Church History Books for Kids

Church history books for kids worth selling your silverware for. (But you won’t need to!) Your 9-14 year olds will love these engaging books.

Ok, first of all, don’t come to me if you choose to sell your silverware to buy these books. That said, it’d be worth it. They’re that good.

Church History Books for Kids

Mindy and Brandon Withrow’s “History Lives” series (Christian Focus 4 Kids), aimed at 9 to 14-year-olds, covers the history of the Christian Church in 5 volumes.

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There are short, narrative stories (one chapter each) that tell the stories of important Church/Christian figures in chronological order. Shorter chapters punctuate the narratives to explain important concepts and events, such as persecution or the Nicene Council.

Over the years, we read through the History Lives series twice. The boys and I started with Peril and Peace. I read it aloud to my 1st and 2nd graders and we were hooked!

Because the books are in chronological order, they’re easy to coordinate with a history curriculum. The chapters themselves are complete narrative biographies, or they are instructive on one topic, so these would also be perfect for bedtime reading or devotions.

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The Withrows do an excellent job of both covering the information and writing the stories in an engaging and interesting manner. Honestly, I think these books are wonderful reading for any adult new to Church history!

When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther for your teens.

Church History for Children

There are five volumes in the series:

Peace and Peril, Volume 1: Chronicles of the Ancient Church (3BC – 550 AD)
Monks and Mystics, Volume 2: Chronicles of the Medieval Church (550 – 1500AD)
Courage and Conviction, Volume 3: Chronicles of the Reformation Church (1500 – 1700AD)
Hearts and Hands, Volume 4: Chronicles of the Awakening Church (1700 – 1860AD)
Rescue and Redeem, Volume 5: Chronicles of the Modern Church (1860AD – tomorrow)

That’s it, folks. These Church history books for kids are awesome. I have impeccable taste. Get shopping.

The really good news? They’re an incredibly reasonable price. You won’t even need to sell your silverware!

Purchase the Best Church History Books

Peril and Peace: Chronicles of the Ancient Church (History Lives series)Monks and Mystics: Chronicles of the Medieval Church (History Lives series)Courage and Conviction: Chronicles of the Reformation Church (History Lives series)Hearts and Hands: Chronicles of the Awakening Church (History Lives series)Rescue and Redeem: Volume 5: Chronicles of the Modern Church (History Lives)

Great History Books for Your Kids

Our family loves the Christian Focus Trail Blazers books. They’re perfect for ages 7-14. We read them as we studied history! Check them out.

Eric Liddell: Finish the Race John Chrysostom: The Preacher in the Emperor’s Court Samuel Rutherford: The Law, the Prince and the Scribe Francis & Edith Schaeffer: Taking on the World Titanic: The Ship of Dreams William Tyndale: The Smuggler’s Flame Wilfred Grenfell: Courageous Doctor Dietrich Bonhoeffer: A Spoke in the Wheel Elisabeth Elliot: Do the Next Thing Betty Greene: Courage Has Wings Ulrich Zwingli: Shepherd Warrior Lilias Trotter: Daring in the Desert Isobel Kuhn: Lights in Lisuland Jim Elliot: He Is No Fool George Müller: The Children’s Champion Adoniram Judson: Danger on the Streets of Gold Patricia St. John: The Story Behind the Stories Helen Roseveare: On His Majesty’s Service John Newton: A Slave Set Free John Calvin: After Darkness Light John Knox: The Sharpened Sword Billy Graham: Just get up out of your Seat Richard Wurmbrand: A Voice in the Dark Mary Slessor: Servant to the Slave Joni Eareckson Tada: Swimming Against the Tide Hudson Taylor: An Adventure Begins Augustine: The Truth Seeker Patrick of Ireland: The Boy Who Forgave Brother Andrew: Behind Enemy Lines Lottie Moon: Changing China for Christ D L Moody: One Devoted Man Nate Saint: Operation Auca John Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be Stopped Michael Faraday: Spiritual Dynamo William Wilberforce: The Freedom Fighter C. S. Lewis: The Story Teller: Trailblazers Series Jonathan Edwards: America’s Genius Charles Spurgeon: Prince of Preachers George Müller: The Children’s Champion George Whitefield: Voice That Woke the World Corrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker’s Daughter Amy Carmichael: Rescuer By Night Mary of Orange: At the Mercy of Kings Martyn Lloyd-Jones: From Wales to Westminster Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing Fanny Crosby: The Blind Girl’s Song Paul Brand: The Shoes That Love Made Frances Ridley Havergal: The Girl Who Loved Mountains Corrie Ten Boom: The Watchmaker’s Daughter Gladys Aylward: No Mountain Too High John Bunyan: Journey of a Pilgrim David Brainerd: A Love for the Lost John G. Paton: South Sea Island Rescue Billy Bray: Saved From the Deepest Pit John Stott: The Humble Leader Bill Bright: Dare to be Different

MARTIN LUTHER AND THE REFORMATION

Teach your teens about Martin Luther and the Reformation in an exciting, new way with When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther!

Martin Luther (1483-1546) is often referred to as “The Father of the Reformation”. Born during a time of superstition, tradition, and spiritual corruption, Luther gave up a lucrative career as a lawyer to become a monk in the Roman Catholic Church–a path he felt would certainly lead to salvation.

As Luther’s understanding of the spiritual corruption within the Church grew, and he despaired of true salvation, Luther (now a scholar and priest) sought the Bible for answers. Following his discovery of the true gospel in Scripture, Luther began to preach spiritual freedom to his congregation, and to teach biblical (rather than philosophical) theology at the University of Wittenberg.

It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses in Latin in response to the abusive indulgence sales practices of the monk Johann Tetzel in a nearby town. Luther nailed the Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, the scholarly bulletin board of his day, and mailed a copy to the Archbishop of Mainz. Luther hoped to start a scholarly debate about the practice of selling salvation through plenary indulgences. The response he received was greater–and more dangerous–than he imagined it would be.

Luther’s story is exciting. There are death defying moments, epic spiritual battles, narrow escapes, a kidnapping, revolution, and war. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Luther is a vital figure in Church history. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as explained by Scripture alone once again. May all glory be to God alone!

Read portions of the first eight chapters of When Lightning Struck!:

Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, ESV

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.