers at this link. https://www.masterbooks.com/what-a-character-series

Welcome to the Master Books podcast! In today's episode, we delve into the insightful world of identity and culture with Martyn Iles, the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis. Our focus revolves around his latest book titled Who Am I? Solving the Identity Puzzle.

In Who Am I?, Martyn Iles boldly addresses the contemporary shift towards self-created identity, offering truth and hope rooted in God’s Word. This book serves as a double-edged sword of biblical truth, cutting through the layers of deception prevalent in our culture today. Whether utilized in family devotions, Bible study groups, or evangelical gatherings, Who Am I? equips readers to reclaim a firmly rooted biblical understanding of identity.

Designed with modern aesthetics and reader-friendly formatting, this critical Christian resource beckons individuals to delve into the transformative power of Christ's work on the Cross. Join us as we explore the profound insights and practical wisdom found within the pages of Who Am I? with Martyn Iles.

TimeStamps:

2:56 - Martyn shares his new role as Executive CEO at Answers in Genesis and his background as a lawyer who worked on religious freedom cases. He also took biblical truth into the public square with grass roots movements and a youth training program for biblical worldview.

5:20 - Book quote: "We are trapped by a morbid obsession with self, personality, well-being, and the unending quest to find out what makes us tick."

5:39 - How does the self-created worldview lead to self worship? Martyn shares how this worldview negatively impacts our acceptance of the gospel of Jesus Christ as good news.

12:13 - The "self" and a narcissistic inclination creates a worldview

12:29 - A self-created worldview often leads to depression, social anxiety, increased rates of suicide, and their need of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

12:54 - Is self good or bad?

13:37 - The Bible warns us about the self.

13:45 - Jesus says in Mark chapter 7 - the things that defile a person come from within or out of the heart of man. And then He lists 14 really grave sins.

14:30 - Martyn addresses the sin of pride and the celebration of it happening now in our culture with no hint of shame.

15:32 - Survey shows that less than 30% of the people polled strongly believed that lying is always wrong.

16:50 - For someone beholden to the identity theory of life, the best hope they have is found in how they feel about themselves. Only 40% of young people state that they feel good about themselves.

17:43 - Martyn shares what the identity theory of life does to our attitude about the gospel. The gospel is only for those who need a Savior.

18:15 - The identity theory is as opposite to the gospel as anything ever could be.

19:58 - Self Esteem: As the culture moves further and further away from Christian foundations,self esteem becomes self-worship.

Links:

Who Am I? Solving the Identity Puzzle

Welcome to the Master Books podcast, a resource for Christian families seeking to disciple their families through biblical homeschooling. In this episode, author Angela O’Dell shares the history of Holy Week from her heart and her world history curriculum series, The World’s Story Volume 1.

Gather the family to watch or listen to this show and deepen their understanding of Holy Week and its profound significance as the climax of all human history.

Key Questions Answered Include:

2:30 – What year in world history did Holy Week take place?

3:50 – How is Holy Week the climax of human history?

10:24 - When did the Passover start according to Biblical history? How does prophecy in the Old Testament relate to Holy Week?

15:58 - Which specific events during Holy Week are crucial to understanding Jesus' death and resurrection?

21:28 - Why is it so important to understand the type of death Jesus suffered on our behalf?

Additionally, Angela explains:

• The profound significance of the four major events of world history: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration.
• The biblical origins of Passover and its connection to Holy Week as foretold in Old Testament prophecy.
• Jesus is the victorious King whose sacrifice reshapes the course of history, offering communion with our Creator and revealing our true identity in Him.
• The specific events during Holy Week that are essential to understanding Jesus' death and resurrection, including Palm Sunday, the Cross, and the Empty Tomb.
• The importance of comprehending the type of death Jesus suffered on our behalf.
• The theological significance of Jesus' sacrifice, which offers redemption and eternal life to all who believe.
• The profound significance of Holy Week, including the calendar's alignment around Jesus and the transformative power of His resurrection.
• How the resurrected Christ offers communion with the One who created us and reveals our true identity in Him.
• The timeless truth that, no matter how significant our problems may seem, the Cross always holds greater significance.

Join us as we journey through the rich tapestry of Holy Week, remembering and honoring the Cross and the Christ, and deepening our understanding of the profound truths that shape our faith and worldview.

Links:

The World's Story Volume 1 Homeschool Curriculum for Middle School Students

Meaningful Resurrection Resources for Discipleship (blog)

NOTE: This is an edited replay of episode 47 of the Master Books Podcast.