YouVersion’s MAJOR “minor” update

If you use the Bible on your smartphone or tablet, you’ve probably discovered YouVersion’s “Bible” app.  I’m sure it has to be the most popular Bible app out there. Well, in case you didn’t notice, their “minor” update on March 17th, they introduced something that, in my opinion, ends up being that they put a pretty MAJOR upgrade into it.

What’s the MAJOR upgrade?  It’s the ability to create and share images to your friends in the App and on Social Media.

I’ve blogged about this before, but visual content is extremely powerful in terms of social media these days. Presenting a video or a cool image greatly increases traffic to your social media sites and website.  One of the ways I use visual content is to stick a Bible verse on a cool background and push it out on social media for my Online Campus. By having the Bible app eliminate a step for me by allowing me to create images in their own app is awesome.

Ok, ok Tom, I get it. visual content is good…check…now, can you just tell me how I can be making cool images, please.

Here’s how in 5 easy steps.

1. Find a verse.  Whether you were struck by a verse in your quiet time or one just popped to your mind, identify a verse.

Step 3. Tap the image button.
Step 3. Tap the image button.

2. Tap the verse.  This highlights the verse.  Then, once you do that, a blue arrow button lights up at the bottom left of the screen.  Tap the blue button.

3. Tap the “Image” button. Once you tap the button a menu will appear from the bottom up.  One of the options is an “Image” button.

IMG_76624. Select a Background.  Once you select the “Image” button, a good amount of colorful and interesting backgrounds pop up.  Select one of the many to put your verse on.

5. Tweak away.  After you select your background, your verse will pop up with the background.  There you can play around with the color, size and font of your verse.  There are not a ton of options to choose from, but there are enough.

6. Share.  When you are done a blue “Share” button will appear.  You can share it all over social media from there.

Now, considering that this is the first version of the “image” creation ability, there are a few drawbacks.  Most notably, there are not a lot of fonts or color of wording to choose from.  Despite this, I’m really please with this option.  In fact, I’ve used it a few different times already. I would strongly recommend you try using it to share visual content to your audience.

What do you think?  Share your thoughts on YouVersion’s Bible app below or on social media using the hashtag #ymsidekick.

Tom Pounder

A father of 4, Tom is the Student Minister and Online Campus Pastor at New Life Christian Church in Chantilly, VA. He blogs, vlogs, and podcasts regularly about student and online ministry stuff.

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