Resource Update: Children's Discipleship and the Christian History Institute

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.