Martin Luther and the Reformation: A Unit Study for All Ages

Learn about the history of the beginning of the Protestant Church and Martin Luther’s role in the Reformation through this unit study.

This Martin Luther and the Reformation unit study includes resources for students in elementary to high school.  You can study these momentous events from church history together as a family.

Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses (or objections) to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church in Germany on October 31, 1517 (because everyone would be coming to church the next day for All Saint’s Day services) which began not only a religious revolution, but also a political one, which forever changed Europe and the rest of the world, as well as Christianity.

Multi-subject activities in this Reformation unit include art, music, geography, foreign language, creative writing, and more!

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Resources for your Study of Martin Luther and the Reformation

Books

Select the biography (or graphic novel) best suited for your child’s reading level.

Biographies

Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul L. Maier (early elementary)

Who was Martin Luther? by Danika Cooley (elementary)

Martin Luther (Christian Biographies for Young Readers) by Simonetta Carr (elementary)

Martin Luther: Father of the Reformation by Barbara A. Somerville (middle school)

Martin Luther (World Leaders Past and Present Series) by Sally Stepanek (high school)

Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World by Eric Metaxas for upper high school or parents

Graphic Novel

Martin Luther Recovers the Light by Heath McPherson

Historical Fiction

Spy for the Night Riders by Dave and Neta Jackson (the audiobook version is good) Upper elementary

When Lightning Struck by Danika Cooley (get the free study guide to go with this book here–highly recommended!) Middle to High school

Kingdom of the Birds: Seppel and the Secret of the Wartburg Castle by Hilda Demuth-Lutze High School to adult

Movies

The Martin Luther Story (Torchlighters) G 2018

Luther 2003 PG-13 Starring Joseph Fiennes

OR Martin Luther 1953 G Older, but well acted (it received two Oscar nominations)

Online Resources

Selected works of Martin Luther this is a great resource!

Project Wittenburg

Audio version of the 95 Theses

Explanation of Luther’s Rose seal

The story of Martin Luther (as told with Playmobil toys)

An animated retelling of Luther’s life

A re-enactment of Katharina von Bora (Luther’s wife) singing A Mighty Fortress is Our God.

This series of lectures from historian Dr. Ryan Reeves will help you to understand Martin Luther and the Reformation in the context of his time. (for high school)

Just for fun: Watch this video of Luther’s life narrated by children (including mispronounced words and funny mistakes)

Reformation Art activities:

• Make a Luther Rose Stained Glass picture using the templates in the Unit Study Printables Watch this video to learn more about the symbolism of the Luther Rose. Read the explanation of the symbolism in the Luther Rose printable from the Unit Study Printables. Or, for a more intricate project, use these directions from Kelly Klages to make a cut-out Luther Rose similar to a paper snowflake.
• Create an Illuminated Letter or a Coat of Arms (templates for both are included in the Unit Study Printables)
• Artists: Study some of the famous artists of the period such as Cranach, Durer, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Bruegel the Elder (who painted Martin Luther) and the Younger, or Raphael.

Reformation Music:

• Sing Luther’s famous hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God” in English (or in German!) Learn some of Luther’s other hymns, such as this one sung by The Wartburg Choir: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott.
• Listen to other period music: Chant or German Renaissance music.
• Study German composers such as Bach or Brahms. Use the Bach and Brahms notebooking pages to show what you learned.

German Geography:

• Label a map of Germany with the cities which were important in Luther’s life: Eisleben, Wittenberg, Worms, Eisenach, and Wartburg Castle. Use this site to help you along with the blank map in the Unit Study printables.

Foreign Language:

Latin was the language used by the Catholic Church. Luther studied it and wrote the 95 Theses in Latin. At the time, the Bible was only available in Latin and since only priests were allowed to learn Latin, most people couldn’t read the Bible.

• ‘Sola Scriptura’ By Scripture Alone,
• ‘Sola Gratia’ By Grace Alone
• ‘Solo Christo’ By Christ Alone
• ‘Sola Fide’ By Faith Alone
• ‘Soli Deo Gloria’ Glory To God Alone.

German was the language Martin Luther translated the Bible into from Greek. Learn a few German words, such as God (Gott), Church (Kirche), Love (Liebe)

Martin Luther Timeline:

Make a timeline of Luther’s life. Use the printable Timeline sheets in the Unit Study and this helpful video. Here are some dates and events you may want to include:

• 1483 (born)
• 1505 (almost struck by lightning. leaves law to become a monk)
• 1508 (begins teaching at University of Wittenberg)
• 1510 (visits Rome)
• 1517 (posts 95 Theses)
• 1521 (Diet of Worms)
• 1525 (marries Katherine von Bora)
• 1534 (completes translation of Bible into German)
• 1546 (dies).

Reformation Vocabulary:

Define the following words using the printable in the Unit Study

• Protestant Reformation
• Monk
• Nun
• Catholic Church
• Heresy
• Sacraments
• Penance
• Indulgences
• Relics
• Purgatory
• Diet
• Recant
• Pilgrimage
• Excommunicate

Reformation Creative Writing

If you had been traveling through the woods in 1505 and nearly struck by lightning, what would you have done? Write a few paragraphs describing how you might have changed your life. Use the Luther Lightning printables in the Unit Study pack.

Reformation Copywork or Memorization

Choose one or more of these for memorizing or handwriting practice.

• “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” copywork included in the Unit Study printables
• Luther’s prayers or speeches
• Five Pillars of Reformation Faith (described above in the Latin language section)
• The verses from Romans which helped Luther understand that the true Christian faith is in Christ alone (Romans 1:17, 3:23, 3:28, 5:8, 6:23, 10:9-10, 11:6).

The Middle Ages

• Do some research on the food, clothes, diseases, government, education, religion, music, art entertainment, knights, explorers, etc. See Medieval Life or World History.

Other Protestant Reformers in History

Study some other Protestant Reformers such as

• Martin Bucer
• Ulrich Zwingli
• John Calvin
• William Tyndale
• John Wycliffe
• John Hus
• Phillip Melanchthon
• John Knox
• The Huguenots
• The Anabaptists.

Architecture

Look at St. Peter’s Basilica, cathedrals, or stained glass windows.

Reformation Drama Skits

Act out some scenes such as:

• John Tetzel selling indulgences
• Martin Luther climbing the steps of Santa Sanctorum and praying on each one
• Asking Martin Luther to recant at the Diet of Worms
• The kidnapping of Martin Luther and being taken to Wartburg Castle

Or write a play about Martin Luther’s life and perform it at a Reformation Party.

Cooking:

• Prepare some German medieval food.
• Make German Reformation Rolls (reformationbrochen)

Reformation Celebration Party:

• Hold a party on October 31 to commemorate the day that Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door. Find some wonderful ideas from Doorpost’s A Night of Reformation.

More Reformation Resources