Yup, it’s true! The Bible has recently beaten Angry Birds (an extremely popular game) to the top position in the rankings for app downloads. Publishers Weekly reported this week that we are in the midst of a “digital Bible explosion.” What is not clear is whether or not this boom in interest will result in a corresponding boom in the transformation of lives that comes through the scriptures. 
iPhone Life magazine reported that Logos Bible Software was the #4 most popular Bible App download, and “BibleReader broke into the top 10 highest grossing book apps for the iPad earlier this year.” I personally use LifeChurch.tv’s app, YouVersion, which hit the 30 million download mark in October. It’s a free mobile Bible that can be installed on most smartphones. It allows users to read the Bible, but also interact with their social networks. You can bookmark passages, easily look up verses and share them with others and switch to different versions of the Bible. The app also provides customized reading plans and a place to journal. I also use the Glo bible software which is another powerful tool for bible study.
I don’t envisage a time when the paper bible will be replaced by these powerful software systems. Rather I envision more of a collaboration or synergistic relationship between the old and the new. Whatever your preference is, the main objective is for us to invest time in bible study. The proliferation of these tools over the web will help with the fulfilment of the Great Commission as they are predominantly free and accessible throughout the globe.
There is clearly an upsurge of interest in our faith and it would be a shame if we are unable to take advantage of it because we are ill-prepared to share the gospel with authority. Whilst we should rejoice in the fact that the world is turning back to scripture for answers, we should play our part in ensuring we are prepared to point seekers to Christ when they do come our way. There simply is no substitute for bible study when it comes to becoming a skilled member of God’s army.
2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Related articles
- The Bible Scholar App for iPad, iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone (Mango) Helps Christians Simplify Learning the Roots of Their Faith (prweb.com)
- Angry Birds Tops Half-a-Billion Downloads: What’s Next? (pcworld.com)
Heavenly Father, let your word go forth into all the earth! Thank you for all the ways your word is available. Let it reach every person. Let your Love come into every heart! And, help your church, the body of Christ, to be responsible carriers of the word and representatives for you, Jesus! Teach and train us, Lord. Use us for your glory and purpose. In Jesus’ name – Amen.
Amen wp! Couldn’t have worded that prayer any better myself.
I had started reading the word from a young age. That was until a few years ago when my passion just dried up for some reason – I don’t know why. I have read through the Bible several times and I read it out of discipline but I did not know how to study it or how to hear from God through the word. My relationship with God was tight at the same and so I prayed about it for quite some time. And God honestly answered my prayer through YouVersion- I have the Bible read to me in another language that I speak while I read it in English simultaneously. And I follow up with the study on the right side when I have doubts. God gave me exactly what I needed to go deeper. I am so in awe of how God answers prayers :=)
Wow, thanks for sharing this with us Anye. It’s awesome to think how far God will go to pursue and reveal Himself to us. YouVersion have probably touched millions of lives (including mine) with their awesome software. I’m so glad the software turned out to be a useful tool in helping you connect with the word on a deeper level. God certainly does answer prayers. Thank you Anye
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I like YouVersion. I used their Events feature recently which, if you use a lot of verses like I do, makes it easy for people to follow while you’re preaching.
Hi Alex. Thanks for dropping by. I also like YouVersion. They keep adding features that enhance the bible study experience. It’s just amazing what the guys at lifechurch.tv have been able to achieve with this software. I’ll explore this Events feature you mentioned. Thanks Alex
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