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The OpenDyslexic font is now in the Bible App!

Woman using Bible App on phone

Dyslexia is quite common: approximately 10-20% of people have some level of it. That means 10-20% of people find it challenging to read God’s Word.

We don’t want anything to prevent people from spending time in the Bible, which is why the OpenDyslexic font is now available in the Bible App.

The OpenDyslexic font features larger word and line spacing as well as unique, weighted letters to help people easily differentiate words and sentences.

Here’s how to select the OpenDyslexic font in your Bible App:

First, make sure your app is up-to-date, then tap the Font button (Aa) in your Bible Reader (or in your Reader Settings). Next, select the font list, and select OpenDyslexic.

That’s it! Now, every time you read God’s Word, it will be in a font that’s easier to visually process.

Do you know someone who would benefit from using this font? Help them transform their Bible reading experience by telling them about this update.

Update Bible App

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A Pastor’s Dream Helps Make the Bible Easier for Dyslexics To Read

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5 Practices to Help You Become the Person God Created You to Be

Rotating images of people using Bible App on phone

Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others…

MARK 10:45

The things you do consistently over time create the person that you ultimately become. Are your habits filling you with the wisdom, compassion, and joy you need to serve others? 2020 may be more than halfway over, but it’s never too late to start growing. Here are 5 spiritual practices that can help you become the person God created you to be:

Find wisdom in God’s Word.

Woman journaling while reading Bible on phone

Bible Plans help you learn about and explore God’s Word in manageable chunks, a little at a time each day, with selections you can read, listen to, or watch. Try a featured Plan, or search by category, topic—or even by emotion. When you start a Plan, invite friends to join you.

Find a Plan >

Enjoy conversations with God.

Person praying with Bible App open on phone

Prayer is simply talking to God about whatever is on your mind, by yourself or together with friends, and then listening for Him to speak. Our Prayer feature helps you keep track of things you’re praying for, Prayers you’ve created, and Prayers that Friends send to you.

Add a Prayer >

Connect in biblical
community.

Group meeting together

We’re not meant to do life alone. Invite friends to join you in the app, where you can explore God’s Word together, share prayers with each other, and more. Look for Suggested Friends in your Home feed, tap [Friend icon], or go to More, Share the Bible App.

Invite Some Friends >

Honor God in worship.

Hand raised in worship

Take time each day to express respect and devotion to your Father. Sing to Him. Thank Him in prayer for something He’s done in your life. Tell other people about what He’s doing. Search your music streaming service for “worship” or “praise,” then listen to renew your mind with reverence for Him.

Learn More >

Invest in God’s kingdom.

Person donating on phone

God modeled generosity by giving us Jesus, His most prized possession. Give your time by working to become a better listener. Use your talents to serve others in your community. Invest your resources— first into your local church— or consider supporting YouVersion’s mission.

More Ideas >

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How do you study the Bible? Here are 5 steps…

Person standing on city street

This year, many of us have had to adapt to a “new normal” that doesn’t feel normal. Sudden life adjustments like this can negatively impact mental health† and lead to chronic fatigue and burnout.

Yet, in the midst of this, God still calls us to come to Him, promising to give us rest. One way we draw closer to God is by spending time in His Word, but how do you make time with God a daily habit? And then, how do you bridge the gap between knowing Scripture and living it out every day?

Here are 5 seamless steps (that form an easy to remember acronym) that can help you PAUSE, rest, and study the Bible every day—even when you feel overwhelmed.

Prepare your heart

Lord, my heart is not proud. I don’t look down on others. I don’t do great things, and I can’t do miracles. But I am calm and quiet.… I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.

PSALM 131:1-2

Start your quiet time by reciting this Psalm, and then write out your concerns and worries. Visualize putting everything that’s competing for your attention into a box, then giving that box to God. (You may have to repeat this process several times before you feel ready to move on to the next step.)

Ask God to Speak to You

Before you dive into your daily Bible study, ask God to help you understand His Word, and how you can apply Scripture correctly to your life. He promises to give us His wisdom when we ask for it.

A Prayer for Wisdom:

God, please quiet my mind so that I can hear You clearly. I want Your wisdom as I study this passage, so that I can recognize biblical truth and apply it to my life. Please help me clearly see You at work in Your Word. Amen.

Save this Prayer to your Bible App

Unpack the passage

When was the passage written? Who was the intended audience? What is the main theme? Are there any repetitive words and phrases (if so, why)? What does the passage show you about God’s character?

As you begin your Bible study, read through the passage several times, each time answering a different question. Pay special attention to any phrases or ideas that continue to stand out to you.

Summarize the Scripture

What resonated with you as you were reading? Spend several minutes asking God to show you the truths in His Word, and then write down 1-3 key takeaways from the passage. This will help you process and track the insights that God shows you.

Exercise the Application

If you want to grow stronger in your faith, then it’s not enough simply to study God’s Word—you also need to live it out.

Write out 2-3 ways you want to practically apply the Scriptures you’ve studied, and then regularly check your progress. You can even turn your goals into Prayers in your Bible App, and set reminders to pray about them!

Once you’ve finished your Bible study, spend a few minutes in silent reflection, and ask God to remind you throughout the day of all that you learned.

PAUSE phone wallpaper

Download Wallpaper

Even when uncertainty surrounds us, choosing to PAUSE with God daily will ultimately help us see our problems and pain from His eternal perspective. And in the process, we will find rest for our souls and renewed hope for our lives.

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† https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30460-8/fulltext#seccestitle150

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How do you connect with God?

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. - James 4:8 - Verse Image

How do you connect with God?

This is the question that drives us at YouVersion. We’re constantly praying, studying, collaborating, creating, and testing ways we can help you draw closer to God. What’s the easiest way for you to take advantage of all these resources? Create your completely free YouVersion account,* which gives you all of these, and more:

Start Here:

In the Bible App: Tap the person icon in the top right corner, then tap Sign Up, and follow the prompts. It’s fast and easy, with your Google, Facebook, Apple, or email account.*

To create an account now, click here:

Make Account Now

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* YouVersion does not share or sell your information. We use it solely to provide you with the best Bible App experience we can. You can read our complete Privacy Policy here.

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YouVersion Responds to Parent Questions: What Can I Do About Sibling Rivalry?

Children playing together

Recently we asked the YouVersion Community to share your parenting questions with us. (Thank you for your responses!) Today we’re sharing Scripture around a topic many of you asked about: Sibling Rivalry.

Got any tips for how I can reduce sibling rivalry? How should I handle sibling rivalry between teens? How do I raise my girls to be kind to one another, so when they're older they'll be close friends?

Imagine your family as a team that God assembled to reflect His glory. He carefully crafted each family member to help the whole family fulfill its shared potential. Your role as parent is to serve as coach. You lead toward a vision that you can all accomplish together, teach everyone how to play, and work with each child to help them contribute meaningfully. Here’s how:

  1. Celebrate each member of your family for their unique value.

    2. …a person’s body has more than one part. The ear might say, “I am not an eye, so I don’t belong to the body.” But saying this would not make the ear stop being a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, it would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, it would not be able to smell anything.

    1 CORINTHIANS 12:14,16-17

    Just as in the body of Christ, each member of your family has a special role to fulfill. Help each of your children explore and discover their gifts. Help them learn to enjoy using their gifts in ways that serve the whole family. Along the way, encourage them with gratitude every time they show behaviors you want them to repeat. By equipping each child with self-awareness, service, and praise, you’re actually training them to cheer on every other member of your family.

    More on Connecting with Your Children Individually

  1. Unite your family around a common vision.

    2. Where there is no message from God, people don’t control themselves. But blessed is the one who obeys wisdom’s instruction.

    PROVERBS 29:18

    Talk together as a family about what you want your team to be known for. Start broadly, then gradually focus in on narrower themes, such Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, etc. In the Bible App, tap the Search tab, and explore under “What does the Bible say about…” (Or just type the trait you want into the Search box.) Once everyone agrees on a core family value, together pick a “Family Verse” that captures it.

    More ideas for Family Verses

  1. Never stop talking about what your family is about.

    2. Get my commandments inside you and your children. Talk about them wherever you are: at home or in the street; talk about them from the time you get up until you fall into bed.

    DEUTERONOMY 6:6-7

    Unless you make it tangible, your family vision will fade. Use family pictures to make Verse Images of your Family Verse, then put them everywhere. Save them as backgrounds on everyone’s devices. Help your kids make their own custom versions. Print a few of your favorites, get them framed, and hang them in prominent places around your home. Most of all, reward your kids every time you “catch” them living out your family values. Over time, your family’s vision will become ingrained in your family’s dynamic.

    How to make Verse Image

  1. Adopt Grace and Forgiveness as honorary members of your family.

    2. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

    EPHESIANS 4:2-3

    Especially as you begin this journey, set some short-term goals that will help your family score some quick wins. Just don’t lose sight of what you truly want: to build a lasting legacy together over time, a sustainable mindset of family unity that will span generations.

You will make mistakes. Your kids will make mistakes. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up on each other. God’s mercies are new every morning. Keep trying, and keep showing love to each other.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 PETER 4:8

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