Teach Kids About Important Abolitionists Who Loved Jesus

In the history of the world, the abolition movement (1688-1888) was vitally important. It’s an historic event that affected the freedom–and the faith–of millions of people globally. Not only that, abolitionists were primarily Christians who sought wisdom in God’s Word and applied it in their lives as they fought for the freedom of all God’s image bearers.

We want our kids to know about this fight for freedom, and it’s important that they learn about history from a biblical worldview!

Teach kids about ten important abolitionists who loved Jesus — and loved their neighbors with their lives!

The abolition movement was based on Scripture. Expanding on the 8th Commandment, which tells us, “You shall not steal,” Exodus 21:16 says “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” This thread carries through Scripture, as Paul includes enslavers (or “man-stealers”) in his list of the lawless and disobedient in 1 Timothy 1:9-10. Revelation 18:13 lists the unsold cargo of Babylon, including “slaves, that is, human souls.” God’s people are not meant to be kidnapped, bought, or sold!

Christian abolitionists sought to free those who were enslaved against God’s law. Their work was an effort to love their neighbors as themselves, and to love God by honoring his commands. Eventually, their work led to the freedom of millions of people.

Important Abolitionists Who Loved Jesus

History–even about tough topics like slavery and the Holocaust–can be really fun and engaging for our kids to learn. Through narrative literature and hands-on activities, we can help our children understand what it looks like to live a life dedicated to serving Jesus, even in tough times.

As I wrote Who Were the Abolitionists?, I worked to find people who made a significant impact on abolition. It was a joy to tell the stories of ten people who loved Jesus and who spent their lives loving their neighbors. Though some of their stories were difficult, each person overcame significant obstacles, growing closer to Christ and serving many. They were American and British, black and white, poor and rich, enslaved and free.

Your kids will love learning about the lives of the following ten important abolitionists:

• Granville Sharp (1735-1813) was a theologian who brought freedom lawsuits in an effort to help end slavery in the UK.
• Phillis Wheatley (c. 1745-1797) started the tradition of African American literature. She also helped fight the wicked philosophy of the time which stated that black people were not humans.
• Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745-1797) was kidnapped from Nigeria as a child. He wrote his life story, which helped change how people saw slavery.
• Thomas Clarkson (1760-1846) traveled widely, researching slavery so that the British people could understand how wicked it was.
• William Wilberforce (1759-1833) spent twenty-six years fighting in Parliament for an end to the slave trade and for emancipation of all slaves.
• Zachary Macaulay (1768-1838) helped research and write about slavery. He even ran a colony for formerly enslaved people who wanted to return to Africa.
• William Knibb (1803-1845) served as a missionary in Jamaica. He spoke on the evils of slavery until he saw the emancipation of slaves in the British territories.
• Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) successfully sued for the freedom of her son. She also spoke widely and wrote about slavery.
• Frederick Douglass (c. 1817-1895) spoke and wrote about slavery, writing his story in a narrative.
• Harriet Tubman (c. 1820-1913) worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and later, as a spy in the American Civil War.

Each one lived a unique life, serving God in a unique way–suited to the way God gifted each of them. It reminds me of Ephesians 2:10, ESV:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

What a great lesson for our kids! God created each of his children to serve in the way he gifted them. God knows just what good works he prepared for each Christian–long before we are ever born!

Grab your FREE Abolition lapbooks. Your kids will learn about ten Christian abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, and Abolition!

There are lots of fun ways to teach your kids about the Christian abolitionists. Here are a few books and activities to get you started.

Abolitionists Activities and Books

• Who Were the Abolitionists? is the perfect sassy narrative biography of ten amazing Christian abolitionists, written just for your 7-11 year old!
• Grab this free Who Were the Abolitionists? Biography Lapbook to go along with your Who What Why biography.
• Your kids can make fun representations of ten Christian abolitionists–all out of toilet paper rolls!

Kids need to know about the people who loved their neighbors by dedicating their lives to helping free millions of enslaved people. You can teach about the abolitionists in fun, engaging ways kids will enjoy!

Danika Cooley’s Who What Why Christian history series is perfect for your 7-11 year olds. Your children will better understand the history of the Christian faith, the people who loved Jesus, and what the Bible says about really important issues! Danika is an award-winning children’s author and Bible curriculum developer. Her popular Bible Road Trip™ is used by tens of thousands of families.

Learn more about the Who What Why series and grab your free history lapbooks here.