New Baptist identity discussion guide for congregations
By Baptist History & Heritage Society
TUCKER, Ga. —The Baptist History & Heritage Society is excited to announce the release of a free discussion guide to accompany The Baptist Story—BHHS’ latest publication and resource for congregations and academics focused on exploring Baptist identity.
The Baptist Story is a 200-plus page collection of articles from noted Baptist historians and scholars offering introductions to the stories and histories of Baptist women, Black Baptists, Latino/a Baptists, Native American Baptists and Global Baptists. The Baptist Story also highlights Baptist beginnings and the Baptist commitment to and advocacy for religious liberty.
This new 33-page discussion guide is designed to help congregations, small groups, Sunday School classes and students engage deeply with the rich history, theology and witness of Baptists across 415 years.
Each session centers on an article from The Baptist Story, accompanied by a concise summary, thematic highlights, discussion questions and optional enrichment prompts and activities, Together, this guide invites ministers and lay leaders not only to learn Baptist history but to wrestle with issues of identity and theology in the life of the local Baptist church.
You may choose to follow the sessions in order or select specific topics that connect with your church or group’s interests or current ministry focus. The sessions are designed to stand alone, making them flexible for single-session use, thematic series or integration into a larger curriculum.
Articles from The Baptist Story include:
- Baptist Beginnings (Dr. Leon McBeth)
- John Clarke: The Neglected Founder (Dr. Stanley Lemons)
- Baptists and the First Amendment (Dr. Doug Weaver)
- The Metaphor of the Wall of Separation (Dr. Bill Underwood)
- John Leland: The Consistent Separationist (Dr. Rosalie Beck)
- British Baptist Women, 1609-1700 (Dr. Pam Durso)
- American Women’s Roles in Twentieth-Century Baptist Life (Dr. Melody Maxwell)
- African American Baptist Women: Making a Way out of No Way (Dr. Pam Smoot)
- The First Black Baptist (Dr. Ed Gaustad)
- Black Baptists, African Missions and Racial Identity, 1800-1915 (Dr. Sandy Martin)
- Richard Henry Boyd: Shaper of Black Baptist Identity (Dr. Joe Early)
- Baptist Mission Work among Hispanics in the United States (Dr. Twyla Hernandez)
- Baptists and the Native Americans of North America, 1674-1845 (Dr. Robert Gardner)
- Who and Where in the World Are the Baptists? (Dr. Denton Lotz)
Get your copy of The Baptist Story and download our free companion discussion guide at www.thebhhs.org/thebaptiststory.
Founded in 1938, the Baptist History & Heritage Society is a nonprofit organization of Baptist scholars, clergy, laity, students and congregations committed to helping Baptists discover, conserve, assess and share their history. BHHS’ vision is to bridge the world of the academy and the congregation while sharing the stories of Baptists.
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We offer several important ways for you to join in supporting our 87-year ministry sharing the Baptist story:
◆ Subscribe to our Baptist History & Heritage journal with a yearlong
membership at www.thebhhs.org/membership.
◆ Become a donor! Support BHHS with a one-time or monthly gift at
www.thebhhs.org/give.
◆ Invite your congregation to partner with us! Learn more at www.thebhhs.org/partner.