Choose a Bible book and explore its outline before you start reading.
Opening an unfamiliar Bible book can leave you with several questions. Where does the story change direction? Which ideas keep returning? A video introduction gives you a starting outline to bring to the text. Keep a question in mind as you watch, then look for the relevant passage when you read.
These four apps approach that first look differently. Some put films at the centre of a wider resource collection. Others place videos alongside Scripture. Choose according to the way you want to move from an overview to the book itself.
Four apps for exploring a book through video
1. BibleProject
BibleProject suits a visit devoted to the overview itself. Its short videos examine a book's shape, recurring ideas and narrative. The listing describes one or two introductions per book. You could watch with a notebook nearby and sketch the main divisions before opening your Bible.
There are also podcasts and classes, while the home area lets you resume material you have started. For this purpose, organise your visit around one book. Choose an introduction, note what it emphasises and leave further resources for questions that emerge from your reading. The app has Android and iPhone editions.
Advantages:
- Book introductions in a visual format
- Podcasts for further exploration
- Return to material already started
2. Spoken Gospel
Spoken Gospel takes a dramatic approach. Its Bible Explained Films use storytelling and performed poetry for introductions described as ten minutes long. The interpretation centres on Jesus, so that perspective is part of the choice. Consider whether you want an expressive introduction before examining the passages yourself.
Resources are organised around individual books and include devotionals and podcasts. With an account, you can bookmark a film to revisit after reading. One useful exercise is to write down the film's central connection, then examine how it relates to a particular chapter. Spoken Gospel runs on both Android and iPhone.
Advantages:
- Introductions using drama and poetry
- Resources arranged around books
- Bookmarks with an account
3. Read Scripture
Read Scripture combines Bible text with explanatory videos supplied by BibleProject. The distinction is how you use that material: choose it when you want the introduction within an app that also contains the reading. Installing both apps does not give you two separate sources for those films.
The Scripture text is ESV, the English Standard Version, and the app supports reading independently. Watch for the book's broad outline, then turn your attention to the words. Ask which part of the introduction you can recognise in the passage. That keeps the video connected to reading without making a schedule the main task. Android and iPhone versions are listed.
Advantages:
- BibleProject videos alongside Scripture
- ESV text for the reading
- Suitable for individual use
4. Bible Study Together
Bible Study Together lists videos covering each biblical book within a broader study app. It also includes maps, Bible audio, passage marking and notes. Its description does not specify the length of the book videos, so leave room to inspect an introduction before deciding how much to watch.
The listed texts include ESV, NLT, NASB, KJV and Berean Standard. A practical use is to start with the video, read a passage in your chosen version and record one question in a note. Keep that question narrow enough to investigate in the book. Both Android and iPhone editions are available.
Advantages:
- Videos covering the biblical books
- Several Scripture versions
- Notes for questions after watching
Choose an introduction, then return to the text
Decide what you want from the first viewing: a visual outline, a dramatic introduction or video connected to Bible text. Afterwards, summarise the book's direction in your own words. Treat that summary as something to examine while reading. You can revise it when a chapter raises a question the introduction did not address.
BibleProject pairs its visual outlines with podcasts and classes, while Spoken Gospel introduces books through drama and poetry. Read Scripture links BibleProject videos to ESV reading, and Bible Study Together sets its videos beside maps, notes and several translations. Read each store page for its advert and purchase disclosures, then pick one app around the book you actually want to open.
Graduated in Portuguese/English Literature from the State University of Ponta Grossa (UEPG), with postgraduate degrees in Art in Education (FAPI) and School Psychopedagogy (FAPI), creator and owner of the website. Successful Writer, has experience writing for blogs in general and works as a writer and editor of the content for Great app.