Remembering Reformation Day
October is drawing to a close. Don’t let it end without remembering Reformation Day. The following ideas make a great family history lesson or homeschool unit study.
One of my favorite Reformation era quotes? Martin Luther’s “You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” That is what Luther firmly believed and practiced.
In 1517, burdened by what he viewed as unbiblical teachings and practices in the church, Luther felt he could remain silent no longer. So on All Hallow’s Eve, 495 years ago today, he nailed 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, thus planting the seeds of the Protestant Reformation and changing the course of Western history.
And so, in honor of the bold stand Luther took, we offer the following suggestions for commemorating this historical holiday.
Remembering Reformation Day
Learn the Five Solas
Luther taught that Salvation is by Grace Alone (Sola Gratia) through Faith Alone (Sola Fide) in Christ Alone (Solus Christus) according to Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura) for the Glory of God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria). Below is an illumined copy of these principles, which have become known as the Five Solas, or Five Pillars, of the Reformed Faith. To print a black-line copy which you may color in yourself, follow this link: Five Solas Coloring Page.
Sing one of Luther’s Hymns
He wrote many, but “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is probably the most popular. You can print copies of the sheet music by clicking the image below. For a listing of Luther’s other hymns, follow this link.
Reflect on our Mighty Fortress
Can’t read music? Don’t know how to sing? Then you may prefer meditating on the words of this great hymn as you color our Mighty Fortress Coloring Page.
Read a biography of Martin Luther
Children of all ages will enjoy Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed The World. This 32-page picture book highlights the important events of Luther’s life.
Post Luther’s 95 Theses on Your Own Door
The original document was written in Latin. To read an English translation of each of Luther’s points, follow this link. For a printable one-page copy of the 95 Theses in English, click here.
view source Take a Trivia Test
Test your knowledge of Martin Luther’s life with our free printable Reformation Day Quiz. The answer key is on page 2 of the PDF. So be careful not to sneak a peek at it until you’re finished taking the test! To download both the quiz and the answer key, follow this link: Test Your Knowledge of Martin Luther
Stand Firm in the Faith
I also created a printable based on Luther’s famous words at the Diet of Worms, “Here I stand: I can do no other.” To download your free copy, follow this link: Here I Stand Coloring Page
Watch a Biopic of Luther’s Life
The 2004 film Luther starring Joseph Fiennes is excellent, but we also enjoy watching the 1953 black-and-white classic Martin Luther with Niall MacGinnis.
I love this resource. I just recently started teaching Sunday School for our High Schoolers and this is great. Going to throw a mini Marty Party as we learn a little bit about ML. Thanks!
You’re so welcome, Jessica. Your mini Marty Party sounds like lots of fun!
This post pulls my heart strings. I would almost liken it to children celebrating their parents separation.
In John 17, the Last Supper discourse, Jesus prayed for his followers to remain One, a mark of the Holy Trinity itself. Oneness. We are to be known by our oneness. The unbiblical teaching of Sola Scriptura has led to a fragmenting of the Body of Christ almost beyond recognition.
My sister, I don’t see anything to celebrate here, only to grieve and pray for the Church to be One again as our Lord prayed for on the night before He suffered and died for us.
To Him be the Glory now and forever,
God Bless,
Jennifer
“Children celebrating their parents’ separation” — that is an excellent analogy! And you are right: “Celebrate” may be the wrong word. “Remember and learn from” would be a better way to put it.
Jesus did pray for our unity, and we should not take lightly the pursuit of that unity. However, there were abuses within the Catholic Church during Luther’s time, and I believe he was right to point them out and seek clarification based not on tradition but on Biblical truth.
Sadly, the Protestant church is not immune to abuses of power or abandoning Biblical truth, either. There is a real need for all of us to follow the example of the Bereans (Acts 17:11) and scrutinize everything we read or hear or are taught in the light of God’s Word, and reject anything and everything that doesn’t line up.
There again, Luther did us a service by translating the Bible into the common tongue so that lay people could read and study it for themselves.
I appreciate these ideas to celebrate Reformation day. I am hosting a reformation party this year and will use some of these ideas. To the glory of God!
I’m happy to hear you can use them, Dotti. Blessings on your Reformation Day party!
Thank you so much for this Jennifer!!! Exactly what I was looking for! ? Hope all is well with you! I miss seeing you & your kids at CG. ?
Blessings!!!
Kayla
We miss you, too, Kayla. So glad you could use the Reformation Day resources.
Thank you so much! These were great!
You’re welcome, Kathy. Glad you like them.
Thank you! Your website is refreshing, encouraging, and helpful. We are glad that you promote the Reformation on October 31–an event we celebrate every year. Blessings!