Far from being a stagnant collection of dates, movements, and odd-sounding names, the church’s past represents a treasure trove of God-exalting wisdom that helps us navigate the cultural realities of the present.
Here are four reasons parents, pastors, teachers, and youth workers should teach church history to teenagers.

1. Teen Christians belong to the church.

Church history is their history, too.

2. Church history gives teens a vision to live boldly for Christ.

The pages of church history are filled with teenagers who have leaned into that proverb’s truth. Studied carefully, these examples give today’s teens vision and inspiration to surrender to Christ.

3. Church history provides examples that help us navigate broken cultures.

Any broken cultural reality we might experience in the present has likely been recognized by those who have gone before us. Examples of God’s people throughout the ages are invaluable resources for discipleship, with particular usefulness for teenagers.

4. Teens are the church’s future leaders, and leaders need to engage church history.

From William Wilberforce’s lifelong battle to abolish the British slave trade to the zealous missionary strategies of John Calvin, William Carey, Lottie Moon, and Elisabeth Elliott, church history offers a sure foundation on which to continue God’s global work.

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