Church History

Chapter 1

In this chapter, the youth learn about the origin and mission of the Church, and that the Paschal Mystery was the greatest turning point in human history. Use the activity below to guide the young people in a dramatization of the passion, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. 

Click here to download The Paschal Mystery Drama

In this chapter, the children learn about the growth of the Church during the first several centuries. Use the activity below to emphasize the core beliefs of the Church taught by the Apostles.

Click here to download The Apostles Creed

In this chapter, the youth learn about persecution of the early Church and how it strengthened the Church. Use the activity below to present an example of a martyr of modern times. 

Click here to download Movietime! Romero

In this chapter, the youth learn about the mission Jesus handed down to Peter and his successors. Use the activity below to help the group reflect on how all baptized people are called to live out the Gospel.

Click here to download Letter to the World

In this chapter, the youth learn about the rise of Christendom, the Fathers of the Church, monasticism and mendicants.

Click here to download Who am I? What am I?

In this chapter, the youth learn about how the Church continued to grow and develop while the Roman empire began to decline.

Click here to download Church as Herald and Servant Collage

In this chapter, the young people learn about the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the history of the Church. Use this Holy Spirit Scripture Search to discover the Holy Spirit’s presence and role in the Gospels.

Click here to download Holy Spirit Scripture Search

In this chapter, the young people learn about the Church’s period of Reformation and Renewal. The young people can research the religious communities formed during this period by completing the Religious Communities Research activity.

Click here to download Religious Communities Research

In this chapter, the young people learn about the Church’s period of exploration and evangelization. They learn that the Church is “missionary of her very nature.” The young people can discover how the Church’s missionary efforts reach out to all people, everywhere by exploring the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

Click here to download Catholic Relief Services

In this chapter, the young people learn about the missionary Church. The mission of the Church is to reach into every corner of the globe with Jesus’ message of peace, justice and service to those in need. By inviting a guest who has done mission work to share with your group, you will help bring alive the content of this chapter for the young people.

Click here to download Missionary Guest

In this chapter, the young people learn about the history of the Church in the United States. The chapter also emphasizes that we are the Church—that is, we are signs or sacraments of Christ to all we meet. Help the young people recognize how they are “the only Gospel some people will ever read” by creating an “Our Gospel” mural.

Click here to download Our Gospel mural activity

In this chapter, the young people learn about more recent events in the Church’s history, such as Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In this activity, you can familiarize the young people with the Catechism by walking them through its basic parts and structure.

Click here to download The Catechism of the Catholic Church overview