Who were the Early Church Fathers? Teach your kids (ages 7-12) about nine defenders of the faith with a fun biography for kids.
Our kids need to know what the Bible says. They need to know sound biblical doctrine. Our children also need to know about the lies people have told since the beginning of the Church. They benefit by learning about the men who defended solid, biblical truth.
In Defending Your Faith: An Introduction, theologian R.C. Sproul (1939-2017) said:
Defending the faith to the best of our ability is not a luxury or an indulgence in intellectual vanity. It is the task given to each one of us as we bear witness to our faith before the world.
In the Early Church, faithful theologians and biblical teachers were busy teaching the truth to Jews and Gentiles, religious people and atheists. They wanted every person to know and understand the good news of Jesus Christ. At the same time, people crept into the church, sharing lies about who God is, about salvation, and about the work Jesus did on the cross. So, God raised up the Early Church Fathers to combat these lies, and to teach the truth to the men and women around them. Their words still echo through our understanding of theology today.
Your kids can learn about the lives of nine Early Church Fathers in this inspiring biography. At the same time, they can learn to identify lies–heresies–about scriptural truths, and understand how the Church has taken a stand against heresy. As they learn about men from North Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern and Western Europe, they will be encouraged to learn and defend biblical truth in their own lives.
Who Were the Early Church Fathers?
As the gospel spread, false teachers saw an opportunity to gain followers, money, and power. God loves his people, so into this mess of ideas, he sent men to defend the Christian faith against the mixed-up, lofty opinions that were against the knowledge of God.
Who Were the Early Church Fathers?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2026), page 12
The Early Church Fathers worked to spread the gospel and to defend the Christian faith for around three hundred fifty years. Their legacy began in the later days of Jesus’ apostles in the First Century, and extended through Augustine of Hippo’s death in 430 AD.
After Jesus ascended to heaven, the church grew as his apostles shared the good news of Jesus Christ.
As time marched onward, new leaders—the Early Church Fathers—helped guide God’s people. When new enemies of the gospel worked to lead people away from Jesus, the Early Church Fathers worked to defend the faith. God used men from Western and Eastern Europe, from the Middle East, and from Africa to fight for the truth in his Word.
Learn about nine Early Church Fathers who lived from 50 to 430 AD. They all used words to destroy arguments and lofty opinions so their people could take every thought captive to obey Christ.
The Early Church
The Early Church Fathers worked tirelessly to share the good news of Jesus, to guide God’s people, and to defend the faith against liars–heretics–who worked to lead people away from following Jesus.
Take a look at the legacy of each of the Early Church Fathers highlighted in Who Were the Early Church Fathers?:
- Ignatius of Antioch defended the faith against Ebionism and Docetism, and fought for unity in the Church.
- Polycarp of Smyrnawrote to defend the faith against Docetism.
- Justin Martyr wrote and spoke to defend the faith and to win pagans to the gospel.
- Irenaeus of Lyons wrote in defense of the faith against Gnosticism.
- Tertullian of Carthage wrote in defense of the faith against Marcionism and Modalism.
- Origen of Alexandria defended the faith against Modalism.
- Athanasius of Alexandria spent his life defending the faith against Arianism.
- John Chrysostom defended the faith against luxury, greed, and idolatry.
- Augustine of Hippo defended the faith against Manichaeism, Donatism, and Pelagianism.
The Early Church Fathers faced challenges to the Christian faith that were not much different from the lies and assaults our children will face today. Our kids can be encouraged and inspired by the example of their lives as they defended the faith. They can also understand deep biblical truths, and the reason it is important we fight for the truth of God’s Word.
Who Were the Early Church Fathers? tells the stories of nine men who were dedicated to biblical truth, because they loved and followed their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Who What Why series is fun to read!Early Church Biographies for Kids
In a fun and engaging tone, the Christian biography Who Were the Early Church Fathers? will take your kids through the lives of nine important men who defended the faith in the early centuries of the Christian church.
Who Were the Early Church Fathers? chapters:
- Chapter One: Defending the Faith
- Chapter Two: Ignatius of Antioch
- Chapter Three: Polycarp of Smyrna
- Chapter Four: Justin Martyr
- Chapter Five: Irenaeus of Lyons
- Chapter Six: Tertullian of Carthage
- Chapter Seven: Origen of Alexandria
- Chapter Eight: Athanasius of Alexandria
- Chapter Nine: John Chrysostom
- Chapter Ten: Augustine of Hippo
- Timeline
Your kids will learn important history and theology, too!
Some people who defend the faith write truth and expose error. Other defenders use words to debate against ungodly and unbiblical ideas. Some faith-fighters rally Christians to fight heresy and false teaching together. Others fight for the truth of the good news of Jesus in the way they live and–sometimes–in the way they die. Polycarp was one of those people.
Who Were the Early Church Fathers?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2026), page 24
Fabulously illustrated by Martyn Smith, the Who What Why series books are each 95 pages long with 8-9 chapters, perfect for your middle grade (ages 8-11) readers. The fun narrative makes each book an engaging family read aloud, but kids will love, too, that they can read the books on their own.
In fun sidebars, your kids will also learn about:
- The New Church
- The Faith We Defend
Who Were the Early Church Fathers? is a fun way for kids to learn about nine men who worked to explain biblical truth, defend the faith, and grow God’s Church through the good news of Jesus Christ.
Purchase Who Were the Early Church Fathers?
Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Biblical Truth Lapbooks here.
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
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.
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