About
Short lessons and puzzles on the Lutheran faith
Free lessons for confirmation and beyond, plus word searches and crosswords that follow Martin Luther's life. Easy to read, and made for every age.
What Luther's World is
Luther's World is a free puzzle book and study companion on the web. It follows eleven stops, from Luther's hometown to the stories every family retells.
Eight stops follow his life. You'll visit the town where he was born, the storm that sent him to a monastery, and the door in Wittenberg. You'll stand at his trial at Worms and find the castle where he hid. You'll meet his wife, Katharina, and follow him to Coburg and Augsburg. Three more stops cover the Small Catechism, the church year, and Bible stories.
There's also Learn the Faith. It has nine short books: the whole Bible story, the creeds, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism and Communion, Holy Week and Easter, worship and the church year, faith in everyday life, and the history of the church. Each one works with the Bible you already have.
New to faith, or coming back? Start here is eight short steps that don't assume you know anything. Confused by a church word? Church Words explains it plainly. Parents will find a short conversation guide for every stop in For Parents.
New to church, or nervous about a service? What to Expect walks through worship, communion, baptism, confirmation day, and a funeral, one step at a time.
Open it and start. There's nothing to sign up for and nothing to buy.
Made to be easy to read
Puzzles should feel calm, not stressful. So Luther's World is built for older players, new players, and anyone who finds most apps too loud or too small.
- Large, clear letters in a typeface made for easy reading.
- One simple color scheme on every page.
- No clock and no score to chase.
- Big buttons that are easy to tap.
- Tap or drag, whichever is easier for you.
- Less motion if your device asks for it.
Learning, hidden inside the fun
A word search teaches names and spelling. A crossword clue teaches the story. "Struck close enough to knock him to the ground" leads you to lightning. Nobody feels lectured. You solve the puzzle, and the story comes with it.
For confirmation classes, there's also Study. You can match, put events in order, and sort Law from Gospel.
Why it's free
Luther taught that grace is a gift, not a payment. You can't earn God's love, and you can't buy it. God gives it freely, for Christ's sake.
Luther spent years arguing that forgiveness can't be bought. So it seemed right to make something in his name that isn't for sale either. There are no ads and no signup. A gift stops being a gift once you charge for it.
A note on Luther himself
Luther's early writing changed the church. He put the Bible into plain German that a farmer or a child could understand.
His later writing about Jewish people was harsh and shameful. It was later used to justify real harm. We don't pretend that isn't part of his story.
Lutheran churches have formally rejected those writings, including the ELCA in 1994. Luther's World follows that lead. We focus on his life, his translation work, his hymns, and his teaching.
Who makes it
Luther's World is a free project of Hope for Americans, made by a small team of volunteers. We hope it's a kind corner of the internet for every age.
It isn't built for one Lutheran church body. The history, hymns, and catechism belong to everyone. If you're simply curious about Luther, it's for you too.
Looking for daily prayer or more of Luther's own writing? Digital Lutheran Church is a sister project made for that.
Questions people ask
Is Luther's World free?
Yes, and it always will be. There's nothing to sign up for, nothing to buy, and no ads.
Do I need an account?
No. Just open it and play. Your progress and stamps are saved on your own device. It works on a phone, tablet, or computer.
What ages is it for?
Every age. The letters are large, the buttons are big, and there are no timers. Grandparents and grandchildren can play together.
What topics does it cover?
Eleven stops. Eight follow Luther's life: Eisleben, Erfurt, Wittenberg, Worms, Wartburg, Katharina's House, Coburg, and Augsburg. Three more cover the Small Catechism, the church year, and Bible stories. Learn the Faith adds the whole Bible story, the creeds, the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism and Communion, Holy Week and Easter, and church history.
Is it tied to one Lutheran church body?
No. It's made for anyone curious about Luther, Lutheran or not.
Who makes Luther's World?
A small team of volunteers, as a free project of Hope for Americans.