| Title: | The Story of Martin Luther |
| Subtitle: | The Monk Who Changed the World |
| Published: | December 17, 2024 |
| ISBN-10: | 1-4335-9268-1 |
| ISBN-13: | 978-1-4335-9268-3 |
| Category: |
Children & Youth
History & Biography |
| Retail Price: | $11.99 |
| Binding: | Paperback |
| Trim: | 5.25 in x 8.0 in |
| Page Count: | 152 |
The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World
By Jared Kennedy, Illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty
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Press Materials:
The Story of Martin Luther: The Monk Who Changed the World
By Jared Kennedy, Illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty
Children’s Book Illuminates the Life of Martin Luther, One of Church History’s Most Important Figures
A monk, priest, and professor—Martin Luther was committed to a life of poverty and self-sacrifice. But despite all his good deeds, a storm still raged within his soul. It was only when Luther immersed himself in God’s word that he found peace through Jesus Christ and justification by faith alone.
This short and lively biography takes middle-grade readers on an exciting journey through Luther’s life, highlighting how his writings transformed the church and eventually the world. The Story of Martin Luther emphasizes the importance of Scripture and the fundamental doctrine that the young monk discovered in Paul’s letters. Featuring illustrations, maps, timelines, bonus sidebars, and study questions, this addition to the Lives of Faith and Grace series engages kids ages 8–13 in the drama of history, showing how God worked in the past through ordinary people like them.
- Lively Biography: Explores the life of Martin Luther—a monk, priest, and professor who helped the church to clarify the doctrine of justification
- Written for Kids Ages 8–13: This short format includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and bonus sidebars to help young readers to stay engaged
- Part of the Lives of Faith and Grace Series: Engages kids with the real-life stories of Christian men and women from history
Author:
Jared Kennedy (ThM, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as an editor at the Gospel Coalition. He is also cofounder of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps parents and church leaders share Jesus with the next generation, and the author of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible and Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission. Jared lives with his wife, Megan, and three daughters in Louisville, Kentucky, where they attend Sojourn Church Midtown.
Illustrator:
T. Lively Fluharty is an accomplished illustrator whose artwork has appeared in such publications as Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Focus on the Family. His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Communications Arts, and Spectrum. Fluharty illustrated The Barber Who Wanted to Pray and The Boy and the Ocean, as well as Fool Moon Rising which he cowrote with his wife, Kristi.
Product Details
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Thunder and a Vow (July 1505)
Chapter 2: Trembling Before the Father (1505–1506)
Chapter 3: He Went for the Saints (1510–1511)
Chapter 4: Coin in the Coffer (1517)
Chapter 5: Theologian of the Cross (1517–1518)
Chapter 6: I Cannot Recant (1520–1521)
Chapter 7: A Bible for the People (1521–1522)
Chapter 8: Years of Trouble (1522–1524)
Chapter 9: The Estate of Marriage (1523–1534)
Chapter 10: Hymns and Catechism (1527–1535)
Chapter 11: Chalk on the Table (1529)
Chapter 12: Final Words (1530–1546)
Conclusion: Lessons from a Life
Study Questions
Timeline
More to Explore
Endorsements
“Jared Kennedy brings the great Reformer Martin Luther to life—haunted by thunder and lightning, hunted by kings and popes, humbled by our Lord Jesus and his word! But Kennedy does more than retell Luther’s full and fascinating story. Like Luther himself, he points readers to Luther’s first love: the strong and mighty word of God that does what it says—creating, forgiving, making holy, and giving true life in Jesus Christ. An excellent book for first meeting the boisterous pastor, preacher, and professor of Wittenberg!”
Todd R. Hains, author, Martin Luther and the Rule of Faith and Who Is Our King?; editor, FatCat Books
“The Story of Martin Luther is a lively tale about a lively man. Jared Kennedy recounts the complexities of Luther’s life in a way that is understandable, interesting, and relatable, without oversimplification or condescension. I can think of no better way to introduce children to the Protestant Reformation than by giving them this biography.”
Betsy Childs Howard, Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author, Arlo and the Great Big Cover-Up
“Phenomenal. The Story of Martin Luther is so much more than a biography. It is perfectly aimed at engaging young readers with exceptional storytelling and compelling narrative, and it is artfully and thoughtfully organized with points of visual interest, compelling illustrations, maps, recap sections, study questions, and a timeline. The young people who engage with this work will not soon forget the rich theology, church history, and maybe even the Latin they’re encouraged to scribble in the book itself. But more importantly, they will most certainly be shaped by the beauty and power of the gospel on display and will (Lord willing) begin to see God at work in their own stories as part of their own timeline.”
Abbey Wedgeworth, classical home educator; author, Training Young Hearts series
“Jared Kennedy has crafted a fast-paced, fact-based guide to the life of Martin Luther, suitable for children yet worthwhile for any age. Luther is depicted as a man dependent on divine grace whose life was marked by both faith and failures.”
Timothy Paul Jones, C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Jared Kennedy’s The Story of Martin Luther is perfect for young theologians and will be enjoyed by adults as well. Kennedy writes about Luther in a way that simultaneously informs and inspires readers to treasure Jesus and to have confidence in the word.”
Jamaal Williams, Lead Pastor, Sojourn Midtown, Louisville, Kentucky; President, Harbor Network; coauthor, In Church as It Is in Heaven
“There are few figures in church history who are more colorful than the Reformer Martin Luther. In this volume, Jared Kennedy does a marvelous job of painting Luther with a glorious palette—showing us his persistent faith, his rigorous theological mind, and his endearing humanness. Kids and adults alike will laugh at Luther’s antics and thank God for his courage. The world could use some young Luthers today, and I pray this book will be the instrument God uses to raise up gospel-emboldened boys and girls.”
Megan Hill, Managing Editor, The Gospel Coalition; author; pastor’s wife; mother of four
“Whenever I see a new children’s book by Jared Kennedy, it jumps to the top of my list of books to recommend to parents. This skillful retelling of Martin Luther’s life is no exception.”
Robert L. Plummer, Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies and Chairman, New Testament Department, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“This book checks all the boxes: interesting characters, well-told history, and rich theology explained so anyone can understand. Best of all, it makes Jesus and his free grace the hero of the story.”
Jack Klumpenhower, author, Show Them Jesus
“As young people mature they need to know the centrality of the gospel and the Bible, both in our theology and our day-to-day lives. This accessible, entertaining, and relatable biography of Martin Luther illustrates the fundamentals of these two precepts extremely well. My children will be reading this book as an essential part of their Christian formation and education.”
Cameron Cole, Founding Chairman, Rooted Ministry; author, Therefore I Have Hope and Heavenward
This short format includes illustrations, maps, timelines, and bonus sidebars to help young readers to stay engaged