This post contains affiliate links. If you follow one of my links I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are completely my own. Thank you for supporting my blog!
This time of year, most people are thinking about and anticipating Halloween. As far as holidays go, it’s never been my cup of tea. We’ll carve pumpkins, read plenty of fall-themed books, and dress up for our church’s Harvest Festival, but you won’t spy any skeletons on the lawn. It’s simply not my thing. Reformation Day, though, I find fascinating! Call me a nerd, but I’d much rather celebrate a historical uprising than the undead.
What’s Reformation Day?
Reformation Day is celebrated on October 31st, when Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses (statements for discussion or argument) to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517. He wrote to criticize certain practices of the Catholic Church, particularly the selling of indulgences (payments for the forgiveness of sins). Luther intended these statements to spark discussion and reform within the church. This act sparked the Protestant Reformation, which sought to bring the church back to biblical truths and significantly changed Christian practice and doctrine. Reformation Day celebrates this renewal of focus on salvation by grace through faith, the authority of Scripture, and the foundational truths of the Christian faith.
How can we celebrate this historical event!?
As I said, we don’t entirely snub Halloween, and this is in no way a judgment on anyone who enjoys the holiday, but Reformation Day has a lot to offer! It’s a great way to focus on Biblical truth and celebrate our history as a church!
Here are some ideas to make this time memorable for your kids:
-
- Reformation Day Party: Host a family party with games, snacks, and a little history. You can even have a “nail the 95 Theses” activity where kids stick God’s truth to a pretend door (think pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey).
- Five Solas Craft: Use my Five Solas Printable Activity Set to engage your kids with hands-on learning! These activities help children understand these foundational truths in a fun, interactive way. The set includes a matching and tracing activity, a brief informational study page with Bible references, and five complimentary cards (one for each sola) for display or memory work. There’s also an option to add a set of Five Solas coloring pages, perfect for keeping younger learners engaged. I even offer a set of free Reformation Symbol coloring pages (a Luther Rose and the Chi-Rho) to my newsletter subscribers.
-
- Book Reading and Discussions: Choose a couple of family-friendly books that bring the Reformation to life. (Here are a few of our favorite Reformation reads.) Read together and have open discussions about what your kids learn and how it applies to their lives today.
- Enjoy a short video: For the past couple of years, we have enjoyed this Torchlighters cartoon and watching this super cute stop-motion animation of Martin Luther’s life-
-
Even if a full party isn’t doable in the season of life you’re in, adding a picture book or short video to your morning or post-nap routine is simple but impactful!
Whether you’re digging into history or celebrating the Reformation in your home, this is a great time to reflect on how God used ordinary people to make extraordinary changes for His kingdom. Let’s make this an exciting and faith-building experience for our kids!
You might also enjoy reading: The Apostles’ Creed for Kids
Leave a Reply