Martin Luther of the Reformation was a striking figure in history that every middle and high school student should know. This humble monk changed the course of history and defend the truth of the Bible, starting a revolution that would urge people to depend on the truth of Scripture rather than on the words of men.
Teach your teens about Martin Luther and his times with the Martin Luther Unit Study.
The study is based on historic fiction When Lightning Struck! The Story of Martin Luther (Fortress Press, 2015). Published on November 1, the day after the 498th anniversary of Reformation Day–when Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, When Lightning Struck! will bring your teens face to face with the man who insisted on Sola Scriptura and became the Father of the Reformation.
Martin Luther of the Reformation in When Lightning Struck!
I’d love to read a chapter of When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther to you. Ready? Let’s do it!
Martin Luther of the Reformation Unit Study
The unit study is 244-pages and full-color.
Based on the novel When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther, subjects covered by the unit study include:
- Martin Luther’s life
- Timeline dates
- Biographies of important people
- Relevant Scripture
- History
- Science
- Art history
- Writing
- Copywork
- Vocabulary
- Geography
Learn About the Life of Martin Luther, the Reformer
Ideal for use in homeschools or co-ops, each week of this 12-week unit study covers discussion questions on the biography chapters, timeline dates (there’s a timeline included at the back of the unit study), related Scripture to study with discussion questions, and a short biography on an important figure.
The assignment schedule page for each weeks tells students what to study or write in each subject. In addition to the timeline, there are also vocabulary worksheets and maps at the back of the unit study. Each subject includes book suggestions that should be available at most libraries. Students can also research subject matter online. There is no purchase in addition to When Lightning Struck! required to use the unit study.
Study History and Science of the Early to Mid 1500s in Europe
There are notebooking pages available for the history and science subjects. These include both subject-related notebooking pages and biographical pages.
Learn About the Artists Active in Luther’s Life
The art history section for each week’s study includes a biography page for an artist, and three notebooking pages with five art pieces by that artist. Students will be able to write about how each piece impacts them, how they feel about the work, and why.
Grow in Writing Skills
Each week, students will have a writing assignment. There are two pages available for this assignment. Students will also have weekly copywork, either from Scripture (both ESV and KJV are cited so you may choose the version you prefer), or a quote from Martin Luther.
At the end of the 12-week Martin Luther Unit Study, your students will intimately understand a vital period in Christian history, and the figure who stood at the helm.
Do you just want the discussion guide for When Lightning Struck!? The When Lightning Struck! Discussion Guide is perfect for:
- Youth Groups
- Sunday School Classes
- Family Read-Alouds (Grades 3 and Up)
- Homeschool Christian History
You can find the When Lightning Struck! Discussion Guide at the book page.
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Martin Luther and the Reformation
Teach your teens about Martin Luther and the Reformation in an exciting, new way with When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther! The book also makes a wonderful family read-aloud.
Martin Luther (1483-1546) is often referred to as “The Father of the Reformation”. Born during a time of superstition, tradition, and spiritual corruption, Luther gave up a lucrative career as a lawyer to become a monk in the Roman Catholic Church–a path he felt would certainly lead to salvation.
As Luther’s understanding of the spiritual corruption within the Church grew, and he despaired of true salvation, Luther (now a scholar and priest) sought the Bible for answers. Following his discovery of the true gospel in Scripture, Luther began to preach spiritual freedom to his congregation, and to teach biblical (rather than philosophical) theology at the University of Wittenberg.
It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses in Latin in response to the abusive indulgence sales practices of the monk Johann Tetzel in a nearby town. Luther nailed the Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, the scholarly bulletin board of his day, and mailed a copy to the Archbishop of Mainz. Luther hoped to start a scholarly debate about the practice of selling salvation through plenary indulgences. The response he received was greater–and more dangerous–than he imagined it would be.
Luther’s story is exciting. There are death defying moments, epic spiritual battles, narrow escapes, a kidnapping, revolution, and war. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Luther is a vital figure in Church history. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as explained by Scripture alone once again. May all glory be to God alone!
Read portions of the first eight chapters of When Lightning Struck!:
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The link above (for the 12 Week Martin Luther unit study) does not work. Just FYI. Thanks.
The link to download is at the very bottom of the linked page. You need to be signed in to your subscriber account to see it (I see that you are), and you will (again) find it at the very bottom of this page: https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/when-lightning-struck-the-story-of-martin-luther/
The link is working well for me. Having all the downloads in one place allows me to make certain everyone can access all of the pertinent information on the book. Thanks for your patience! ~ Danika
Thanks, i just saw this mail now and had to take this great opportunity on studying Martin L. I will enjoy this study and preparing to do with kids. Thanks for sharing and for the great work you have done.