Church History For Children

“Go away! You are a Christian! We don’t want to play with you anymore!”

José’s eyes were big and wondering. He looked at the boys. Were they serious? Oh yes, they were running away and they were leaving him all by himself.

But...but...why? They had always been playing together and now...They were yelling at him. They said he was a Christian. Was he? No, he was a Roman boy, as the others were!

Slowly he walked through the narrow streets. A few big tears suddenly rolled down his cheeks. He wiped them away furiously. Oh no! He didn’t want to cry! He wasn’t a baby!

There was their house. Mother was busy preparing the evening meal.

“Hi José!”

“Mom...they said...they said... that I am a Christian and now... the boys don’t want to play with me anymore!”

Mother put down a big pot and wiped her hands. She looked upset. “Oh José,” she sighed. “Who said that?”

José told her everything. Mother looked troubled.

She sat down next to him and explained: “Yes, José, your parents are Christians. We tried to hide it as long as possible. But now...” She sighed. “I think it is time we tell you about it too.”

“What is a Christian, mother?”

“Listen, José. A few years ago a servant of the true God came to our city. His name was Paul. He preached and told the people about the true God, who made everything, the heaven and earth, and also you, José. Many people believed what he was saying, and they are called Christians. Not long ago we also heard about the true God and...we believed in our hearts that it was true. But the Christians pray only to the true God, and not to the Emperor anymore. And the Emperor does not like that. He is angry with the Christians. Therefore we have to be careful. You won’t tell anybody, will you, José? We have to be careful.”

José shook his head. Oh no! He would not tell anyone.

“The next time we go to listen to the preacher, you may go too, José.”

“Where is that, mom?”

“I may not tell you that. But you will see.”

It was dark. Outside of the city Rome, between the hills, a few people were climbing up a small path. They had to be careful that they didn’t stumble. There were so many stones on the small winding path.

Finally they came to an opening between the rocks. More people were standing there and they were whispering. In the blackness of the night José could hardly see them.

They stooped down and crept through the opening. It was pitch dark. But José felt father’s hand. Somebody lit a candle and suddenly there was a little light. Shadows danced on the wall. Now they could see where they were going.

José was looking around with wondering eyes. They were standing in a narrow tunnel. In a long row they walked along behind the light. The light took a right turn through another corridor, then a left and another left. José felt a bit scared. What if they were lost? But no, father walked in front of him and mother behind him. They knew where they were going!

Finally...there were more lights! They came into a big cave, deep down in the mountains. It looked like a big room. Now José knew where they were: in the catacombs, those caves in the mountains where the people buried their relatives. More people were sitting there. They greeted each other. They were so glad to see each other! Softly they talked about other friends who could not come. Some were in prison...

Finally somebody began to speak. José listened. He tried to understand it. Was this the Christian preacher? Yes, for he was talking about the God who had made everything. This God had a Son too. Did He die? Was that possible? What had He done? That was something he had to ask his parents...He looked at them. Oh, how they were listening! Their eyes were shining! He could see that they were happy.

They left the cave the same way as they had come. Now it was pitch dark outside. Carefully they felt their way along on the dangerous path. Finally they came home.

“I want to be a Christian too, mom,” José said when he went to bed.

Mother looked at him. He saw tears in her eyes.

“Then you have to ask the Lord for a new heart, José,” she said. “Only the Lord can make your sinful heart clean and only He can teach you the right way. Pray and ask if He will do that by His Holy Spirit. Only then we can be a true Christian. Good night, José.”

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