Resources for Learning About Turkey
Published:
September 29, 2020
Contributor:
Jeannette Tuionetoa
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I was surprised to learn the Christian history behind the country of Turkey and super excited to find out more. Use these resources for learning about Turkey in your homeschool.
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My husband, the history buff
My husband has such a wonderful mind when it comes to history and God’s Word. I can read Scripture and if I am not totally focused, I have to re-read a passage several times before I internalize it.
However, my husband can recall passages with ease; I admire that about him so much.
The word says that we are our husband’s help “meet” and in that, we meet our husbands where they are, as they are. Yet, in this area, I am glad he fills that gap for me and helps me along the way in Scripture.
He and I were going through the churches in Revelation following Jesus’ crucifixion. I am totally NOT a history buff, nor do I know much about geography at all.
So, I asked him exactly where these churches were located in the Middle East. He plainly said Turkey. I was both surprised… and ashamed that I didn’t know about the history of Christianity in the context of geography.
Turkey’s Christian history
After Christ was crucified, many of the Christ-followers escaped from persecution in Jerusalem and left to Asia Minor, settling in cities like Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
As a matter of fact, the first time the word “Christian” was used was in the ancient city of Antioch (Antakya, modern-day Turkey).
The history of Turkey doesn’t even begin there. The story of Turkey’s roots traces back to the Old Testament times. Abraham lived in Haran whose ruins are in current-day Turkey.
The Lord called Abraham from the area in Turkey to leave his native land. Ezekiel made the prophecy against Gog of the Land of Magog here as well. The Hittites were also from the area.
Even the Acts of the Apostles and the apostolic letters to Christians were sent to the believers in old Turkey’s Ephesus, Colossae, and Galatia. Paul was also born in Tarsus which is a land in Turkey as well.
Want to know what is heartbreaking about this?
With this rich Christian history, where Jesus walked and our early Christian brothers and sisters began their Christian walk, Turkey is absolutely nothing like it once was.
Turkey has about 80 million people living it and less than .4% of this population is Christian today. Over 99% of the population in Turkey (since the take over of the Ottoman Empire) is Muslim. The country is actually one of the largest countries, with the smallest percentage of Christians.
Turkey has the largest refugee population in the world with 4 million Syrians and thousands of ISIS militants calling it home.
My lack of knowledge about all this led me to want to learn it for myself – and teach my kids about it. I am starting with a geography lesson in Turkey.
Check out These Resources for Learning about the Country of Turkey:
Turkey Flag and Map FREE Printable | Crayola.com
Infographic on Turkish Language | Maps of World
17 Facts About Turkey That Will Surprise You | Matador Network
Turkey Country Study | Beyond Imagination
19 Unbelievable Facts About Turkey | Property Turkey
13 Fantastic Souvenirs From Turkey | You Could Travel
Turkey Fact Booklet and Activities FREE | TheBeezyTeacher
Countries of the World: Turkey | Essential Language Resources
Turkey Country Presentation – FREE | Elementary Doodles
Geography of Turkey | Lesson Machine
Turkey – European Countries Research Unit | Malimo Mode
Virtual Tour: 45 Amazing Photos From West To East Turkey | Bucket Listly
Studying Turkey FREE Unit Study | Unremarkable Files
Turkey Country Study Distance Learning | Yvonne Crawford
FREE Turkey Lesson Plans, Games, Activities | Mr. Donn
Mini Unit Study:Turkey + FREE Country Report Notebooking Pages | New Bee Homeschooler
Illustrated Fact Sheets About Turkey | Layers of Learning
Turkey – European Countries Research Unit | Malimo Mode
Learn basic Turkish with ease | TurkishBasics
FREE Turkish Resources | TurkishClass101
The 12 Best Free Resources for Learning Turkish | Turkish Language House
Crafts and Activities all about the Country of Turkey
FREE Date Dash Turkey-Turkish History Card Game
Turkish Bazaar Sensory Bin | Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes
Crafts Around the World: Turkey! | The Crafty Crow
Turkish Children’s Games | Turkish Cultural Foundation
Bubble Tile Paintings (Turkish) | Turkish Arts
Turkish Mosaic Craft for Kids | InCultureParent
Videos for learning about the Country of Turkey
Learn Turkish Songs and Turkish Numbers 1 – 10 Counting Song | Jingle Jeff
Turkish in Three Minutes – Learn Turkish Greetings | TurkishClass101.com
DinoLingo Turkish for kids – Learning Turkish for kids – Turkish lessons Türkçe | Dino Lingo
Virtual Suitcase – Turkey Books, Videos, Recipes, Crafts and more | Great Big Case
Here are a few resources to give you some basics about Country of Turkey and Christianity:
Being part of the Christian minority in Turkey (Video) | euronews
Why Should Christians Care About Turkey? | Sat7
All About Turkey | In Defense of Christians
Christianity In Turkey | All About Turkey
David Nunn’s Explorations of the Lands of the Bible Seven Churches Of Revelation Rediscovered | RedeemTV
Turkey houses some of the most important sites of Christianity.
It’s important to teach our kids about the history of Christianity. Letting them understand and see the location in the historical context will really help them connect the dots about the chronology of the Bible.
Let us bow the knee during our lessons to pray for the country of Turkey and the 200,000 Christians who still remain. Many times their lives are at a dangerous risk.
