Smart phones make smart disciples

My faith was greatly impacted in college by a church that challenged me to be a student of the Bible. That love for personal Bible study has motivated me to become an advocate for biblical literacy— a need highlighted by a recent Lifeway Research study that found only 45% of regular church attenders read the Bible more than once a week.

Before becoming a pastor, I always viewed the main responsibility as preaching. But now I understand why the role isn’t called “Senior Preacher.” As a pastor, I have a responsibility to build stronger disciples in Jesus Christ, and that’s an impossible task apart from the Bible.

To help combat biblical illiteracy at our church, we have turned to an app called YouVersion. I think of it as an example of what Paul meant when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:22: “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” YouVersion is a 21st century response to Paul’s approach.

first time, but is now re-reading it to gain a better understanding of the story. He credits his success to the ease of YouVersion.

We’ve used YouVersion with recent converts to Christ. I helped them get the download and choose a reading plan. This has provided these brand new believers with a clear plan and goal for their Bible reading.

Two weeks in a row, highlighted Scriptures from members of my church made their way into the messages I had been working on for that week. They were thrilled to know their personal study of the Bible had influenced my own. Even my 10-year-old daughter switched to YouVersion on her Kindle last year and I use it to monitor and comment on her reading.

Fresh Ideas

Champion a church plant

Whether you know it or not, you are already involved in church planting. A portion of your tithe to your Southern Baptist church helps plant SBC churches through the Cooperative Program.

Your annual Annie Armstrong Offering helps plant churches.

With over 200 million downloads, the app is a helpful tool that any church can easily use. It’s free, can be carried on any smart phone or tablet (or accessed by a computer at bible.com), and offers valuable opportunities for biblical accountability and community.

A long-time church member stopped by my office last month and said, “I want to grow closer to the Lord.” After listening to his testimony of faith, I inquired about his personal devotional times. He admitted to not reading the Bible much, and so I asked him to pull out his phone. We quickly downloaded YouVersion, and got him started on a daily reading plan through the Gospel of John.

He texted me later that night to tell me he finished the entire book of John! “Should I just go onto Acts?” he asked. Since then, he has not only finished Acts for the

As with other forms of social media, you can “friend” others through YouVersion. As you do, your homepage fills up with news of their progress through Bible plans or verses they highlighted. So I not only learn from my own Bible reading, but that of others in my church. And anytime one of my friends has been offline for a while, I know to check in with them.

I also use my YouVersion newsfeed as a prayer list. As I see the names of friends and passages they’re studying, I pray for their study and usually let them know I’m praying. And watching comments between our members regarding a particular passage is a great encouragement to me as their pastor. We as a church also use the YouVersion live component. This allows us to create “events” for each upcoming sermon. People can read the Scripture passage and interact through polls, or by posting comments or questions. And again, it’s 100% free. I should tell you, YouVersion doesn’t pay me for my advocacy. I’m merely sharing how this Bible app has had an impact on our church. Like many churches, we’re often slow adopters when it comes to technology. And while a digital Bible is no better than a traditional Bible, it’s time we used every opportunity available to us in building biblically literate believers in Jesus Christ.

Heath Tibbetts pastors First Baptist Church, Machesney Park.

But did you know that you— as an individual or small group— can also personally encourage a church planter? Your small encouragements can make a big difference, and it’s simpler than you might imagine! Try some of these fresh ideas:

DIANA DAVIS

Pay attention. Show interest and joy in what God’s doing. Put a photo of the planter’s family in your meeting room as a prayer reminder. Study their website, blog, or Facebook page. Celebrate victories and milestones. Visit the church, if possible.

Share your own talents, contacts, professional abilities, time and spiritual gifts. What unique help could you or your group provide? Could you create their website or help with online surveys? Help find a building site? Staff their Vacation Bible School or sports outreach?

Encourage the planter’s family. A women’s group could send his wife notes of encouragement. Pray for her. Mail her a book with personal notes written inside.

Share monetarily. Set a class goal for this month’s Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. God may prompt you individually to give additional gifts for specific needs of your church plant.

Be a friend. Planters often carry the huge weight (and privilege) of a church loaded with new Christians. Your class probably has many longtime Christians! If the planter likes the idea, challenge class members to connect with one member of the church for encouragement.

Plan a shower. Discover a need—such as audio equipment, portable signs, Bibles—and work with the planter to host a shower to meet that need. If miles separate you, plan an online shower using FaceTime or Skype. When we were church planters, our sponsor church planned a nursery shower, providing needed toys and furniture. It was a turning point for reaching young families.

You can make a difference. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to use you to encourage church planters.

Diana Davis is an author and minister’s wife.

Meet The Team

Meet: John Yi

Second Gen Church Planting Catalyst, Northeast Region

DOMs celebrate milestones

Norman Lockwood Westfield Association

Norman Lockwood was named “Director of Missions Emeritus” by Westfield Baptist Association on Feb. 26. Lockwood has served the association for 22 years.

Family: Gloria, one of the most patient, strong, godly, and sweet women I’ve ever known, is my wife of over 20 years. Case in point, we spent part of our honeymoon in Galveston, Texas, where I had scheduled myself to speak at a retreat. Yet, she did not annul our marriage.

Abigail, one of the finest examples of a young “jack of all trades” who could be tremendous at any number of things she sets her heart on, is my 13-year-old daughter. Jay is our two-year-old foster son, whom we expect to complete adoption of by the end of 2016. We also have a three-monthold foster son, Shawn.

Illinois connections: When I was four, my family immigrated from South Korea to the United States and landed in Chicago on October 31, 1971. Except for three years I spent in Ft. Worth, Texas, at Southwestern Seminary, I have been a Chicagolandian.

Favorite thing about church as a kid: Horsing around!

Favorite thing about church now: Horsing around! Just kidding. Seriously, it’s the people. I have come to more firmly believe that the Family of God is among the greatest “fringe” benefits of our salvation.

Favorite movies: Rocky and Forrest Gump

Illinois/Chicago highlights: The nations have come to Chicago!

Favorite Scriptures: Joel 2:25-26, Ephesians 5:25, 1 Timothy 4:6-8