When I first began preparing science curriculum, it was for a Charlotte Mason–style charter school. In order for them to use my lessons, I had to remove the Bible verses I had included. At first, this felt strange. But then I remembered something I had written in my article Must We Read Only Christian Authors for Science: even when I don’t spell it out, I have every hope and expectation that children will be exposed to God’s power and beauty through the natural world itself. It’s kind of like the book of Esther — it doesn’t mention God by name, but His hand is evident throughout.
Since that time, I’ve been asked again and again for copies of my guides without scripture references, especially by families working with charter schools. That’s what led me to create two options: a Faith-Based Version and a General Audience (Secular) Version.
Charlotte Mason’s Wisdom on the Early Years
Charlotte Mason was very clear that parents should be the first ones to introduce religious ideas to their children. In Home Education, she cautions teachers not to usurp that role.
For that reason, in the early years (Form 2, or grades 4–6), I don’t include any religious material in my guides. The beauty of using older living science books from the early to mid-1900s is that they rarely mention either the age of the earth or evolution. They simply describe the wonder of plants, animals, physics, and chemistry without an agenda. That allows children at this stage to fall in love with the world God created — while parents and the church shape their faith.
Why the Upper Years Are Different
By the time students reach Form 3 and beyond (grades 7–12), things change. This is the age when they begin grappling with ideas and forming their own opinions. Charlotte Mason, in her book Ourselves, makes a striking point: opinions borrowed from others are easily replaced, but opinions we have worked through for ourselves become convictions.
That’s why in the upper years, my Faith-Based Versions sometimes introduce both young earth and old earth creation perspectives — not to tell students what to think, but to help them see that there are multiple Christian viewpoints. Often our children are taught that the options are either a literal seven-day creation or Darwinian evolution after a big bang. In reality, there are six different Christian models of origins, and recognizing this helps students begin to reason for themselves.
The General Audience Versions, on the other hand, present the mainstream scientific narrative without these faith-based additions. For some families, that’s exactly what they need — either because of charter school requirements or personal choice.
What’s the Difference in Practice?
The differences between the two versions are usually small, but they matter.
- Faith-Based Versions may include a Bible verse, a reference to God as Creator, or an optional activity reading a young earth creationist explanation of the Grand Canyon or the concept of light years. In a few cases, an entire lesson framed in Christian terms is included.
- General Audience Versions remove these elements, while keeping all the core science content and living book selections.
For example, in High School Anatomy, Part 2, the Faith-Based Version includes a short reading about the six Christian theories on the origin of humans. In the General Audience Version, that section is omitted. Parents may still want to add their own conversations at home if they choose the secular version.
Why I Believe Both Versions Are Valuable
Romans 1:19–20 reminds us:
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
Even in the General Audience Versions, God’s handiwork shines through the wonders of nature. I trust Him to reveal Himself in the things He has made.
At the same time, I also believe it is valuable for older students to encounter different Christian perspectives and begin reasoning through their own convictions. That’s why the Faith-Based Versions retain those elements.
Choosing What’s Best for Your Family
Whichever version you choose, your child will still receive a living, wonder-filled science education. The heart of this curriculum is the same: inspiring curiosity, cultivating habits of attention, and nurturing a love of God’s creation.
If you’re using a charter school, you’ll need the General Audience Version. If you want your child to encounter Christian perspectives alongside the science, the Faith-Based Version will be a better fit.
The charts found here are meant to give you—and your charter school—clarity at a glance. They show which General Audience (Secular) guides are currently available as paperbacks on Amazon and which are only available through the Sabbath Mood Homeschool website.
And remember: either way, the conversations you have at home are what will ultimately shape your child’s faith and worldview.
You mentioned you have families working with charter schools, that is me, and for the first time i’ve been denied repayment due to “religious” content, I had no idea there was anything religious in the lab books.. now i’m looking at your site and do not see neither option for a book, only digital download. Am i missing something? And do you offer a book to order on amazon (as this is how i typically order your lab books) that is “secular”? That way the charter will pay for it? I don’t really want a download. Thank you so much
Hi Minerva,
I’m so sorry for the confusion — I understand how frustrating it can be to sort out what’s available where. I’m working toward a simpler system, but in the meantime I’ve created a new page that outlines exactly which General Audience (Secular) science study guides are available on Amazon and which ones need to be purchased on my website and printed through a service such as Humble Heart Press. I hope this helps make things much clearer for you. ~Nicole