In fact, my children cheered when we received a package in the mail with our review copy of the DVD-set of Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” – The World of the First Christians in it.
For, having previously enjoyed Drive Thru History® "The Gospels" and watched the trailer for "Acts to Revelation", we all guessed “Acts to Revelation” would be filled with entertaining, educational Bible history presented with beautiful vistas, solid facts, and bits of humor, too!
How could it not be with host and guide Dave Stotts at the helm!
Dave had previously taken us on Drive Thru History® adventures through gorgeous landscapes, impressive historical sites, and interesting Bible times, and we had no doubt he would again.
We were correct!
“Acts to Revelation” – The World of the First Christians entertained us with Dave's popular, good-natured humor while also educating us about the people, places, and events that launched the Christian faith.
Archaeology, art, Bible verses, geography, history, humor, information about political mindset - it was all there.
And, it's all wonderfully packaged!
Once again, my daughter "oo"ed over how the DVD's and accompanying study guide are presented:
A full-color slipcover comes off to reveal a hardcover book.
When you open the book, you find 3 DVD's, containing 18 episodes equaling about 9 hours of viewing material attached to the inside covers.
Then, there is the study guide book with glossy pages which includes:
- a listing of each episode
- Bible quotes, beautiful images, and summaries of episodes
- discussion questions and side road notes
- beautiful photographs
- maps
- and, answers to discussion questions.
The episodes are:
- Episode 1: The Gospel Shared at Pentecost
- Episode 2: The Church Grows in Jerusalem
- Episode 3: The Gospel Spreads to the Gentiles
- Episode 4: Saul of Tarsus & The Road to Damascus
- Episode 5: Paul's First Missionary Journey - The Island of Cyprus
- Episode 6: The Journey Continues - Pamphylia, Galatia & Asia Minor
- Episode 7: The Jerusalem Council & Paul's Second Missionary Journey
- Episode 8: The Second Journey Continues - Philippi and Thessalonica
- Episode 9: A Road Trip to Athens
- Episode 10: Ancient Corinth
- Episode 11: Paul's Third Missionary Journey
- Episode 12:Paul's Final Trip to Jerusalem & Caesarea
- Episode 13: Adventures at Sea - The Island of Malta
- Episode 14: A Final Journey to Rome
- Episode 15: The Martyrdom of Paul & Peter
- Episode 16: John and the Island of Patmos
- Episode 17: The Seven Churches of Revelation
- Episode 18: The Book Closes on the New Testament Period
They begin in Jerusalem, then:
- follow the lives of Peter, James, Philip, and Stephen through Israel.
- trace the missionaries Paul Barnabas, Silas and Timothy through Turkey, Cyprus,, Greece, Malta, and Rome.
- visit the island of Patmos with John.
- drive through Asia Minor and the seven churches of Revelation.
In them, Dave Stotts walks you through many places, teaches you more about Jesus and early Christians, encourages you to read your Bible, and takes you on am amazing vicarious field trip to teach you history.
Indeed, Dave has truly mastered how to engage viewers in a combination of modern (virtual) sight-seeing, ancient Biblical history, and growing understanding of faith through putting the Bible into context.
Our family has been enjoying the professional cinematography, clean fun, and well-researched and presented facts presented in Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” – The World of the First Christians!
In fact, we've found ourselves using the DVD set as kids' pleasure viewing (when Mom was preparing for and recovering from a surgery), Mom-and-kids movie night (when Mom wanted to see what she had missed!), together time learning (when we get our "relaxed homeschooler" style on and chill with a DVD, then, chat away about it), and say-what-you-know time (when we used the study guide for "formal" Q & A quizzing at times - something the kids have been enjoying more since an adult friend of ours was on a nationally televised game show.)
Throughout all of this, I have appreciated that:
- Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”, although geared for middle school and up, is suitable for all of my children (ages 8 and up). It makes for fun and educational mom-n-kids viewing, capturing our attention with humor and stunning scenery while delivering facts backed by Scripture and other historical documents.
- Dave Stotts maintains his quirky sense of humor, which makes watching Biblical history fun. All three of my children were literally in fits of giggles and laughter at times! Gotta love when learning is truly FUN!
- Accuracy is valued. The series is based on history and presents facts with reference to the Bible.
- The videography is top-notch. Filming and editing are beautifully and cleverly done. The soundtrack is catchy and compelling. (Yes, my kids hum the theme song.) The narration is engaging and easy to understand. And, the scenery is stunning! In fact, both the on-location filming
All Three of My Children Enjoy It!
When I asked my eight-year-old what he thought about Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”, he said:
I like Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” because of the humor, the teaching, and how Dave Stotts actually goes to the places that the Bible history happened.
Two parts of the humor I liked were when he was visiting the old toilets and he commented on the old century plumbers. I also liked on the road how he was scared of fake animals.
I learned a lot about Acts, like lots of people were stoned and mobbed because they believed in Jesus Christ and that Peter survived through many things. I also learned that Luke wrote Acts.
I liked that Dave Stotts goes to the places, because I cannot travel there right now, but I can imagine the places better when he shows them.The places are stony, long-lasting, and breathtaking. Some are really interesting, like the tunnels.
I would recommend this to Catholics, other Christians, and people who like history. It is family-friendly
My 11-year-old daughter said:
I enjoyed Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation”.
Some of my favorite parts and special effects are when they show you the ruins and then use digital effects to build up how it may have really looked, so you can see where the buildings were in the ruins.
I enjoyed the humor, too! There are many times when Dave Stotts is funny. One of the funny times was when he quotes someone who said, "I get tired of seeing your hairy, sweaty legs," so he got into a blue-and-white striped "bathing suit" that had long shorts that went down to about his knees and socks that went up his calves.
I also enjoyed when they had the throat singer do the theme song. Why? The video goes on and on with history and, sometimes, that makes me tune out. So, by adding the funny parts, it gives me time to laugh and, then store all the information I had just heard in my head.
Having the episodes be about 30 minutes also helps me retain the history.
I enjoy this series! When I used to think of the Bible, I didn't think of Acts and the Revelation so much. I thought more of the Old Testament and the Gospels. Now, I think of them more. When I was watching the videos I realized I knew more than I thought I did, and I also learned new things.
I believe that Christians who like history and geography would like these videos, too. I think they are good for all ages - well, maybe not two year olds.
My 13-year-old son said:
In Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” , the host, Dave Stotts takes you on an exciting and enlightening journey through the actual modern locations where the ancient Biblical events of Acts and Revelation took place. You explore different parts of Palestine, Greece, Rome, and other Mediterranean places visiting ancient architecture, modern cities, and dazzling countryside.
You also get to vicariously try local foods through Dave Stotts, which is quite hilarious, especially because I think Dave is completely addicted to cheese! I also think he is addicted to sanitation. Why? He went into a store and bought soap and used hand sanitizer after touching a sewer that has not been used in hundreds of years. This was funny.
Dave Stotts definitely knows how to teach history and, while doing so, to sprinkle humor throughout the content. This - along with his charismatic air - keeps viewers interested and helps them to enjoy discovering many interesting facts about Biblical times.
Some of the things you will see and learn are how long a Roman mile is, the names Dave Stotts was called in school, the different places where historical events actually took place including site of martyrs, what Roman urban planning was like, and what multiple gorgeous harbors look like.
Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” is a journey I suggest anyone can take. Without really leaving your home, you can visit multiple places and feel like you are actually traveling to the Biblical sites of the early Christians. I enjoyed each 30-minute episode - and sometimes watched them as a marathon. I hope all of you reading this will one day enjoy these adventures, too.
We all agree that Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” makes great viewing and learning anytime, but would be especially wonderful for fellow Catholics and other Christians during the Easter season. The 50 days of Easter seem an ideal time to learn more about the people, places, and events of when the Gospel spread during the first century. Dave Stotts makes such learning enjoyable!
Learn More
Want to see more?
- View clips of Drive Thru History® on the website.
- Find beautiful images, teaching, and video clips at the Drive Thru History® blog.
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Watch a free episode of Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” – The World of the First Christians.
As I mentioned previously, we are not first-timers with Drive Thru History®. We've happily reviewed two other fantastic Drive Thru History® products before:
Watch a free episode of Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” – The World of the First Christians.
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Enjoy History and Humor with Drive Thru Adventures! {A Review and Links for Free Previews and Codes!}
You can also read reviews from 80 Homeschool Review Crew families who were were able to study history and faith with Drive Thru History® “Acts to Revelation” – The World of the First Christians.
Connect with Drive Thru History® on social media at:
- Facebook: @drivethruhistory
- YouTube: Drive Thru History
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