Anyone who grew up going to Sunday school knows all the Bible stories. If we’re saved, we remember when and how that happened. Maybe we even know our parents’ testimonies. But once we get past a generation or two, for many of us there’s a big gap between the Apostle Paul and Billy Graham. While there’s no DNA kit for the faith, we should want to know all about our heritage.
Kids Talk Church History is a new podcast from Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (available on the platform of your choice), featuring a panel of teen hosts from around the U.S. who, inspired by the work of Simoetta Carr, share a desire to see the full picture. In each bi-weekly episode they focus on a different era and the heroes of the faith who lived at the time. This isn’t a lecture series walking through a timeline, but topical so that things stay fresh and relevant. For example, near Reformation Day they talked about Martin Luther, and at Thanksgiving they dug into why the Puritans left England.
They also bring on expert guests from around the world to answer questions, and encourage their young audience to submit their own. One expects at least one of our young hosts to follow into academia, given the clear love of learning on display. While the show is obviously designed to appeal to kids and teens, history is stories. Family stories appeal to members of all ages. Despite more years in Christian colleges and universities than I care to admit, I enjoy hearing about these important figures, many for the first time.
And they are important. These are the people who did the heavy lifting for the church we enjoy today. They wrote our creeds, lived by example when the stakes were high, and left a legacy of which we are a part. Any one of them can stand side-by-side with those mentioned in Hebrews 11. Remembering them should inspire us to live by a faith that is just as strong, even if our trials aren’t as great.
While this isn’t the slickest podcast out there and often sounds scripted, what it lacks in polish it makes up for in information. The stories are engaging enough, no sound effects or cartoon characters required. They don’t delve into theology or go into the gruesome details of those who suffered most, making this appropriate for all ages. An added bonus is that the episodes are short, perfect for listening to on the drive to church. (Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals)
About the Author
Trevor Denning is an alumni of Cornerstone University and lives, lifts weights, and spends too much time in his kitchen in Alma, Mich. His first short story collection is St. George Drive and Other Stories.