Photo by Jo Kassis.

High School Co-op Lesson Plan (1 Hour)
Theme: What defines a martyr—past and present?

Lesson Overview and Introduction

This lesson explores the lives of two men: William Tyndale and Charlie Kirk, under the umbrella theme of martyrdom. Students will read about Tyndale’s faith, his translation of the Holy Scriptures into English, and how his devotion to the Word of God shaped the early church. Then, they will examine how modern believers like Charlie Kirk demonstrate courage, conviction, and the love of Christ when facing opposition.

This lesson may also be adapted to include other martyrs such as Martin Luther, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, or Jim Elliot, connecting examples from the Old and New Testaments, Jesus Christ, and the Christian life.

Definition of Martyr

It will be helpful to begin with a working definition of the word martyr before we study Tyndale and Kirk.

From Dictionary.com:

• martyr (noun)

1. A person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce their religion.
2. A person who is put to death or endures great suffering on behalf of any belief, principle, or cause.
    Example: Her death has made her a martyr to the cause of social justice.
3. A person who undergoes severe or constant suffering.
4. A person who seeks sympathy or attention by feigning or exaggerating pain or deprivation.

From Merriam-Webster:

• martyr (noun)

1. A person who voluntarily suffers death as the penalty of witnessing to and refusing to renounce a religion.
2. A person who sacrifices something of great value—especially life itself—for the sake of a principle or cause.
    Example: A martyr to the cause of freedom.
3. A victim, especially one who suffers greatly or constantly.
    Example: A martyr to asthma all his life. —A. J. Cronin

Together, these definitions show that a martyr is someone who willingly suffers, often to the point of death, for a deeply held faith, conviction, or cause. This may include sacrifice for Jesus Christ, the Bible, or one’s own church, and can inspire spiritual growth in people of different cultures or ages, from a young man to older believers.

Materials Needed

• Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Hannula, Richard M. (or other book containing William Tyndale’s story)
• Bible and selected Bible verses
• Whiteboard or notepaper
• Writing materials
• Printable biography sheet of Charlie Kirk (free download below)

Part 1: Historical Martyr — William Tyndale (20 min)

Reading (5–7 min)

Read pages 127–130 aloud from Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Hannula, Richard M.

If the book isn’t available, summarize key points:

• William Tyndale (c. 1494 – 1536) translated the Holy Scriptures into English.
• Church and state leaders feared losing authority if people read the Bible verses themselves.
• Translating, printing, or distributing the Bible in English was a crime punishable by death.
• Tyndale left England in 1524 to translate the New Testaments. He smuggled copies back; many were seized and burned.
• Betrayed by a friend, imprisoned, and executed by strangulation and burning.
• His final prayer: “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.” Within two years, English Bibles were authorized for public reading.

Discussion Questions

• What made Tyndale a man of God and a martyr?
• How did his commitment to the Word of God contribute to spiritual growth in the early church?
• Why is having access to Holy Scriptures and Bible verses such a powerful thing?
• How do good works and love for Christ Jesus show up in his life?

Source: Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History by Hannula, Richard M.

Part 2: Modern Figure — Charlie Kirk (20 min)

Mini Presentation (5–7 min)

Use the information below as a short lecture, slide, or reading.

• Charlie Kirk (October 14, 1993 – September 10, 2025) was an American conservative activist, commentator, and founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
• Co-founded Turning Point in 2012 to promote free markets, limited government, and Judeo-Christian values among high schools and college students.
• Kirk became a well-known campus speaker and media personality, engaging in debates and homeschooling renaissance initiatives.
• His outspoken defense of Christian life and the love of Christ made him influential and controversial.
• On September 10, 2025, he was tragically shot while speaking at Utah Valley University.
• The Turning Point board appointed his widow, Erika Kirk, as CEO and Chair after his death.

Compare & Contrast Activity (5 min)

William Tyndale	Charlie Kirk
Translator of the Bible	Founder of Turning Point
Martyred for giving others access to Scripture	Faced opposition for promoting Christian life
Betrayed and executed by the authorities	Criticized, opposed publicly, and assassinated at Utah Valley University
Prayed for his persecutors	Spoke about Jesus Christ and good works publicly
Classic martyrdom	Modern ideological persecution, modern martyrdom

There’s a saying that we stand on the backs of those who went before us. Because of the courage of men who advanced the great gospel commission, like William Tyndale, Charlie Kirk was able to access, learn, and share the gospel, speaking the Word of God on college campuses across America. Much like the culture of Tyndale’s day, Kirk also faced significant cultural opposition. He stood boldly for his biblical values and convictions, and for that courage, he ultimately gave his life.

Discussion Questions (5–7 min)

• What similarities or differences exist between Tyndale’s courage and Kirk’s?
• How do man of God, spiritual growth, and love of Christ manifest in both lives?
• Does martyrdom always mean physical death, or can it include suffering for truth in other forms?
• How can young men & women, and students stand firm in their convictions in high schools, co-ops, or homeschooling?

Part 3 — Reflection & Closing (10 min)

Group Discussion:

• What defines a martyr?
• How do faith, courage, and conviction connect across centuries?
• Who are other figures (historic or modern) you’d consider martyrs or courageous witnesses (Jim Elliot, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Hugo Moreno, John MacArthur)?

Optional Writing Prompt:

“In my own life, standing for truth might look like ________.”

Closing Thought:
Martyrdom, in any era, centers on unwavering commitment to truth and to Christ Jesus, whether that means death, public criticism, or steadfast obedience that costs something. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12

Homework / Extension

• Choose another martyr or courageous figure from history or Scripture. Write a short (1–2 paragraph) reflection on what we can learn from their faith.
• Optional: Create a visual timeline connecting Tyndale, Kirk, and other courageous figures across the Renaissance, World Wars, and outreach to the ends of the earth.

Sources:

1. Hannula, Richard M. Trial and Triumph: Stories from Church History. Canon Press & Book Service, 1999.
2. Wikipedia – Charlie Kirk
3. Wikipedia – Turning Point USA
4. Reuters – Conservative influencer Charlie Kirk shot at Utah Valley University event (2025-09-10)
5. Reuters – Prosecutors seek death penalty for Kirk’s accused assassin (2025-09-16)
6. Encyclopaedia Britannica – “Charlie Kirk”

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