Inside: I am sharing some resources to explore and study the Reformation for yourself or as a family. The hope is to help you celebrate and understand more about church history.
October 31st brings about little trick-or-treaters in our neighborhoods, but it also reminds those of us in the Protestant faith of an extremely important celebration – Reformation Day. The day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Door of Wittenburg Church on October 31, 1517, began a continuing movement.
Resources to Help Your Family Celebrate Reformation DayMartin Luther declared that the Word of God was sufficient in the life of the church and the believer instead of tradition and the papal decrees. Martin Luther got God’s Word into the hands of the common people, and this spread to Geneva by John Calvin, Zurich by Ulrich Zwingli, and Scotland by John Knox.
Christianity spread throughout the world and continues today to those who are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Below are some helpful places to explore and study the Reformation for yourself or as a family. This is just a small sampling of what is out there, but they have helped our family and me understand church history.
(Scroll down to the bottom of the post for a great video overview of the Reformation)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
~ Romans 5:1-2
*The Luther Documentary is free to stream online. It’s an award-winning documentary, and it’s on Ligonier’s YouTube channel here. It’s only free for the month of October 2022, so don’t miss it!
My top book pick is The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Michael Reeves (I picked it up on Kindle and highly recommend it!)
Children’s Books:
Reformation ABC’s: The People, Places, and Things of the Reformation from A-Z by Stephen J. Nichols
Reformation Heroes by Joel Beeke
The Church History ABC’s – Augustine and 25 Heroes of the Faith by Stephen J. Nichols
John Calvin by Simonetta Carr (I love all the books in this series by this author for kids)
John Knox by Simonetta Carr
Martin Luther by Simonetta Carr
Peter Martyr Vermigli by Simonetta Carr
Julia Gonzaga by Simonetta Carr
Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul L. Maier
The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R.C. Sproul (his whole line of children’s books is a great resource)
God’s Timeline: The Big Book of Church History by Linda Finlayson (this one’s great for adults too!)
Katharine von Bora: The Morning Star of Wittenberg by Jenna & Shanna Strackbein
Chapter Books – Teens & Adults:
God’s Story: A Student’s Guide to Church History by Brian Cosby
Morning Star of the Reformation by Andy Thomson
Mr. Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation by Douglas Bond
The Bible Smuggler by Louise A. Vernon
Thunderstorm in the Church by Louise A. Vernon
The Betrayal: A Novel on John Calvin by Douglas Bond
The Mighty Weakness of John Knox by Douglas Bond
The River Of Grace: A Story Of John Calvin by Joyce McPherson
Adult/Family Reads:
Church History 101: The Highlights of the Twenty Centuries by Sinclair Ferguson, Joel Beeke, and Michale Haykin
The Story of Christianity, Vol 2: The Reformation to the Present Day by Justo L. Gonzalez
The Heroic Boldness of Martin Luther by Steve Lawson
The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steve Lawson
Church History Made Easy: 13 Weeks to a Better Understanding of Church History by Timothy Paul Jones
Articles:
5 Reasons to Teach Your Kids About the Reformation – @Gospel Coalition
What is Reformation Day? @Ligonier Ministries
7 Reasons to Teach our Kids Church History – @Gospel Coalition
Remembering the Reformation: Sola Scriptura – @For the Church
Audio & Video:
Reformation Month Podcasts – @Five Minutes in Church History
Luther: In Real Time Podcast @Ligonier
After Darkness…Light – @Video of John Piper in Geneva
Why You Should Teach Your Kids about the Reformation – Video @Crossway
Scripture: The Formal Cause of the Reformation – @A discussion with R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur at Renewing Your Mind
Here I Stand by Martin Luther – @video clip from a movie on Martin Luther
The Story of Martin Luther – Video – Playmobile Animation
The Martin Luther Story – Torchlighters Series
Reformation Day Resources (Plus 4 Free MP3 Downloads) @Ligonier
Luther: The Life and Legacy of the German Reformer @Ligonier (the video is free to stream on YouTube here for the month of October 2020)
Other Resources:
Reformation 500 G3 Conference 2017 – Archive of all-conference messages
The Reformation a Visual Timeline – (this one is pretty neat)
Church History Free Online Course – @The Gospel Coalition
Celebrating Christ in History: Reformation Day by Hal & Melanie Young
Reformation Day Activities for Kids – @Reformed Mama
Fathers of the Faith Cards – @Tiny Theologians
Mothers of the Faith Cards – @Tiny Theologians
Here We Stand – A 31-Day Journey with Heroes of the Reformation
If you want a quick overview, check out What is Reformation Day from WWUTT (When We Understand the Text)
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
~ 2 Timothy 3:14-17
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God.
~ Martin Luther
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Thank you so much Amanda xo
Thanks for the helpful article, Lisa! I believe that talking with children about God, religion, Luther King, causes and aspects of Reformation is necessary from early childhood. Unfortunately, many children are often bored with these conversations. But thanks to your selection of books and movies, I m sure this task will become much easier. Thank you again for this work, I am sure you have done a very useful job!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this helpful resource. As my two year old son continues to grow, I will be frequently revisiting this post for resources! 🙂