I love reading the Bible. It gives me strength and reading God’s Word brings me peace, too.
I have always brought my Bible with me to church. Everyone in our congregation did. But lately more and more people are coming without one. The key scriptures from the sermon are shared on a big screen and many people read the Bible on their cell phones in church.
Hey, times change so why does this bother me? Maybe it is more a concern for the younger generation. They are so used to doing everything on their phones. It is an essential part of their lives. Their faces are looking into a screen much of their waking hours. So, taking it to the extreme, what would the world be like if everyone only read the Bible online? So, let me share my thoughts and I would love to hear what you think.
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What If We ONLY Read The Bible Online?
PROS
- A cell phone is lightweight and compact and Bibles are bulky to carry. A phone is much easier to take with you.
- Believe it or not, sometimes people forget and LEAVE their Bible at church [ you should see our lost and found!] It is less likely that you will leave your cell phone there.
- When the minister gives you a scripture reference, instead of floundering around to find it in a hand-held Bible you can just do a quick search online and there it will be!
CONS
- People who no longer use a “real” Bible will need one if the internet is down. Outages don’t usually last long but many of us have experienced days or even weeks of no internet service. Personally, I want my Bible within reach, especially in times of trouble! Even if I don’t use it like I do on a phone, I want to have a Bible nearby.
- Bible study is the way we grow in our faith. Opening your Bible up and flipping back and forth to different passages is so much easier with a hard copy.
- For study, many of us like to use more than one version of the Bible. We lay them out on our desk or kitchen table to compare and contrast. At length, this is almost impossible on a cell phone.
- If you do not know where the 66 books of the Bible are, you can purchase a set of index tabs and install them for easy reference. Eventually, as you read the Bible more and more, you will know how to find them.
- If people rely on digital copies of the Bible exclusively, there is a danger that, over time, the truth of the Word could be tampered with. It is all too easy to change words here or there if it is only read online. I hate the thought that anyone would ever do that but how would anyone know that it isn’t the TRUE Word of God if no one ever uses paper copies?
So, what you do you do? Please let us know in the comments if you read the Bible and, if you do, what method do you prefer?
What do you prefer to use when you read the Bible? A hand-held hard copy or do you like to read it online? #faith #Bible Share on X
By the way, I do love the many Bible reference websites like Bible Hub and Biblegateway. They are handy tools with many great features, such as audio readings. But in my opinion, nothing can replace reading a hand-held Bible of your own!
Blessings!
One should never go without bring a bible to church. When my Pastor shares the sermon with us he has the power point up during his sermon but he always tells us to open our bibles.
We all learn by example, don’t we! I love that he has not stopped encouraging his flock to bring their Bibles with them to church. It is a good habit to be maintained.
Amen. Happy Mother’s Day to you.
I agree with you! I have several Bibles that are precious to me. I also follow a daily Bible study online, but there is something so comforting about opening the Bible and holding it in your hands. I never thought about someone altering the Bible online, but that is a good point to consider!
I understand why churches project the Bible verses on to the wall, because it encourages everyone to read along. I don’t have a problem with that. But I do think people need to put their phones away during church, period.
However you read the Bible, I pray that we all remember it is God’s Word, It isn’t just a book. It is God speaking to us, and it is not an easy read. There is so much to learn from it, we need to read it and meditate on it and learn from it.
Thanks for a wonderful post.
You are so sweet. I appreciate your response more than you could know. I cannot have my phone in hand during church. It is a distraction waiting to happen! LOL No criticism for those who do but I would be too tempted to text or check email when I want my heart and mind on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And you are so correct, the Word of God is LIVING and life to those who find it … plus HEALTH to all our flesh. Wow!
I agree with you 100%. I have many hardcopy bibles, some were handed down, one was given from my Mom & Dad and others I have bought on my own. Each one is priceless, as they were purchased for my children. NOTHING can replace a hardcopy of the bible. Hope your Mother’s Day was a blessed one.
I did have a really nice Mother’s Day. Thank you so much. Hope yours was lovely as well.
I do agree that nothing can compete against a real Bible. I have found that highlighting verses and making keynotes is not as thrilling or inspiring with the online versions. I have a Bible that is filled with them and well used. My kids admire that Bible because they can physically see how well used it is and trusted by me. That’s something that can’t be done with the online models.
Get a Bible app then you don’t even have to go online, it’s already downloaded onto your phone. This way you can even take it to bed at night with you and read until you get ready to close your eyes.
Although I have looked up scripture online while on my computer and I use two Bible apps on my phone, I still have a need for a real Bible. I have it tabbed so it’s easy to find what I’m looking for. Mine is a bit heavy as it’s a large print version but it’s best for me. I have a set of highlighters especially for thin Bible pages, could not read it without those because there’s too much I want to highlight. Thanks so much for sharing your post with us at the Exploring World Religions Linkup 6 so that we can better understand each other through our religions, faiths, and beliefs. Pinned!
CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at the Exploring World Religions Linkup 7!
What a surprise! Thank you so much!
Sinea, I so enjoy my hard copy Bible for reading and studying and for taking to church. I do appreciate and enjoy Audio-Bibles as they allow me to listen to the Bible while driving, cooking or when working in the yard.
Lisa – Visiting from Grammys Grid World Religions #7 – I’m #4 & #5