A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Psalm 46:1-11; Romans 1:16-17 Message by Michael J. Barnard October 29, 2017 Teaching Aim: To explore the events leading to the Protestant Reformation. To study the life of Martin Luther and observe the radical change that took place in his life once he discovered the true meaning of the gospel! To follow Luther through some of the most challenging times of his life and see his faithfulness to God, even at risk to his life. To understand the many ways Martin Luther changed Christianity and is still affecting the Church today. DIGGING DEEPER INTO THE REFORMATION Part I: Martin Luther - The early years 1. When and where was Martin Luther born? (Hint: Google it!) What was the name of his father and what did he do for a living? What profession did Luther s father want Martin to go into? Why? 2. At 21 years of age, Luther had graduated from the University of Erfurt with a Master of Arts degree and was already distinguishing himself in law. What frightening event changed his life forever in 1505 AD? What did Luther promise? 3. What Bohemian Christian martyr was Martin Luther often likened to? What prophecy did this martyr make moments before his death? Why do many people believe that Luther fulfilled this prophecy? What was this martyr killed for? Part II: The insanity of Luther 1. Why do you think Martin Luther had so many paranoias in his early life? What kind of physical ailments did Luther suffer from? 2. Why were the other monks so upset at Luther when he went to confessional? What did Johann von Staupitz mean when he said, Martin, don t bring me your scruples, bring something of substance? Luther wrestled with guilt. In light of his legal training, what caused him to be so sensitive to sin? 1
3. Luther later wrote, I see Christ as a furious judge with his sword in hand coming after me! Why? What did Reformer John Calvin mean when he said, The Law of God acts as a mirror? Is the Law of God graded on a curve or on the cross? Why? Part III: Luther s pilgrimage to Rome 1. Why was Martin Luther sent to Rome in 1510 AD? Why did Luther expect this to be a high point of his life? What major regret did Luther have in going to Rome? To Martin s dismay, what did he find upon his arrival to the holy city? 2. What were the sacred steps in the Lateran Church? What did Luther say when he finally completed his pilgrimage? Did Luther find any relief to his guilt during this trip? Part IV: The Tower Experience 1. Upon his return from Rome, where was Luther sent to be the professor of Bible? Was this a large city or a small village? What major figure in the Holy Roman Empire lived in this city? 2. What book in the Bible was Luther teaching at the University in Wittenberg when he had his Tower Experience? In what passage did Luther discover the true meaning of the gospel? (See Rom. 1:16-17) Luther s struggle was with the righteousness of God. How did this revelation from God s Word affect Luther? How has coming to Christ affected your life? Part V: Indulgences, Pope Leo X and Johann Tetzel 1. What are indulgences? What was the background behind the indulgence controversy? Why was this such a serious offense to Father Luther? Who was the chief marketer serving under Pope Leo X? What tactic did he use to squeeze money out of the poor peasants? Where was this money going? 2
Part VI: Luther s posting of the ninety-five theses at Wittenberg 1. What two themes did Luther address in his ninety-five theses? Where did Luther post this document? Was this an open act of rebellion or a common thing? What was uncommon? 2. What major invention enabled this document to be spread all over Europe and eventually into the hands of Pope Leo X? How did Leo X respond as he read Luther s theses? What is the meaning of the title of Pope Leo X s Papal Bull Exsurge Domine? (Hint: Google it!) What did Luther do when he received a copy of the Papal Bull condemning him? Part VII: Surprised at the Diet of Worms 1. What was Luther s intent in going to the Diet of Worms? Why did he hope to debate the theology of indulgences and the treasury of merit in front of Emperor Charles V with the best Catholic theologians? What unexpected turn of events took place? Have you ever been setup before? How did it feel? 2. How did Luther initially respond to the surprise change? Was his life now at stake? How did Luther address the Council of Worms after a sleepless night in prayer? Have you ever been so troubled that you couldn t sleep and prayed most of the night? How long did Emperor Charles V (of the not so Holy Roman Empire) give Luther to recant or die? 3. What unexpected event took place as Luther returned to Wittenberg by covered wagon from Worms? Who was behind this kidnapping? Where did they take Luther? Disguised as a knight, what name did Luther go by during his year of hiding in the Castle at Wartburg? 3
Part VIII: The Castle of Wartburg: Luther s most productive years 1. Sickly and with poor lighting, Luther had the most productive year of his life. What was Martin Luther s greatest accomplishment while hiding at the Castle of Wartburg? How did this achievement affect the German people? How is it still affecting us today? 2. How long did it take Luther to translate the entire New Testament into German from Erasmus Greek New Testament? How long did it take Luther to translate the entire Old Testament into the common language of the people? Additionally, Luther wrote over 60,000 pages during his lifetime, on how much of that writing did he receive royalties? Part IX: Major accomplishments in the life of Martin Luther 1. What is the meaning of the word Protestant? What was Luther protesting? How much of Luther s understanding of Scripture and accomplishments listed below still affect the modern church today? We now realize we are justified by faith in Christ alone! (Sola fide) We realize the Scriptures alone are the authority for what we believe, not the opinion of any man or church council! (Sola Scriptura) We realize every believer has the right to read the Bible in his or her own language! We believe in the priesthood of all believers! We understand our vocation [or job] is a calling from God and to be used for His glory! Luther s ninety-five theses demonstrated the false doctrine found in the Catholic Church s doctrines of indulgences and the treasury of merit! Luther made the change from seven sacraments to two (Baptism and the Lord s Supper)! Luther wrote the first Bible translation from the original languages into the common language of the German people. This Bible is a classic and is still in use today! Our King James Version of the Bible and all modern translations have been heavily influenced by Luther s literary style and desire to minister to the common people! Luther formed schools so that the poor peasants could learn how to read the Bible for themselves! Luther allowed priests to marry as the Apostles had before and was happily married to former nun Katharina von Bora! (Matt. 8:14; 1 Cor. 9:5) Luther wrote the shorter catechism to help families do family devotions! Luther wrote the larger Catechism to teach pastors and teachers! 4
Luther mastered the use of the press in getting the gospel out. At one point half of everything in print in Germany was from Luther! Luther changed worship services to integrate music much like we have today! Luther introduced congregational singing to the worship service! Luther wrote 27 hymns including the battle hymn of the Reformation, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! Luther turned his large home (a former monastery) into a hospital to help fight the plague! Luther never took a penny for any of his work on the Bible, his books or any of his writings! 5