Abolition not only changed the course of history, it also led to the freedom of millions of enslaved people. The fight for freedom was led by men and women who loved Jesus, and who loved their neighbors. They were black and white, rich and poor, free and enslaved.
We want our children to understand major historical movements. Even more important, we want them to see God’s hand in history. And, God’s people were moved by the truth of Scripture to sacrifice greatly to the glory of God. What an education it is for our kids when they can identify the biblical reasons behind historical events.
The Christian abolitionists have fascinating stories, and you’ll want your children to know them!
Teach your kids about Christian history with the Who What Why series for 8-11 year olds!
The Abolitionists for Kids
Our kids need to know about the abolitionists and their role in abolition. They also need to understand the biblical truths that motivated the abolition movement.
My narrative history from Christian Focus Publication, Who Were the Abolitionists?, is a fun way for your kids to learn the stories of ten British and American abolitionists who labored on behalf of their neighbors, convicted by God’s Word, between 1688-1888 AD.
God used the abolitionists to help bring about the freedom of many. The abolitionists also helped bring the Church back to Scriptural truths about the people God created. We are all made in his image!
During the time of the abolitionists, only one out of every twenty-three people was free. In the world your child is growing up in today, ninety-nine out of every one hundred people is free. The abolitionists had something to do with that!
Who Were the Abolitionists?
The abolitionists were a group of people who wanted to get rid of (abolish) slavery. This book will tell you about some of them. They came from different places and had different stories, and God called them to serve him in different ways. But they each worked to make sure that a human being, made in the image of God, could not be owned by someone else.
Included are profiles of:
- Granville Sharp
- Phillis Wheatley
- Olaudah Equiano
- Thomas Clarkson
- William Wilberforce
- Zachary Macaulay
- William Knibb
- Sojourner Truth
- Frederick Douglass
- Harriet Tubman
Courageous people do not usually intend to be brave. Instead, God’s people use the gifts he gives them to glorify God and to serve others. As we look back upon the lives of people in the past, we see how God orchestrates every event to help his children grow in character and to accomplish a specific role in his story of the world.
Who Were the Abolitionists?, Danika Cooley (Christian Focus Publications, 2023), page 6
Christian Abolitionists Craft
You can help your kids commemorate what they’re learning about history in a hands-on way! Check out this fun video of the Abolitionists toilet paper roll craft!
Toilet Paper Craft Supplies
- Cardstock (colored and white)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Toilet Paper Rolls
- Printable Templates with Instructions
- Don’t forget this fun book to help your kids learn about the Abolitionists: Who Were the Abolitionists?
The Abolitionists| Instructions
Your child’s representation of some of the important Abolitionists are a great way to help them consider what they learn as they read Who Were the Abolitionists? from the Who What Why series!
1) Print your templates and labels.
Print the Abolitionists templates and labels on cardstock. Each figure will need a base body clothing layer. You will use the same rectangular piece for each figure.
2) Assemble your Granville Sharp and William Wilberforce figures.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
For historically accurate colors, use the colors shown in the picture.
Trace the pieces on the cardstock and cut out the pieces.
Glue the yellow shirt on top of the black jacket as shown. Glue the jacket to the blue, rectangular base clothing. Glue the white collar on the yellow shirt.
Use permanent markers to give William Wilberforce a simple face.
Glue the back of the body piece to the toilet paper roll, wrapping the roll completely.
Repeat the steps to create Granville Sharp as shown.
3) Assemble your Phillis Wheatley and Olaudah Equiano figures.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Use permanent markers to give Phillis Wheatley a simple face.
Repeat the steps to create Olaudah Equiano as shown.
4) Assemble your Zachary Macaulay and Thomas Clarkson figures.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Use permanent markers to give Thomas Clarkson a simple face.
Glue the back of the body piece to the toilet paper roll, wrapping the roll completely.
Repeat the steps to create Zachary Macaulay as shown.
5) Assemble your Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth figures.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Use permanent markers to give Frederick Douglass a simple face.
Glue the back of the body piece to the toilet paper roll, wrapping the roll completely.
Repeat the steps to create Sojourner Truth, with a scarf and bonnet, as you did with Phillis Wheatley.
6) Assemble your William Knibb figure.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Next, glue the jacket onto the black base clothing.
Glue the back of the body piece to the toilet paper roll, wrapping the roll completely.
Glue the head onto William Knibb’s body.
7) Assemble your Harriet Tubman figure.
Print the template page from the step-by-step instructions and cut out the pieces.
Use permanent markers to give Harriet Tubman a simple face.
Glue the back of the body piece to the toilet paper roll, wrapping the roll completely.
Glue Harriet Tubman’s head to the body.
8) Apply the Abolitionists labels and display your Abolition craft.
Glue your Abolitionists labels to the bottom front of each Abolition figure.
Your child can display their Abolitionists
to help them remember what they’ve learned about history from
Who Were the Abolitionists?,
and the rest of the Who What Why Series Christian history books!
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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