This is a list of great resources for studying the Christian Church from 1648-1790 AD. This list is designed to coordinate with Cobblestone Path Church History Research Journal ~ The Rational Age, but can also be used by students just to study the history of the Church. For more great resources chronologically throughout the history of the Church, check here.

Cobblestone Path Church History Research Journals are designed to help middle school and high school students develop a solid understanding of Christian history one “age” at a time. They will also help young adults develop and strengthen skills in pre-writing (notetaking and organization), handwriting, reading comprehension, and research. While much of the research for the journals will be done using the internet, you’ll want to have a good Christian history overview text (or two) and you may wish to supply your students with some great biographies or literature pertaining to the time period.

Following is a list of recommended resources and suggested supplements. Because I know many of you have younger children as well, I will also recommend some great books from The Rational Age as well. You can include them in your Church history studies with a few well-chosen read-alouds. No notebooking or research required!

Cobblestone Path ~ The Rational Age

Each journal covers a period of time (or “age”) in Church History. There’s no clear agreement on the divisions of Church ages, so I have divided these ages thematically and have tried to name them appropriately. Cobblestone Path is designed to look at the major aspects of each age from a global view. Students will find people and movements that stood in opposition to the Christian Church, as well as those who claimed the name of Christ, yet espoused a different gospel. This research journal series is compiled from a Protestant viewpoint. There is not a complete list of the bishops and popes of Rome or of world leaders, however, at every point where the individual popes or world leaders are important to understanding Church history, they are included. Below are the titles and periods covered by each journal.

Cobblestone Path ~ The Rational Age

Recommended Church History Overviews

For middle and high school students undertaking the study of Church history, I recommend choosing a good overview text (or two), and then allowing students to use the internet to do additional research. Following are three good choices. You’ll want to read reviews and make a decision based on your needs.

• Church History in Plain Language: Fourth Edition
• The Story of Christianity, Vol. 1: The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation and The Story of Christianity, Vol. 2: The Reformation to the Present Day
• Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity

Supplemental Reading For Middle School

• History Lives Box Set: Chronicles of the Church (Specifically, the third and fourth volumes: Courage and Conviction: Chronicles of the Reformation Church (History Lives series) and Hearts and Hands: Chronicles of the Awakening Church (History Lives series))
• The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History
• George Whitefield: Voice That Woke the World (Trailblazers)
• Hannah More: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Stop Writing (Trailblazers)
• John Bunyan: Journey of a Pilgrim (Trailblazers)
• Mary of Orange: At the Mercy of the Kings
• David Brainerd: A Love for the Lost (Trailblazers)
• Jonathan Edwards: America’s Genius (Trailblazers)
• Two Margarets: Danger on the Hill (Torchbearers)
• Mr Pipes And The British Hymn Makers

Supplemental Reading For High School

• Augustus Toplady (Bitesize Biography) (Bitesize Biographies)
• Bitesize Biographies: George Whitefield
• John Newton (Bitesize Biographies)
• Matthew Henry (Bitesize Biography) (Bitesize Biographies)
• Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (Pure Gold Classics)

Rational Age Books for Preschool to Second Grade

• Polycarp of Smyrna (Heroes of the Faith)
• Irenaeus of Lyons (Heroes of the Faith)
• Ignatius of Antioch (Heroes of the Faith)

Rational Age Books for Third to Fifth Grade

• The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History
• Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History
• Mr Pipes And The British Hymn Makers
• The Runaway’s Revenge (Trailblazer Books Book 17)
• The Chimney Sweep’s Ransom (Trailblazer Books Book 6)
• Traitor in the Tower (Trailblazer Books Book 22)