Public Reading of Scripture
July 24, 2024
More About Public Reading of Scripture
Reading the Bible in community was foundational to the life of God’s people in the Old and New Testaments. Public readings of scripture served as an act of remembrance and identity formation. This practice is found throughout the Bible from the reading of the Law in the time of Moses to the reforms of the righteous King Josiah and leaders like Ezra, who brought renewal to the people of Israel.
In the time of Jesus, reading the Law and the Prophets aloud in synagogues was a central element of Jewish life. Early Christians maintained this tradition, and the letters of the Apostle Paul were read aloud in their gatherings. This practice was so important to Paul that in 1 Timothy 4:13, he instructed all to “...devote yourself to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, and to teaching.”
Today, you get to share in this practice with your own communities. As God’s people, the word of God is our food. Regularly gathering for extended reading and listening makes knowing and loving God’s word as simple as eating a good meal. May your community grow in knowledge and love of God and be equipped to participate in His work! Thank you for being a part of this movement!
Best Practices
When you facilitate your own Public Reading of Scripture gathering, we have found that it is best to have print Bibles available so that participants can read along.
You can choose a reading plan for 20, 30, 45, or 60 minutes, depending on what seems best for your group. Keep in mind that the Bible takes 90 hours to be read in its entirety.
Within any reading plan, each session starts and ends with a Psalm as opening and closing prayers. Each session also includes an Old Testament reading and a New Testament reading. Our 45 minute and 60 minute reading plans take about two and a half years to read the Old Testament once and the New Testament about two times.
We recommend taking brief pauses between readings so that everyone can prayerfully reflect on what they have heard. These moments are marked within each session.
You will see videos from The Bible Project embedded within each session. These videos are optional, but they provide helpful context, such as narrative structure, themes, and historical background of the book in that session. These videos are engaging and accessible, and they can enrich your group’s understanding of the passages being read.
At the end of each session, be sure to thank your group and encourage them all to join for the next session. Discussing the Bible passages is entirely optional – the most important thing is listening to God’s Word together.
Latest Version
11.20.001
July 24, 2024
FutureSoft, Inc.
Travel & Local
Android
41,869
Free
com.futuresoft.public.reading
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User Reviews
Madalena Garcez Serra
3 years ago
The best App with Dramatic presentation. I love it. I have it on my phone for a long time now.
寒松傲竹
1 year ago
A useful tool for bible group reading also for personal reading
Elise Smith
4 years ago
I wish you had ESV available! But it's really cool to be able to listen to the Bible. If I can't sleep I especially enjoy it.
gail
2 years ago
I love the Dramatization Bible. I'm using it as my reference for my yearly read through the Bible. I could listen to this all day
Yeshua Is King
4 years ago
I love this app! I love the animated voices and the sound effects. It makes the Bible come alive. Praise the Lord for this app.
Matt Reffie
2 years ago
Well designed. Really useful and not overcomplicated. Easy to pop in for some of your Bible time and track your progress.
Eileen Nguthari
4 years ago
It's been a blessing being able to read Scripture everyday. It's amazing how blessed we are to have Scripture with us unlike the people in the Bible who had to wait for someone to read scripture for them.
Nate Poman
5 years ago
Very professional and comprehensive presentation of God's Word. Introduction are very clear and helpful for newcomers; great for review for those more familiar with the books of the Bible.
Christian Zacchaeus
1 year ago
I've been trying for the past 2 hours. It keep installing audio storage or whatever. It's not working.
MB4Jesus
1 year ago
I can listen to audiobooks as I drive and do chores. How wonderful to have this option to freely hear the Word of God! "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."
Mike “MOG” Flores
1 year ago
On the website, it tracks by session, but on the app in android, it tracks by days and is totally different scriptures.
Jonathan Mendez
1 year ago
Love that there are different voices and sounds, but I have the KJV, and yall only offer NKJV, so it doesn't match, and that bothers me.
Cynthia Wake
5 years ago
I love this app! I can't say enough, how good it is to hear the word of the Lord over all the negativity in our world. I cast this app to my tv to read and listen in full stereo. The dramatization of the scripture brings it to life. The music makes the very words songs of praise.
Bryan Zulueta
3 years ago
Downloaded the app a few days ago. As soon as I downloaded the audio for offline listening I could not use the audio offline. The error says license is no longer valid. Just got it uninstalled.
A Google user
6 years ago
after using this app for about a week i have realized this bible is an absolute must have for serious bible lovers... the audio drama is priceless ... its gives one an additional facet or perspective in the overall study of scripture! a huuuuge blessing. still trying to figure out the screencast button which is greyed out for me...
A Google user
6 years ago
Best Bible reading program ever created! I have used the One Year Bible for almost 20 years but became overwhelmed when I got behind in my reading and found myself rushing through to catch up. PRS solves all of that. it's so relaxing to hear God's Word spoken so eloquently.
Valerie Hall
3 years ago
It is now 7/22, and this ap no longer works; opens but has a blank screen. =( Excellent audio version with sleep timer. Tools easily available to highlight and save verses. I hope they produce a chronological version.
Michael Ireson
4 years ago
What a great resource. Two small issues: 1. You can't swipe the app away from the notification bar once finished. 2. It is a little difficult to move between different books in the bible. Thanks guys!
Janis Mancini
3 years ago
I love this app! Love the voices and background sounds, makes it like you are there in person. There is so much more to this app, they have this awesome thing called Bible Project... you've got to see this, simply amazing. I've learned so much about each book of the Bible by watching this fascinating illustration and description. This is a must have app for me.
Deborah Robinson (Sunny Dee)
1 year ago
This is the best audio Bible app that I've ever used! I love it! It's not just a monotone voice reading to you, but an actual dramatization of the scriptures. Plus, it has many tools & settings to customize the audio to your comfort. If you're looking for a wonderful audio Bible app, look no further. I promise you, you will love this app too!
