The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church (video series)

Vision Video

Similar in format to Vision Video’s Discovering The Bible video course, this course has six segments rather than four. The Teacher’s Guide has detailed lesson plans, teaching, tips, background information for presentation before viewing each segment, discussion questions (with suggested answers), biblical applications, Bible study lessons that connect with each segment, and creative activities. The activities (e.g., debate) are designed for older Sunday School type groups so they might not work well in family settings.

The six segments of this course are “Foundations,” “Spread,” “Accusation,” “Persecution,” “Testimony,” and “Transition.” “Foundations” begins with Jesus Christ, the apostles, Paul, and the birth of the Christian church. “Spread” examines how the Gospel was transferred throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. “Accusation” deals with the reasons for resistance to the growth of Christianity. “Persecution” investigates attempts to destroy the faith. “Testimony” focuses on two early martyrs, Polycarp and Perpetua, who were representative of so many others who died for their faith even though they could have easily avoided that fate. “Transition” examines the political and cultural ascendance of Christianity under Constantine with both good and bad consequences.