BJU Press vs. My Father’s World: Pinterest Explosion or Private School in a Box?

When it comes to Christian homeschool curriculums, there’s no shortage of options. But two big names that pop up in almost every homeschool group are BJU Press and My Father’s World (MFW). I’m currently using one, and my sister-in-law has used the other.

At first glance, they look kind of similar.

Both are colorful.

Both are gospel-centered.

Both will make your homeschool shelves groan with the weight of new books.

But here’s the thing: they’re actually wildly different.

One feels like a polished private school in a box—structured, rigorous, and built to run like a well-oiled classroom.

The other?

It feels like Pinterest exploded in your living room—hands-on, crafty, cozy, and parent-heavy.

Let’s dig into the details and figure out which one might fit your family better.

Heads up—these are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, you support our homeschool (thank you!) without spending an extra dime. Win-win!

The Big Picture: Two Very Different Vibes

BJU Press is what you’d get if you took a Christian private school, scooped it into a neat little package, and shipped it to your front door.

It’s traditional, structured, and academically robust. Worksheets, tests, textbooks, video lessons—it’s all here.

If you want to see what it looks like see the pic below:

My Father’s World, on the other hand, is built from the ground up for homeschool families.

It’s all about family-style learning, hands-on projects, crafts, and cozy togetherness.

Again, take a look at the pic below of MFW.

If you want to make a paper mâché map of Ancient Rome or glue macaroni noodles onto a poster about Exodus, this is your jam.

So in short:

• BJU = polished private Christian school

• MFW = Pinterest party with a Bible verses

Parent Involvement: Desk Buddy vs. Craft Commander

This is the biggest difference—and it’s where families often decide one way or the other.

👉 BJU Press is far more independent.

With its video lessons, kids can log in, learn from professional teachers, fill in their workbooks, and keep moving without you glued to their elbow.

Yes, you can run it offline with just the textbooks, but honestly, the video option is what makes it shine.

👉 My Father’s World leans into parent-led learning.

You’re there, guiding lessons, reading aloud, doing activities, and yes… getting out the dreaded glue sticks. (Sorry, I just can’t.)

Some families absolutely love this level of involvement—it’s cozy, relational, and memorable.

For others, like me, it’s overwhelming and exhausting.

(My sister-in-law loved it but eventually felt it was too much crafting for her homeschool.)

So if you’re dreaming of sipping coffee while your child is watching a math video?

BJU might save your sanity.

But if you love sitting on the floor with crafts and projects, while having D&Ms with your kids, MFW will make your heart sing.

Offline vs. Online: Screens or No Screens?

If you’re allergic to screens, My Father’s World is your safe bet.

It’s completely offline—books, guides, and hands-on activities.

No videos, no streaming, no logins.

Just you, your kids, and a pile of supplies.

BJU Press, on the other hand, really shines with its video lessons.

Each subject comes with a full 180-day schedule—yep, a video for every single day.

But here’s the secret: I usually cut that down to about 50–60% of the lessons.

That way my kids can skip what they already know and spend more time on the tricky stuff.

And these aren’t boring, sit-stiff-at-your-desk lectures.

Each lesson is filmed in a cozy little studio, and the teacher talks directly to your child.

Parents don’t have to do a thing—the teacher tells kids what workbook to grab, when to pull out manipulatives, how to take tests, and even how to self-correct their work.

So here’s the breakdown:

• BJU = video-based with books that guide kids alongside the lessons

• MFW = 100% offline with books, guides, and activities

Academic Style: Worksheets vs. Crafts

Both programs are Christ-centered and both will give your kids a solid education.

But the style is different:

• BJU Press leans heavily on worksheets, textbooks, and structured testing. It’s academically robust, and it’s not shy about keeping kids accountable. If your child thrives with checklists, tests, and clear expectations, they’ll do well here.

• My Father’s World still has plenty of academic substance, but it’s wrapped in a crafty, hands-on, family-learning package. You’ll do read-alouds, activities, and group projects. It’s not “easy,” but it’s certainly less about worksheets and more about experiences.

So basically:

• If your child thrives with binders, worksheets, and grading—go BJU.

• If your child thrives with glitter glue and group projects—go MFW.

Homeschool Style: Traditional vs. Eclectic

Another big difference?

The educational philosophy behind each program.

👉 BJU Press is very much in the traditional school model. Think desks, textbooks, worksheets, quizzes, and tests—the same structure you’d find in a quality private Christian school. It’s straightforward, rigorous, and familiar for parents who grew up in a classroom.

👉 My Father’s World, on the other hand, is eclectic. That means it blends several homeschool methods into one package:

• Classical – lots of focus on history, memory work, and building a strong foundation of knowledge.

• Charlotte Mason – living books, narration, nature study, and an emphasis on beauty and gentle learning.

• Unit Studies – connecting multiple subjects around one theme (for example, learning history, science, and art all through the lens of Ancient Egypt).

This mix makes MFW feel warmer, more creative, and more flexible—but it also means more parental involvement and, yes, a higher chance of feathers and popsicle sticks making an appearance.

So if you want the comfort of a clear, traditional path, BJU Press has your back.

But if you like the idea of mixing methods to create a more holistic, hands-on homeschool, My Father’s World might feel like home.

My Personal Experience: Why I Chose BJU Press

Here’s where I have to confess: I’m firmly in the BJU Press camp.

Why? Two big reasons:

1. I cannot stand crafts. Seriously. The smell of glue makes me twitch. Give me a clean worksheet over sticky fingers any day.

2. I need independent learning. I’ve got back issues, and I simply can’t sit hunched at a table for hours every day trying to teach every subject.

With BJU, my kids can learn independently while still getting a strong, Christ-centered education.

And that’s priceless for our family. See a video below on how it works in our family practially:

But here’s the thing—I know plenty of families who adore My Father’s World.

They love the crafts, they love the togetherness, and they don’t mind being more involved day-to-day.

For them, it’s the perfect fit.

So really? It comes down to your parenting style, energy level, and tolerance for craft supplies.

Which One Costs More?

Both programs will give your wallet a workout, but BJU is generally on the pricier side, especially if you go with the full video package. You’re paying for that polished private-school vibe, the video teachers, and the structured materials.

My Father’s World is more affordable by comparison. You’re not paying for video lessons, but you are investing more of your own time as the teacher.

So in short:

• BJU Press = more dollars, less parent time. Generally, you’re looking at around $1,100 per student per year.

• MFW = fewer dollars, more parent time. You can expect to pay around $450-650 per student per year.

Which One Is Right for You?

Here’s the quick cheat sheet:

• Pick BJU Press if…
  ✅ You want private-school-level academics.
  ✅ You need independent learning.
  ✅ You don’t like crafts.
  ✅ You’re okay with screens/video lessons.

• Pick My Father’s World [get $25 off using this link] if…
  ✅ You want cozy, family-style learning.
  ✅ You love crafts and projects (or at least tolerate them).
  ✅ You want everything offline.
  ✅ You enjoy being heavily involved in day-to-day teaching.

Both are gospel-centered, colorful, and solid academically. Neither is “bad.” It just comes down to what works for your family.

Final Thoughts (And a Little Honesty)

At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either curriculum if your goal is to raise kids who love Jesus and get a strong education. But your sanity matters too.

If you hate crafts, don’t force yourself into My Father’s World just because it looks cute on Instagram. You’ll be drowning in construction paper before October.

If you hate screens, don’t go with BJU Press just because it’s rigorous—you’ll resent those video lessons.

Pick the one that actually works with your personality, your kids’ needs, and your daily capacity.

And hey—if you’re still stuck between the two, here’s a pro tip: try borrowing or buying a single year or subject secondhand before committing.

Sometimes the best way to know is to just test drive.

Ready to Choose?

👉 You can purchase BJU Press or My Father’s World through my affiliate links here.

Buying through my links helps support this blog and my YouTube channel (thank you in advance—you’re the best!).

And if you’re brand new to homeschooling and feel totally overwhelmed by the thought of picking a curriculum, check out my Homeschool Parenting Program.

It’s a step-by-step course to help you start homeschooling with confidence instead of panic.

Your Turn!

Have you tried BJU Press or My Father’s World? Which one worked for your family—and which one didn’t?

Drop a comment below!

Also, checkout this review on BJU Press to learn more about it and if it’s right for you; or checkout this review on My Fathers World to learn more about MFW.