Next week is Reformation Day. (I know, you thought it was some other holiday:). On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses (or problems) to the door at Wittenberg Castle, triggering the Protestant Reformation. In reading scripture, Luther had come across the passage in Romans that says, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (1:17) This passage opened his eyes to the gospel of grace and the church hasn’t been the same since.

It’s important for children to understand church history and how the church came to be what it is today. Theological truths that we take for granted today were ones that those in the early church and during the Reformation died for. When children learn the stories of Martin Luther and other Reformers, they can see how God works through his people to spread the gospel of grace.

If you are interested in studying the Reformation with your children, here are a few ideas.

1. Create a lap book: One year my son created a lap book on Martin Luther. He wrote out the 5 solas with homemade ink and a feather. We listened to and discussed Martin Luther’s hymn, “Almighty Fortress is Our God” and made a vocabulary list of important words and terms associated with the Reformation. I found a printable image of Luther and a printable of “Almighty Fortress” from this website. More great ideas for homeschoolers can be found here.

2. We also have a number of books we like to read:

The Church History ABCs: Augustine and 25 Other Heroes of the Faith

Thunderstorm in Church

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed The World

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray

Ten Boys Who Made A Difference (Lightkeepers) (by the way, this is a fabulous series for kids. There is a set for boys and for girls).

John Calvin: After Darkness Light (Trailblazer)

Other book ideas: read about other Reformation heroes, such as John Knox, Ulrich Zwingli, the Huguenots, Lady Jane Grey.

3. Sojourn Kids has some great ideas that we plan to use this year. One is making a Luther rose. They also had a fun idea of serving gummy worms as a snack (from the Diet of Worms where Martin Luther stood trial). I know my kids will love that!

4. The movie Luther is an excellent movie if you have older children. I have seen it but have not yet shown it to my kids, perhaps in a couple more years. Plugged In has a good review to help you decide if it’s something for your kids to see.

5. A coloring page for little ones can be found here.

How about you? Have you ever taught your children about the Reformation?