The Absolutely Enormous List of Christian History Books {By Grade and Time Period}

By 3 Comments

 The Absolutely Enormous List of Christian History Books

There are so many important things our kids can learn from Christian history. Studying men and women of the Christian faith and the movements of the Church gives depth and weight to history, allows kids to develop real-life heroes, and gives children a better understanding of the sovereignty of God.

Christian history is one of my very favorite things to study personally, as well. I’ve made you a great, big, ENORMOUS list of Christian history books. They’re sectioned by age range, and then by historical time period. We’ve used these resources ourselves, and I highly recommend them!

I’d also be honored if you’d take a look at my youth biography, When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther. It’s perfect for middle school and high school students, and a great read aloud for 3-5th grade as well. You can download FREE resources, like a discussion guide and a 12-week unit study, and learn more about the book at the above link.…. [Read more…]

John Welch by Ethel Barrett {Review}

By 11 Comments

Check out this wonderful Reformation biography for 8-14 year olds!
John Welch (c.1570-1622) was a problem child. An inattentive student and disrespectful son, he ran from his home and joined a band of thieves living on the border of Scotland. Just like the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15, Welch spent time living in the muck before realizing he would be better off begging his father’s forgiveness. He returned home to become a Protestant pastor, marrying Elizabeth Knox, the daughter of the famed Reformer John Knox.

John Welch: The Man Who Couldn’t Be Stopped (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2004) is extremely well-written for 8-14 year olds, and a fascinating story. John Welch has just received a new cover and typesetting to match the rest of the excellent Christian Focus Trailblazers series. I read the story to my boys four years ago (when they were 7 and 8)—the last time we studied the Reformation. They remember well the story, and were excited to see the book on their reading shelf for this year.

What child wouldn’t love the story? John Welch was a man of prayer, praying through each night, and the events of his life were extraordinary. He was imprisoned for his Protestant faith, exiled from Scotland to France, and his home city was twice attacked by the king of France because of his Protestant preaching. Friends, a cannonball went through the wall of his bedroom and landed on his bed, splitting it–while he was in the bed!…. [Read more…]

FREE Discussion Guide for When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther

By 2 Comments

FREE Discussion Guide for When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther

Friend, I am so excited about my new book When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther (Fortress Press, 2015). I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to make resources for you to use with the book. I can’t give away the book, but I’m giving away the resources! You can find out more at the When Lightning Struck! page.

Today, I want to tell you about the discussion guide I created for you! The guide is 34 pages long, full-color, and it’s free for you to download.

FREE Discussion Guide for When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther…. [Read more…]

A Field Trip to Remember: Living History

By 29 Comments

A Field Trip to Remember

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a sponsored post. The Tourist Board of Nuremberg sent me Playmobil Martin Luther figures, which I am (in turn) giving away. I’m gave away 20 of them in November 2015. I’m disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It was early May when Martin began the journey home. No decision had been made on how to deal with his “New Theology,” but Martin’s resignation was accepted. Though he walked to Heidelberg, he was invited to ride toward home in the cart of the Nuremberg delegates for as far as they could take him. As Martin prepared to enter the wagon, a young priest approached. Martin thought his prominent forehead, aggressively straight nose, and jutting chin caused him to resemble a bird of prey.

“Doctor Luther, I am Martin Bucer and this is Johannes Brenz. I must tell you that you were gracious in every response, and showed outstanding patience in listening. Your knowledge of Scripture can rival only that of the apostle Paul. Also, I have never before heard the theology of the cross. I hope that I will read more of your thoughts in the coming months.”…. [Read more…]

Cobblestone Path ~ The Reformation Age {Notebooking Journal}

By 2 Comments

Announcing Cobblestone Path The Reformation Age

The Reformation Age of the Church was a time of great upheaval. The Renaissance Popes led a Church in desperate need of reform, and the Reformers obliged. It is during this time that we see many great men of the Protestant Church rise up, Bibles translated into native tongues and reproduced en masse, and a Counter-Reformation in the Catholic Church. It is also during this age that Catholicism invested heavily in missions and exploration and the Puritans move to the American Colonies. Invite your older students to travel the Cobblestone Path of Church history. A path filled with individual lives, theological debates, and political intrigue.

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. For a complete explanation of Cobblestone Path, check out the Series Overview.

While much of the research for Cobblestone Path may be done online, there are wonderful recommended and supplemental resources suggested for use with the journals. Check out the Resource List for the Reformation Age!…. [Read more…]