This page exists to address books and curriculum choices already available. Some are Lutheran curriculum and recommendations mainly go toward Lutheran books by Lutheran authors. At the same time, we would love to be able to recommend tweaking guides, so that we can better Lutheranize some of the really good curriculum options out there. (See non-Lutheran options here.)
Our recommendations are only human and obviously specific to our homes and experiences, but they’ll give you ideas so you yourself can give your children a Lutheran curriculum experience.
If you have additional recommendations or comments to add, please let us know using the form at the bottom of the page.
Table of Contents
General Introduction
First, we strongly encourage parents to teach the faith explicitly to their children. By all means, teach your children to ask their pastor, but ultimately parents are the ones placed by God in the fullest of full time roles, for the good of their souls and for their vocational development. Even the best Lutheran curriculum cannot replace an environment of faith.
Sometimes we have to do the best we can with our own words and examples. Thankfully often we can use great books to help us (Small Catechism, anyone?)!
Below, in the first portion of this page, is an ongoing project to compile great Lutheran resources, including anything that gets us closer to a Lutheran curriculum in the home. Ideally so we can let the biblical truths highlighted in Lutheranism shine in our study and play, our home and away.
Lutheran Books
Educational Books & Resources by Lutherans
A Christian Pedagogy by Edward Koehler
CPH also continues to publish collections of essays, so do visit CPH.org to periodically check those out, too!
Parenting Books & Articles by Lutherans
There was enough it got it’s own page!
Homeschooling Books by Lutherans
In 2015, LCMS School Ministry published the following book to promote and encourage LCMS Homeschooling families. Are there more to add?
Vocation Books
Both for ourselves and our kids!
Lutheran Curriculum
By the way, places that sell second-hand curricula include Amazon, many Facebook forums, and HomeschoolUsedBook.com.
Wittenberg Academy
You simply need to know that there is a group of Lutherans who have pieced together an entirely free Lutheran option for a classical elementary/ grammar school education. Go here to see topic lists for grades Kindergarten through Sixth. Piecing together largely public domain resources, they’ve put together a full Lutheran curriculum!
Plus, Wittenberg Academy offers professional online classes for Junior High and High School enrollment. Lectures are pre-recorded/ asynchronous (“not live”), discussions held in online forums, and the students meet with their teacher “live” one hour per week.
All the teachers are Lutherans, and there is a beautifully explicit Lutheran character with an emphasis on catechesis and vocation. This option has already come a long way since it began back in 2014, and we are thankful to God that people are putting together explicitly Lutheran curriculum!
(For more online Lutheran school options, see “Online Lutheran Schools” below.)
Concordia Publishing House
If you haven’t browsed the CPH website in a while, you might be amazed at how much curricula they’ve developed and sold through the years. Admittedly, it is geared for Lutheran schools rather than Lutheran homeschools.
There is a specific Homeschool drop-down option on their website, so we can more easily search for materials either by topic or grade level.
They also offer several free teaching guides, some created specifically for homeschoolers:
And, although not necessarily at a child’s level, CPH offers online FaithCourses, based on several of their new releases.
LutheranHomeschool.com
Especially given how many Lutherans are trained in education, it is no surprise that many Lutheran homeschoolers are developing and sharing their own materials, right here.
Online Lutheran Coursework (Also see Online Lutheran Schools)
Online courses available for older children and adults
Online Lutheran Schools
- Amazing Grace Virtual Academy (formerly known as ALHS Online) (High school, WELS)
- Faith Lutheran School, Plano TX
- Genesis Virtual Academy, Mayer Lutheran High School
- Lutheran South Academy/ Lutheran High North? Houston area
- Orange Lutheran High School
- Wittenberg Academy
Lutheran Educational Consultant/ Advisor
Lutheran Schools with Dual Enrollment (High School/College)
Non-Lutheran Curriculum or Schooling Options
The link provides some simple information about additional options. Hopefully, it will also become a place where people send in commentary and review so that these it is increasingly easy to choose and tweak curriculum so that Lutheranism can shine through it.
Lutheran Organizations
Lutheran Organizations For Families
Lutheran Organizations with Pertinent Resources
- Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education (CCLE at ccle.org) offers homeschool groups for discussion for both email and face, recommended reading/ resources/ websites, and a Curriculum Resource Guide for Classical Lutheran Education (now in its second edition).
- LuthEd.org has resources and is a service through LCMS School Ministry Office.
- Lutheran Education Association (LEA.org) offers weekly devotions, webinars, an online magazine, monographs, and a library for archived past material.
- National Lutheran Outdoors Ministry Association (LCMS-affiliated camps)
Shops by Lutherans (Arsy/ Etsy)
(To see a more detailed list of Lutheran crafters and specialty businesses and shops, visit Mary Moerbe’s site here.)
- Ad Crucem
- Anna Marie Steffenson
- Becky Foster Art
- Emmanuel Press: Greeting cards
- Hymns in my Heart: Holiday, Occasion, and Greeting cards
- Look of Concord
- Lutheran Pub
- L&G Kreations
- Old Lutheran
- Pleasantly Crafted Art
- Pure Joy Creative
- Red Letter Art Design (Liturgical calendars are AWESOME)
Topical Resources by Lutherans
The Arts
- The Gift of Art: The Place of the Arts in Scripture by Gene Veith
Bible/Religion
Bible (Younger)
Bible (Older)
- Meditations on David’s Hymnal: Psalms 11-32
- Meditations on the Great Hallel: Psalms 113-118
- Meditations on the Songs of the Ascents: Psalms 120-134
Activities/Coloring/Drawing
- According to Your Word: Draw the Liturgy and Draw the Catechism
- Bethesda: Welcome to My World: An inclusive coloring book from Bethesda
- CPH (yes, FREE)
- Knowledge of Him
- Mission Friends
- New Testament Activity Book for Preschool through Kindergarten Book (Or as individual pages)
- Old Testament Activity Book for Preschool through Kindergarten Individual Worksheets or book
Memory Work/Terms
- 25 Bible Word Cards
- Student Memory Work Worksheets for Youth Bible History: Old and New Testament
- On My Heart: Lutheran Memory Work Program (They are not, at this time, allowed to use the Small Catechism whose copyright is held by CPH.)
- Scripture Box is a digital, Alexa-friendly memory box
Reading Plans
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- 5 Free Bible Reading Plans: One Year, Two Year, Chronological, Bible Narratives, and Daily Lectionary
- This Passion Book, developed by Rev. Andrew Richard, combines woodcuttings and various artwork with the Passion readings traditionally read throughout Holy Week for home and devotional use.
- Book of Concord Reading Plans, including summer and yearly
Topical
- Meditations on the Apostles Creed
- The Pastoral Office: Institution, Nature, and Tasks according to Luke 10 and the Acts of the Apostles
- Holy Baptism: The Sacramental Entrance into the Church
- Faith and Good Works: The Christian Life
- Church and Ministry: The Communion of Saints, the Marks of the Church, and the Pastoral Office
- The Lord’s Supper: The Food of Life and the Feast of Heaven
Devotions & Prayer
Also see Catechetical Reading
Economics
Ethics
- Holy People, Holy Lives by Richard Eyer
- Pastoral Care under the Cross by Richard Eyer
Lutheran papers and presentations are also available on Cranach.org.
Reading
Fiction Chapter Books for kids by Lutherans!
Easy Chapter Books
Chapter Books
- A Hero’s Curse (The Unseen Chronicles Book 1) by P. S. Broaddus
- Nightrage Rising (The Unseen Chronicles Book 2) by P. S. Broaddus
- Madderfayr by Jane Obersat
- Out of the Woods by Ruth Chinery
Non-fiction for Kids by Lutheran Authors
Series
Religious Reading Recommendations for Students by Age
Religious Supplements for School Topics (Help me grow this list!)
Music
Appreciation
- The Messiah: The Greatest Sermon Ever Sung by Tony Pittenger
Playing
- Hymns of the Season, Volume 1: Jesus, Ground of Faith, hymn settings graded for piano students
- Hymns of the Season, Volume 2: Jesus, Priceless Treasure
- My First Hymnal, CDs, and accompaniment (simplified but not graded)
Podcasts
Science
(If you’re intimidated by the idea labwork at home, at least there is a place that sells complete lab kits, which correspond with several prominent Christian homeschool curriculum programs: Home Science Tools. We have no affiliate relationship, but we were relieved when we discovered them online.)
Teacher Courses
CCLE offers adult classes for Latin and Greek
Please, recommend more! 😀 Contact form is on the right.
