It's that time of year again! Time to pull out the Luther Rose coloring sheets and the kids books that teach about the great Martin Luther and the Reformation. It's time to sing A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (though we can sing this just about anytime..right?) It can be hard to take up the task of teaching kids the importance of the Reformation and our heritage as Lutherans. There are a lot of details. Lessons on the Reformation include a lot of history and of course theology. Engaging kids with these things is challenging. I empathize with fellow parents, teachers, and even pastors, the task can seem daunting, but I urge you to do it! There is a lot to learn here, about who we are as Lutherans, the history of what we believe and confess, but most importantly we learn about our faith. The Reformation points us back to Jesus our Savoir, Christ crucified for sinners. Reformation helps us to value the authority of God's Words, Justification by grace through faith, the free gifts Christ gives, and the assurance (as Luther re-discovered) assurance of our salvation. My hope in this post is not necessarily to just dish out the information but rather to provide a means for developing a more robust teaching structure and lesson objectives.
Often times when we discuss and study the Reformation we have a tendency to miss "the forest for the trees". We get caught up in just a few details so we get easily sidetracked. It takes more than just a few posters or flannel graphs to teach the Reformation year after year. Sure, a poster can be a handy tool for bits of "at a glance" facts, but really the depth of the movement can not be taught in this way. Being a lifelong Lutheran is also no excuse for lazy off the cuff Reformation teaching either. As kids get older they will need more. You'd never just point kids to a periodic table of elements and assume they have all they need about chemistry. That's silly! It so important teachers take the time to plan and choose good reliable resources, making sure facts are straight. When facts are wrong, especially when it comes to faith, credibility is lost. It can be difficult to separate fact from legend, it can also be difficult to keep track of all of the who's, what's, and where's of Reformation history. However, learning about the Reformation presents many opportunities for kids to learn how to research, understand the struggles of people in history and dig deeper into our Lutheran confessions.
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Establishing Historical Context
When teaching kids about the Reformation it's important to place the events in their historical context. Help the kids understand the different way of life in Luther's Germany compared to how things are today. Point out other important events that were happening at the time. For example, Martin Luther was born in 1483 just nine years before Columbus set sail.
Many middle school students are fascinated with Medieval and Renaissance history, take the time to explore this exciting time to investigate the Italian Renaissance allowing the kids to compare what was taking place in England with the Norman Renaissance. Engage the kids with the art and culture of the era! These visuals can help information and facts stick in a child's brain. Look at events that set the stage for the Reformation to take place. The more of a frameworks students have, the easier it is for them to dive into deeper learning.
Younger children spend a lot of time studying different communities in Social Studies. This is a good opportunity to look the community Martin Luther and Katharina Von Bora grew up in? Who were Martin's parents? Why was Katharine set away from home at such a young age? How did Luther and his brother get along? What was peasant life like? What did they eat? What sort or work did they do? What was family life like? How was life difficult? What was education like for Martin Luther? Have students examine how life was changing during the 16th century.
Point out the development of new technology, specifically the Gutenberg printing press. It is also well worth the time to study life in the monastery and if time allows the nunnery? What was daily life like for monks and nuns? Why did society view taking such vows to be such a holy calling?
Older kids who have studied different forms of governments will be able to easily examine the politics of the day? Older students will also enjoy discussing the philosophy of the Renaissance such as humanism. Why did these new ideas changes they way people were thinking across the land.
There are many people involved in the playing out of Reformation events. Help students identify who these people are. Pope Leo X, Johann Tetzel, Prince Frederick the Wise The Emperor, Johann von Staupiz, Early church fathers such as St. Augustine, and others who proceeded the spark of Reformation like John Huss and John Wycliffe.
Taking the time to acclimate kids with the vocabulary of the Reformation is also helpful. Be sure they understand indulgences, purgatory, bishops, priests, and theses. I was alarmed to hear some kids refer to the 95 Theses were 95 "new rules" Luther thought the church should follow... sigh (facepalm). Theses are ideas or thoughts that one would like to have brought up for discussion.
Help students put the history of the Reformation together in a timeline. Dates are important. When looking back in history it can be very easy for students to mash important events together they may assume events took place very rapidly rather than over a majority of the 16th century.
Here's a basic timeline:
-July, 16th 1054
The great schism, this marks the date for the official separation of the eastern and western church.
-1450
Johannes Gutenberg introduces his printing press. Information can be shared throughout the land much more quickly.
- November 10th 1483
Martin Luther is born. He is baptized the following day
- January 29th, 1499
Katharina's birth
- 1501
Luther begins at the University of Erfurt; at first he sets out to be a lawyer as his father wishes
-1502
Pope Leo X commissions Johann (John) Tetzel to preach and sell Jubilee Indulgences as a fundraiser to support the building of St. Peter Cathedral
- 1503
Leonardo da Vinci begins to paint the Mona Lisa
- 1505
Martin Luther, in keeping his promises to St. Ann, joins the Augustinian Monastery
- 1507
Martin is ordained a priest
- 1508
Luther is now teaching in Wittenburg,
- 1512
Martin Luther earns his doctoral degree in theology
- October 31st 1517
Dr. Luther nails his 95 Theses to the church. The document is printed and circulated throughout the land. Support for Luther grew.
- 1520
Luther burns the papal bull from Leo X demanding him to recant
- 1521
Luther appears before the emperor in Worms, refuses to recant and is excommunicated, declared an outlaw with an imposed death sentence, taken captive by friends and hidden in the castle at Wartburg.
- 1522
Dr. Luther returns to Wittenburg distressed
Ulrich Zwingli preaches in Switzerland
-1523
Katharina Von Bora and several other nuns escape the convent
-1525
Martin Luther marries Katharina, the Black Cloister in Wittenburg is a wedding gift which will be their home where they raise their family, entertain, and house students of the University.
- 1529
Dr. Luther writes the Small and Large Catechism
- 1530
Philip Melanchthon, German princes, and Lutheran leaders presented the Augsburg confessions to Charles V, the document gave "Protestants" their identity beginning with the live "we protest".
- 1534
Luther's German translation of the Bible is printed
Henry VIII forms the Church of England as he cuts ties with Rome
- 1545
The Counter- Reformation begins with the Council of Trent (1545- 1563) Establishing the Roman Catholic Church as we know it today.
- February 18th, 1546
Martin Luther dies at the age of 62 of natural causes. He is buried in Wittenburg
Reformation struggles continue though Europe leading into The 30 Years war in 1618
Understanding Luther's Struggle, The Abuses Of The Church, And The Theology Of The Reformation
Help kids to understand the abuses of the Medieval church of the day. How the Pope's word was seen to hold the same authority as scripture. How were worship practices actually keeping people from receive God's gifts, as the Mass was celebrated (and re sacrificed back to God) but often times common people were held back from receiving the sacrament. Services were also not held in the language of the people, and the only Bibles were in Latin. Have students consider why the people would struggle to have assurance of forgiveness of sins and salvation. Man and women took vows in order to try and achieve favor with God, trying to find comfort though the discipline of monasteries and convents. Many people were eager to purchases the indulgences, a certificate that promises less time in purgatory. These practices were far from the free gift of salvation won by Christ Jesus on the cross. Many people were tormented as they tried to work out their own righteousness before God. People no longer understood God's grace, They believed that grace was simply just the given ability to work their way to heaven. The teachers of the day heaped on all kids of new laws and requirements. Things like extreme fasting, staying awake for days, vows of silence, torture, pilgrimages to see relics and so on. People could only be comforted by what they did. However, many people were not comforted at all! The Reformation was going to blow the idea that one can ascend to God though their works and merits to pieces as it re-discovered and proclaimed once again the truth of the Gospel!
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Luther grew up in a strict household. He worked hard to please his parents. Martin was well on his way to being a very successful lawyer, just as his father wished him to be. However, God had different plans. Joining the Augustinian Monastery, Martin Luther worked hard at being a good monk. He studied theology and was shortly sent to teach at the University of Wittenburg. However, Luther had no assurance of his salvation. The God he knew was an angry God, not loving. Martin punished himself with hard labor. He felt he would never earn forgiveness. Johann von Stupitz worried over how terrified and anxious his friend Martin was urged him to study St. Paul's letters to the Romans and Ephesians. Luther also studied the writings of Augustine and other church fathers.
Luther noticed the church had changed a lot over the years and not for the better. The church had gotten away from it confession. Even though they still said the words of the Creed, people no longer knew what it confessed. As Martin read he discovered the hope and comfort of the Gospel. Jesus had paid the complete price for his sins, and the sins of all people though His perfect, life, death and resurrection. Jesus gave his righteousness for our sinfulness. On account of Jesus all those who have faith are declared righteous before God. Luther began to understand that by Grace through faith we are saved, not by our own doing but by Christ doing. Jesus is sufficient for salvation.This was good news to Luther. He knew that this would be good news to the people of Germany as well. As Luther studied he could not find the churches teaching on purgatory and indulgences.
Luther could not stand how the people were being lead astray into spiritual unrest. When Johann Tetzel came to town selling certificates of indulgence Luther was in no mood to led his congregation and others be duped. He nailed his concerns to the door of the church in the form of the 95 theses. He wanted to discuss the abusive practices. He prayed the leaders of the church would see the error of their ways. So many people were desperate for the good news Luther teaching and proclamation of the Gospel. Support for Luther spread like wildfire. Everyone was anxious to read what the Reformer had to say. Except for the Pope who called for Luther to recant. Luther refused, knowing that peoples souls were at stake. The movement of the Reformation was very difficult. It was not Luther's intention to break from the church. Many of the events of the uproar depressed Luther. Luther also disagreed with the radical reformers of the day. The violence was unbearable for Luther. Martin Luther had the heart of a pastor. He diligently taught and preached in Wittenburg where he lived with his family. Luther wrote the Large and Small catechism to help instruct people in what God's Word taught. He translated the Bible into German so that people would be able to read and hear the comfort and sweetness of God's promises for themselves. Luther pointed people to their baptism where God freely gives the gift of faith and forgiveness. People were able to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as God's gift to them once again. Martin Luther wanted all people to have the assurance of Jesus' love and salvation for them. Martin Luther also wrote many hymns in which to help teach the people God's Word once again.
There are many resources available to help kids learn the detail of the Reformation. Teaching things like the "Sola's" can provide a helpful synopsis of Lutheran doctrine. It is also helpful for kids to gain understanding in the purpose of the catechism and how it teaches us. We also learn form the reformers just how important it is that we always hold God's Word to be the rule and norm over that we believe, teach and confess. Studying the many people who helped and supported Luther can assist kids in understanding their own vocations. Identifying with and learning about Martin Luther's struggle is very relevant for many kids. Like Luther we all face times of doubt. But the joy of the Reformation is that we may always be turned back to the Gospel. Jesus for us, freely. We are no longer slaves but free! Children of God given hope and eternal life though His rich mercy. Through Luther we see why the church should always be in reformation as we continue to proclaim these truths and as we love and serve our neighbor.
Helpful Resources/ Links/ Bibliography
Martin Luther A Man Who Changed The World Paul L. Maier
2004 Concordia Publishing House
Hero Of Faith: Martin Luther Edward C. Grube
2012 Concordia Publishing House
Hero Of Faith: Katharina von Bora Jayn L. Fryer
2011 Concordia Publishing House
A History Of The Christian Chruch Willson Walker
1985 Scribner
http://cyclopedia.lcms.org/
What Drove Luther's Hammer Dr. Rosenbladt
http://www.amazon.com/Luther-Joseph-Fiennes/dp/B0002C9D9U
http://www.cph.org/p-20688-lutheranism-101-for-kids.aspx
https://www.cph.org/p-17404-lutheranism-101.aspx
This past week Issue ETC has also run a very good discussion on the Reformation culture
www.issuesetc.org
There are tons of resources available if you have a favorite please leave it below in the comments!
Can't forget this link :)
ReplyDeletehttp://bookofconcord.org/index.php