The Actions of Christian people in History - 9 Sessions
Nine weeks, to explore “The Actions of Christian People in History.” This series will take us from the days of Jesus and His earliest followers to the church as we know it today. We will trace key moments in history, highlighting important dates, events, and the people who shaped Christianity. (More below)
Dec 22 - The Birth of Jesus - Matthew 1&2
The Age of Jesus and the Apostles (4 BC-70 AD)
Dec 29 - Staying Faithful during Obstacles - Peter 2:9
The Age of Early Christianity 70-312 AD
Jan 12 - Dealing with a non-Biblical Influence - 1 Peter 3:15-16
The Age of the Christian Empire 312-589 AD
Jan 19 - Dealing with Conflict - Matthew 25:40, Ephesians 4:25
The Christian Middle Ages 500-1516 AD
Jan 26 - Treasure, Study & Live God’s Word - 2 Timothy 3:16
The Age of the Reformation 1517-1649 AD
Feb 2 - Time to Ask Big Questions about Live, Faith - Matthew 7:7-8
The Age of Reason and Revival 1649-1781 AD
Feb 9 - Dealing with Continual Change - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
The Age of Progress 1789-1912 AD
Feb 16 - The impact of moral decline - 2 Timothy 3:1-5
The Age of Ideologies 1914-2024
Feb 23 - Faith Endures: Leaving a Legacy of Service –Hebrews 11:4
The Age of Today 2023-2025 AD
15 Ways Christianity Changed Society
Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” This “great cloud of witnesses” represents the faithful believers who have come before us. Their stories inspire us and remind us that we are part of a much larger story.
Throughout history, the church has faced challenges and accomplished extraordinary things. Each week, we’ll uncover the stories of courageous men and women who lived out their faith. Their obstacles and actions influenced the future in ways they may never have imagined.
In our first session, we’ll look at the early church—the time of Jesus and His apostles. Acts 2:42 says: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Despite persecution, the church grew, fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Their steadfast faith laid the foundation for all that followed.
As we move through the series, we’ll explore pivotal moments such as Emperor Constantine’s conversion, Martin Luther and the Reformation, and the missionary movements of the 18th and 19th centuries. We’ll also discuss how Christians endured dark times, from the trials of the Middle Ages to the challenges of modern secularism. Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Each week, we’ll not only examine events but also how believers lived, worshiped, and served their neighbors. The church is not a building but a living body of people united by faith in Christ. By studying their lives, we’ll better understand what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus today.
Let me share a quote from A.W. Tozer: “A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation.” Many who shaped church history were ordinary people responding to God’s call in extraordinary circumstances. Their actions remind us that God can use each of us to make a difference.
By the end of this series, I hope you’ll feel a deeper connection to the church’s rich history and the believers who came before us. Their struggles and triumphs remind us that the same Spirit who empowered them is at work in us today. Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Let’s honor their legacy by living faithfully and carrying the torch of faith into the future. May God bless us as we learn, grow, and walk this journey together.
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