The Protestant Reformation Lesson Plans | Unit Study

After all, we want our children to be able to think through the way people have sought to follow God’s Word in their daily lives. When we serve God faithfully and love others, it impacts our neighbors, our cities, and even the course of history.

The Reformation

The Protestant Reformation, which lasted from 1350 to 1648 AD, was a return to biblical teaching on salvation, faith, biblical authority, the role of the Church, and more.

The Reformers believed the Bible alone is our authority–not the word of councils or popes. They felt strongly that the gospel should be preached–that we are saved in Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone. They also taught that we should do all things to the glory of God alone.

Reformers also believed that the common people should have access to the Word of God in their own language. The invention of the printing press made that possible, while the Reformers fought to see the translation and distribution of God’s Word occur.

While the Protestant Reformation changed both the history of the Church and the history of the world, impacting rulers, nations, and people everywhere.

This fun Reformation unit study is made up of four smaller studies your kids will enjoy. Along with engaging books on each subject, you’ll find hands-on activities to help cement the learning.

Protestant Reformation Lesson

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.
• 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 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.

Grab your FREE Reformation Lapbooks!

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.

The second part of 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.

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!

Printing the Gutenberg Bible

It’s no mistake that God’s Word was the first widely disseminated book in the history of the world. After all, nothing in God’s universe happens by mistake. As the Bible was printed, theologians translated the Bible into the languages of the people and common people were able to read God’s Word for themselves. Scripture became available in churches and seminaries and many priests read God’s Word for the first time.

Your unit study on the Gutenberg Bible is based on the fun, 95-page biography, What Was the Gutenberg Bible?, which explains the history of Johann Gutenberg, the printing press, and the printing of God’s Word.

• What Was the Gutenberg Bible? by Danika Cooley | What Was the Gutenberg Bible? (Christian Focus Publications, 2021) is an engaging narrative about how God’s Word became available to people throughout the world.
  • You can also purchase What Was the Gutenberg Bible? from Thinking Kids Press. Or, purchase the Reformation bundle to get When Lightning Struck! and all three Who What Why | Reformation books.
• Johann Gutenberg and the Printing Press Craft | Kids will build a printing press and a bust of Johann Gutenberg out of toilet paper rolls.
• What Was the Gutenberg Bible? Lapbook | With the Gutenberg Bible lapbook, your children will delve deeper into what they’ve learned, including:
  • The impact of the Gutenberg Bible 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 the story of the Gutenberg Bible.
  • Bible history vocabulary.
  • The timeline of Johann Gutenberg’s story.
  • The geography of the printing press.
  • Theology: Isaiah 55:10-11.

This study of the Gutenberg Bible will help your kids learn more about how God used an inventor to spread his Word.

The Cause of the Reformation

From the street preaching of early Reformers like John Wycliffe and Jan Hus to the birth of new denominations and movements like the Anabaptists, Baptists, and Puritans, the Reformation was a fight to return to the truths of the Bible. Those truths were expressed in easily shared slogans we now call the five Solas.

They will learn about the Five Solas:

• God’s Word alone is our authority and the Bible is sufficient for salvation.
• We are saved through Christ alone. It is his atoning work on the cross that saves us from our sin.
• Our salvation is by the grace of God alone–not through anything we can do to cause God to save us. It is a gift from him.
• Salvation in Christ by the grace of God is through faith alone. It is through the faith that God gives us that we are able to believe on Jesus and be saved from our sins.
• Our lives are to be lived to the glory of God alone, and all things work to bring glory to his holy name.

Your kids will learn about major Reformers:

• John Wycliffe (c. 1328-1384), England
• Jan Hus (c. 1369-1425), Bohemia
• Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498), Italy
• Martin Luther (1483-1546), Germany
• Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531), Switzerland
• John Calvin (1509-1564), France / Switzerland
• Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), England
• John Knox (c. 1513-1572), Scotland
• William Tyndale (1494-1536), England
• Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), Germany
• Katharina Zell (1497-1562), Germany
• Renee of Ferrara (1510-1575), France / Italy
• Charlotte de Bourbon (c. 1546-1582), France / The Netherlands

Your unit study on the cause of the Reformation includes a fun, 95-page biography, Why Did the Reformation Happen?, which teaches kids about the Five Solas and about Reformers from different areas in Europe.

• Why Did the Reformation Happen? by Danika Cooley | This informative book (Christian Focus Publications, 2021) covers the Five Solas and stories of a number of the Reformers.
  • You can also purchase Why Did the Reformation Happen? from Thinking Kids Press. Or, purchase the Reformation bundle to get When Lightning Struck! and all three Who What Why | Reformation books.
• The Protestant Reformers Craft | Your kids will create toilet paper roll busts of five of the Reformers.
• Why Did the Reformation Happen? Lapbook | Kids will use this hands-on lapbook to record what they’ve learned about:
  • The impact of the Protestant Reformation 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 the story of the Reformation.
  • Reformation history vocabulary.
  • The timeline of the Protestant Reformation.
  • The geography of the Protestant Reformation.
  • Theology: The Five Solas.

This unit on the Reformation will help your kids learn that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone. Our salvation comes from Christ alone. Our authority is Scripture alone, and we live to the glory of God alone.

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

Bible Resources for Your Kids

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

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. 

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