Generations vs. The Good and the Beautiful: A Homeschool Showdown

Homeschool curriculums love to slap the label Christian on the cover. But here’s the question: what’s actually inside?

At first glance, Generations and The Good and the Beautiful (TGATB) share a few things in common. They’re both colorful, workbook-based programs that lots of homeschool families use. Both claim the Christian name. Both have raving fans.

But as soon as you dig in, you realize they are not even close to being the same. In fact, the deeper you go, the more you realize these two curriculums are headed in completely opposite directions. And yes, by the end, I’ll also point you to a video where I share actual regret stories from parents—and spoiler: TGATB made that list.

So let’s unpack it.

💡 Quick heads-up: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click and buy through them, you help support our homeschool—aka you help keep me in coffee and my kids in pencils that don’t mysteriously disappear. Thank you!

Similarities at First Glance

Both Generations and TGATB offer:

• Workbook-based lessons – You can sit your child down with structured workbooks and feel like you’re accomplishing something.

• Family-friendly design – Neither one is trying to be cutting-edge techy or all online. They’re designed for families who like paper, print, and structure.

• Grade levels – You can buy what you need for each kiddo instead of trying to force everyone into the same level.

• Colorful layouts – Think less “boring government worksheets” and more “bright pages that at least keep kids from dozing off.”

So far so good, right?

Both have polish, structure, and enough color to keep your printer jealous.

But then you flip a few more pages.

And suddenly, the similarities end.

Generations: Saturated With Scripture

Generations is the most Bible-rich curriculum I’ve ever seen.

It doesn’t just sprinkle a verse in the corner of the page like seasoning.

It’s the whole meal.

• History? Tied directly to God’s providence and His unfolding plan.

• Science? Creation is front and center.

• Literature? You’re not just reading stories—you’re measuring them against biblical truth.

Generations is also academically robust.

It’s not fluffy.

It challenges kids to think, wrestle, and grow—not just in their academics, but in their understanding of Scripture.

And the reason is clear: Generations is written from a Protestant perspective, laser-focused on Jesus Christ as Savior.

The gospel isn’t tucked away in a side lesson or treated as an optional add-on.

It’s the foundation of the whole program.

Every subject circles back to the big story of redemption: that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, our God.

TGATB: Pretty Pages, Missing Gospel

Now, TGATB (The Good and the Beautiful)… looks very different inside.

Yes, the pages are gorgeous.

If Pinterest had a baby with a homeschool workbook, it would look like TGATB.

You’ll find lessons on beauty, nature, character traits, and “being a good person.”

But here’s the thing: the gospel is completely missing.

Not watered down.

Not tucked in the back.

Just… not there.

What you get instead is moralism.

Character training.

General “God talk.”

Pretty stories.

Good vibes.

And while those things might sound nice, they’re not the same as salvation through Christ alone.

I made a video about this issue. You can watch it here:

Why the Difference?

This is where we have to look at the theology behind the books.

• Generations is unapologetically Protestant. It’s written to point kids again and again to the Jesus of Scripture—the Son of God, fully God and fully man, who died and rose again for our salvation.

• TGATB, by contrast, was created by a Mormon author with input from Mormon-sympathizing contributors. And that matters. Because Mormon theology isn’t just “a different flavor” of Christianity—it’s a different gospel altogether.

Mormonism teaches things like Jesus and Satan being brothers, and their “god” (lowercase g) is not the God of the Bible. Have a look at some more differences in Christian and Mormon doctrine in this video:

When you try to create a curriculum that has to fit both Protestant and Mormon theology, you can’t preach the gospel straight.

You can’t exalt the true Jesus without clashing with Mormon doctrine.

So the result?

You end up with moral lessons, a generic god, and lots of beauty—but no salvation message.

That’s not biblical Christianity.

That’s a different foundation entirely.

Why It Matters

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, but at least TGATB encourages kids to be good and kind. Isn’t that something?”

Sure.

But here’s the catch: being good doesn’t save anyone.

The Bible doesn’t call us to raise “nice kids.”

It calls us to raise kids who know their desperate need for a Savior.

And only the gospel of Jesus Christ—clearly proclaimed—can do that.

That’s the difference between handing your child a beautifully wrapped box that’s empty inside (TGATB)… versus handing them the gift of eternal truth (Generations).

So Which One Should You Choose?

Let’s put it bluntly:

• If you want your homeschool to center on Christ, choose Generations.

• If you want pretty moral lessons without the gospel, you’ll get that with TGATB.

It really is that stark.

Out of all the curriculums that claim to be Christian, Generations is the most Bible-rich.

And TGATB is the least.

A Word of Encouragement

If this feels heavy, I get it.

Curriculum choices can be overwhelming.

And it’s not just about workbooks or lesson plans—it’s about your kids’ hearts.

That’s why I want to encourage you: don’t settle for moralism when you can have the gospel.

Don’t settle for pretty packaging when your kids can feast on Scripture.

Your homeschool can be about more than just academics.

It can be about discipleship.

And that’s what makes the difference for eternity.

Before You Buy Anything…

One last thing: before you spend money on any program, you need to hear what real parents regret.

I asked hundreds of Christian homeschool moms which curriculum they wish they had skipped, and let’s just say… TGATB made the list.

But so did a whole bunch of others you probably haven’t thought about.

👉 Watch that video here before you buy another book.

It’ll save you time, money, and maybe even your sanity.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: Generations vs. TGATB. Two curriculums with the same “Christian” label, but two completely different foundations.

Generations: gospel-centered, academically solid, and Scripture in every subject.
TGATB: moral lessons, pretty pages, and no gospel at all.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just about curriculum. It’s about what message we’re giving our kids. And I know for me? I want my children to walk away knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior—not just as a storybook moral, but as their God.

Because homeschool isn’t just about raising smart kids. It’s about raising disciples.