We’re living in a mobile-first world. That means—most students (and really, most people!) are regularly accessing everything that’s important to them on their phones first. From banking information and receipts, to photos and emails, and yes, even the tools they need for spiritual growth, people are going mobile first.
According to a recent study by the Barna Group, the use of digital formats to access and read the Bible has steadily climbed since 2011. Now more than half the people who read the Bible are searching for or reading their content on the Internet or smartphone. Another 42% is accessing it through the Bible app on their phones.
A little while ago, our curriculum teams decided to make the shift to help you meet your students where they are: their phones!
Oh, just by the way (DISCLAIMER): While we see value in students accessing the Bible digitally, we still believe there is a lot of value in students using physical Bibles.)
So here’s the good news
All of our student Daily Devotionals are now available exclusively on the YouVersion Bible app! That’s right! You can find the whole library here.
Let me tell you what that means for you, your students, your leaders, and your ministry as a whole.
It’s an option
First things first, you just need to know that these devotionals are available to you and your students. Created to correspond with each series for both XP3 Middle School and XP3 High School, the Daily Devotionals feature a short verse or passage of scripture and brief prompt designed to engage your students in thinking about the way that verse might apply to their lives.
Each prompt encourages students to think through one of the four faith skills: hear, talk, pray, or live. Essentially, they’re just a little something extra that your students can read on a daily basis throughout the week to keep thinking through the content they hear on Sunday.
It’s easy to access
Finding these devotionals is super, super easy! To read the Daily Devotionals that go along with each series, download the YouVersion Bible app on iOS or Android, or visit Bible.com. Just search for the series title in the Reading Plans section to get started.
They’re already there waiting for you
Devotionals for both XP3 Middle School and High School are already on the app ready and waiting for you! We launched in the app during our Summer 2018 season so devos for series included in that season and beyond will be in the app for you to access.
If you’re not working on our Scope and Cycle, that’s okay! You can always find any devos starting with our Summer 2018 season in the app.
It creates opportunities for conversation
Having the devotionals available to anyone on the Bible app means that anyone associated with your ministry can find them! It’s a great opportunity to create conversation with parents, volunteers, other leaders in your ministry, and of course, your Small Group Leaders.
In fact, you can prompt your Small Group Leaders to read the devotionals in your weekly email! Remind them that they can not only access the devos and read them together as a Small Group, but they as leaders can use them as jumping off points for conversation with their students as they read.
You can share it with others
Encourage your students to join you and your Small Group Leaders in reading the Daily Devotionals each day. Pass the info on to your parents so they can read them as their students do. Encourage your student ministry volunteers to get on the devo train, too!
Having them available on the Bible app makes sharing them with the people working in around and your ministry easy to do! Point them to the app and encourage them to join you in reading the Daily Devotionals as you walk through the series together.
Okay, now you know where to find the Daily Devotionals for each series. So what are you waiting for? Head over the YouVersion Bible app and get started reading today!
