Bible Software

[LoProfile]

I need recommendations for a simple Bible Software program that can be used to help me create messages. With some simple cut and paste stuff instead of me typing it from books I own.

For some reason known only to God I've been given a position in ministry where I need to lead a study for a group of bikers 1-2 times a month. Most of these have outlaw biker backgrounds ( like myself ).

 

[RoboOp]

Hi LoProfile I think you need SmartGroups:

https://smartgroups.app

It's perfect for small group Bible study and discipleship or even one-on-one, and you can generate a bible study on any passage or on any topic, and you still have full control, meaning that you can edit it or add to it.

My friend is the founder, and I have assisted some with the development.

I will message you in the forum mail, I mean direct message.

 

[timf]

esword is free and you can download many extras.

 

[ResidentAlien]

I need recommendations for a simple Bible Software program that can be used to help me create messages. With some simple cut and paste stuff instead of me typing it from books I own.

For some reason known only to God I've been given a position in ministry where I need to lead a study for a group of bikers 1-2 times a month. Most of these have outlaw biker backgrounds ( like myself ).

Sounds like it should be an interesting group. What kinds of things are you looking for the software to have or do?

 

[LoProfile]

Sounds like it should be an interesting group. What kinds of things are you looking for the software to have or do?

Basically just a simple Bible study.
I think I have it figured out with a could different apps on my tablet.
Since I'm old, I might just go back to my college, books and typing days. Always found that fairly easy

 

[timf]

Here is the link for the iphone app of esword;

e-Sword LT: Bible Study for the iPhone

e-Sword LT is a feature rich and user friendly iPhone app with everything needed to study the Bible in an enjoyable and enriching manner!

www.e-sword.net

They call it esword lite.

I also am old. I just caught the biker reference and it reminded me of a guy I knew forty years ago who was president of a dry riders club. He would tell me about his dealings with other clubs and some insights into the culture.

I led a bible study for boys in juvenile detention for several years, perhaps for some, pre-bikers. I found that structured bible lessons were not well received, but an open forum for asking question generated a lot of enthusiasm and active participation. This may be because they were young but if you can field questions from left field, this might be a useful approach.

 

[JohnDB]

I need recommendations for a simple Bible Software program that can be used to help me create messages. With some simple cut and paste stuff instead of me typing it from books I own.

For some reason known only to God I've been given a position in ministry where I need to lead a study for a group of bikers 1-2 times a month. Most of these have outlaw biker backgrounds ( like myself ).

So I'm a bit confused here.
Why Bible software?

Sounds more like you need presentation software for self created slide decks

Think of presentation slides like playing cards. (Non-animated electronic posters)

You need to create slides of various concepts where you highlight or promote certain aspects of scriptures you wish to study. Correct?

This is exactly what an AI can do extremely easily and quickly and well. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, GROK and Perplexity. The copy/paste of scriptures? Just tell the AI which translation, chapter & verse of which book....the font is also up to you. AI can center, left or right align or do any number of things with it.

Then you can put the slides together for a presentation (Bible study lesson) really quickly. Word pictures for examples work wonders for lessons being remembered.

However,
I will say this....10 minutes with friends can and will do more to change a person's behavior and attitudes than a year's worth of sermons.

 

[LoProfile]

So I'm a bit confused here.
Why Bible software?

Do I can cut and paste into word documents for printing. I'm kinda old and technology illiterate.

 

[JohnDB]

Do I can cut and paste into word documents for printing. I'm kinda old and technology illiterate.

You can use online sources/Bibles. They are free.

Zero dollars.

For example you can just Google up the Book, chapter and verses you wish to quote....copy/cut and paste them all day long. You do have to give the bibliography....meaning you have to say which translation you are using. But otherwise.....nope. All you really need is an internet connection. No rich text editor or anything much else you will need. (Paper and ink are expensive enough)

AND

The publishers of the Bibles allow the use of their Bibles in such a fashion....all of them do. No copyright license needed. You won't copy enough unless you are copy/printing whole chapters and books. But....printers and ink are expensive....cheaper to just give out bibles. $6 ea bibles are much cheaper to give out than copy/paste onto printer paper.

Bible software is for studying....especially when using multiple resources at the same time. I have a software I purchased years ago....had an entire library at my fingertips. Expensive stuff too.

Today.....Logos is going to be the software platform.....how many books you put into it?....up to you. You can put them all....Hailey's Bible Handbook, Vines, every Strongs, Josephus, catechisms, council of Dort, Eadie and Lightfoot, Westcott and Hort, and multiple others....expositional and exegetical commentaries....anything you want.

As far as software packages go....platforms are free....the books you gotta pay for.
Kinda like drug dealers...
First taste is free....gotta pay after that.

Platforms though have been switching to rent instead of ownership. (Subscription fees).

First taste is free.....first taste is always free.

 

[KohenMatt]

Hot Take.....

ChatGPT can create a great "starting spot" for studies. You can ask for any parameters you're looking for and it will give you scripture references, concordance references, outlines, time spent on each topic, etc.

Note I said "starting spot." When you have what you think is a good framework, download it to a document of your choice. Then edit, add or subtract to your heart's (Spirit's content,) and you've got the potential for a fruitful study.

 

[JohnDB]

Hot Take.....

ChatGPT can create a great "starting spot" for studies. You can ask for any parameters you're looking for and it will give you scripture references, concordance references, outlines, time spent on each topic, etc.

Note I said "starting spot." When you have what you think is a good framework, download it to a document of your choice. Then edit, add or subtract to your heart's (Spirit's content,) and you've got the potential for a fruitful study.

However,
ChatGPT is only going to give you the most populist answer possible.

Where this matters is that MOST people have a unique theology that is not aligned with the populist theologies.
As well as populist theologies are not congruent with themselves either. (They don't fit together)

This is the whole problem with AI bots......people try to get them to do too much "thinking" and perform summary judgements instead of simple fact finding (which is what they are actually good at).