Discovering Sacred Texts: Christianity

Film Focus: In this episode from the British Library, the Roman Catholic Church and several Christian denominations including the Coptic Church, the Church of England, the Methodists, and the Pentecostals are examined along with the sacred writings they have utilized throughout the ages. All these sacred writings help to show what it means to be a Christian of that particular denomination today.

Text Focus: Pages 128–133

Discussion Questions:

1. Briefly discuss the history of the Coptic Church. What does the Coptic Church consider as the two sources of learning and authority? What sacred text of theirs is highlighted in this video? What is distinctive about this text?
2. What is the Book of Hours? What do you notice about the art in the Book of Hours?
3. Briefly discuss the history of how the Church of England came into being. Why is Tyndale’s New Testament significant for their history?
4. Why was the hymn book chosen as the book to represent Methodists?
5. What is the Four-Fold Gospel? Where did it come from? What denomination uses this text?

*Permission to link to this video for use in the classroom as part of the accompanying lesson has been granted by the producer.