Reformation Day Lesson
Want an easy way to teach your kids about the Protestant Reformation?
Here at Talk Through the Bible, we're all about easy, no-prep, discussion-based lessons. This lesson on the Reformation is set up the same way our Bible studies are and will take about 20-30 minutes. Just start asking the questions and discussing your children's answers.
After the lesson, click over to our Reformation Day party ideas!
Happy Reformation Day! Wait. What is the Protestant Reformation?
It was a religious, political, and cultural movement in the 1500s that led to the formation of Protestant churches.
Why do we care about Protestant churches?
We’re members of one!
Before the Reformation, there was one type of church. Do you know which it was?
It was the Roman Catholic church. There was a problem though. Over time, the Catholic church had lost its love of God’s truth. It was corrupt and teaching things that weren’t biblically correct. It needed to be reformed (corrected and changed).
During the 1400s, a few bold men spoke out against the incorrect teachings and corruption in the church. Do you think the church was grateful to have its mistakes pointed out so it could correct them?
No! Jan Hus, Jerome of Prague, and many followers of John Wycliffe were burned at the stake for speaking out in an effort to reform the church.
The Protestant Reformation officially began on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany. Theses just means “statements.” What do you think these ninety-five statements were?
They were a list of ninety-five arguments against the Catholic church, most notably the sale of indulgences, which were certificates to reduce the punishment of sin after death. The Catholic church taught that priests could offer forgiveness of sin on behalf of God. They also taught that after sins were forgiven, people were still punished in a place called purgatory, which dead people went to before heaven. These certificates would reduce time in purgatory.
Why would Martin Luther be outraged at the sale of indulgences?
The Bible says that forgiveness for sin can’t be bought! It’s a free gift that only God can give (Eph. 2:8-9). He was angry that the church was taking advantage of people’s ignorance and taking their money. He was even angrier that the church was hiding the true way to be saved from sin.
How does the Bible say we are saved from sin?
The consequence of our sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Thankfully, Jesus paid that price by dying on the cross for us (1 Jn. 4:10). We’re saved when we truly believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead after He died on the cross (Rom. 10:9). Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
The only legal copies of the Bible at that time were written in Latin. Can you read Latin?
Neither could all of the people buying indulgences! Now you can see why they were easily tricked into believing the wrong thing. Only the clergy could read Latin.
What do you think that Martin Luther and other reformers did to fix this problem?
They risked their lives to translate the Bible into languages people could read, like German and English.
They also dedicated their lives to teaching people Biblical truth that we now refer to as the Five Solas. Sola means “alone” in Latin. Can you guess what the rest of the Latin words in the Five Solas mean?
- Sola Scriptura- Scripture Alone
- Sola Fide- Faith Alone
- Sola Gratia- Grace Alone
- Solus Christus- Christ Alone
- Soli Deo Gloria- To the glory of God alone
What do you think the reformers were teaching when they taught Sola Scriptura?
They taught that Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), and because of that, the Bible is incapable of being wrong (Prov. 30:5). People and churches have created many creeds and traditions. These can be good, but since people can make mistakes, creeds and traditions aren’t equal to God’s Word and must be tested against the Bible for accuracy. Scripture alone is the final authority on all matters of faith.
Sola Fide means “faith alone.” What other way do you think people believed they could be saved by?
Many people thought they could be saved by their good works (actions), and others thought that salvation required a combination of faith and works. The Bible says, “Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified” (Gal. 2:16). There are no works good enough to earn salvation (Isa. 64:6). Luther said this one concept was “the article by which the church stands or falls.” The church had to teach that salvation is by grace through faith.
Can you think of a Bible verse to support Sola Gratia?
Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is given out of God’s grace. Grace is when God does good things for us even though we aren’t deserving. We can’t earn salvation by our works. It’s a gift of God which we get through His grace alone.
Does the Bible teach Solus Christus, that Christ is the only way to the Father?
Yes! John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Jesus didn’t say He was a way. He said He was the way. Acts 4:12 says, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
How does Soli Deo Gloria tie the other Solas together?
The Scriptures were written to the glory of God alone. Christ humbled Himself to die on a cross and then was raised to the glory of God alone. Grace is offered to sinners for the glory of God alone, and the salvation we’re given through faith is to the glory of God alone.
Let’s stop here and thank God for working everything together for His glory and also for our good (Rom. 8:28). Let’s thank Him that we have His Word translated into English so we can read the truth of how He loves us and sent His Son to save us. Lastly, let’s thank God for the reformers who worked so hard to make sure we could read and understand the truth.
Optional Bible Reading
One of Luther’s favorite books of the Bible was Romans because of its message of faith and grace. Romans 6 highlights this message:
- 6:1-7 Dead to sin, alive in Christ
- 6:8-14 Sin has no dominion
- 6:15-18 Slaves to righteousness
- 6:19-23 The gift of eternal life
Optional Party Ideas
For fun party ideas to reinforce this lesson, click over to our Reformation Day Party blog.
Optional Bible Studies
Talk Through the Bible also offers discussion-based family Bible studies that journey chapter by chapter through each book of the Bible.
Our discussion guides help you teach in-depth theology and doctrine without any prep. They're designed for ages 7-16 and are perfect for homeschool curriculum, family devotions, and Sunday School.
