Photo by Dan Kiefer. Bible study.
Smartphones are an inevitable part of the lives of many of us, for better or for worse. We can use them to make our lives better when we turn our smartphones into agents to help us with our Bible study, rather than as agents of distraction from our Bible study. The following list of free apps has links to their official websites. However, it may be easier to just search their names on your phone’s App Store.
Bible Apps
Olive Tree
Olive Tree has an excellent system of cross-references, making in-depth Bible study easy. I love that you can click on a referenced Bible verse and have the verse pop up in a smaller screen. Your main Bible study passage remains open behind the small window.
YouVersion
Probably my most-used Bible app, just because of the ease of switching translations/versions and the sheer number of versions and languages available. It has a social aspect, as well, so you can see what friends have highlighted or which study plans they’re using. However, this is not the best app for in-depth Bible study.
Literal Word
I’m currently obsessed with this simple but amazing app. It features the very literal New American Standard translation, and almost every word is linked to a definition from a Hebrew or Greek lexicon. Word study becomes so easy! (Plus, there are no ads or other distractions in the free app! You don’t even have to create an account to use it.)
Bible.is
The Bible.is app is produced by Faith Comes By Hearing. I love the ESV Drama audio, which has lovely music in the background. The readers of the passages read with enthusiasm and clarity. Excellent for long drives. (I used to play it during my daily Houston commute.)
ESV Bible
Filled with cross-references, which show up in a smaller window like in the Olive Tree app. This is not a fancy app, but it is clean and well-designed. Good for daily reading or reference while listening to sermons.
Other Bible reading apps: EBible, Laridian PocketBible (many features not free), MySword Bible (Android).
Word Study, etc.
Accordance
Need help with understanding a verse? Read this Bible annotated with Strong’s concordance notes. You’ll get a great definition of the words in the original languages. Note: A few years ago, I loved this app. It hasn’t always worked well for me lately, though. Possibly because my phone is getting old? Now I recommend Literal Word over Accordance.
Bible Study
This is the app by the Bible Study Tools website. It’s mostly just a basic Bible app with links to the many commentaries and dictionaries available on the site online. It can be useful if you ignore the ads!
Bible Memorization
Scripture Typer – now called Bible Memory
Many of my friends prefer Scripture Typer over any other memorization app for Bible study. Typing out the verses repetitively does help seal the Scripture in your mind! The free version of this app doesn’t have as many features as the full version. (For example, you can’t record audio on the lite app.) But it does have an enjoyable type-through Scripture function with words appearing and disappearing as you type in just the first letter. At times, I’ve found it very effective. It also helps sometimes to change between apps to wake your memory up.
Bible Minded
Although it may take you some time to figure out adding verses in your preferred Bible translation, Bible Minded is for the most part intuitive. It is by far my favorite Scripture memory app. You have several options for memorization, including memory cards, fill in the blank, choose the correct word, or recording yourself reading the verse and playing it over and over. Once you feel confident that you have memorized the verse, you “take the test.” (Type out the whole verse, word for word.)
Other Useful Apps
Reading Plan
Want to read through the Bible in one year? Reading Plan has you covered. You can choose to go through the Bible, follow a thematic or chronological reading plan, do M’Cheyne’s reading plan for Bible study, or read through a book at a time. Reading Plan keeps you organized. Especially helpful if you’re on the road or often read from multiple Bibles. (So the regular bookmark-and-read-six-chapters-a-day isn’t working for you.) Note: Only available for iOS devices right now.
Christian Audio
You can sometimes get free books on audio on this app.
RefNet
Ligonier Ministries’ radio program, including R.C. Sproul sermons, Dr. Stephen Lawson lectures, beautiful hymns, and many other solid and encouraging things for your to listen to throughout the day. This is my husband’s preferred “radio” to listen to while mowing our lawn!
Devotional Apps
Solid Joys
Devotions written by John Piper. Most of these are excerpts from his popular books. Note: I linked above to Solid Joys in iTunes. But it’s also available on sites such as Google Play for non-iOS devices.
Morning and Evening
A series of devotional readings by Charles Spurgeon. Like all devotionals, not meant to replace Bible study but to enhance it!
What are your favorite apps for Bible study or spiritual edification?
Please share with us in the comment space below!
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