MEDIA IN
Ministry GO SOCIAL
With the rise of smartphones has come a variety of Bible apps that people can carry with them and read anywhere. How do you choose one? Here are the main contenders:
BibleGateway: This app occupies the middle ground between YouVersion and OliveTree/Logos (at right). It offers some further resources but isn’t as customizable as the more comprehensive apps. • Pros: Easy to read and easy search functions. Some translations available in audio in addition to text.
• Con: Missing the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
Logos: Like Olive Tree, Logos is designed to serve as a complete digital library. It also has a large selection of free and paid resources you can easily add to your phone. • Pros: A huge variety of resources— some for free, some for purchase. Much of the interface and experience is customizable.
• Con: Compared to Olive Tree, an internet connection is needed more often on Logos to read the materials.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sparkhouse Family Many congregations know the benefits of Spark Sunday school curriculum. It provides instructional resources for Sunday schools of any size through options of lectionary-based, classroom or rotation-style curriculum.
When Spark was first introduced, congregations and families had an option to enhance a child’s faith journey at home through Spark Family, a subscription to a quarterly magazine for children that strengthened what was introduced in the curriculum. This resource is filled with creative activities and stories and continues to be a favorite.
Sparkhouse is now creating supplementary options for families to enjoy at home. Not to be confused with the original Spark curriculum and Spark Story Bible, both for use in congregational settings, Sparkhouse Family connects families to 100 popular Bible stories and individual Bible story books (Sparkhouse 2016;
wearesparkhouse.org).
Elizabeth Caywood Caywood is director of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod resource center and coordinator of ELCA resource centers. She is a regular contributor to this page.
46 SEPTEMBER 2016
Olive Tree: More than just a Bible, this app offers a comprehensive selection of study tools and theological resources. • Pros: A huge variety of resources (including Augsburg Fortress’ Lutheran Study Bible)—some for free, some for purchase. Much of the interface and experience is customizable.
• Con: The choices available can be overwhelming if you just want to quickly look up a passage.
FILM REVIEW
The BFG Children’s book author Roald Dahl and director Steven Spielberg both have a tender spot for smart, lonely children whose wonder and creativity is revitalized by friend- ships with alien creatures. That certainly is the case with The BFG, a 1982 novel by Dahl that has been adapted for the screen by the late Melissa Mathison, who wrote E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. This movie
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52