Rise And Shine The Early Church

12 "pick up and do" lessons for the elementary or Sunday school classroom.

What has Alexander the Great to do with Jesus Christ? Or the legendary king's conquest of the Persian Empire (335–23 BCE) to do with the prophecies of the Old Testament? In many ways, the early Christian writings on Alexander and his legacy provide a lens through which it is possible to view the shaping of the literature and thought of the early church in the Greek East and the Latin West. This book articulates that fascinating discourse for the first time by focusing on the early Christian use of Alexander. Delving into an impressively deep pool of patristic literature written between 130–313 CE, Christian Thrue Djurslev offers original interpretations of various important authors, from the learned lawyer Tertullian to the 'Christian Cicero' Lactantius, and from the apologist Tatian to the first church historian Eusebius. He demonstrates that the early Christian adaptations of the Alexandrian myths created a new tradition that has continued to develop and expand ever since. This innovative work of reception studies is important reading for all scholars of Alexander the Great and early church history.

King Davey and the Royal Tunes! gives your kids 40 minutes to 1 1/2 hours of solid Bbile teaching and serious discipleship on Israel's greatest king ever without hours of teaching preparation.

How and why did the early church grow in the first four hundred years despite disincentives, harassment, and occasional persecution? In this unique historical study, veteran scholar Alan Kreider delivers the fruit of a lifetime of study as he tells the amazing story of the spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Challenging traditional understandings, Kreider contends the church grew because the virtue of patience was of central importance in the life and witness of the early Christians. They wrote about patience, not evangelism, and reflected on prayer, catechesis, and worship, yet the church grew--not by specific strategies but by patient ferment.

This book builds a solid basis for understanding the heart of the Christian faith through 30 weekly sessions about establishing a foundation in Christ.

A New Believer's Bible Commentary: The Prophets brings the writings of the prophets to life showing you where they went wrong, what this behavior would look like today and how to repent of it. By exploring the steps that led to Israel, and then Judah going into captivity, we see where we err in our own lives and the attitudes that lead us away from God. Stubborn and unrepentant hearts are thoroughly discussed, as are the hearts of the few faithful that God uses to bring His message to the people so that they might return to Him. The books of the prophets are also filled with Messianic prophecy, as well as promises for the future (some positive, and some not to be looked forward to...). Since most people pick up their Bibles and start at the beginning, the prophets, especially the minor ones, are often not as well known. Since their messages are as true today as they ever were, this may be the book you wish to start with if you want to expand your Bible knowledge.