What if God’s Word had never been translated into English?

Bible passage with topographical map overlay

Remember when you first learned what God gave up to reach you? About Jesus and his sacrifice? You wanted to find out everything about him that you could. And it was all right there at your fingertips:

Jesus’ Parable of the Sower, his Parable of the Talents, his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gave sight to the blind, healed the sick, walked on water, even raised his friend Lazarus from the dead! And the things that Jesus said:

Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men…
Blessed are the pure in heart…
Love your enemies…
My God, why have you forsaken me?…
It is finished…
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Just think how those words have changed your life…

And all because you could read or listen to them. The Bible has been translated into more than 400 versions in English. The Doondo people (pronounced doe-WAHN-doe) don’t have even one version in their language. In the Republic of the Congo, they can’t read in the language of their heart the things Jesus wants them to know:

Love your neighbor as yourself…
If anyone strikes you on one cheek…
If a man has a hundred sheep, and one wanders off, will he not leave the 99 to seek the one?…
Come to me, and I will give you rest…
I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

We can make that right. Together, you and us.

We have friends who are already working with Doondo speakers to help them get their first Scripture ever, in print and audio, as oral Bible stories, and on the YouVersion Bible App. For almost three years now, through #BibleForEveryone,* we’ve been helping Bible translators fund high-impact projects that can be completed quickly. Their plan is to have the New Testament translated into most of the world’s languages by 2033. But for today, right now…

Let’s share the blessings we already enjoy with our brothers and sisters in the Republic of the Congo.

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Notes

* All contributions received through the #BibleForEveryone campaign will be used exclusively for the purpose of Bible translation. Life.Church is contributing $1 million over the four-year period from 2017-2020. During each calendar year, Life.Church is contributing $250,000, spread across different, high-impact translation projects. As each project is completed, any remaining funds are then applied toward the next translation project, as selected by YouVersion and its partners. (See original blog post for full details.)

2019-09-242019-09-20

Unlock all-new Badges!

Badges

“I want to draw closer to God, but…”

Some days, it can feel like all of life’s demands are conspiring together to consume you. But, seeking God in His Word has the power to bring positive change into your life. How do you find that daily rhythm? By setting small, achievable goals… and taking them on one by one.

Announcing
All-New Badges

Did a particular Bible verse really speak to your heart? Highlight it, and you’ll unlock the Highlight Badge. Keep highlighting, and you’ll “level up” each time you reach the next milestone. Try the same thing with Bookmarks, and unlock and level up your Bookmark Badge!

Badges

Motivate yourself.

Complete one of our annual challenges (like the Christmas Challenge), and you’ll earn a Badge. Subscribe to a Bible Plan, and you’ll unlock the Plan Subscription Badge. Finish that Plan, and you’ll unlock the Plan Completion Badge. Keep starting and finishing Plans, and you’ll level up both.

Badges in Profile

Build momentum.

Your home feed shows your progress on Badges. Go to your profile to see all the Badges you’ve unlocked so far… and which other Badges are available. Once you’ve encouraged yourself with some of the smaller Badges, maybe you’ll feel inspired to chase the Whole Bible Badge.

Badges in Community Feed

And inspire others.

Your friends will see your Badges in their feeds, or you can share your journey and invite them to join you, on social media or by text. And, when you see your friends’ Badge progress in your feed, you can like or comment to encourage them.

Now let’s get you started:

Update Now

2019-09-232019-09-19

How to Lead at Work

No matter what your job is… you’re a leader.

Does the way you do your work point others to Jesus? Is that even possible? Absolutely. Our partners developed these Bible Plans to help you learn how you can serve, influence, and lead your employees, your co-workers — and even your clients — with love, excellence, and integrity.

2019-09-212019-09-12

How to Make a Difference in Your Community

People running on a beach

You interact with people every day: on the way to work, at the supermarket, the gym, your workplace, school; even on the phone. Every person you meet is facing their own struggles and setbacks… just like you are. And everyone you meet is passionately loved by God… just like you.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.… take delight in honoring each other.

ROMANS 12:9, 10b

A few quick Google searches suggest that we live in a world that’s hurting from violence, hatred, anxiety, and brokenness. But, what if we started a ripple that could begin changing that? What if your commitment to live peacefully with others could start a chain reaction?

If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.

ROMANS 12:17-18

Here are 3 practical ways you can live at peace within your community, today and every day:

Pray for others. Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In fact, He modeled what this looks like by asking God to forgive His persecutors when He died on the cross. Praying for those who have wronged you causes your heart to change — it’s harder to hate someone when you’re asking God to bless them.

Reflection Questions: Who in my life do I need to forgive? What do I need to forgive them for, and how can I ask God to bless them?
Get to know your neighbors. It’s never been easier to shut off from the world and forget the problems other people are facing. That’s why it’s never been more important to love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.
What are they passionate about? What are they struggling with? When you invest in the lives of others, you’ll find a deeper understanding of God’s love for the people He’s placed around you.

Reflection Question: Which of my neighbors needs an extra dose of love today?
Actively pursue unity. This might look like advocating on behalf of the vulnerable around you. It might look like patching up a rift between friends, or helping someone who can’t speak up for themselves. Whatever God calls you to do, He’ll equip you to do it. He has placed you where you are so that you can share His love and draw others close to Him.

Reflection Question: What need in the world is bothering me right now? How might God be calling me to meet that need?

As you reflect on how you can be a generator of peace, get your community involved by sharing a Verse Image on social media and continuing the conversation.

Share Verse Image

For more ideas about how you can live in unity with others, explore Plans on the Bible App.

Explore Plans on Peace

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2019-09-202021-07-07

Now Your Children Can Experience the Bible App for Kids in Telugu!

Bible App for Kids

Today, together with our partner OneHope, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Bible App for Kids in Telugu. Now, more children than ever have the opportunity to enjoy a Bible experience all their own.

Switching between languages is easy, right in the app’s Settings:

Make sure you’ve updated your app to the most current release.
Open the app and tap the gear icon () to open Settings.
Tap Language and select the one you want.

The audio will now play in that language, and any text will appear in that language, too!

Please help us celebrate this great news!