Online Bibles

by Brandon on January 6, 2009
in Resources, Youth Pastor Toolbox

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As a youth worker, I spend a decent amount of time planning lessons. When I am working on a lesson, I constantly look at multiple translations. Having several Bibles open on my desk is not an option (given how cluttered it is), so I have turned to viewing Bibles on my computer. Because of seminary, I have a very powerful Bible program (Logos), which comes complete with translations, commentaries, and dictionaries; but this is only on my laptop. That is why I love using online Bibles.

Online Bibles are great multifunctional tools for sermon prep. Multiple translations means you don’t have to own 20 different versions in order to read 20 different versions. A Copy/Paste feature means you don’t have to type in all the crazy long OT names into your sermon outline. Plus, by combining an online Bible with online document software (Google Docs or Zoho), you have a powerful sermon prep setup that can be accessed from any computer.

Here are some of the top online Bible programs:

  • YouVersion. The guys at LifeChurch.tv have created a tremendous tool with YouVersion. Blending an online Bible reader with Web 2.0 technology, YouVersion’s unique feature is the interactive “Community” commentary. Select a Bible passage and YouVersion provides you with notes, links, videos, and insight provided by other users. YouVersion users can also access the Bible on their smartphones. The Bible iPhone app is a big hit, being one of the most downloaded apps in 2008.
  • Bible.Logos.com. This online Bible website is hosted by Logos, the premiere Bible software company. While a relatively simple online Bible, the strength of bible.logos.com is it’s integration with Logos’ Sermon File Addin. When you look up a passage in the online Bible, this plugin shows you user-contributed sermons from that passage.
  • Bible Gateway. An easy to use website with 20 different English translations, Bible Gateway is a simple online Bible. Perhaps the greatest strength is it’s foreign language support: Bible translations for 54 other languages.
The series “Youth Pastor Toolbox” discusses tools of the trade for youth ministry. A new “Youth Pastor Toolbox” will be posted every Tuesday.

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