Whether you’re a biblical scholar or new to the Good Book, tech can help you make the most of learning the Bible. From the convenience of having the Bible at your fingertips at all times to the advanced search features and beyond, these apps may become a helpful companion to a printed version of scripture.
This Bible app, formerly known as Bible by YouVersion, is a comprehensive app that give you helpful tools to learn about the Bible. You can choose from over 30 languages and hundreds of Bible versions, such as New International Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, New King James Version, New Living Translation, King James Version, and The Message. Many of the more popular versions are available to read off-line so you can have your verses handy no matter where you are.
The app has been updated to include videos such as The Story of Christmas. Some versions of the app are available as an audiobook when you’re connected to the Internet.
Speaking of connections, you can connect with your friends using the app to share notes, highlights and bookmarks — very handy for Bible study groups! You can also keep your notes, highlights and bookmarks private.
Start your 2015 New Year’s resolution right by choosing a plan to read the Bible next year. This app has plenty of plans to fit your lifestyle.
If you allow the app to detect your location you can find events in your area. You can also subscribe to the Verse of the Day that can be a .
This video introduces you to the app:
You can also check out the companion website, .
The Bible app is free of charge and free of advertisements. You can find links to download the app for many different devices at .
Glo Bible brings the Bible to life into the 21st century with its easy to use app that incorporates advanced interactive features. The app is organized in a very intuitive way to make finding a passage simple, you only need two taps to navigate anywhere in the Bible.
Bible verses appear at the top of the screen with additional information in the bottom panels. See extras such as maps, videos, 3D virtual tours of biblical sites, timelines, animation and photographs of geographic locations.
This video demonstrates many of the features of Glo Bible:
Glo Bible is free to download for and . Premium content is available for puchase.
Computer versions are available for Mac and PC. Check out the .
After you’ve been busy studying the Bible with these apps, test your knowledge with Bibilicious, the Bible Trivia App. This app is like a game show for Bible fans. Answer Bible questions correctly and earn Manna points, answer incorrectly and lose Manna points.
You can play in two modes: Single Player Mode that’s timed or Practice Mode that’s untimed. The app lets you choose Old Testament, New Testament or the entire Bible.
When you play in Single Player Mode you can add your high scores to the Manna Board (a/k/a Manna Board) to compare your scores with the rest of the world!
My full review of the app is here:
Bibilicious is available for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch as a with 10 sample questions so you can “try before you buy.” The of the app is available for $1.99.
Many versions of the Bible on the Kindle are free. If you have the Kindle app or a Kindle, check out the Kindle version of the Bible. For example, The is free and rated 4 1/2 stars. You can search for phrases, look up words in the dictionary and adjust the font size for easy reading.
If you enjoy audiobooks and/or have a long commute, you may enjoy listening to the Bible. Audible has many recordings of the Bible available for your listening pleasure. Check out , a 98-hour audiobook narrated by stars such as Michael York, Richard, Dreyfuss, Jason Alexander, Marisa Tomei and more.
If you prefer a shorter audiobook, you can listen to the 18-hour in an audiobook. Be sure to listen to the sample audio first before purchasing the audiobook. Although this version is rate 4 **** stars, some reviewers found the background music distracting.
Children can learn about the Bible as they have fun with apps.
The Bible for Kids app from YouVersion introduces the Bible to children in an engaging and entertaining format. Your kids can play games, earn awards, and enjoy animated stories.
The app is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean and was updated earlier this week to include Brazilian Portuguese.
Check out my full review at
This app is free and ad-free. You can find links to download the app to your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, Android devices and Amazon Fire tablet at .
Your young children can learn about the Bible and their ABC’s in this adorable app. Bible ABCs for Kids shares a story from the Bible with each letter. Children can tap objects to discover hidden features, further engaging them in learning.
This video shows you how Bible ABCs for Kid helps children learn about the Bible while having fun:
Bible ABCs for Kids is available for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch in a for the first seven letters of the alphabet. If you want to go beyond the letter “G” you can buy the for $2.99.
The full version of this app is free today for Christmas!
Have you ever used any of these Bible apps? Do you have any Bible apps you would recommend? Do you have a Bible reading plan for 2015? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I wish you and your family a joyful and peaceful season. Thank you for being a Wonder of Tech reader!
* Bible image (edited) courtesy of via Flickr and Creative Commons
* Merry Christmas image (edited) courtesy of via Flickr and Creative Commons