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This study focuses on the stories of Christians trying to be faithful to God’s call. The call to Abraham and Sarah sets the stage in the first session. The next few sessions identify the believers of the early church and then move into early Christendom of the fourth to eighth centuries, as Constantine adopts Christianity, the canon is determined, and Rome rises and falls. The Medieval times are examined as architecture, art, and music flourish as the Crusades begin. The reformation as well as its leaders and reforms are studied. Also explored are Protestantism, revival, mission, the church in the twentieth century, and the church today. The course ends with a session studying the unique qualities of the participants own congregations.

Note: Leader’s Book, Session 10., page 47, under Preparation and Materials, “Review Bainton, Christianity, chapter 3” should read “Review Bainton, Christianity, chapter 5 and the section on Charles Martel and the Battle of Tours (Poitiers) in chapter 6.”

 

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses A Survey of church history.

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Teacher's Book: 611000
Student's Notebook: 611000A

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Unit 1

This unit introduces the students to the course as the story of God's people - the church - with the story of faith as found in the book of Hebrews. The unit goes on to explore the beginnings of the church under the Roman Empire including the persecutions and establishment of Christianity as the state religion under Constantine in 313. The unit then follows the growth of the church, its struggles with heresies and split from the Byzantine churches. The unit also looks at the church in the middle ages including the crusades and factors that lead up to the Reformation.

Session 1. The Great Cloud of Witness
Session 2. The Fledgling Band of Believers
Session 3. A Dangerous Sect
Session 4. The Establishment of Christendom
Session 5. Councils and Canons
Session 6. Apart and Alone with God
Indicates PDF format. Session 7. As Rome Goes, So Goes Christianity?
Session 8. Christianity in New Places
Session 9. Byzantine Christianity
Session 10. Christianity and Islam
Session 11. Pilgrimages and Crusades
Session 12. Medieval Theology in Stone and Glass
Session 13. The Mystics
Session 14. A Chasm Comes to Christianity
Session 15. A Glance Backward: Review

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Unit 2

This unit looks at the leaders of the Reformation movement including Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox. Worship practices and beliefs about the sacraments that came out of the reformation are also reviewed. The unit then moves to the history of the church in North America including the part faith played in the Revolutionary War and over the issue of slavery. Other sessions look at the events of the 20th century that had an impact on the church including the theory of evolution, World War II, civil rights, women's rights, and social justice. The unit concludes with an overall review, a session on finding out the history of the particular church, and optional sessions for use at Christmas and Easter.

Session 16. Here I Stand
Session 17. The Lawyer Pastor
Session 18. Three Styles of Worship
Session 19. The Sacrament of Communion
Session 20. From Reformation to Reformations
Session 21. John Knox, A Fiery Reformer
Session 22. A Westminster Assembly
Session 23. Protestantism Crosses the Atlantic
Session 24. Revolution, Revival, and Rebellion
Session 25. To the Ends of the Earth
Session 26. Those Who Answered the Call
Session 27. The Line in the Sand
Session 28. The Church during World War II
Session 29. The Church and Protests after World War II
Session 30. For Justice Today
Session 31. The Church around the World
Session 32. The Church, Yesterday and Today: Review
Session 33. Your Congregation Today

 
     
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