The Gutenberg Bible and Printing Press Unit Study

Your 8-12 year olds will love this unit study on how God used the Gutenberg Bible and the printing press to spread his Word!

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I love Isaiah 55:10-11. In the ESV it says:

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.“

Isn’t that great? God sends forth his Word and it accomplishes his purpose.

The Gutenberg Bible

We can see moments in history where God sends forth his Word. People are saved, churches are established, and nations are changed.

One exciting moment when that occurred, a moment that made a way for the Reformation to accomplish the return to Scripture, was the printing of the Gutenberg Bible.

Prior to Johannes Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press, every word of a new copy of the Bible had to be painstakingly hand-copied. But, the printing press allowed people to be able to quickly and accurately reproduce written material like books, tracts, and pamphlets–and the Bible, as well!

During the Reformation, the printing press allowed books and pamphlets that communicated scriptural truths, like the Ninety-five Theses and books by Martin Luther, to be distributed. Reformers were able to translate the Bible in to the languages of the people and then print and distribute them widely. In fact, the Gutenberg Bible was the first widely printed and distributed Bible in history. For the first time, even priests could have a copy of the Bible in every church. Many country priests had never even seen a Bible.

This fun unit study will help your kids learn about how God made a way for his Word to go forth and be distributed to all people.

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The Gutenberg Bible (and the Printing Press) Unit Study

It’s no mistake that God’s Word was the first widely disseminated book in the history of the world. After all, nothing in God’s universe happens by mistake. As the Bible was printed, theologians translated the Bible into the languages of the people and common people were able to read God’s Word for themselves. Scripture became available in churches and seminaries and many priests read God’s Word for the first time.

Your unit study on the Gutenberg Bible includes a fun, 95-page biography, What Was the Gutenberg Bible?, which explains the history of Johann Gutenberg, the printing press, and the printing of God’s Word.

• What Was the Gutenberg Bible? by Danika Cooley | What Was the Gutenberg Bible? (Christian Focus Publications, 2021) is an engaging narrative about how God’s Word became available to people throughout the world.
  • You can also purchase What Was the Gutenberg Bible? from Thinking Kids Press. Or, purchase the Reformation bundle to get When Lightning Struck! and all three Who What Why | Reformation books.
• Johann Gutenberg and the Printing Press Craft | Kids will build a printing press and a bust of Johann Gutenberg out of toilet paper rolls.
• What Was the Gutenberg Bible? Lapbook | With the Gutenberg Bible lapbook, your children will delve deeper into what they’ve learned, including:
  • The impact of the Gutenberg Bible on the Reformation world, on the Church, and on your child’s world.
  • The Reformation world. Your child will learn about what it was like to live during the time of the Reformation.
  • The people involved in the story of the Gutenberg Bible.
  • Bible history vocabulary.
  • The timeline of Johann Gutenberg’s story.
  • The geography of the printing press.
  • Theology: Isaiah 55:10-11.

This study of the Gutenberg Bible will help your kids learn more about how God used an inventor to spread his Word.

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Every Who What Why Christian history book has a timeline with relevant dates. Your kids can keep track of dates from their studies in history with the My Timeline Journal!

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Learn more about the Who What Why series and get your FREE Abolition Lapbooks here.

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Bible Resources for Your Kids

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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids

“As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, ESV  

Christian History Matters for Our Kids.

History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.

Here’s why:

• God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings. 
• Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
• Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.   
• Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.    
• Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history. 

Elementary-aged kids need middle grade resources that are fun, a little sassy, and that teach valuable lessons. 

The Who What Why Series is the perfect resource to teach your kids about history, while helping them apply biblical truths to their lives today.

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Your kids will love the Who What Why Reformation series with illustrated narratives for 8-11 year olds. And, Martin Luther’s young adult historical fiction story makes the perfect family read aloud!
Grab the autographed Reformation Family Bundle!

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