Bible Study “Reformation Sunday”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
During the last weeks of Ordinary Time, which is from the Gospel of Mark, we have Reformation Sunday. It is celebrated the last Sunday in October and the church paraments are red and the people where red.
Reformation – In 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, in protest against the abuse of indulgences in the teaching and practice of the church. “Salvation cannot be purchased by anything but the blood of Christ – we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Opening Prayer: Thank you God, for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and for Martin Luther teaching that only faith and not good deed could save us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Reformation: Our story begins in the 16th century – 1517. This was a time of complex theological, political and economic events. Across Europe, the Roman Catholic Church was engaged in one of the greatest fundraisers in all of history. If a person – out of contrition for their sins and as a sign of repentance – made a financial gift to help with the building Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, then the church would furnish that person with a certificate acknowledging that gift and promising that they or their loved ones would be freed from a portion of the misery expected in the afterlife. In short, the church at that time taught that even those bound for heaven had to be cleansed of their earthly sins and this cleansing (purging) in the afterlife took place called Purgatory. The certificates offered by church (called “Indulgences”) promised to lessen this time of cleansing for oneself or others who have already died.
On October 31, 1517, a German Monk named Martin Luther posted a list of 95 Theses (95 reasons that he objected to this practice of selling indulgences) on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Luther insisted that we are not forgiven because of anything we do – including the buying of Indulgences or doing enough good works. Instead, we are forgiven because of who God is. We are loved and forgiven because God is full of grace and mercy. This is from his studies of Paul’s writings in the Bible and Jesus teachings.
Martin Luther’s teachings and writings got him kicked out of the church. But he didn’t go alone. Others agreed with him and after his death those who agreed with Luther became known as Lutherans and also as Protestants.
Please open your Bibles to John 8:31-36 and read or read the scriptures below.
John 8:31-36
Dispute Over Whose Children Jesus’ Opponents Are
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Reflection Questions:
- What freedom does Jesus give us? Freedom to follow God
- Sin has a way of enslaving us. What can Jesus do? Jesus can free you from sin that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be.
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on url)
Reformation Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=estrvc7D8H0
What is Reformation Day? (The Protestant Reformation.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4e5nQANQ7U
Luther’s Seal - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZi7x6YYoyM or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aRILWhzb_U
Photos of the Castle Church in Wittenberg – 95 Theses - https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo/wittenberg-castle-church.html?sortBy=relevant
Photos of the Castle in Wartburg, Germany (Where Luther hid out and translated the Bible into German) - https://www.alamy.com/wartburg-castle-eisenach-thuringia-germany-image220571892.html
Song: Into My Heart - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ouxtg-7PNMQ or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMRBue17Dzs
Activities:
Journal: (Try and keep a journal for each Sunday for a year) write or draw in your journals: What is Reformation and who is Martin Luther.
Martin Luther Seal – Click on Martin Luther below and print and follow the directions using colored markers to color the Insignia.
Martin Luther Seal: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/844493663483591/
Meaning of Martin Luther Seals: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/150589181269613698/
Word Search: https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/4234021/the-reformation/
Free at Last! – Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/free-at-last
Free at Last – Word Search: https://sermons4kids.com/activities/free-at-last-1
Prayer: “Thank you, God, for bring Jesus into this world and teaching us that as long as I believe in you and ask for forgiveness I will be saved. Amen.”
