1. What was the Early Church? ⛪

The Early Church refers to the first Christian community that started after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. It began in Jerusalem and then spread to many places. Christians gathered to worship, pray, learn from the apostles, share what they had, and help each other.

2. Important event: Pentecost 🔥

On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit came on the followers of Jesus. They spoke in different languages and many people heard the message and were baptized. This day is often called the “birthday” of the Church.

3. Key people in the Early Church

• Peter: Leader among the apostles, preached boldly in Jerusalem.
• John: Worked with Peter, cared for the believers.
• Stephen: One of the first deacons; first Christian martyr (Acts 7).
• Paul (Saul): Persecuted Christians, then converted and became a great missionary.
• Barnabas, Philip, James, Timothy: Early helpers and missionaries.

4. How the Church grew 🗺️

- The apostles preached in synagogues and public places.
- Many conversions happened after preaching, miracles, and through letters (like Paul’s letters).
- Missionaries travelled to cities such as Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome. (These journeys are in the Book of Acts.)

5. Life and practices in the Early Church

• Worship: Prayer, reading Scripture, teaching by apostles, singing.
• Baptism: New believers were baptized as a sign of joining the Church.
• The Lord’s Supper (Communion): Remembering Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Community life: Sharing goods, helping the poor — Acts 2:44–45.

6. Organization and leadership

The Early Church developed simple leadership to care for believers:

• Apostles: eyewitness leaders who taught (e.g., Peter, John).
• Elders/Presbyters: local leaders who led congregations.
• Deacons: helped with practical tasks like caring for the needy (Acts 6).

7. Persecution and courage

Early Christians faced opposition from some Jewish leaders and later from Roman authorities. Stephen was stoned for his faith. Persecution caused believers to scatter and share the message in new places, helping the Church to grow.

8. Why the Holy Spirit mattered

The Holy Spirit gave the early Christians power to speak, to live holy lives, and to care for others. The Spirit guided decision-making (for example, in the Jerusalem Council about Gentile believers).

9. Relevance to Kenyan churches today 🇰🇪

• Many Kenyan churches practise baptism and communion like the Early Church.
• The Early Church’s spirit of sharing and helping the poor is like the Kenyan tradition of harambee — community support.
• Mission and evangelism of the early Christians continue today through churches, missionaries and youth groups in Kenya.

10. Key Bible verses to learn

• Acts 2:1–4 — The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
• Acts 2:42 — “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship…”
• Acts 6:1–7 — Choosing deacons to serve the community.
• Acts 15 — The Jerusalem Council (decision about Gentiles).

11. Memory aid

Use the word “P A S S” to remember main ideas:

• Pentecost (Holy Spirit)
• Apostles teaching
• Service and sharing
• Spread (mission and growth)

12. Classroom activities (easy) ✍️

1. Role play Pentecost: one student reads Acts 2, others act as crowd hearing in many languages.
2. Group discussion: Compare Early Church sharing with harambee. How can our church help the poor?
3. Create a simple timeline poster of the Early Church events (Pentecost, Stephen, Paul’s journeys).

13. Revision questions

1. What happened at Pentecost and why is it important?
2. Name three leaders of the Early Church and one thing each did.
3. How did the Early Church care for the poor?
4. Why did the Church spread to other regions?
5. Give one way Kenyan churches show the spirit of the Early Church today.