Podcasts about Reformation Day

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On October 31 parts of the western world celebrated Reformation Day, giving thanks for the Protestant Reformation. (I am tempted to observe that on the old Julian calendar, Reformation Day was on Thursday November 13.) Here I would like to look back and make a few observations about the accomplishments of the Reformation. For the Reformation resulted in a number of things we now too easily take for granted.

On October 31 parts of the western world celebrated Reformation Day, giving thanks for the Protestant Reformation. (I am tempted to observe that on the old Julian calendar, Reformation Day was on Thursday November 13.) Here I would like to look back and make a few observations about the accomplishments of the Reformation. For the Reformation resulted in a number of things we now too easily take for granted.

No matter the cost, no matter the difficulty, no matter the alienation and ostracization, no matter the suffering it will cause, the holy man does what his Lord says to do. Today's passage looks at not only the why of holiness, but also the what and the how. Sermon Outline:I) The Why of HolinessII)The What of HolinessIII)The How of Holiness Discussion Questions:The message begins by connecting Reformation Day to holiness. How does this connection help reframe our understanding of “justification by faith alone”?Holiness is both a gift and a requirement — that you are “saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone.” How can this tension between grace and holiness be understood and applied in daily Christian life?In today's culture, holiness is often viewed negatively as “judgmental” or “intolerant.” What practical steps can Christians take to pursue holiness without falling into self-righteousness or snobbery?The message describes holiness as obedience to God “no matter the cost.” How do modern distractions, pressures, or relationships challenge that kind of total obedience today?The passage concludes that true holiness depends on the work of the Holy Spirit through the “ordinary means of grace.” How can believers more intentionally structure their lives around Scripture, prayer, and worship to grow in holiness?

Pastors Josh Howard, John St Martin, George Sayour and James Baird of ‪@CovenantMatters‬ discuss working with Catholics 500 years after the Reformation, Semper Reformanda and more.Watch all of our videos and subscribe to our channel for the latest content >HereHere

A new MP3 sermon from Frontline Fellowship is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Reformation Day Service Speaker: Peter Hammond Broadcaster: Frontline Fellowship Event: Special Meeting Date: 11/3/2025 Length: 30 min.

Every October 31st, the Church commemorates Reformation Day. In this episode, Pastor Jeff discusses the most pivotal moments in church history: the Protestant Reformation and the bold faith of Martin Luther.Pastor Jeff explores the story behind Luther's 95 Theses, his struggle for assurance, and how his discovery of justification by faith alone reshaped the course of Christianity. This episode is a reminder that the Church must always return to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture because God's Word is never peripheral; it's central.What We Discussed00:19 Reformation Day and Its ImportancePastor Jeff explains why October 31st should be remembered not only as Halloween but as Reformation Day, a turning point in church history.03:11 What Was the Protestant Reformation?Pastor Jeff explains how reformers Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, and John Knox led a movement to return the Church to the gospel and the authority of Scripture, standing against corruption and unbiblical practices.05:22 The Spark: Luther's 95 ThesesPastor Jeff recounts the moment Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, igniting a movement that shook Europe.06:49 The Story Behind Luther's ConvictionFrom a near-death lightning storm to entering the monastery, Luther's personal journey reveals how God led him to grace through faith.08:20 The Breakthrough in RomansLuther's study of Romans opened his eyes to the truth of “the just shall live by faith” and transformed his understanding of salvation.10:17 The Selling of IndulgencesPastor Jeff explains how the Church's corrupt sale of indulgences for profit sparked Luther's outrage and his call for reform.12:23 Rome's Response and Luther's TrialAfter the Pope condemned his views, Luther was summoned to the Diet of Worms to defend his faith and refused to recant.14:31 Luther's LegacyLuther's defiance and devotion to Scripture changed the Church forever. Pastor Jeff recommends Here I Stand by Roland Bainton for those who want to learn more about his life and faith.Read Here I Stand by Roland Bainton: https://lionandlambapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Here-I-Stand-A-Life-of-Martin-Luther-Bainton.pdf“I pray that you'll never forget those who have gone before us to ensure that we hear and heard the gospel in its purest and simplest forms.” – Pastor Jeff CranstonWe love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today's episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.orgVisit my website https://www.jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church. Check in with us on Facebook or Instagram @pastorjeffcranstonRemember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!

      I. Introduction       A. Discipleship in the Reformed tradition, specifically the Westminster tradition       B. Context of Reformation Day celebrations and the five solas:           1. Sola Dea Gloria (glory to God alone)           2. Solo Christo (through Christ alone)           3. Sola Gratia (by grace alone)           4. Sola Fide (through faith alone)           5. Sola Scriptura (scripture alone)   II. The Reformation Was More Than Five Points       A. The Reformers did not reduce Christianity to a handful of slogans       B. They wrote extensive confessions and catechisms addressing doctrine, piety, worship, and government       C. All four areas matter for sustainable Christianity  III. Making Confessions and Catechisms Is Biblical       A. Scriptural precedents: Deuteronomy 6, Psalm 78, 2 Timothy 1:13-14       B. The biblical pattern of passing down sound teaching to the next generation   IV. Honesty in Theology       A. Confessions provide transparency about what a church believes       B. Allow people to know what they are agreeing to when joining a church       C. Prevent bait-and-switch tactics  V. Unity Through Shared Confession       A. Common theological foundation strengthens the church       B. Helps avoid being tossed about by every wind of doctrine VI. Substantial Doctrine for Turbulent Times       A. Need more than doctrinal minimalism to weather life's storms       B. Comprehensive understanding of God, humanity, sin, and salvation provides ballast       C. Time to experiment with "theological maximalism" VII. Doctrine Leads to Doxology       A. Deeper knowledge produces richer praise       B. Understanding justification, adoption, sanctification enriches worship       C. Knowledge pursued rightly leads to godliness, not pride VIII. Conclusion       A. Exhortation to dig into God's word using the tools of confessions and catechisms       B. These tools help Christians grow, promote unity, teach truth, and provide doctrine for deeper praise       C. Thanking God for salvation in Christ and asking for increased faith and usefulness  

This was as close as we could get to Reformation Day (31st Oct) to give our yearly update and reminder of the historical event in church history that has impacted the lives of multitudes. This was as close as we could get to Reformation Day (31st Oct) to give our yearly update and reminder of the historical event in church history that has impacted the lives of multitudes and still does.es and still does. To watch today's video, just click on this link! The post “Semper Reformanda – Always Reforming!” appeared first on Living Rock Church.

A new MP3 sermon from Alpha and Omega Ministries is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Radio Free Geneva: Reformation Day 2025 Subtitle: The Dividing Line 2025 Speaker: Dr. James White Broadcaster: Alpha and Omega Ministries Event: Podcast Date: 10/31/2025 Length: 63 min.

Psalm 46, Revelation 14:6-7, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36

Reformation Day, celebrated on October 31st, marks one of the most transformative moments in church history — the day Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517. In today's prayer and devotional, we reflect on the fact that though Luther never sought to divide the Church, his bold stand for truth and his devotion to Scripture became a catalyst for reformation and renewal across the Christian world. As Lynette Kittle reflects, Luther wasn’t a rebel or revolutionary — he was a truth seeker who rediscovered the heart of the Gospel: we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8). His translation of the Bible into German opened the Word of God to everyday people, making Scripture accessible to all who longed to know God personally. Today, we commemorate Reformation Day not only as a historic event but as a call to continue valuing God’s Word above all else. Scripture is living and active — teaching, correcting, and equipping us for righteousness. Let us be inspired by Luther’s example to study God’s Word deeply and boldly share the Good News of salvation by grace alone. Today's Bible Reading:“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

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So the net is abuzz with excited speculation about a doctrinal statement coming from the Vatican next Tuesday about Mary's role in salvation. Millions of Roman Catholics around the world have signed petitions over the past three decades or more requesting the definition of the "Fifth Marian Dogma" that being Mary as Co-Redemptrix, Co-Mediatrix, and Advocate for the people of God. Many are hoping this new document will dogmatize that teaching, though I find that doubtful. We discuss the issue on Reformation Day 2025. Enjoy!

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Today, Kirk reveals the real story behind Halloween — one most Christians have never heard. From “All Hallows' Eve” to “Reformation Day,” discover how this once-Christian holiday was meant to celebrate victory over death, not fear of it. Learn why you don't have to hide from Halloween, but can redeem the night with faith, light, and courage. Plus, hear from Matt Walsh, Joe Rogan, Tim Hawkins, Phil Robertson, and more as Kirk unpacks faith, fear, and the power of Jesus over darkness.

Responding to questions from listeners about clapping in church (and a little bit of dancing), can Christians participate in sports gambling, and a Reformation Day response to a popular Roman Catholic priest about the mass. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Pastors' Point of View Ep. 380 with Dr. Andy Woods“Prophecy Update”Topics covered:BabylonSocietal sinsPersecutionApostasyWhile the world celebrates Halloween, let's remember this is Reformation Day - the day Martin Luther took his stand on Scripture alone over 500 years ago. Today, we need that same commitment to God's Word more than ever.Bible prophecy isn't just about the future - it's unfolding right now. From Babylon's economic revival in Iraq to persecution rising globally, from California's assault on parental rights to the church's growing biblical illiteracy, we're witnessing Jesus' predictions coming to life.Did you know Iraq just launched "Vision 2050" to position Babylon as a hub for 20% of Asia-Europe commerce? Or that new laws now allow strangers to make medical decisions for your children without parental consent? These aren't random events - they're prophetic markers.Jesus warned that the last days would mirror Sodom and Gomorrah's depravity. Paul predicted the church would turn from sound doctrine. We're watching both unfold simultaneously.But here's the hope: these signs point to Christ's imminent return. We have the blessed hope of the rapture before the tribulation begins. The question is - are you ready? Have you placed your personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation?Don't be discouraged. Be discerning. Stand on Scripture alone. The darker it gets, the brighter our light should shine.Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. - Titus 2:13

For the record- we are just having fun today. We play some clips that make us long for reformation in our day. We are here to help you kick off the your reformation day with a party! Join us as we watch Steven Furtick, The pope of Rome, and funny man Kieth Foskey. Restless would love your support on patreon and thats where you will learn why Matt had to release a statement on Liquid death. Join our patreon for bonus episodes every single week! You can follow this podcast all over the internet. twitter,   instagram.    or facebook Or email us at restlesspodcasting@gmail.com

There's a lot going on today. The Jayar Show is celebrating Josh Baldwin Day. Some are celebrating Halloween. If you see someone wearing red today, they may be commemorating Reformation Day. The ISS is celebrating 25 years and we've been celebrating 19 years of The Morning Cruise this week.  Jules is not looking forward to the day that her daughters leave the nest. But while she soaks up time with them, she may want to reconsider the time of day she has family outings.  As a part...

Program for 10/31/25 Jim Wood: Reformation Day, USA Today

In this Reformation Day episode of The Valley Life Podcast, Pastors Vinnie and Brandon revisit the heart of the Protestant Reformation through the Five Solas: Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, and Soli Deo Gloria. Together they explore how each truth stands in contrast to the teachings of Rome, why they still matter today, and how these doctrines shape our faith and daily walk with Christ. From the authority of Scripture to living for God's glory alone, this conversation calls believers to anchor their hope and worship in the finished work of Christ.

Have you ever wondered why Reformation Day and Halloween happen on the same day?  It's not a coincidence. On the surface, they seem to have nothing in common. But take a closer look.  The events of the Reformation are actually all about a trick and and a treat. 

For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

October 31, 2025

Joe highlights a few ironic things that some Protestants do when they celebrate Reformation Day. Transcript: Joe: What’s actually happening in the Reformation is no less dark. It’s still celebrating sin only. Now it’s the sin of schism. It’s less spooky maybe, but it’s not less sinful. Thesis number 25 says that the power which the Pope has in general over purgatory corresponds to the power which any bishop or curate has in a particular way in his own diocese. And per, I don’t know of a lot of Protestants who would agree with that. If you’re imagining ...

Join Pastor Larry Spargimino and Clayton Van Huss in this episode of 'Watchman on the Wall' as they delve into the enduring impact of Martin Luther and the Reformation. Discover how Luther's actions continue to influence the world, and learn about SWRC's prison ministry and their 'Beyond the Veil' calendar initiative. This engaging discussion also highlights the documentary '1517: The Flame Rekindled,' exploring Luther's legacy and its relevance today.

For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. Every weekday at 3:30 am and 7:30 am you can listen to The Gospel for Life on KSPD 94.5 FM and 790 AM Boise's Solid Talk in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them. Phone: (208) 991-3526E-mail: thegospelforlifeidaho@gmail.comPodcast website: https://www.790kspd.com/gospel-for-life/

In this special Reformation Day episode, Matt sits down with Tony Petersen, pastor at Mountain View Church in Clovis, and Ryan Loewen, assistant professor of theology at Tabor College, for a deep dive into Martin Luther's world-changing legacy. Together they unpack the tension and turmoil of the 1500s, from indulgences and corruption in the medieval church to Luther's rediscovery of grace and the birth of Protestantism. They trace how Luther's courage and his translation of Scripture reshaped faith for everyday believers, setting off waves of reform that continue to ripple through the church today.The conversation also explores how Luther's influence helped spark the Anabaptist movement, and how early Anabaptists carried the Reformation's emphasis on Scripture, discipleship, and surrender to Christ even further. Tony and Ryan connect the dots from those early reformers to our modern faith, reflecting on what still needs reforming in the church today and how followers of Jesus can live as “permanently submerged” people—fully surrendered to Christ and guided by His Word.

The defeat of evil and of demonic powers is associated with Halloween. For this reason, Martin Luther posted his 95 challenges to the wicked practices of the Church to the bulletin board on the door of the Wittenberg chapel on Halloween. He picked his day with care, and ever since Halloween has also been Reformation Day. The power of Satan has been broken once and for all, and our children can mock him by dressing up like ghosts, goblins, and witches.

Most people think of October 31st as Halloween—but it’s also Reformation Day, a cornerstone of Christian history that forever changed how believers understand salvation. Rooted in Romans 5:1–2, this devotional reminds us that faith—not works—justifies us before God. Martin Luther’s courage to challenge corruption in the church reignited the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, and his bold stand still calls us to live out the Gospel with conviction today. Highlights Reformation Day commemorates October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door. Luther’s actions reclaimed the biblical truth that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works or wealth. His translation of the Bible into German gave ordinary people access to God’s Word for the first time. Today, over 700 languages have Scripture translations—a legacy of the Reformation’s impact. Believers are called to guard against modern distortions of the Gospel, like prosperity or works-based teachings. Living out Reformation truths means boldly proclaiming salvation through Christ alone and standing firm in sound doctrine. Join the Conversation How can you live out the truths of the Reformation in your daily faith walk? Share your reflections and gratitude for the freedom we have in Christ. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #ReformationFaith #GraceAlone #FaithInChrist to join the conversation.

We're reposting this episode in anticipation of Reformation Day. John Henry Newman once said, "To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant." Dr. Michael Haykin disagrees — and in this conversation, he shows why Christians today need the wisdom of the early Church Fathers. Join us as we explore: What Cyprian, Athanasius, Augustine, Ignatius, Irenaeus, and Clement teach about baptism, communion, and church leadership Common myths about the Church Fathers and why their example of faithful, reflective living matters today How their pursuit of holiness can shape your daily devotion and spiritual growth Fun (and surprising) clarifications: Is John MacArthur a bishop? Are Presbyterians right about infant baptism? Support the Podcast Support us on Patreon Website: thatllpreach.io IG: thatllpreachpodcast YouTube Channel  

With the concerns around how powerful the American president has become in the last 50 years, political scientist Adam Carrington helps us look at the Constitution and what his powers are. And with Reformation Day coming up on October 31, he talks about how the various branches of Christianity still share a common ground we can work together upon. Plus, with Reformation Day on the way, Pastor Alfonso Espinosa, author of "Contending for Christ Through the Creed," helps us think about the completed work for Jesus on our behalf. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

10/28/25 7am CT Hour - William Albrecht/Wendy McMahan John, Glen and Sarah chat about President Trump's trip to Japan, Hurricane Melissa, and the Dodgers win game 3 of World Series. William talks about the history and context of Reformation Day and why it is celebrated on Halloween. Wendy shares how she was saved from oppression and delivered from a witchcraft attack through the power of confession, daily mass and prayer. https://www.conquerthedevil.com/

What is justification?Reformation Day 2025Revelation 14:6–7; Psalm 46; Romans 3:19–28; John 8:31-36

A sermon from Pastor Hobbs dealing with church history and Reformation Day in particular, and how God has restored necessary truths to His Church throughout her history.

Bollhagen keeps the lights on, and works through the readings for Reformation Day. Reformation Day, Rev. 14:6–7, Rom. 3:19–28, John 8:31–36

Message from Eric Letsche on October 26, 2025

Message by Pastors Bob Gianserra and Paul Frey of Grace and Truth Baptist Church and Elder Joe Narcisse and Pastor Jim Harrison of Red Mills Baptist Church

God has instituted and ordered His church so that within it, and nowhere else, we might find the forgiveness of sins. The church is that gathering of sinners in which the Lord Jesus is present among us with His forgiveness. We know this is true from His own words in Matthew 18 , that great chapter on…

Message from Mike Kloss on October 26, 2025

Message from Mike Kloss on October 26, 2025

We set people above or below us; but Christ stands beside us. (Ephesians 2:8-10, Romans 3:23-25a) As you listen to the sermon, here are some questions you can reflect on to deepen your spiritual connection with God: 1) In what ways do you compare yourself to others? 2) What do you gain by such comparison? What do you lose? 3) When are you focused least on your self? 4) If there were no consequence for failure, what would you attempt?

Message from Eric Letsche on October 26, 2025

Justin Peters delivers a comprehensive examination of the ruinous ruse of Rome by contrasting Roman Catholic theology with biblical Christianity through the lens of the five Reformation solas. This ruinous ruse of Rome becomes evident when examining salvation by grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone, for God's glory alone, according to Scripture alone. Peters demonstrates how the Roman Catholic Church has redefined fundamental biblical terms like grace, justification, and faith while adding works, sacraments, and human merit to salvation.This presentation exposes Rome's doctrine of transubstantiation, the sacrifice of the Mass, purgatory, and Marian dogmas as departures from Scripture. Through careful biblical exposition and historical documentation from the Council of Trent, Peters shows how Rome has anathematized the gospel itself by rejecting justification by faith alone and requiring ongoing works for salvation. The message honors the Protestant Reformers who sacrificed their lives—including John Hus, William Tyndale, and Hugh Latimer—to restore biblical truth and make Scripture accessible to all believers. ★ Support this podcast ★

Justin Peters delivers a comprehensive examination of the ruinous ruse of Rome by contrasting Roman Catholic theology with biblical Christianity through the lens of the five Reformation solas. This ruinous ruse of Rome becomes evident when examining salvation by grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone, for God's glory alone, according to Scripture alone. Peters demonstrates how the Roman Catholic Church has redefined fundamental biblical terms like grace, justification, and faith while adding works, sacraments, and human merit to salvation.This presentation exposes Rome's doctrine of transubstantiation, the sacrifice of the Mass, purgatory, and Marian dogmas as departures from Scripture. Through careful biblical exposition and historical documentation from the Council of Trent, Peters shows how Rome has anathematized the gospel itself by rejecting justification by faith alone and requiring ongoing works for salvation. The message honors the Protestant Reformers who sacrificed their lives—including John Hus, William Tyndale, and Hugh Latimer—to restore biblical truth and make Scripture accessible to all believers. ★ Support this podcast ★

Fall can be full of cozy traditions — and it can also be a chance to point our families toward Jesus instead of fear. In this episode we share simple, Christ-centered ideas you can use at home or in your homeschool as meaningful Christian alternatives to halloween.You'll hear practical activities — everything from Reformation Day celebrations to service opportunities for your kids — and one “ready-to-use” idea to try this month.✅ Family Praise Night (dessert + songs + testimonies)✅ Night bags or luminaries with Bible verses to line your walkways✅ Heroes of the Faith costume idea and mini-presentations for kids✅ Harvest (Thanks) Tree, scripture scavenger hunts, and Service Night ideas✅ How we host a Reformation Day party and a ready-made Reformation unit studyGrab the Reformation Day Unit Study mentioned in the podcast: (use coupon code REF25 for the limited-time discount)Show Notes:Christian Alternatives to Halloween: Faith-Filled Fall Traditions for Your FamilyHey everyone, Kerry Beck here with Homeschool Coffee Break, where we help you stop the overwhelm so you could take a coffee break. We need a coffee break every once in a while.It is fall time. I got my fall background up here. I love fall. This morning, I went for a walk. I probably could have even put a jacket on, and I live in Texas, and it's still September. I am so excited. So, I don't know what your weather is like, but it has been getting cooler here as well.Today, what I want to do is talk to you about a time in the fall season that Christians often struggle with, and that is Halloween. What are we doing? I want to talk to you about some alternatives to Halloween.We are releasing this, and this Wednesday, we are going to have a Facebook party that will dive more into fall alternatives to Halloween. So I hope you will join me. It is in Facebook. There'll be some freebies in there, but there'll be some great resources as well.Halloween Doesn't Have to Be About Darkness or FearToday, what I want to share with you are some Christ-centered and some family-friendly alternatives that you can use in your family, in your home, and in your home school as well. And let's talk about fall traditions.If you are listening to this and there is a place to put a comment, leave a comment and let me know what's one of your fall traditions. We all have Christmas traditions, or Thanksgiving traditions. What are some traditions during the fall time?You know, I love the cooler weather. We did decorate pumpkins, and we still decorate pumpkins. My kids carved a pumpkin when they were younger. I remember one time I bought these big jewel stickers and bought one of those small little pumpkins for my two oldest granddaughters. They were probably like 2 and 4, 3 and 5, and they could just put those stickers all over wherever they wanted, and they had their own little decorated pumpkin, their jeweled pumpkin, we could say.What fall traditions do you want your kids to remember? When we lived in Idaho, we went apple picking, and then we would make apple cider right there. Some of y'all might go through those corn mazes. I've done that, not with my kids, but I've done it with Steve and with some adults as well. And then some of you might go to just a pumpkin patch. I know in Dallas, they have a beautiful arboretum completely decorated with all the fall stuff there is.So, what are some family traditions you might have for fall?Christ-Centered Alternatives to HalloweenNow let's move on to Christ-centered alternatives to Halloween. You know, the world, it seems like, has hijacked all Hallows' Eve. But we can take it back for holiness and for light.It is a dark holiday now, let's be honest, but we stand for the light, the light of Jesus Christ. And so, let's talk about some alternative things you might do during October, during the last week of October, and how you could really focus on the light of the world.Family Praise Night: Maybe just have some families over and have a family praise night, where everyone brings a dessert, and y'all sing some songs and share testimonies of God's work in your family.Light Bags: Maybe you could do like the light bags, and everyone in your neighborhood just gets the little sandwich bags, and they can decorate it, maybe even cut holes if you want, and put a candle, or if you don't want to do a candle, you could put those little electric candles in there. Then line them up on your sidewalk, or line them up across the front of your house as well. You might decorate them with Bible verses if you want.Heroes of the Faith Costume: Maybe everyone chooses a Bible character and dresses up as a Bible character, and you come ready to tell at least one little fact each child does about the person that they have dressed up. So, they're going to be learning, and they get to dress up as well.Harvest of Blessings Night: I have done this, and I do not have a picture of it. We took a big piece of brown paper wrap paper, and I just drew a tree with branches, but no leaves. Then we cut out leaves out of orange, yellow, brown, those colors, and each leaf, you would write a blessing that you have. You could start it in October and continue it into November during Thanksgiving as well. Be our blessings tree, or our thanks tree. Add to it all season long. And then, at Thanksgiving, be able to sit down and read through some of the blessings that you've had in the past two months.Scripture Scavenger Hunt: You could do a scripture scavenger hunt, where you hide verses around the house, or around the yard, and maybe tied to a little prize or a little treat. But each verse is connected to some themes, the theme of light, the theme of courage, or the theme of God's protection.Service Night: I love this idea, it's called Service Night. Be a light in your community. Maybe you bake some cookies, and you are the light to maybe our first responders that are around there. You could put little verses tied onto some little Ziplocs, like you could put some cookies in there, and put some verses in there that go along with Jesus being the light. So, this teaches our kids the joy of giving instead of always getting.Celebrating Reformation Day: Our Family TraditionI want to share a story of something that we did personally, and that was Reformation Day. We did, I guess most of the ones we did were lunches. We did it at lunchtime, and we celebrated Reformation Day, October 31st, All Hallows' Eve. It's the eve of All Hallows Day on November 1st.And where did this all come about? Now, let me just say, whether you are Catholic, or Protestant, I don't really care. You still need to know what history has to say. I am... we grew up... we lean... we are Protestant, and we taught our kids the Protestant faith. But they still learned the Catholic faith. They learned about it. I wanted them to be able to think through any of those situations, anything like that. So, regardless of what your perspective and your theology is, I think it's important that we share this with our kids.The Story of Martin Luther and the 95 ThesesWe begin with Martin Luther, because on October 31st in the 1500s, he was a German monk and a teacher. He loved God, and he wanted everyone to understand the Bible. But the church at that time was asking people to pay for their forgiveness, like, give money. They are called indulgences. And many people were very confused about it, and actually some were upset. The poor people felt like they got wrangled around.And so, Martin Luther wrote these statements, 95 statements, and we call them 95 Theses. And explain what he thought the church should fix, and how it should work, and how we needed to rethink some of the things that the church was doing. I'm going to read a few of these. These are not complaints, they are just questions and ideas.Salvation is a gift from God, not bought with money. Repentance means changing your heart, not just giving money. The Pope cannot forgive sins with money. Christ followers should focus on faith and good works, not paying for forgiveness. Preachers should teach God's Word. Money cannot cleanse the soul, only God can. The church should help the poor, not profit from their guilt. Christians should study the Bible for themselves.That was a new concept. We have Bibles everywhere. And yet, they didn't even have it in their own language. That was William Tyndale, was one of the first people that starts translating the Latin Bible, the Vulgate, into English. Eventually, they started translating from the Greek and the Hebrew. He was on the run and ended up dying, but he was one of the first men trying to translate the actual Bible into the English language. The authority of the Bible is higher than the authority of the Pope.On October 31st, 1517, he took this paper and he went and nailed it to the door of the Wittenberg church. The church door, in that time, acted like a bulletin board. So when there were any announcements or notices, people could just go nail them up there, and that's what Martin Luther did. And people began to read these theses, and they shared them widely. This started a movement called the Reformation.Why Reformation Day Matters TodayNow, there's a lot more that goes over. That is just a simple view. You can teach it to your kids at different levels, but I think it's important. Why is this important? Because we need to sometimes question our church leaders, even today. You should always go back to the Bible and use the Bible. I mean, if they're doing something that goes against the Bible, then that is something you need to consider. Maybe that's not the place that you need to be attending church.This also eventually helped people read and understand the Bible for themselves in their own language, and it changed church history forever. No matter where you are, and I sort of see the church in Roman Catholicism, Greek Orthodox, and then the Protestant movement. I want to say it was protesting, and that's how we get the word Protestant, protesting Catholics and Roman Catholics, if I remember correctly.You see, the big picture is God used this reformation to bring truth, encourage and revival to that society. It actually makes me think a little bit about today. God is using something evil to bring about truth and courage and revival here in the United States. And hopefully around the world.I mentioned that last week, but you know, you could go and look. There are martyrs that died for their faith. You could go through and study some of them. I think I have the book here. There is Book of Martyrs, but this is a kid's version of Trial and Triumph, and this is stories from church history. This would be a great place for you to get started in sharing stories, and some of them are martyrs, and some of them are people that were just strong and courageous in their faith, and so that would be something that could tie in. That would be an alternative to Halloween, if you want to dive deep into this.How to Host Your Own Reformation Day PartyAnother thing, and this is what we did, we studied this time period, and then we had a Reformation Day party. We invited families, every family was responsible for bringing one food dish and hosting a booth. That booth could be a game, it could be a craft.We had some stairs up at the front of my house, and so, one of them had them, like, climbing, because at that time in the cathedral, they had to crawl up these stairs when they would go to Rome. We had people making candles at that time, because you needed candles for life. There are all different things you could do. We would always sing some songs, we might even act out a play based on one of our reformers, depending on who we were choosing, whether I think we... I know we did Martin Luther, John Calvin, Martin Bucer, any of those, and then we would always fellowship over a meal.And so that's really cool. How about you weave Reformation history into your home school, even with just one activity? You know, I think it's really important. You could host a party. It's not that hard. You don't have to do all of it. Spread the love and let other people come and bring activities for your kids. Our first one, my kids even dressed up. They made costumes, and they dressed up like a woman back in that time period, or a man.So, enjoy your family fall traditions that creates memories, look for alternatives to Halloween that point your family to Christ, and then celebrate Reformation Day to root your kids in church history. And I would encourage you to plan right now, this week, first week of October, what is one thing that you will do in October that's an alternative to Halloween, if that's something you want to do?Ready-to-Go Reformation Day ResourcesIf you'd like something that's a ready-to-go activities, I have something called a Reformation Day unit study. I pulled it together. You're going to get a book list, you're going to get stories about it, you get a slide presentation on different reformers. We have videos as well. There are recipes in there, and you know, a unit study takes the topic, and then we provide all the different subjects, history, and science, and art, and cooking, and Bible, and character, and literature. You get a little bit of all of that, and then you can pick and choose what it is you want for your family.If you happen to be listening to this, the week that this episode is published, this unit study is on sale, and so you can use the link below to be able to save some money on that Reformation Unit Study. You can get it at any time. People have bought it at all times of the year. But, right now, if you'd like to save a little money, just use the link in the coupon code CODE REF25, and you'll be able to save a little bit money as well.Hey, if you have a comment or question, reach out to me, you know, email me, DM me. If you have gotten just one little tip out of here, would you please share this with another Christian mom or another homeschool mom to help them, that would mean the world to me. Or, leave a 5-star review, because that means we can get this out to more and more people. Moms don't have the time to pull all this together, and they just need some creative ideas.Hey, thanks for spending time with me. I am Kerry Beck with Homeschool Coffee Break. We'll talk to you next time.