OC partners with YouVersion App

Photo by: Henoc Kivuye

 

Oklahoma Christian University announced a new campus-wide Bible study using the YouVersion Bible app, called the “WORD: OC’s 60-Day New Testament Plan.”

Utilizing this app, students and faculty can read the New Testament and finish by the end of the semester. The app is now available for any student and staff member who wishes to use it.

Senior Ethan Adams currently uses the study plan, and said there is a lesson plan every day, in addition to a check box feature that can be marked once each lesson is completed for the day. Adams assured that so far, the app is treating him well.

“It gives someone a good opportunity to read the Bible every day,” Adams said.

Adams said he could see the app benefitting the student body and staff, and that if it will get one person who usually never reads the Bible to use the app, then it would be a success.

Adams said that to him as a youth and family ministry major the app offers a unique aspect to the Bible-reading experience.

“When you take Bible classes it’s like you’re being forced to read the Bible,” Adams said. “This will help to make it more personal to read the Bible.”

Associate Dean of Spiritual Life Chance Vanover said the 60-day plan came about because the staff wanted to encourage the students to read the Bible for the semester.

Spiritual Life met with Marketing for a title and came up with “WORD”. Director of Creative Services Judson Copeland worked  the title with Marketing and established the initial connection.

Campus Minister Summer Lashley edited content on the Bible-reading plan to include devotional content written by faculty, staff and students.

“[The devotionals] go along with each reading,” Vanover said.

Vanover added that the ball began rolling when Summer Lashley wanted to do a blog for reading the Bible, and then Copeland made the connection for YouVersion.

“It’s very convenient and accessable,” Vanover said. “Very portable.”

He pointed out that the app has helped him both as a staff member and as a part of the Bible faculty.

“I’m reminded about it daily,” Vanover said. “It’s helpful because the devotional content was written by people I know. It’s very personal.”

Because of this, Vanover says that he can learn from it because he is hearing the thoughts of people he knows.

What he learns are different insights, the community being in touch with scriptures and good observations of the actual scriptures.

“It’s very insightful,” Vanover said said.

At this point, Vanover does not know if any Bible classes will be using the app, but he hopes that more people will be using the plan as the semester goes by.

He also says that the hope is to keep the plan going on as the years progress. He also says that they will be changing the reading plan so it will not be the same every year. Junior Tyler Robbins does not have the app because he does not have an iDevice, but admits he would love to use the 60-day plan if he could.

Robbins said his roommate uses the app and he can see how the app is affecting him. According to Robbins, the app influencing people is a good thing, and it is something like this that is going to affect someone for the better and that makes the app worthwhile.

According to Robbins, there is a definite possibility that more people could use the app in the future as long as the university keeps promoting it.

Robbins said that this is a good way to have people read the New Testament because anything that gets people into the Word is a great thing.

He says that the Word is sacred and that it does not matter if we use a screen or a physical paper Bible in the world we live in today.

“I hope [the school continues the plan],” Robbins said. “It’s a positive thing.”

Students and faculty can search for and subscribe to the app for free through YouVersion online or through their iDevices or tablets. For more information, visit oc.edu/youversion.