FAQs
Who is the series for?
Although we like to say it’s for everybody, we did have a few particular audiences in mind. For instance, small groups wanting to go through a unique series; or families with middle school kids and older; then middle or high school students either in traditional schools or homeschools; and, finally, any adult who wants to understand what economics is all about (in a fun and engaging way, of course).
Can I get High School Credit for the series?
Yes. Economics for Everybody is designed to be the base of a one-semester economics class for homeschool high school students. If this Scope and Sequence is followed, it will be good for one half credit in economics.
The course can be used in two ways: by itself as a lighter study to introduce basic economics concepts (9th/10th graders), or used together with another economics textbook as a more in-depth study for students with worldview training (10th/11th/12th graders). If you choose to do the latter we recommend Basic Economics Third Edition by Carson and Cleveland.
Here is a link to the Scope and Sequence / Study Guide Answer Key which provides complete details for teaching the class.
How long are the lessons?
Lessons 1-5 and 12 are under 20 minutes; Lessons 6-11 range from 20 to 27 minutes. As the lessons dig deeper into economic applications they get longer in order to cover the material.
What is included in the Study Guide?
The 236p Study Guide includes an expanded outline of each lesson with additional material not included in the lessons; it also includes related Bible readings, discussion questions, short answer questions, and multiple-choice questions. Finally, it includes a listing of all the sources used in the series.
Are there any other books you’d recommend?
Lots. You can find a list of them on our Resources page.
Lessons
Lessons 1 to 5 introduce key economic principles; Lessons 6 and 7 explain the relationships between theology, philosophy, and economics; Lessons 9 to 12 examine the application of economics in real-life systems. Everything fits together, with each lesson generally building on the lesson before it.
- And God Created Economics | Stewardship in God’s Image (14:59)
- The Economic Problem of Sin | Law, Liberty & Government (19:29)
- The Path from Work to Wealth | Production, Property & Tools (20:31)
- The Route From Scarcity to Plenty | Money, Markets & Trade (19:38)
- The Role of the Entrepreneur | Capital, Calculation & Profit (16:36)
- A Tale of Two Theologies, Part 1 | From God to Politics (24:13)
- A Tale of Two Theologies, Part 2 | Economic Philosophies & Systems (18:19)
- Government Intervention | Basic Principles & Education (18:35)
- The Two Mysteries of Monetary Policy | Inflation & Depressions (27:29)
- The Welfare & Corporate States of America | The Costs of Redistribution (23:21)
- Economics Has Consequences | The Real Effects of Sin (26:05)
- Kingdom Economics (14:38)
Corlia J –
This is a great course for mom and dad too! Great resource to learn stewardship.
Wendy P –
My high school student developed a solid foundation of how money works in practice and how it should work for the Kingdom. Since completing it she saved nearly $1,000 from babysitting and gifts and purchased her first shares in a mutual fund! She didn’t get that fiscally responsible streak from me!!!
Jennifer D –
Absolutely love this program. In the middle of it currently. Learning so much alongside my children.
Alexis C (verified owner) –
I used this course with my three children, aged 9, 11 and 12 at the time. We enjoyed the videos and the workbook but we especially liked how the information was presented through the lens of a Christian worldview. It made the subject of economics – the free market through to all the ‘isims – very accessible to all of us.
Stephanie S –
100% A+! The viewpoint was spot on, and so applicable to current events.
Vickie –
I have to admit…THIS program is what all schools need to use. It is Biblically based but still, it is important. The way it is done….I can’t say enough good things about it. I love the videos. I love the study guide. I love how the questions are done. I like that I have it as a download because I can print pages as I need without photocopying a book (cleaner neater looking for their notebooks).
Debra –
I highly recommend Economics for Everybody for any middle schooler, high schooler, or adult who desires a greater understanding of the field of economics. The economy has such a great impact on our day-to-day lives, we owe it to ourselves to take a little bit of time to understand the principles better.
Amy –
Economics doesn’t get more interesting than this. Trust me. I have a degree in Social Science Education (meaning I taught Economics), and I’ve studied Economics plenty. But Dr. Sproul presents things so clearly, so simply, and most importantly, so Biblically, that I understand it in a whole new way. The theology is solid and life changing if you really embrace it. I’m thrilled for my children to have the opportunity to learn Economics from God’s perspective. Even my son, who is on the Autism Spectrum and not strongly academic, “gets it”. And he’ll watch this willingly, where I would have to fight tooth and nail to get him to read an Economics text.
Tajuana –
This has been a huge blessing for our family. My husband and son watched all of the videos together but I only saw bits and pieces of a few. After each video we would have a family discussion about what was taught. You should have seen how hyped up my hubby was. He kept talking about how no wonder we are messed up in our thinking as a society. It’s no better in the church because a lot of what’s been taught in schools and society has crept into the church as well.
Kara –
As the title suggests, anyone can benefit from going through these lessons! It would make a unique small group or Sunday School study, or a fantastic youth group resource. Families can go through it together with their middle school and older kids. It would also work great in a traditional school or co-op situation, or even for an interested individual who just wants to understand what economics is all about and how it fits into a biblical worldview!
Briana –
I don’t even remember the econ course I took in High School because it was based on complex theories that didn’t seem relevant to me. This course is relevant on many different levels- as a Christian, as a consumer, as a producer of simple products for my home and as a wife who benefits from my husband’s labor away from home. I think it is not only relevant to econ but to business and everyday life also.
April –
I strongly recommend this curriculum for highschool students. Other economics curriculum, especially on the college campuses, tend to omit God’s principles. What a great opportunity for our students to get a chance to take this class from Dr. Sproul. I truly believe that they have hit another home run with Economics for Everybody.
Heather –
Dr. Sproul presents concepts in an easy to understand manner. He explains economics in a way that allows students to relate to the information which is being presented by using practical examples. The fun videos such as Charlie Chaplin and photos are entertaining as well as good visuals for the topics being covered…I think all of us have walked away with a better understanding of economics as well as had several ah-ha moments thanks to this study.
Pastor David Murray –
I was impressed with the production quality, the combination of teaching content and film extracts, RC’s lively presence on camera, and the skill with which he simplifies economics so that everybody can understand and relate to it. I liked his basic analogy, that the way we all handle money in our everyday life is a small picture of the greater economic forces and issues that businesses and government have to face. Economics for Everybody is for everybody.
Trisha –
Economics for Everybody is really more than just an economics course: its economics meshed with Biblical theology and a smattering of history thrown in for good measure. This isn’t your standard economics course. This course will teach you what the Bible says about economics and how we as Christians should view the subject.
Pastor Jeremy Lundmark –
In short, I can do nothing but give the highest recommendation for this study. It serves as a desperate warning to a country that is heading in a wrong direction and as a guide to help individuals, families, churches, and governments rightly understand their roles in God’s sovereign schematic.