I have updated
my blog on resources for children's ministry (https://bibleandmission.blogspot.com/2023/10/let-children-come-to-me.html)
with the following recommendation:
Christian
History for Children and Adults: The Christian History Institute has
produced a number of magazines, videos (animation, movies), etc. on Church
history and theology. Rooting children in the faith through our stories
is important, and this institute's work is excellent (https://christianhistoryinstitute.org).
Here is a brief
overview of the Christian History Institute
Through animated
DVDs or movies, children (and adults!) can learn the stories of John Newton,
Mary Slessor, Richard Allen, St. Patrick, C. S. Lewis, Hudson Taylor, Adoniram
and Ann Judson, Harriet Tubman. The Torchlight series is animated and
perfect for a young audience. Prices are reasonable, retailing for $14.99 but
presently discounted. Movies sell for a little more but are also
presently discounted.
Through the
Institute’s magazine, many lessons in Church history and theology are made
available for study groups. For example, one magazine (issue #149, 56
pages) is devoted to Revivals in the first 1,000 years of the Church. It
can be viewed online (https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/issue/ch-149-medieval-revival),
and readers may also support the ministry through contributions. Material
like this could be used for high school students or laity studying the topic in
a class and guided by a knowledgeable teacher. Articles are about a page
in length and include colour pictures.
Articles in the
issue on Revival are entitled: ‘Always Reviving’, ‘Countering Insult with
Shame’, ‘Looking for the Last Emperor’, ‘Winds of Spiritual Renewal’, ‘Dormant
and Exploding Volcanoes’ (revivals during the Reformation), ‘Did You Know?
Medieval Renewal’, ‘Mighty Acts’, ‘Bernard of Clairvaux’s Labor of Love’, ‘Poor
in Spirit, New in Christ’, Praying and Preaching for a Better Church Society’,
‘Christian History Timeline: Reform, Renewal, Revival, Reaction’, ‘Repair my
House’ (St. Francis), ‘Walking in the Way of St. Francis’, ‘First Preach
Christ’s Gospel’, ‘Preaching for Revival’, ‘What Does it Mean to Live in
Christ?’ (Martin Luther), ‘Questions for Reflection: Renewal, Revival, and
Reform’, and ‘Recommended Resources: Medieval Renewals’. One encounters
in such essays the history and theology of Church renewal.
With already 149
issues available, the Institute has a lot of resources to offer. Some
other issues cover the following topics: ‘Christ and Culture in Russia’,
‘Divine Healing’, ‘Christian History in Images’, ‘Christianity and Judaism’,
‘Plagues and Epidemics’ (produced in 2020!), ‘Latin American Christianity:
Colorful, Complex, Conflicted’, ‘Women of the Reformation’, ‘Food in Christian
History’, ‘Faith in the City’, ‘Calvin, Councils, and Confessions’, ‘Francis
Asbury: Pioneer of Methodism’, ‘Billy Graham’, ‘Christianity in Early Africa’,
and ‘Healthcare and Hospitals in the Mission of the Church’. In other
words, the magazines help laity learn about the Church in different regions of
the world, in different, periods of history, and about different persons,
theological traditions, and issues facing believers. The stories are
informative and often inspiring.
Brief, lay
course material is available online on the Early Church, the Medieval Church,
the Reformation, and the Post-Reformation. E.g., the Early Church
material online involves thirteen modules of written material up to AD 600 that
could be read in preparation for a Sunday School class for high school students
and adults.
The Christian
History Institute also provides daily emails with information about today’s
events, a devotional, and quotes and stories of interest. Its studio and
headquarters operates out of Worcester, Pennsylvania. It affirms the
Apostles’ Creed and is not denominationally affiliated. In recommending
the Institute’s materials, I should say that I have no affiliation with it.
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