Featured Using a Tablet as a Church Bible - Good Idea or Not?

I see no problem with it. there are several in our church of 200 who do this...several ipads, kindle fires, & my wife uses her kindle (old black & white version) for this. I have no expertise as to which tablet is best...

I think it is not inappropriate, as long as you can resist the urge to do other activities during the sermon:smilewinkgrin:

I suspect that if you don't see others doing this in your church yet, it's coming soon.

remember that for 1,500 yrs after Christ, most christians did not have individual bibles at all! people probably thought it was odd when people started bringing books to church!

 

I've been carrying my iPad to church as my regular Bible for more than two years. At first, I would carry a printed Bible, along with the iPad, but I found that I wasn't using the printed Bible very much at all.

I have a number of Bible apps on my iPad and they include MANY different translations. Furthermore, I can always pull up interlinear Hebrew and Greek texts to follow along in Sunday School or in sermons, as necessary. Beyond all of that, I have language tools available if there's a question.

 

Guess I'm getting to be an antique, as I still prefer to open my Bible during Sunday morning services. Then, close it to hear the message, unless/until another passage is referenced.

"Electronics" are beginning to appear in our church, too. Especially texting.

Head bowed in prayer? Nope, that younger person sitting next to me, has to stay in contact with someone, even during times of prayer.

 

There is certainly at temptation to "play" on devices durring a church service, but the problem is not the technology, but our use of it.

I remember times when I would get distracted reading the maps and notes in my study bible and miss half the sermon. I'm pretty sure I don't need any electronics to take my focus away from where it should be. I can do that all by myself!

 

I use my iPad for almost everything these days, including what I carry on Sundays. Through it I have more access to more stuff on a passage or topic than any other way. I use the YouVersion, Accordance, BlueLetterBible, Logos, and Glo Bible apps on Sundays. I take notes, using a stylus, on my Note Plus app.

The distraction factor is an issue, but that has been going on since people have had smartphones and cell phones. I make it a point not to open other apps or check email while in a class or service.

Now, when I preach or teach I always carry, and use, a physical Bible though my notes are on my iPad, I found it works better for me and my headers.

 

I see no problem with it. I have the ESV on my iPhone, though I still carry my Keyword Study Bible in NASB. I like to be able to look up words sometimes. Plus, I can loan my Bible to someone who forgot theirs and still have a backup for myself on hand.


Our senior pastor preaches using his iPad. He controls when the note slides change right from the pulpit.

I have a few ebooks on my iPhone and I am really enjoying it. I love books. I love to read. I am really seeing ereaders as a viable tool for pleasure reading and for ministry.

 

Absolutely a good idea. Instant search function, parallel translations. Love it.

Possibility, but if you are merely looking at it and not constantly typing on it most tech aware people will know you are using it as a Bible not a texting or internet browsing.

Nobody does that I know of.

 

No problems with it in our church. Many do Including one of our pastors. I prefer my iPod touch as it fits in my pocket, and with 3 young kids I need all the hands I can get

 

So be a trailblazer. I'm sure people will come up to you and ask about your tablet. Then you can show them all the cool features you've got and how it helps you to get more out of the sermons.

Does your church have any media aids? Projection screens for showing hymn lyrics or sermon notes, for example? A tablet is merely a technical tool.

 

throw a fish sticker in the cover and all is well. It works for cars

 

bwahahahaha awesome

 

Like it!!!

 

So if people think a car is a bad idea when they "throw a fish sticker on it" they change their mind?


Never hear of it.

 

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!!

Wife's are always right!

My wife doesn't want me to have a beard, so I don't have one.

If your wife would be embarrassed by it, tell her you disagree, but are willing to carry a printed Bible for her sake.

 

You could actually talk to your wife and tell her what your thinking. That way she is not stuck with the preconceived idea that tablet users in church are not paying attention. She may even understand your need based on eye sight and become supportive of their use.

I know one woman who is deaf. She can read lips and has implants so she does pretty well in most instances. However, using an iPad with an app that takes spoken words and translates them into text is extremely helpful for her. Her son is also deaf and even with implants cannot hear.


As to beards? I have one. My bride loves the scruffy look. Her vote overrules the older folks who make snide comments about it. LOL Plus, I rather like it.

 

LOL Before I got out of the Army I told my bride I was going to grow a ZZ Top beard. She was not excited about that. I keep it fairly trimmed but she seems to prefer it longer now. Go figure..eh?