Martin Luther
1483-1546
Starting the Protestant Reformation and helping people read the Bible in their own language
Early Life
Martin Luther was born in 1483 in a small town in Germany called Eisleben. When he was a boy, his parents wanted him to become a lawyer, so he worked very hard in school. Martin loved learning and was especially good at reading and thinking deeply about big questions.
One day, during a strong thunderstorm, Martin became very frightened. He promised God that he would become a monk if he stayed safe. After that, Martin kept his promise and joined a monastery, where he spent many hours studying, praying, and teaching.
Learning and Teaching
Martin Luther became a teacher at a university. He studied the Bible closely and believed it was very important for people to understand God’s message for themselves. At that time, most church services and Bibles were in Latin, a language many people could not read.
Martin wanted to help ordinary people learn, so he began writing and teaching in German, the language people spoke at home. This made learning about faith easier and more welcoming for everyone.
Big Ideas and Bravery
In 1517, Martin wrote a list of ideas about how the church could improve. These ideas were meant to start a discussion. According to tradition, he nailed this list, called the *95 Theses*, to a church door. This brave act helped begin the Protestant Reformation, a movement that changed how many people practiced their faith.
Not everyone agreed with Martin, but he stayed true to what he believed was right. He believed that faith, learning, and kindness were very important.
Achievements
One of Martin Luther’s greatest achievements was translating the Bible into German. This helped many people read and understand it for the first time. His translation also helped shape the German language and made reading more popular.
Martin wrote many books, songs, and lessons. One of his hymns is still sung today.
Legacy
Martin Luther passed away in 1546, but his ideas lived on. He is remembered as a brave teacher who stood up for learning and understanding. His work helped change history and encouraged people to ask questions and seek knowledge.
Today, Martin Luther is remembered as someone who believed education and faith should be open to everyone.
🎉 Fun Facts
Martin Luther loved music and wrote songs that are still sung today.
He translated the Bible while hiding in a castle for safety.
Luther was also a school teacher and cared deeply about education.
His ideas helped encourage more people to learn how to read.
There are many schools and churches around the world named after him.