What Is the Story of the Church? (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781971767437)

The story of the church is one of the most important stories most Christians have never been told. But how do you teach it to your kids?

Between the last page of Acts and the church your family attends today sit nearly two thousand years of history that almost nobody talks about. It's the story of how a handful of believers in the Roman Empire became the most influential movement in the history of the world. It's also the story of how that movement lost its way, again and again, drifting from the simplicity of the New Testament under the weight of traditions, politics, and power.

But this isn't just ancient history. It's the explanation for why there are so many different churches today. It's the backstory of every denomination, every creed, and every tradition your kids will encounter. And it's the setup for one of the most important questions a young Christian can ask: what if we went back to the Bible and nothing else?

What Is the Story of the Church? makes eighteen centuries of church history accessible for today's young readers. Written in the same warm, conversational style as the What Is the Book of...? series, this guide walks from the death of the apostles to the dawn of the Restoration Movement with:

• Engaging illustrations from pop culture and everyday life-from Hatchet to Wreck-It Ralph to The Emperor's New Groove-that connect historical events to stories and experiences kids already understand
• Honest engagement with difficult material-handling persecution, corruption, the Crusades, and the failures of church leaders in age-appropriate ways that spark real conversations
• Real-life application-helping kids see how the church's struggles with power, division, and drifting from Scripture speak directly to their own faith and the choices they will face

Whether your child is wondering why there are so many denominations, learning to value the authority of the Bible, or ready to understand the story behind the church they attend every Sunday, What Is the Story of the Church? will show them that God's word has always been enough and that his church has endured every storm the centuries could throw at it.

Perfect for family reading, church classes, or independent study.