Using a tablet as a Bible in Church

[.Iona.]

Oh, to be young and not need bifocals.

I'm blind enough as it is

 

[Publius]

I belong to a very large church. So far I have not witnessed anyone using a tablet (computer) as a Bible. Is the Bible to sacred to be substituted by a tablet? In my opinion, there are a lot of advantages. Several translations can be selected; I can make notes and store them; I can change the font size; I can stop carrying my 6 pound Bible around and replace it with a 2 pound tablet.

Another factor that plays into this decision is my age. I am considered a senior citizen and many may look down on someone of my age being more technologically advanced than our teen-agers (at least in area of electronic Bibles).

I believe that tablets are the wave of the future. Before long even school text books will be available on tablets. Why not tablets in church?

Ken

Evidently, it's already happening. I was listening to a Steve Cooley sermon the other day and he made reference to the number of people in the congregation with computers.

Mike Abendroth (same church as Cooley) has said that he now prefers a computer.

Personally, I prefer a Bible. I'm old.

 

[busdriver72]

Yeah, if I have my reading glasses on, I can't see the pastor.
If I take my glasses off, I can see the pastor, but I can't read the bible.
If I put my bifocals on, I can't see anything at all.

Maybe you should try wearing the reading glasses and sitting on the very front pew. It'll make the pastor wonder what you're up to.

 

[ByronArn]

I personally prefer using my paper Bible in church, but often use You Version on my phone (like right now!) at home. My husband has been using a Kindle for months, and my pastor often reads sermons from his iPad! Use whatever you are comfortable with and if someone questions it ask them to back it up with scripture!

Fran

I just LOVE YouVersion! I have it on my Android phone, but its also available on PC, Blackberry, iPhone, and mobile web (for web capable phones that aren't smart phones).

My brother says that he uses YouVersion on his blackberry, and people think he isn't paying attention, playing a game or texting. People can be so judgemental at times...

At my current church (an Episcopal Church), they print all four scripture readings in the Bulletin. The Baptist Church I am thinking about switching to does the same (I have not attended there yet, but a friend highly recommends the place, and they post their bulletins online and shows that they do print the Scriptures for us)..

 

[Timothew]

Maybe you should try wearing the reading glasses and sitting on the very front pew. It'll make the pastor wonder what you're up to.

I don't want to get all up in his face!

playing a game or texting.

Now I have 2 more reasons for wanting one.

 

[Timothew]

I just LOVE YouVersion! I have it on my Android phone, but its also available on PC, Blackberry, iPhone, and mobile web (for web capable phones that aren't smart phones).

My brother says that he uses YouVersion on his blackberry, and people think he isn't paying attention, playing a game or texting. People can be so judgemental at times...

At my current church (an Episcopal Church), they print all four scripture readings in the Bulletin. The Baptist Church I am thinking about switching to does the same (I have not attended there yet, but a friend highly recommends the place, and they post their bulletins online and shows that they do print the Scriptures for us)..

What would you think about having the scripture passages used in the sermon projected onto the screen we use for the words of the hymns?

Then everyone could easily read them without looking down or wearing reading glasses.

 

[ByronArn]

What would you think about having the scripture passages used in the sermon projected onto the screen we use for the words of the hymns?

Then everyone could easily read them without looking down or wearing reading glasses.

I attended a non-denominational megachurch that did that. The Pastor often went through several texts in one sermon, so it made it easier on the congregation. It wasn't a projector, though, but rather two large flat screens on either side of the large stage. Same concept though.

 

[ashout]

whats amazing to me is that everyone can read! back in the day, the only people who knew how to read were the nobleman and the priests! and bibles cost as much as a house! lets count our blessings people!

 

[ByronArn]

whats amazing to me is that everyone can read! back in the day, the only people who knew how to read were the nobleman and the priests! and bibles cost as much as a house! lets count our blessings people!

Indeed, we need to think God to be living in a time that values literacy, and a time that you can a Bible at the local Dollar Tree for $1. Or even for free, if you know where to look.

 

[drjean]

I have an iPhone app with 13 versions of the Bible (including Greek) that I use. It is compact and efficient, and will scroll as fast or slow as I need it to, etc.

In the beginning God's Word was only spoken... I don't see any problem with the medium as long as it's all the same Word. I mean, we use satellites to convey His message as well... but I guess this is about whether it's a deterrent to study and motivation to play while in church?

( I have been to churches that the youth are using their ipads (whatever it was) etc for other things, instead of as a Bible. )

 

[WinBySurrender]

Chuck Swindoll told a story on his "Insight for Living" radio program yesterday that seems appropriate here.

Rev. Gerald Blackburn, a famed Baptist preacher and evangelist in the early 20th century, was leading a Bible study for young people and was regularly getting about 200 in attendance. So some of the older church members decided to attend to see what was going on. Two elderly ladies attended one of the sessions, and at the end they approached Rev. Blackburn shocked and horrified.

"Pastor, most of these girls aren't wearing stockings," one of them said. "You need to rebuke them to attire themselves properly."

"Really?" said Blackburn. "You know, the Virgin Mary didn't wear stockings."

"She DIDN'T?" gasped the second woman.

"No, they didn't have stockings in the first century," Blackburn explained. "In fact, the first women who wore stockings, we think, were prostitutes in Italy."

The women looked down at their own stockings, turned on their heels and hurried away.

The same story should be told every time people gripe about Christmas trees, Easter eggs and all the othr nonsense arguments about what we shouldn't be doing, celebrating or using as Christians. Times changes, Christians adapt to the technology or the style of the era in order to be able to effectively spread the Good News. So what?

 

[Red79]

I use my phone all the time especially at work. But I do enjoy my actual bible when at home.

 

[mathetes123]

I now use my Ipod touch as my Bible in church. I use the Laridian (Laridian.com) software on it. It is great for pulling up verses quickly when the pastor does not leave you enough time to open your paper bible. You can also do quick searches and have access to a whole library of resources including commentaries, all at your fingertips. All this fits in my pocket. I can pull it out of my pocket and read at any time of day when I have a spare moment.

 

[Acosens]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's the words that are important.