1. The Story of Martin Luther
Part 1
Martin Luther was born to a family of miners Lord, we dedicate
on November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany. this child to Thee!
His parents dedicated their first son to God and
named him after St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin
was a soldier who had converted to Christianity
in fourth century France. He had brought the
love of Jesus to the people and destroyed the old
pagan temples.
Amen!
Martin’s mother had a large family to
Martin started school when he
feed.
was five. His teachers were Roman
Catholic monks, who lived in a
It’s not easy having enough food
monastery.
to feed such a
large family.
Take this to
school, Martin,
for your lunch.
Martin often sang in the Martin was a good
streets to earn money to pay student and learned
for his meals and his books. Latin, the language in
which all of the important
books were written in
those days, including
the Bible. (The Bible was
not yet translated into
German.)
Deo gratias is Latin
for “Thank God.”
2. The monks taught the children that if they Martin always felt like God was
wanted to go to heaven when they died, they angry with him. Though he had
had to pay for their sins by doing good works learned about God, he didn’t under-
and praying to the saints. stand that God is love (1 John 4:8).
To avoid God’s God feels
punishment, you must so very far
not sin. away.
The only time he felt close to God was Martin would often sing as he walked.
when he walked by himself through the One day while passing by a church—
woods.
When I sing, I
don’t feel sad.
Everything is so beautiful.
It’s as if God is everywhere! Excuse me, young man.
Who taught you I just like to sing! Would you like to
to sing like that? I often earn a few sing in my choir?
coins by singing in
the streets.
No one taught me, I’d be very glad
sir. to, sir!
3. And that’s when Martin received his first training to sing, a skill that God was going to
wonderfully use later on. Martin also learned to play the flute and the lute, a stringed
instrument which is similar to a guitar.
Martin was a brilliant student, and One of the greatest events of Martin’s life
continued his education at the happened one day at the university.
University of Erfurt, where he eventually
studied to become a lawyer.
Martin, with your quick mind, you’ll
soon know every detail of the law.
Hmm, the Holy Bible. This is
probably an interesting book.
Thank you, sir. I think I’ll read it.
“For God did not send his Son into the Why didn’t someone tell me
world to condemn the world, but in before that the Bible says this?
order that the world might be saved
through him” (John 3:17 ESV).
From then on, Martin was deeply
Fascinating! I wonder if that interested in reading the Bible to learn
means I can be saved, even
more about God and how to please Him.
though I’m so bad?
4. Before continuing on You are as good with your lute as you
with advanced studies, are with your books.
Martin Luther went to
spend a brief holiday
with his parents and
friends.
Ha! Ha!
My son is a fine young man. Here’s to Martin! May he become
He’s a scholar. Why, even I one of the greatest lawyers in
call him “sir.” all of Germany!
Prost!
Ha, ha, ha!
Prost!
I’m honored Thank you, my friends.
But God had other plans for him.
During the journey back to the university:
Don’t worry, Martin, it’s Suddenly, lightning
just a summer storm. struck!
We’ll make it
back safely.
We must find shelter!
5. Franz? Franz! I must earn
forgiveness. Oh
Aaugh… God, I promise to
Oh no! He’s dead!
God must be angry!
become a monk.
And so, Martin, afraid of death, Life in a monastery is very hard,
my son. There is little food, little
decided to leave his family and his
sleep, many long prayers, and
career, and joined the Augustinian much hard work. Are you prepared
Monastery at Erfurt. for this type of life?
What do you want, my son?
I beg your mercy and God’s
mercy, Father. I want to
become a monk. Yes, Father. I’ll do all I can!
Martin thought that he He went without food for He would go
could earn God’s mercy days at a time and lay on begging sometimes
through his good works. And the cold stone floor for for days on end.
how hard he tried! He did hours saying long prayers.
everything he was told and Alms,2
much more. please?
Hear me, O
2
money given to
almighty God! help the poor
