Martin Luther | Kids’ Reformation Unit Study

Teach your 8-12 year olds (in a way they’ll love) about Martin Luther with this kids’ Reformation unit study!

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A unit study is a wonderful way to help kids explore a movement, event, discovery, or doctrine on a deeper level. Usually, unit studies include a book (or three) and some hands-on activities.

Martin Luther Kids’ Reformation Study

Martin Luther, often called the Father of the Reformation, is a pivotal figure in the history of the Church–and in the history of the world.

Luther challenged the Roman Catholic Church when he nailed his The Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, asking theologians and Church officials to reconsider the practice of selling plenary indulgences (which guaranteed the forgiveness of sins). This challenge started a firestorm as Luther began to preach that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The life of Martin Luther is so worth studying. Not only did he help create the Protestant Church, Luther’s life and work had other consequences as well, like the end of feudalism.

I’ve met so many children who have worked through this unit study each year as a part of their family’s Reformation Day celebrations (check out more fun Reformation Day activities here). In fact, when my youngest kids went off to college, they each called home to tell me they had new friends who had read When Lightning Struck! each fall with their families. How fun is that?

I thought it was high time I put these activities together as a unit study for you. You can create fun memories with your kids, too, as they learn.

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Martin Luther Unit Study (Part 1)

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther started a firestorm throughout Europe when he nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, the scholarly bulletin board of his day, and mailed a copy to the Archbishop of Mainz. Luther hoped to start a scholarly debate about the practice of selling salvation through plenary indulgences. The response he received was greater–and more dangerous–than he imagined it would be.

Luther’s story is exciting. There are death defying moments, epic spiritual battles, narrow escapes, a kidnapping, revolution, and war. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Luther is a vital figure in Church history. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as explained by Scripture alone once again. May all glory be to God alone!

Your unit study on the Reformation will begin with a wonderful introduction to the the Father of the Reformation, Martin Luther, through this fun work of historic fiction.

• When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther by Danika Cooley | When Lightning Struck! (Fortress Press, 2015) tells the story of the Father of Reformation in a fun historical fiction book for teens. Families everywhere have enjoyed using the novel as a family read-aloud.
  • You can also purchase When Lightning Struck! from Thinking Kids Press. Or, purchase the Reformation bundle to get When Lightning Struck! and all three Who What Why | Reformation books.
    
• A Mighty Fortress is Our God Lyrics Craft | Help kids learn about the hymn written by Martin Luther with this easy lyrics craft. You’ll want to keep it around!
• When Lightning Struck! Discussion Guide | The free When Lightning Struck! Discussion Guide is 34 pages long. Each chapter has discussion questions and timeline dates to add to the 4-page timeline I’ve included at the back of the guide. There are also short biographies of important figures, and relevant Scripture passages to consider with discussion questions.
  

This in-depth unit study on the Father of the Reformation is a great place for your family to begin as they learn about the Protestant Reformation.

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Grab your FREE Reformation Lapbooks!

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Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation for Kids

People like John Wycliffe and Jan Hus had been calling for reform in the Church for more than a century by the time Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five These to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. But, historical events aligned at the time of Martin Luther’s push for reform–like the invention and proliferation of the printing press and the humanist movement–that allowed Martin Luther’s insistent voice to carry all the way across Europe and into the continents beyond.

Your unit study on the Father of the Reformation includes a fun, 95-page biography, Who Was Martin Luther?. Your children will learn about the life, times, and impact of this influential Reformer.

• Who Was Martin Luther? by Danika Cooley | Who Was Martin Luther? (Christian Focus Publications, 2021) is a fun way for kids to learn about a man who changed history and helped the Church remember the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • You can also purchase Who Was Martin Luther? from Thinking Kids Press. Or, purchase the Reformation bundle to get When Lightning Struck! and all three Who What Why | Reformation books.
• Martin & Katie Luther Craft | Your kids will create toilet paper roll busts of each of Martin and Katie Luther and a model of the Wittenberg Castle Church. As they do, they’ll remember how Luther changed the course of history as he taught God’s Word from Scripture, challenging both princes and the pope.
• Who Was Martin Luther? Lapbook | The lapbook completes your unit study of Martin Luther, allowing your kids to record what they’ve learned about:
  • The impact of Martin Luther on the Reformation world, on the Church, and on your child’s world.
  • The Reformation world. Your child will learn about what it was like to live during the time of the Reformation.
  • The people involved in Martin Luther’s story.
  • Reformation vocabulary.
  • The timeline of Martin Luther’s story.
  • The geography of Martin Luther’s story.
  • Theology: Ephesians 2:1-10.

This hands-on study of how God used a humble monk to change the history of the world is one your kids will remember for a lifetime.

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Every Who What Why Christian history book has a timeline with relevant dates. Your kids can keep track of dates from their studies in history with the My Timeline Journal!

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Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.

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Bible Resources for Your Kids

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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, ESV  

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

• God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings. 
• Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
• Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.   
• Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.    
• Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history. 

Elementary-aged kids need middle grade resources that are fun, a little sassy, and that teach valuable lessons. 

The Who What Why Series is the perfect resource to teach your kids about history, while helping them apply biblical truths to their lives today.

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Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds. And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!

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