Teaching Church history is important, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Teach Church history to your kids in a way they’ll love!
When my kids were little, I read them stories while they were getting ready for bed. My favorite stories were those from Church history.
We read about Gladys Aylward, who saved Chinese children from slavery by purchasing them and then raising them. When the Japanese attacked China, she led her many children across the mountains to safety, at great cost to herself.
My boys listened with big, round eyes as I read the story of a little boy who lied and stole, but then found salvation in Jesus and went on to raise thousands of orphaned children. George Mueller prayed for each need, like bread and milk, and God fed those orphans in amazing, providential ways.
My children learned about God’s goodness and sovereignty in the lives of his people, in part, by listening to the stories of people who loved Jesus.
Church History for Kids
Church history is the story of our family tree. The story of our faith is important for our kids.
Church history teaches our kids:
- God is sovereign in the lives of common people, as well as in the lives of rulers.
- Regular people can follow Jesus with their lives and impact others for good.
- The gospel of Jesus changes everything.
- Character matters. The way we live for Christ is of the utmost importance.
- The Church is our family. We can trust and rely upon the people of God.
- Theology and doctrine matter. It’s important that we faithfully follow the Word of God.
- To think outside their own time and place. God’s Church spans centuries and nations.
- Events in history can be really hard to live through, yet God always has a plan. He always makes a way for his people.
- God can be worshiped and trusted regardless of circumstances.
Our kids learn so much from Church history. Significantly, Church history gives our children examples of those who love Jesus, the decisions they make, and the way their testimonies impact history.
Teaching Church History to Kids …in a way they’ll love
Teaching Church history to kids doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun!
That’s because kids love stories. In fact, God built our children for story. Have you ever considered the fact that God wrote his Word to us in the form of story?
Parents can easily incorporate stories about the history of the Christian faith into the days of their kids. Whether you choose a Christian history story as your family read-aloud at bedtime or after lunch, or you assign your children a book to read that goes along with their homeschool history course, you can teach Church history to your kids in a way that’s easy and fun.
As I homeschooled my kids, I looked for resources that coordinated with the time period we were already studying. This helped my children make connections between people, events, and countries.
We used a variety of resources to help our kids learn about Church history, such as:
- Christian biographies
- Historical fiction
- Illustrated Church documents
- Histories of Church documents designed for children
- Narrative nonfiction books that related to the Church history events and people we were studying
- Church history overviews
- Hands-on crafts and projects
The history of God’s Church is important for our kids to learn about. The great news is that you can teach Church history to your kids in a natural, fun way they’ll love. Stories of God’s people living for his glory will become a part of the fabric of their formative years.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV (emphasis mine)
Church History Books Your Kids will Love
I received these resources in exchange for my honest and truthful opinion. I was not compensated in any other way. I was not required to write a positive review, but a truthful one. All opinions are of my husband (who does most of our homeschooling now) and myself.
My friend, Danika Cooley, loves Church History and loves bringing it to life for Kids. She wrote three amazing books just in time for Reformation Day (October 31st). If you’re looking for a fun way to introduce your kids to Church History, don’t miss these books. Check out my husband’s brief thoughts on each of them below. In fact, he loved them so much, we are using them with our children this year as our Reformation study!
With History and Humor, Danika upholds the inerrancy of scripture and presents a simple Gospel message, while telling the story of the life of Martin Luther. A must have for your student’s history library! Excellent!
This book is not just about the Bible, but the man Johann Gutenberg and his life around the invention and perfection of his press. The little trinkets of history intertwined are sure to delight! Great for students and parents alike!
Why did the reformation happen?
The frightful and wonderful story of a time when the Gospel was all but forgotten. But God, who always works, raised up and trained men to proclaim the truths of Salvation. Disregarded and opposed by the powers that be these men of God understood, with the Bible as their only guide, that salvation is found in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. They understood that this work of salvation and all the works of God’s people are and should always be for the glory of God alone!
An appropriate history lesson for a day like today when mans words are yet again added alongside the Bible and even trusted more than God’s words. Bless your children and your family through a renewed passion for the truths of God and His word!
Danika Cooley’s Who What Why Christian history series is perfect for your 8-11 year olds. Your children will better understand the history of the Christian faith, the people who loved Jesus, and what the Bible says about really important issues! Danika is an award-winning children’s author and Bible curriculum developer. Her popular Bible Road Trip™ is used by tens of thousands of families.
Learn more about the Who What Why series and grab your free history lapbooks here.
Annette lived many years as an exhausted wife of 1 and mother of 6. Grab your fuzzy blanket, pour your favorite drink, and browse through our encouraging tips, printables, and curriculum options. Read more about me and the ministry here at In All You Do