by Natalie Orzame
Oct. 27, 2025
I’d like to think I have a bit of a connection to Reformation history—though, thanks to my public school education, I didn’t know I was literally standing on it.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a German monk, famously nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. His list of challenges to church practices sparked a movement that became known as the Protestant Reformation. While most people celebrate Halloween on October 31, many Christians observe Reformation Day, instead, to honor this pivotal moment in church history.
During college, I studied abroad in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. I biked daily across the Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug)—uphill both ways in the wind and rain, or so it felt. Trust me—it looks flat, but it’s not! At the time, I had no idea who Erasmus was or why he had a bridge named after him. It wasn’t until recently, watching a documentary about William Tyndale (a contemporary of Luther), that I finally made the connection. Erasmus’s biblical scholarship influenced both Luther and Tyndale, and suddenly, the history I had unknowingly lived near came alive.
One of my favorite things about learning—and teaching—is making connections: across subjects, cultures, and historical events. The Reformation is rich with these connections, and studying it can deepen our understanding of both history and faith.
As Reformation Day approaches, here are some ways to explore this powerful history with your family.
Read about the 95 Theses – This brief summary includes images of historical documents.
Watch: Torchlighters: The Martin Luther Story (34 min, free on YouTube via Voice of the Martyrs).
Create a lapbook – Here’s a free printable.
Music: Did you know that Martin Luther was a prolific hymn writer? Listen to his hymns during learning or free time.
Do themed activities – Reformation crafts, games, and learning tools.
Books to Explore:
Reformation ABCs by Stephen Nichols
Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Paul L. Maier
Biographies of key figures like John Calvin, John Knox, and Philipp Melanchthon
Trace the ripple effects of the Reformation through this brief timeline and discussion points:
1448 – Why was the invention of the printing press so crucial to spreading Reformers’ ideas?
1450s – What role did the Gutenberg Bible play in making Scripture accessible?
1516 – How did Erasmus’s Greek-Latin Bible influence Luther?
1517 – Read the Ninety-Five Theses and explore the Five Solas.
1534 – How did God use King Henry VIII and the Act of Supremacy to reshape religious authority?
1536 – Who was William Tyndale, and why was his Bible translation work so dangerous?
1550 – Learn about The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates and its impact on resistance to tyranny and the Reformation.
1608–1620 – Why did the Pilgrims go to Holland? Read the Mayflower Compact and discover How the Pilgrims and the Reformation Formed America.
(Additionally, sign up for the free Thanksgiving webinar for all ages about the Mayflower Compact on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 3 p.m. PST. Members may access the recording any time after the event in our Digital Library.)
Books for older students:
When Lightning Struck! by Danika Cooley
Courage and Conviction by Brandon & Mindy Withrow
Trial and Triumph by Richard M. Hannula
Even if you don’t do a special Reformation activity, encourage your family to learn what 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)—these summarize the core theological beliefs of the Reformation.
Whatever you choose to do on October 31, may you celebrate knowing that we have access to the Bible, enjoy religious freedom, and can walk in personal relationship with Jesus—blessings that came at a great cost and through courageous faith.
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Natalie and her husband are church planters in Southern California and homeschool their four children, ages three through twelve. Natalie works as CHEA’s Communications Assistant. If you’ve visited CHEA’s social media pages or received their newsletter, you’ve seen her work. Her favorite part of homeschooling is reading aloud to her kids and relearning everything she wasn’t taught in public school.
