Category: Tips &amp; Tricks

If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 1 Peter 3:15

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2020-05-022020-05-01

What’s bringing you hope?

Everyone loves good news.

You know that buzz you get when something sparks hope in you? Or fills your heart with peace? Or really encourages you? People tell us all the time about great insights they find in Bible Plans. And about how often the Verse of the Day seems to line up exactly with something happening in their lives.

Every time you experience one of those a-ha! moments, share it.

You can share all kinds of things from the Bible App: Bible verses, Verse Images, Plans, Prayers, Badges, devotional content from Plan days. (You can even share the Bible App.) And it’s easy! Anywhere you see one of these Share icons, just tap it… and give someone else that same great feeling.

Share the Bible App

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2020-04-302026-05-06

Feeling Lonely? 4 Ways to Grow Your Friend Group—Even from Home

A dear friend will love
you no matter what.

Proverbs 17:17

Even before COVID-19, more than one in five adults in the U.S. said they felt lonely or isolated.¹ Research shows that chronic loneliness even has negative effects on our physical health.² We all need meaningful connections with people we care about, who care about us. How do we do that?

Start by Being a Friend

Do you want friends who will encourage you? Then become an encourager. Want friends who will help you grow as a person? Then practice listening, and show that you’re willing to change when you learn new things. Whatever you want to see in others, work towards becoming that friend yourself. Sometimes, this means intentionally meeting people where they already spend their time. Over the past year, we’ve heard incredible stories of our community finding creative ways to foster relationships in completely digital environments. From starting supportive threads in local neighborhood forums to sharing an encouraging word with fellow players at an online casino, people are discovering that genuine connection can happen anywhere. When we approach these everyday spaces with an open heart, we create beautiful new avenues for friendship to flourish.

1. Start Praying for Others.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Ask someone you know, “How can I pray for you?” Write down what they tell you, then pray for them regularly. Our Prayer feature makes it easy to keep track of everything you’re praying for. Not sure what to pray? Try Verse of the Day Stories. Every day has a Prayer you can pray for yourself—and for friends. When you pray regularly for other people, your empathy and concern for them grows.

1. Start Having Honest Conversations.

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.

Proverbs 13:20

Relationships are built on trust. Trust goes in both directions. Don’t just talk about yourself. Ask a lot of questions, actively listen, and don’t judge. Not sure what to talk about? Do a Bible Plan together, and schedule a regular time to video chat about what God is showing each of you. (Verse of the Day is great for this, too.) The more you invest in each other, the more you’ll enjoy your times together.

1. Start Serving Others, Together.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

Hebrews 10:24

Serving other people helps you beat loneliness, by taking your focus off yourself and giving you a sense of purpose. Millions of people have lost jobs during the pandemic.³ (If you’re one of them, we’re so sorry.) In most communities, food banks and other charities are busier than ever. Find services with social distancing and sanitizing policies that you’re comfortable with. Or, if you’d rather not leave your house, look for places where you can serve online.

1. Start Inviting People.

Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Look for Suggested Friends in your Bible App Home feed. You can also tap the Friends icon () at the top of your app, or go to More, Friends and add people from your contacts. Also, be sure you check your Friend Requests in the app. However you choose to add friends, we recommend that you ask only people you actually know, so you’ll be able to have honest exchanges with people you trust.

Whatever You Do…
Just Start.

A Prayer for the Lonely

Father, please meet me where I am. Lord, send people who will reach out to me, and give me ideas of people I can reach out to. Give me courage and strength, and please rescue me from my loneliness.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalms 34:18

¹ Loneliness and Social Isolation: An International Survey.

Notes

² Loneliness Rivals Obesity, Smoking as Health Risk.

³ Jobless Claims Hit 4.4 Million.

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2020-04-222020-04-21

How to Make Physical Distancing Work for Your Family

Physical distancing has presented parents with challenges that most of us have never faced before. Even if you already considered your family to be your primary ministry, adjusting to working at home can blur the line between family life and work life.

Many of us at YouVersion are parents, so just like you, we’ve been looking for strategies that will work for our families. Below are just a few approaches we’ve found so far. While we realize every family has unique circumstances, we hope you’ll find something here that’s helpful.

Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate.

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

If both parents are trying to work from home, remember that you’re on the same team together. Try to set up a schedule that suits everyone. Some of us are taking shifts, where one parent works from 8:30am to 12:00pm, while the other cares for the kids, then switching from 12:30pm to 5:00pm. Make a plan, but leave room to be flexible.

…Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults…

EPHESIANS 4:2

Include your kids.

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

Ask your children to “help” in ways that make sense for their ages. You might help them make a “Time to Work” sign for you, then explain that when you hang it on the door, that means you need to concentrate. Help them make special artwork for your workspace—especially if you’ll be in video meetings. Your kids are more likely to respect boundaries between work time and family time if they feel invested in both.

Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds… Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

DEUTERONOMY 11:18-19

Set realistic expectations.

“Productivity” looks different right now than it did three months ago. And, most of the people you work with are likely dealing with issues very similar to yours. Be a living example of the things you hope to receive from others. Give grace to your coworkers, to your children, and to yourself.

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

As much as you can, enjoy this time you have together. It may be hard to remember right now, but just a few months ago, many of us were trying to find ways to spend more time with our kids. It’s true that our current circumstances come with real challenges. But, it’s also true that we have the power to choose how we respond. We can see them as setbacks that are causing us pain, or as opportunities to draw our families closer than ever.

Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.

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2020-04-202020-04-17

3 Ways to Help Your Kids Adjust to the New “Normal”

Mother and daughter using a tablet

Ephesians 6:4

Mother and daughter laughing while using a tablet

If you’re like many parents we know, day by day, you’re trying to handle meals, figure out school, and manage your kids’ boredom—all while worrying about your job and your future. We want you to know: We’re here for you.

Regardless of your children’s ages, it’s likely they have a lot of questions about everything happening. Almost overnight, all the daily routines that they relied on for stability changed. One of the best things we can do for them right now is to establish a new “normal.”

Here are 3 things you can try at different times throughout the day to help your kids adjust:

Ask your kids what they’re thinking about. Then listen.

Even if they say difficult or troubling things, try not to show alarm on your face. Your kids need a safe space to talk, and the opportunity to fully express their thoughts and feelings in their own words.

Be the example you want to see in your house.

Take care of yourself spiritually during this time, so that you’ll be able to give your kids the emotional support they need. Here’s where you can find some peace and encouragement for you:

Resources

Pray with your kids, on a schedule.

Praying is just having a conversation with God, telling Him what you’re thinking and feeling, asking for things you need, and thanking Him (even for small victories). You can pray anytime, but doing it together in the morning, at mealtimes, and at bedtimes is an easy way to build some routine into each day. Here’s a simple example:

Dear Jesus, thank You for our family. Help us to love each other, take care of each other, and be kind. Please show us how we can love our neighbors and our friends. Thank You. Amen.

Bonus! Clearly define your days.

If your kids have been used to a weekly schedule—with you at work and them at school or daycare—the days may start blurring together when everyone’s home. Giving each day of the week its own theme can help you build a rhythm, a sense of structure. Here are a few examples:

Taco Tuesday – Don’t have taco ingredients? Make sandwiches, taco style, folded in half.
Wacky Wednesday – Wear socks that don’t match. Type “recipe” into Google, with a list of whatever random ingredients you have, and make that together.
Funny Friday – Play together. Be silly. Make jokes. Watch a funny movie or TV show. Make Friday night Family Game Night.
Special Sunday – Worship God together. Find a church service online. (Many churches are putting their children’s programming online right now.) Watch a video on BibleAppForKids.com together and talk about it.