Salvation Stations:  A Journey of Faith

St. John Lutheran Church

Drama Station

Story: Martin Luther

 Station Summary

The class will discuss four key scenes in the life of Luther.  They will then act them out.

Preparation

• Review Bible Background notes.
• Pray for the children and for your teaching of the lesson.
• Materials List:
  • props in the Drama Props boxes
• Advance Preparation:
  • Refer to schedule and decide how you will make adjustments for the different ages.

Introduction

1. Introduce yourself to the students.
2. Briefly explain what you will be doing today and what you want them to learn. 
3. Open with a prayer.

Presentation

Introduction & Bible Story:

General introduction: Martin Luther was a Catholic priest and a professor who lived in the late 1400's and early 1500's. He was from Germany.  He found great comfort in reading the scriptures. In fact, his studies led him to believe that the pope was promoting ideas that were not biblically based.  One of the biggest issues he had with the pope was how people were released from punishment for their sins. The Catholic Church believed that good works could balance against your sins and earn your way into heaven.  In fact, the Catholic Church sold indulgences; you could buy the good works of the saints-- kind of like a get out of jail card. Martin Luther disagreed with this practice because it was not in the Bible.  He said that the only way that people got to heaven was through grace; there is nothing on this earth that any of us can do and there is no paper that you can buy that will get you into heaven.  Faith that God forgives us and grants us grace is how that happens; people are justified by grace.

 Say:  We will be talking about the story and acting it out as we go along.

Act It Out Activity

For the Teacher:   The class will be going through several events in Luther's life.  The focus is not getting through as many scenes as possible, but to explore several in depth.  In discussing and asking questions about each scene, try to guide your students (especially the older ones) to deeper levels of what is going on and why--not just the superficial actions.  You might want to jot down some of these ideas/concepts on your lesson plan below.

 Introduction for the Students:

Depending on the size of the class, you might want to split the students into several "acting troupes” with a variety of ages in each group. HOWEVER, keep all of the students together during the discussion. After the discussion, the group of actors will do their scene. Then, move on to the next scene.

Scene One: Vow to Become a Monk 

Brief Overview:  Martin went to the University of Erfurt, the greatest university in Germany, to study law.  Luther's parents were very pleased with this decision.  On his way back to Erfurt, he had the scare of his life. There was a terrible thunderstorm. Luther prayed and said, "Save me, St. Anne and I will become a monk!"  He made it back to Erfurt.  Luther kept his promise. His father was furious.

Discussion:

• Characters in this scene:
• What is happening?
• For deeper discussion:  keeping your promises even when difficult;  was it OK to disappoint his father;  where is God in this?
• How will they act it out?  Props?
  
  

Acting it out

Give them just a few moments to assemble props.  Then they can act it out.

Scene Two: Tries to be a “Good" Monk

Brief Overview:  As a child, Martin was taught that Jesus was a stern judge--rather than the Savior and Friend that He is.  Luther tried to be a good monk by praying and working and studying, but he felt like he was a failure.  He was always wondering what he needed to do in order to win God's forgiveness of his sins.

Discussion:

• Characters in this scene:
• What is happening?
• For deeper discussion: their views of Jesus; how would they act if they were afraid of Jesus;  God IS a judge but what was His plan so that we wouldn't be punished;  how would Luther feel as he realized that he could not do everything right;  can we win forgiveness and salvation by what we do
• How will they act it out? Props?

Acting it out

Give them just a few moments to assemble props.  Then they can act it out.

Scene Three:  Luther Discovers the Good News

Brief Overview:  Martin was sent to a new university in Wittenburg to become a professor.  He was still depressed and obsessed with being “good enough" for God. While there, he studied the Bible, especially the book of Romans. He was excited to learn that he didn't have to earn God's forgiveness.  God loved him.  Jesus died on the cross for his sins and the sins of everyone.  Forgiveness and salvation were gifts from God.

Discussion:

• Characters in this scene:
• What is happening?
• For deeper discussion:  we are nice people--why isn’t that “good enough" for God;  importance of knowing what the Bible says/Luther didn't just make this up;  you don't have to earn gifts;  where is God in this
• How will they act it out?  Props?

Acting it out

Give them just a few moments to assemble props.  Then they can act it out.

Scene Four:  Luther Defends his Teachings

Brief Overview: Salvation as a gift was NOT what the church was teaching at that time.  They were teaching that, even if you were a very bad person, you could pay money to get into heaven. On October 31st, 1517, Luther wrote 95 concerns--or theses--about incorrect teachings of the church.  He nailed them to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, so that everyone could read them. Many people agreed with Luther, but he angered the leaders.  Finally, Luther appeared before Charles the fifth, the emperor over much of Europe.  The church leaders demanded that Luther take back what he had written, but Luther clearly stated that everything he believed was based on the Bible.  He said: “I cannot recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.  Here I stand.  I cannot do otherwise.  God help me. Amen!" Luther lost the trial anyhow and was called an outlaw.  This meant that anyone could kill him. 

Discussion:

• Characters in this scene:
• What is happening?
• For deeper discussion:  standing up for the Bible and your faith;  Luther did this even though he could have died;  why didn't Luther give in when the leaders demanded it 
• How will they act it out?  Props?
  
  

Acting it out

Give them just a few moments to assemble props.  Then they can act it out.

Reflect/Closure:

Ask how they see God at work in the life of Luther.

Closing Prayer: 

Age Adaptations

Older students:  Engage them with the "deeper" questions.

Guide Information

1. Detailed Summary of Activities:  The class will discuss four key scenes in the life of Luther. They will then act them out.
2. How the guide might help (this might be changed by the teacher). Help them with the prop box--don't let them spend too much time with this. Help put props away after class--make sure they go back in the correct box (they are labeled).