Pictured: The Main Menu
Attached is a PDF version of Sunday Software's guide to the Life of Christ CD. It has some now defunct links, but all of the original outline, secrets, tips, and tech helps are still there.
As well we've attached a PDF of "Life of Christ Castle Game Cheat Sheet" created by Luanne Payne, which shows the location of all clues located inside the the castle.
Below is an outline of the program's 40 presentations. The PDF has much more of what's in the program!
Be sure to read the ISO file download and install notes below.
We contacted the license holder who has given his blessing to those who want to download his software from this archive-only website. The version we link to at archive.org is v4.1, the last version with all the updates.
Important Download, Installation, and Operation Notes
- LOC downloads from https://archive.org/details/the-life-of-christ as a 622 mb "ISO" file.
- Ideally, once downloaded you should burn the ISO file to a CD and then run the setup.exe file on it to install portions of LOC to your harddrive.
- However, you can install and run LOC right from the ISO file by double clicking the setup.exe file. Windows will create a temporary "virtual" drive for the program, which will stay in effect until you turn off your computer. When you turn it back on, you will need to doube-click the downloaed ISO file again and run setup.exe again. Burning the ISO to a CD works around the virtual drive issue.
- Windows will warn you when you try to open the ISO file. It's fine. Just click "details" and "run anyway."
- You will need Quicktime for Windows version 7.7.9 installed to run LOC's menus and videos. If you've been running many other Sunday Software programs, you may already have this version installed.
- To make LOC fill more of your screen, set your Windows Display scaling to 125%.
Overview of the Life of Christ program
It's hard to describe in a single sentence or paragraph all that can be found and done in Life of Christ, but let's try:
- Its main claim to fame is its 40 short narrated lesson presentations covering events in Jesus' life, each followed by a six-question quiz. See the list below.
- LOC also has interactive databases featuring timelines, maps, photos, and quizzes.
- And famously, there's also an exploration game students can play through all the lessons and activities that reward them with certificates and codes to open a treasure chest seen in the main menu. This game includes a virtual castle where more clues and quizzes can be discovered for those with the time and drive.
Typically, Sunday Schools don't use this game, they just use the lesson presentations and a few features to do some study.
How the original Life of Christ CD has been traditionally used in Sunday School:
The Life of Christ (LoC) has been a staple in rotation.org Sunday School's computer labs since it was first introduced back in 1997. It has also been a good home resource.
Generally Sunday Schools, teachers "cherry-pick” a lesson or two from the presentations that match up to their lesson for the day. After viewing the presentation we usually discuss the question posed at the end of the lesson, followed by the 6 interactive quiz question.
Then we follow-up with one or more of the activities provided—media/map/matching quiz that matches the lesson for the day (previewed and chosen by the teacher ahead of time—for example, if you are using the Road to the Cross lesson, you might also pick the MAP of Jesus’ last two days in Jerusalem. Or, if you’re studying Jesus’ call to the Disciples, you’ll find a link to photos of the Sea of Galilee where the call happened.)
This all will take about 15 minutes. At this point, you'll usually follow up LoC with other activities, including other software-based activities. These software activities might include: working on the lesson’s memory verse in Cal & Marty’s Scripture Memory Game, or using Let’s Talk to create some computer-spoken responses to questions the teacher has about the LoC lesson. By the time we’re done doing LoC and the follow-up activities, we’ve been at the computer about 30 minutes.
"Cal & Marty" and "Let's Talk" software programs are now available FREE OF CHARGE to download here at Rotation.org to the supporting members of Rotation.org. Learn more!
List of the 40 Lessons in LoC
This list was created by Neil MacQueen and originally posted at Sunday Software (posted with permission.)
Getting to Know Who’s Who
Lesson 1. Getting to Know Jesus (John 5:31-47)
What Jesus accomplished, What are Gospels, Why they wrote them, Do you know Jesus is your Savior?
Lesson 2. Getting to Know Matthew (Matthew 9:9-10, 10:1-3)
Who he was, what were taxes, Jesus parties with sinners, Why Jesus chose Matthew, Matthew wanted to prove Jesus fulfilled prophecy, Do you think God only likes good people?
Lesson 3. Getting to Know Mark (Acts 13:4-5, 13; Acts 15:36-39)
The tradition of who Mark was and how he came to be with Paul, Mark focused on what Jesus did –action and power. Have you ever tried to run away from something God wanted you to do?
Lesson 4. Getting to Know Luke (Luke 1:1-4)
Who he was, he was like a news reporter, Luke took great care….what can you do to know you know the truth about Jesus?
Lesson 5. Getting to Know John (John, all chapters)
John was one of Jesus’ best friends, why John’s gospel is different, John’s use of “I Am,” Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son?
NOTE: Strangely, for the most part, it is only the first four or five lessons in Life of Christ that might stir controversy from a biblical point of view. Lesson 5 takes the traditional view that the gospel writer John and the Book of Revelation’s John as the same person. Many scholars don’t think that’s correct.
Beginnings to Baptism
Lesson 6. An Angel Brings Good News (Luke 1:11-22)
About Mary, Gabriel, Zechariah & Elizabeth. Zechariah at first didn’t believe what he had been told. Do your eally believe that God will do all he promises?
Lesson 7. The Savior is Born (Luke 2:1-20)
The essential Christmas story here. Can you imagine what the shepherds thought and felt?
Lesson 8. Visitors for the Newborn King (Matthew 2:1-12)
All about the Magi and Herod. How do you worship Jesus? What gifts can you give him?
Lesson 9. Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:21-52)
As a baby and as a boy his parents brought him to the Temple. Jesus was being obedient to God. How do you do it?
Lesson 10. The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17, Luke 3, John 1)
All about John the Baptist and the baptism. Our baptism is a symbol of new life in Jesus.
Introducing the Son of God!
Lesson 11. The Lamb of God (John 1:15-34)
What John the Baptist meant when he called Jesus the “Lamb of God” (the one who takes away sin). Have you asked God to pass over your sins?
Lesson 12. Three Temptations (Matthew 4:1-11)
Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness and what those temptations meant. How do you prepare yourself to fight off temptation?
Lesson 13. New Wine out of Water (John 2:1-11)
The Wedding at Cana story. When you pray, do you try to tell God what you want, or do you present your needs and trust him to do what is best?
Lesson 14. Jesus Tells His Secret to a Lonely Woman (John 4:4-42)
The story of the Samaritan woman by the well. Do you reject people who are loved by God? How do you introduce others to God?
Lesson 15. Jesus Tells His Secret in His Hometown (Luke 4:14-30)
Jesus is thrown out of Nazareth. What would you have said after Jesus’ sermon?
Ministry with His Disciples
Lesson 16. Four Fisherman (Luke 5:1-11)
Jesus calls his first disciples. Are you just interested in Jesus, or do you want to follow him?
Lesson 17. Faith That Goes Through the Roof (Mark 2:1-12)
The healing of the paralytic let down through the roof. Jesus claims to be able to forgive sin (which got him in trouble). What do you do to get close to Jesus?
Lesson 18. Jesus’ Power Over a Storm ( Mark 4: 35-41)
Jesus wakes up and rebukes the storm. Do you think Jesus has the power to comfort you when you are frightened?
Lesson 19. One Boy’s Lunch Feeds 5000 (John 6:1-14)
The basic story. What do you have that you could offer to Jesus?
Lesson 20. Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-32)
Peter also tries to walk. When you pray do you focus your attention more on Jesus’ power or on your problem?
Lessons About Life and Death
Lesson 21. A Glimpse of Glory on a Mountaintop (Luke 9: 28-36)
The Transfiguration story. Have you taken time to pray to God?
Lesson 22. Who Will Throw the First Stone? (John 8: 1-11)
Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. Background info of the law concerning adultery. How would you have felt?
Lesson 23. Jesus Blesses the Little Children (Mark 10:13-16)
Background on “blessing.” Thoughts about children. How does the story make you feel about Jesus’ love?
Lesson 24. Some People Will Do Anything to See Jesus –Zaccheus and The Blind Man (Luke 18:35-19:10)
A full telling of the Zaccheus story. If you were in the crowd, what would you have done to see Jesus? How eagerly do you seek him now?
Lesson 25. A Rich Young Ruler Wants Eternal Life (Mark 10:17-27)
The man didn’t ask for eternal life, he assumed he had to do something to earn it. Would you choose riches in heaven or on earth?
Lesson 26. Learning About Life After Death –Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
An explanation of the meaning of the Lazarus story. How would you feel seeing some come back to life?
The Road to the Cross
Lesson 27. Mary Prepares Jesus Body for Burial –with perfume (Matthew 26:6-13)
Mary believed Jesus when he said he would be crucified and wanted to show she loved him. What can you do to show your love for Jesus?
Lesson 28. The Plot to Catch and Kill Jesus (Matthew 26:1-16)
Why the Jews and Caiaphas plotted to get rid of Jesus. Has jealousy ever made you say something that hurt others?
Lesson 29. A Grand Entry Into Jerusalem –Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-46)
The prophetic prediction behind the act. Jesus sobs over Jerusalem (and why). Do you honor Jesus as your king? If so, how?
Lesson 30. Disruption at the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17)
Why people needed their money changed. People misusing the Temple. Children sang praises. When and how do you praise the Lord?
Lesson 31. New Meaning to the Passover Meal (Luke 22:14-23)
An excellent presentation on the history and practice of the Passover meal and how Jesus redefined it. Have you ever taken Communion to remember Jesus’ death?
Lesson 32. Arrested, Tried, and Tortured (Luke 22:47-23:45)
Jesus, the crowds, the priests, the soldiers, and Pilate. Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do?
Lesson 33. Jesus Goes to the Cross (Luke 23:26-49)
Explanation of cross, calvary, the sign, meaning of some of his last words. How would you have felt watching Jesus die?
Jesus is Alive Forever and Ever
Lesson 34. The Burial and Resurrection (Matthew 27:57-28:15, Luke 24:1-7)
The women discover the empty tomb. How would you have reacted?
Lesson 35. Resurrected Messiah Visits Friends and Followers (Luke 24:13-44)
The road to Emmaus story. Why shouldn’t the disciples have been surprised at Jesus’ resurrection? How would you have acted?
Lesson 36. Saying Good-bye and Spreading the Good News (Matthew 28:19,20)
Jesus’ Great Commission to his disciples, his ascension. What is the good news about Jesus?
Lesson 37. Jesus Selects An Apostle (Acts 8:1-4, 9:1-31)
The story of Pentecost, the selection of Stephen and his stoning, plus the conversion of Saul to Paul. Would you still follow Jesus if you could be arrested for being a Christian?
Lesson 38. The Devil’s Destruction (Ephesians 6:10-18, Revelation 20:10)
All about the devil and the origins of evil. (NOTE: Check your theological needs here.) The devil is defeated and thrown in a lake of fire in John’s vision. Do you ever feel that you’re in a war with the devil and his evil forces?
NOTE: Some teachers may find this material out of step with their own theology. This should not deter you, however, from needing to deal with the subject matter of the devil and nature of evil. It IS important (whatever your opinion is) and the kids find the subject fascinating.
Lesson 39. God Makes All Things New (Revelation 21:1-22:6)
John’s vision of the future: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth….” What is heaven all about? How is John’s description of heaven different from what you thought heaven would be like?
Lesson 40. The Teachings of Jesus –Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7)
What he taught and why some people didn’t understand it. Become wise by learning the teachings of Jesus, that’s what disciple means. How can you learn his teachings?