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Foundations of Global Church History

  1. Lesson One
    Why Should We Learn Church History?
    7 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    To the Ends of the Earth
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Aliens and Strangers
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  4. Lesson Four
    The City of God
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    From Every Tribe and Language
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  6. Lesson Six
    A Different Gospel
    7 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  7. Lesson Seven
    Righteousness from God
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  8. Lesson Eight
    To the Very Ends of the Earth
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  9. Lesson Nine
    From Absolutely Every Tribe and Language
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  10. Lesson Ten
    Aliens and Strangers, Yet Again
    6 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  11. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    2 Activities
Lesson Progress
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The images of the conquering army and the bride of Christ bookend the New Testament’s depiction of the church. They also bookend the history of the church itself. From its birth until its culmination at the end of human history, the church has been and will be involved in two great tasks—advancing the kingdom throughout the world by proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ, and preparing herself to be His spotless bride.

– Donald Fairbairn

To sum up…

As the church has carried out these great tasks, various challenges have presented themselves in different forms at different times and in different places throughout its history. Challenges such as:

  • Geographic Distance
  • Cultural Boundaries
  • Hostility from surrounding societies
  • Favorable societies
  • Doctrinal disagreement

In this lesson, you learned how to:

  1. Identify the significance of the New Testament images of the church.
  2. Explain the common challenges the church has faced over time.
  3. Reflect on similarities between these challenges and those you face in your ministry.

Continue to Lesson 2: To the Ends of the Earth to explore how the church began carrying out its mission of expansion.