In today’s technically savvy world, so much of the things that we use can be found on a device small enough to fit in your hands. One thing that is great about this is that these resources become portable and more easily accessible.
But one thing I was not a fan of being “digital” was my Bible and using an app during my Bible study time. While I still much more prefer having a physical Bible in front of me as I spend time with the Lord since that is what helps me not be distracted, there are a number of apps that have proven to be priceless resources for diving deeper into the Word of God that I use on a regular basis and I thought you’d enjoy them too!
As an added bonus, each of these apps are available on both Apple and Android devices!
Best Apps for Bible Study #1: YouVersion (The Bible App)
The first app to grace our list is an extremely popular choice, The YouVersion Bible app. As we take a look at the features that these apps offer, its not hard to see why so many people use it.
In this free app, there are features like:
- Multiple Bible translations
- Select translations can be read to you from the app
- The ability to highlight, underline, take notes, and share your thoughts about a verse
- Challenges and badges to keep you accountable
- Compare translations
- Reminders to read your Bible reading plan
- A humongous library of devotions on demand for you to read through alone, with a friend, or with a group.
My favorite feature right now from this app is that you have the ability to read through Bible reading plans with others in a group.
At the end of each day of the plan, there is even an option for you to share your thoughts within the group. I find this to be a really valuable tool for building and cultivating Christ-centered community and is perfect for Bible study groups!
The last feature that I am giddy over right now is The Bible App’s ability to pair with Alexa. Yes, you heard me right! If you have an Alexa device like the *Echo or *Echo dot, you can find this ability under skills in the Alexa App.
So for example, I set up a morning routine within the Alexa app. Whenever I wake up, I say, “Alexa, good morning!” which triggers a series of events. She will automatically:
- Tells me the date and time
- Tell me the weather
- Tell me a fun fact
- Play worship music from an Amazon Music playlist for a set amount of time
- Read to me today’s part of the Bible reading plan I am on in The Bible App.
Pretty cool, right?!
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BEST APPS FOR BIBLE STUDY #2:Blue Letter Bible
Next on our list is the Blue Letter Bible App. I consider this to be one of the most essential tools in my Bible study arsenal.
Like YouVersion, Blue Letter Bible allows you to:
- highlight
- underline
- book mark and share passages of Scripture that you like
- compare translations.
But there are some other features that really make Blue Letter Bible stand out. You can simply tap on any verse, and you get instant access to:
- the interlinear/concordance
- Bible translation comparisons
- cross-references
- commentaries (including video and audio)
- dictionaries.
My favorite feature has to be that BLB has an entire Greek and Hebrew original language lexicon. To be able to see the context and original meaning of a word can be so powerful in understanding what the passage is trying to teach.
All this is free, say what?!
RELATED: DISCOVERING YOUR FIRST LOVE BIBLE READING PLAN
BEST APPS FOR BIBLE STUDY #3:Olive Tree Bible
The Olive Tree Bible app is free to download and has quite a bit of features in the free version. There are also in app purchases that you can make, like Bible study packs, maps, charts, and sermons.
With the free version of the Olive Tree Bible app, you can:
- highlight
- make notes
- save and share verses
- There is also a nice size library of Bible reading plans.
However, if you are wanting to do any in-depth study with commentaries, maps, etc. you will have to purchase those resources within the app.
If you are a person who prefers your Bible study tools to be online as opposed to having a lot of thick and heavy materials laying around this app would be a really good resource as it allows you the ability to purchase those resources in the app.
Additionally, I like the interface of this app a lot. Bible apps can be confusing to navigate, but I found this one to be very user friend.
BEST APPS FOR BIBLE STUDY #4: Logos Bible Study Tools
Next on the list, we have the Logos Bible Study app. Can I just start by saying that I haven’t used this app very long, but I absolutely love it. When you download the app, you get access to “Logos Basic 9”. And even though this version is free, there are a plethora of great resources.
It allows you to:
- Choose from different translations
- Play audio
- Compare texts
- Click on key words to read definitions
- Take notes
- Read through commentaries
- Look at cross references and parallel passages
- Read through the exegetical guide
- Create your own reading plan
- Watch live streams of church services
My favorite feature from Logos that is different from any of the other apps on this list is that it has a tab view. This means that as you study, you can have multiple tabs open that you can easily go back and forth between.
BEST APPS FOR BIBLE STUDY #5:FaithSocial
The last on our list is a new app called Faith Social. If you are somebody who studies the Bible better in a community or social environment, this might be a great resource for you to look into.
It reminds of a little bit of the YouVersion Bible app, but with more of a social media component.
Some features of Faith Social are:
- A nice size library of videos, radio, and podcasts for you to listen to. I found it really neat that you can watch sermons and church services through this app.
- A small but growing library of devotions.
- Discussion forum
- Can choose from a couple of Bible translations with the ability to bookmark and share verses.
- Digital congregations
- Prayer Circles
- Groups
While Faith Social does not have commentaries, maps, or exegetical guides, it does tap into the Biblical need for community. Whenever we think of the local church, we know that going to church is a vital part of developing one’s faith. But there are a lot of people, whether because of chronic illness, disability, work, or crisis’ like the pandemic who cannot participate in “traditional church”. This app fills a need for bringing Christian community to the online space.
If you want to join FaithSocial, we can be friends! You can follow me here!
What did you think?
Let me know in the comments below if you use any of these apps or if there is another app that wasn’t on this list that you would like to share!
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