It's my first review of 2019 and I'm thrilled to kick off the year with one of my absolute favorite vendors, Heirloom Audio. This time around, we took a audio trip to ancient Israel and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem with Heirlooms newest release, For the Temple.
For the Temple is the 6th recording from Heirloom Audio I have had the pleasure of reviewing. However, I currently own all 11 recordings (including an additional copy of For the Temple which I had bought prior to accepting this review. I tell you this because this is a company that I personally support with my own money because I believe they offer amazing entertainment that can be listened to over and over. These recordings make for great listening while on long road trips or just for a lazy Sunday afternoon when the weather doesn't allow for outdoor fun.
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| My collection of Heirloom Audio sitting on my bookcase |
I was given the opportunity to review the 2 CD performance of For the Temple presented in a visually stunning, full color trifold case. I also received the accompanying full color, 51 page Study Guide.
About For the Temple:
For the Temple follows the story of John of Gamala, a young man with dreams of marrying his betrothed, Mary and living a quiet life following his fathers footsteps running a vineyard. However, a chance encounter with Josephus changes the path John finds himself on, bringing him to front and center into the Jewish War against Rome.
Following the battle of Jatapata, hard decisions are forced to be made. Should John and his men risk their lives to fight for Jerusalem. Realizing that the Temple should be protected at all costs, another twist of fate brings John into a fight with the Roman general Titus and a promise that could change the battle. Along with tactical choices, John must also make personal choices as to his own beliefs in regards to Yeshua.
The story, while based on a fictional story by Henty, showcases many figures from Biblical history such as Nero, Vespasian and even an appearance from Nicodemus, the pharisee mentioned in the Bible who visited with Jesus in the secrecy of night to ask questions and was present at Crucifixion and assisted Joseph of Aramathea in embalming the body of Christ.
As with every other Heirloom Audio Production, the purchase of either the physical CDs or the MP3 downloads come with the complementary full color, downloadable study guide Ebook. These study guides are always a welcome addition with the audio as they provide a good amount of information in the life and history behind the period of time the story takes place. The Study Guide is a wonderful addition as it allows me to ask the kids the questions as we progress through the CD's and check to see how much they are actually picking up from the recording.
Included in the 51 page ebook Study Guide:
Listening Well Questions: These provide the perfect opportunity to test listening comprehension in regards to what your child has heard and remembers. All answers are easily found within the listed track.
Thinking Further Questions: These questions require a bit of independent research or deeper thinking beyond just what was heard. These questions ask the student to do some independent research or to draw conclusions based on what has happened in the story. These are great for older students and provide a platform for going beyond the story.
Defining Words: These provide vocabulary lists of words that were used in the recording that students might not be familiar with. These words are easily found within a standard dictionary and help to expand the listeners vocabulary and understand the recording better.
Also included on some pages of the study guide are short tidbits of information pertaining to Jerusalem or Biblical times, such as Food in Ancient Jerusalem, the Army of Gideon, and the siege of Jerusalem. These short extras do not directly relate to the story but do provide interesting information about the time period.
Bible Study: A three page study is also included. Each page uses Bible verse to allow students to see what the Bible says in regards to topics that are presented in the recording. Study 1, "No Other Savior" teaches that while many believe that all religions and beliefs are basically the same, only belief God can lead to Salvation. Study 2, "Proper Worship" walks the student through the way that God suggests that we worship him while Study 3, "Christ our Temple" teaches that Christ is the true temple of God in flesh and how thru him, our body also is a temple.
The Study guide ends with a few pages that dive a bit deeper into the historical references that the story is based off of. The Bible is filled with references that describe how the people of Israel defied the Lord, either with the worship of other gods, marrying non-believers, ect. Because of this disobedience to God, the Bible also tells us that God used enemy armies to bring his people back to him. This section discusses the Jewish War and the fall of Jerusalem and what significance this had with the Jewish people and Christian history.
Both the entertainment as well as the educational value of Heirloom Audio productions puts them high on my favorites list. These are recordings that families will enjoy listening to over and over again - from long car trips to just quiet evenings at home instead of watching the television.
For more information about Heirloom Audio and the Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty audio theater series, be sure to visit their website. You can also find them on the following social media sites;
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeirloomAudio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeirloomStories
Instagram: @HeirloomAudioOfficial
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