Version 3.0 of the Bible App for iOS Available NOW

Bible App™ V. 3.0 for iOS Splash ScreenA few days ago, we shared some cool details about the newest version of the Bible App™ for iOS (iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch): Version 3.0. We’re thrilled to announce it’s now available in the iTunes App Store and as a direct browser download. Of course the Bible App always has been and always will be completely free, with no ads and no strings attached. Here’s all you need to do to get yours:

If you already have the Bible App installed:

  1. On your Apple iOS device, tap the App Store icon.
  2. When the App Store opens, tap the Updates icon.
  3. Tap Update for the Bible App
    OR
    Tap Update All.

If this is your first time installing the Bible App:

  1. On your Apple iOS device, tap the App Store icon.
  2. When the App Store opens, tap the Search icon.
  3. Search for Bible.
  4. Tap the Bible App from LifeChurch.tv.
  5. Tap the FREE button.

Please tell anyone you know with a mobile Apple device: This is a major release for the Bible App for iOS. And once you’ve had a chance to explore the new app for yourself, please connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to share your thoughts. Of course, even more great tools and features are already scheduled for future releases:

  • Audio Bibles directly inside the Reading Plan reader.
  • Supercharged Bookmarks (with flexible highlighting).
  • All-new, easier navigation for books, chapters and verses.
  • And more!

The Story of Easter Reading Plan from YouVersion

Reading Plans on an iPadOne week from today, on Sunday, April 24, all over the world, people who follow Christ will offer sincere thanks for the sacrifice he made for all of us on the cross. But more importantly, they will join together to celebrate the glory and awe of his resurrection. For many people, Easter offers a uniquely emotional opportunity for remembrance, reflection, and worship.

Prepared especially for the upcoming week, YouVersion is pleased to announce an all-new reading plan, “The Story of Easter.” This seven-day plan is purposefully designed to open our hearts as we approach the Easter celebration. Rather than dealing in the details of the historical events we will be remembering, The Story of Easter focuses instead on helping us evaluate the meaning and significance of the resurrection in our everyday lives.

Please consider joining with several thousand of us in the YouVersion community as we read through The Story of Easter together this week. You can find step-by-step instructions about how to select reading plans here:

(Note: If you like this plan, you might also enjoy the “Words of Jesus During Passion Week” reading plan this week.)

New Audio Bibles from YouVersion: ASV, WEB, KJV, and DRA

Audio Bibles on the Bible App™ for AndroidYou may know that in February, the Bible App™ for Android was the first YouVersion platform to get audio Bibles. And of course, we recently shared the huge announcement that audio Bibles will also be coming to the Bible App for iPhone/iPod touch literally any day now. Today, as a courtesy of several visionary partners, you can start listening immediately to the following Bibles on Android, and on iPhone/iPod touch the first day version 3.0 launches:

  • The KJV Listener’s Bible (KJV). Dramatic narration of the King James Version from Fellowship for the Performing Arts.
  • The Douay-Rheims Audio Bible (DRA). Steve Webb’s reading of The Holy Bible Douay-Rheims Version New Testament, with Challoner Revisions.
  • American Standard Version (ASV). New Testament Bible provided by FreeASV.org.
  • World English Bible (WEB). Modern English translation based on the ASV, dedicated to the public domain by eBible.org.

Please go give one a listen, and ask your friends and loved ones with Android devices to try them too. Also, please come let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter!

Still want more?

How about this? Next up: audio Bibles are coming to the Bible App for BlackBerry! More details coming soon…

New Reading Plan Exclusive to YouVersion: Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional

Reading Plans from YouVersionIf you have used any of the more than 130 Reading Plans from YouVersion, then you already know that they are a terrific way to help you engage with the Bible, providing an easy schedule where you read just a little each day. As you begin to apply the things you feel God speaking to you through His Word, your life is transformed as He draws you closer. Now, Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church and author of the best-selling book, The Purpose-Driven Life, has developed a reading plan exclusively for YouVersion—designed to help you accomplish just that.

Featuring 365 unique daily devotionals, the brand new “Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional” leads you through practical steps each day that can help you discover (and answer) God’s unique calling for your life. In just one year, Warren will help you chart a path to the place where God ultimately wants to lead you—spiritually, financially, emotionally, relationally and physically.

Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional is available now on all YouVersion platforms. All you need to start is a free YouVersion account. You can find it under the Devotional category of Reading Plans, whether you will be reading on your mobile device or at YouVersion.com. Today is a great day to start with that first step toward the fulfilled life Jesus has in store for you.

Dear YouVersion Volunteer Community: THANK YOU!

The Bible App™ by YouVersionThis is National Volunteer Week, but the truth is, YouVersion’s amazing community of volunteers—1200+ of you so far (and counting)—deserve honor and recognition every single day. Your passionate work helps get God’s Word into the hands and inside the hearts of people around the world. It’s only through your many contributions that together our YouVersion team serves literally millions of people, helping them engage with the Bible easily every day.

YouVersion volunteers are regular people—people just like you—who serve in all kinds of big and small ways, offering abilities as unique as they are: design, testing, formatting text, social media… the list goes on and on. Renee is a stay-at-home mom who responds to issues reported through the Bible App™ on different platforms. Chris performs data entry. During his downtime, Russ, a police officer, leads a team of other volunteers responding to help requests online. Dan is a guy who develops software. And here are just a few other examples of the “typical” YouVersion volunteer: David is a Genius at an Apple retail store, Brian is an IT manager at a prominent U.S. university, Nicole is a woman in Jamaica who manages a retail store, Dean is a senior executive at a major telecommunications network, Drewe is another IT manager (this one for a major motorcycle manufacturer in Australia), and college students Craig, Will, and Brian.

One volunteer, Jerry, has translated (and led other volunteers in translating) significant portions of our interfaces into traditional and simplified Chinese. In fact, just since January 1 of this year, 160 volunteers have helped with translation into other languages. These incredible people were instrumental in preparing the imminent, all-new iOS release (for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch), translating its interface into 16 different languages! While some volunteers may only be able to offer an hour or two, others spend several hours a week. It all matters.

You are part of a movement, a revolution of millions of people reading (and hearing!) God’s Word in their heart language. Of course, the more people who join us, the more we can reach together. We have many places you can serve, including some that don’t require a lot of your time. Let us know how you can help at our volunteer sign-up.

We cannot say “thank you” sincerely or often enough. You are literally changing this world. You guys are impacting millions. And millions…can impact billions.

Thank you.