There is a really useful resource called The Timetables of History by Bernard Grun which really nails down all those “parallel events”
But I think it’s really important to stress that we can help our children see connections without lots of extra curricula. Heather, you might consider reading a little yourself in the curriculum you already have, and then sharing as appropriate with the children. I’ve seen the Waring materials, I’ve had and used Truthquest at times, and I did love it. But I discovered as I went that I didn’t need to read tons and tons OR be an expert to begin to see the hand of God as we read.
The parallel information on what is going on in, say, Greece and Rome at certain times in Biblical history is interesting. But if you just have a few basic principles, and then ask questions (of yourself and of the dc) as you read, be prepared for amazing things to happen!
Basic principles I try to keep in mind at all times:
1) There is no coincidence. Our Sovereign God has all things in His hand, and He can use both believers and even non-believers to bring about His perfect and righteous purposes.
2) Look to the Scriptures in all things, even history. We keep scriptures right by us as we read. When we read about someone selfish, for example, or who lied–out come the scriptures to find out what God has said about this.
3) God wants your children educated to see His hand even more than you do, and He is willing and able to help. I petition the Lord frequently to ask Him to open my eyes to see things He wants my children to know about. Then, with a few thoughtful questions, the children begin thinking, and in time, and especially if they also pray, they can see these things for themselves, which is so much more powerful than reading it in a book or even me “telling them” what to think. One question I was lead to ask once when studying Rome was—Do you think the Lord deliberately prepared this kingdom to be in control of this area of the world during the Savior’s life? Why? How might the spread of the Gospel been different if there was no Roman Empire? We just asked these questions, thought a moment, then went on. Some days later, a child came to me with all kinds of interesting insights and all of our appreciation for the way the Lord works His purposes out was deepened. Yikes. Awkward sentence, but I don’t have time to rewrite it now! LOL Anyway, some food for thought. God knows more about how He arranged things than even the best homeschool writer. Ask HIM! 🙂
Michelle D