This document discusses one mother's efforts to introduce her three sons, aged 9, 7, and 5, to the Bible and Jesus through the use of digital apps and resources. It provides an overview of several Bible and faith-based apps that could be used with children, including their features, strengths, and weaknesses. Key apps mentioned include a three-year Bible chronological study app, a CBN Bible story app, and the popular YouVersion Bible app. The document encourages finding age-appropriate apps and resources to engage kids digitally with the Bible outside of traditional Bible study or devotionals.

1. One mom’s quest to introduce her digital natives to Jesus

2. Von, Jr. (VJ) – 9
•
Artist
•
Fitness buddy
•
Likes to torment his younger
brothers
•
Actually not a heathen. Baptized in
September 2012.

3. Mitch – 7
•
Great reader, great storyteller
•
Listens to EVERYTHING even
when he doesn’t appear to be
paying attention
•
Likes to torment his older and
younger brother
•
Interested in being baptized, but
mostly because he’ll get his
picture on the bulletin board

4. Drew – 5
•
Knows how to connect with
people.
•
Lives to get a laugh.
•
Enjoys provoking his older
brothers.
•
Loves to pray.

5. Establish my sons’ spiritual literacy.

6. •
<< THIS.
•
Varying ages, reading
levels, ability to focus
•
Time
•
Patience

7. Bible study vs. devotional
Daily plan
Video
Simple
Trusted resource
App

8. My heathens are digital natives
Ever present
Simple to use
Empower them to learn on their own

9. Three-year plan that walks through
the Bible chronologically
Can be part of a church-wide use of
the plan – adult, youth, children, with
a “family app” that encourages study
throughout the week
Family app works as a stand-alone
iOS only (iPad and iPhone)
$2.99 a unit for iPad, .99 for iPhone
Each unit covers one quarter

10. Each unit has a weekly plan (5-day
week)
Daily plans include:
A guide for parents
Bible story video (preschool and older
children versions)
Discussion starter videos
Games – puzzles, “coloring” pages
Key passage song video, featuring
lyrics

11. We really just used the videos and the
key passage songs. The puzzles, etc.
can only be used by one person at a
time.
Videos are creative, well-done
Did not hear the dreaded “this is for
babies” complaint
Design needs work; screen orientation
is locked
Thumbs up! We’ll probably return to
this app.

12. Produced by CBN
Graphics are a little cheesy, but my
boys don’t seem to mind.
Graphics are not “for babies”
Appears to be very robust, with a lot
of features, BUT…

13. Bible page is really pretty cluttered
and distracting.
I don’t like how the icons interrupt the
text.
No built in reading plans.
*might* be a good Bible reading app
for young readers

14. Not a Bible
An interactive Bible storybook with
some fun gamification
Interact with characters (touch them
and they react)
Collect tokens
Earn points for advancing
(downloading new stories)
Good choice for young pre-readers or
early readers
Heavy. Takes up a LOT of space.

15. Some YouVersion stats:
Leading Bible app, with more than
120 million installs since 2008
Features and ever-growing selection
of reading plans

16. Family plans!
Many include video devotionals, and
then you can read scripture together

17. Family plans!
Many include video devotionals, and
then you can read scripture together

18. Encourage and equip parents to study
for themselves. Only 20% of
churchgoers read their Bibles daily.
We can only replicate ourselves.
Try out these apps yourself!
Not every app will work for every
family. Get familiar with several, and
be ready to recommend to families.