Faithlife Blog

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Introducing the Read-Along Feature

audiobook2_0You may have noticed an update last week to the Faithlife app on your iOS device. It was a big one. For a long time, we’ve been working on a read-along feature that allows you to listen to Scripture as well as read it through the Faithlife app. It works with the Lexham English Bible New Testament, and we plan to enable it for additional resources in the future.

How to unlock audio on Faithlife

It’s easy. If you don’t have the app yet, download it. If you do, update through the app store. Then, while you’re at it, tell a friend. They’ll thank you!

How to find the read-along feature

  1. Open the Faithlife app.
  2. Open the Lexham English Bible.
  3. In Read mode, swipe down on the New Testament text to reveal the toolbar.
  4. Tap the speaker icon in the top right corner.
  5. Lean back and enjoy!

Android users and Logos desktop users should see the same update coming very soon. We’d love to hear from you about how you plan to use the read-along feature. Let us know in comments.

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A Media-Rich Study Bible

You already know about the Faithlife Study Bible’s expanding scholarship. We recently announced 58 new articles (more than 150,000 words) in the Lexham Bible Dictionary, which you can access through the Faithlife app—but did you know that the Faithlife Study Bible also includes a huge collection of media resources?

Infographics, maps, photos, and video from the Holy Land help you to visualize biblical settings and understand complex ideas. As you flip through your FSB in the popular two-pane layout, keep your eye out for small thumbnails like the one below—they indicate that there’s an infographic associated with the passage you’re reading.

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 When you see them, don’t hesitate to tap. You’re sure to learn something new.
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Take Better Sermon Notes with Faithlife

Note-taking has many benefits. It helps you focus your attention. Studies have shown that note-takers retain more of what they hear. If you’re still using pen and paper and you want fewer ink stains on your clothes, we have good news for you: Faithlife notes are just as powerful and elegant as Logos notes.

Here’s a rundown of what they can do.

Connect to a selection or reference

Long-press in your mobile app to highlight a portion of text—you’ll have the option to either highlight or make a note. You’ll never run out of space, which can’t be said of taking notes in the margins of your paper Bible. Write as much as you like, and then connect your notes to a reference or Scripture selection. If your note pertains to more than a single verse or defies normal chapter/verse divisions, you’ll likely want to use the selection option.

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Easy sharing

You can choose to keep your notes private, or share them with the Faithlife community so everyone can benefit from your study. After all, we learn best when we learn together. (Click to tweet)

Stored on the cloud

Your notes are kept safely in your own corner of our server, so they’re available on all your devices, all the time. Even if you made a note on your computer using Logos, it’s visible on your mobile device in the Faithlife app. No downloading required. You can see all your notes in one place at Documents.Logos.com.

If you’re using a reading plan or a prayer list on Faithlife.com, it’ll also appear at Documents.Logos.com, and you can search through all of it using the search box at the top of the page.

Organize into documents

To keep myself a bit more organized, I’ve organized my notes by book of the Bible. You might choose to organize your notes another way—perhaps by subject (notes about forgiveness) or venue (notes from church.)

documents.logos.com

Export & print

Using Logos 5, you can quickly export or print an entire document of notes. This is especially helpful if you’re preparing to preach or teach. Make notes in your app as you read throughout the week; when you sit down for more focused study, your notes are all together. You could conceivably write your own commentary using Logos’ notes feature. If you do that, call us. We want to hear about it.

If you’d like to learn more about Logos’ notes, check out some of these posts.

 

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Lexham Bible Dictionary: Nearly 60 New Articles

The Lexham Bible Dictionary, the world’s most advanced Bible dictionary, is getting bigger and better.

Buying a Bible dictionary is usually like buying a computer. As soon as you get it home, it’s already out of date. Words printed on physical paper are locked in place. As new scholarship, new resources, and new discoveries emerge, your Bible dictionary remains unchanging—static.

But not the Lexham Bible Dictionary.

We’re excited to announce the addition of 58 new articles from scholars like:

The Lexham Bible Dictionary and Faithlife Study Bible are constantly being updated to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information possible.

This new update adds over 150,000 words, making the Lexham Bible Dictionary over 1.7 million words total. The update includes entries covering topics like:

  • Why the New Testament is called the “New Testament”—covered in “New Testament, Title of”
  • The Qumran Community, which many scholars claim penned many of the Dead Sea Scrolls
  • The Rule of the Community—an important sectarian manuscript from the Dead Sea Scrolls
  • Gnosticism, an early heretical movement
  • A brief history of biblical interpretation
  • The books once contained in the Bible that no longer are
  • The time between the Old and New Testaments, covered in “Intertestamental Period”
  • The ancient book known as Testament of Abraham

How can I find Lexham Bible Dictionary articles?

Here’s one easy way. As you’re reading Scripture in your Faithlife Study Bible app, you may see an icon in line with the study notes, like the one below next to the word “Parousia” at 2 Peter 3:4.

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That icon indicates that a Lexham Bible Dictionary article on this topic is available. The article happens to be one of the new ones. When you click it, the article shows up over the notes pane, on the bottom half of your screen.

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And, of course, the Lexham Bible Dictionary currently comes completely free with the Faithlife Study Bible. Whether you’re downloading the Faithlife Study Bible for the first time or getting the update, you’re not paying a dime for this tool. The work of the world’s leading scholars is at your fingertips.

Learn more | Get it now

 

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Dig into the Bible with Logos 5: 15% Off!

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You’ve experienced Scripture with the Faithlife Study Bible. Now you can upgrade to Logos Bible Software’ best Bible study tool, Logos 5, for 15% off through May 20. Just use coupon code SPRINGSALE at checkout.

What’s the difference between the Faithlife Study Bible and Logos 5?

The FSB, designed as an introductory Bible study tool, gives you the ability to follow reading plans, do predefined word studies, and view photos, videos, and infographics.  But there comes a point where the basic tools and resources just aren’t enough.  Logos 5 will take your Bible study deeper.

You’ll get a massive digital library, and smart tools that will help you connect to the Word.

Check out the Logos 5 lineup

  • Portfolio: over 2,500 resources, every Logos 5 feature, and the largest collection of books, with a print value of $78,000!
  • Diamond: over 2,000 resources and all the Logos 5 features—a library worth over $52,000 in print.
  • Platinum: 1,370 resources and all the Logos 5 features, with a print value of $28,700.
  • Gold: 1,100 resources and all our features—a library worth $21,000 in print.
  • Silver: a library of nearly 700 resources, worth $13,000 in print, with the Timeline, Sermon Starter, and more.
  • Bronze: the essentials for studying the Bible by passage and topic—429 resources valued at $8,000 in print.
  • Starter: a Bible study foundation, with nearly 200 resources and a print value of $3,500.

You’ve experienced the FSB. Now take your Bible study deeper with Logos 5.

Save 15% with coupon code SPRINGSALE through May 20!

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Save on Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan (Last Chance!)

The Faithlife Study Bible helps you study God’s Word. You love the layers of study notes, the videos, and connecting with your faith community through the Faithlife app. Now Faithlife is giving you the chance to delve into the lives of the Bible’s people and learn from their stories. With Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan, you’ll learn about the life of Mary, how she fulfilled prophecy, and how you can mimic her faith in your own relationship with God.

See the Scripture come alive

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Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan includes infographics to help you see how Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The resource combines text and visuals to give you a better understanding of the Bible as a whole.

Walk in her shoes

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The story of Christ is literally all over the map, and sometimes it can be difficult to visualize where in Israel and the surrounding areas the stories took place. With maps and diagrams, you’ll be able to see the physical location of Scripture as you read it.

Grow in faith

At the end of each of the eight chapters in Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan are questions to help you reflect on the devotional and apply it to your own life. Answer the questions directly in the resource in your Faithlife Study Bible, and share your thoughts on your Faithlife newsfeed.

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Use code FSBMARY and get Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan for 20% off the regular price. But hurry—this offer ends May 13, so what are you waiting for? Get this resource today.

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Grow Closer to God with Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan

Mary-devoted-to-gods-planMary was a young, unmarried woman, and her plan from God was to birth our Savior, Jesus Christ. Afraid, scorned, and downright confused, Mary followed God’s will for her, trusting that his plan was better than she could ever imagine. Learn more about her life and faith this May with Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan, now available from Logos.com as a resource in your Faithlife Study Bible.

This eight-week study program covers topics like facing fear with faith, embracing the unexpected, and more—topics that, to this day, Christians struggle with. Each chapter is structured to maximize your study and time. You’ll learn about the cultural and historical events surrounding Mary and the theology behind her, and you’ll conclude each chapter with application questions to help you on your own faith journey.



Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan is 20% off for a limited time with coupon code FSBMARY. Start using your Faithlife Study Bible to get closer to God and his Word.

Get Mary: Devoted to God’s Plan for 20% off today with coupon code FSBMARY!

Want to use this in your church or small group? Click here to learn more.

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“A Couple’s Journey with God” Book Group Starts Today

Join the FaithLife Reading GroupJoin nearly 100 other couples and bestselling authors Pam and Bill Farrel as we begin reading A Couple’s Journey with God. This book group is designed for busy couples, so each of the 58 daily devotionals takes five to ten minutes a day to read. Download the Faithlife app and you can participate in the group while waiting for the doctor, while riding in the car, or in the comfort of your favorite coffee shop.

Daily devotional chapters include:

  • Can You Hear Me Now?
  • Baby, I Want You!
  • Shared Confidence
  • Deep Roots
  • A Life Well Lived
  • Hot Stuff!

Plus, if you purchase the ebook on Vyrso (Faithlife’s sister company), it will seamlessly link to your Faithlife account. You’ll be able to highlight your favorite passages, share comments and questions with the group, add personal notes, and more. And now you can purchase the book from Vyrso at 25% off. Use coupon code JOURNEY at checkout.

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A book group designed for busy couples

Faithlife is hosting a reading group based on best-selling authors Bill and Pam Farrel’s devotional A Couple’s Journey with God. This reading group is designed specifically for busy couples, at any stage of life and relationship, who want to grow closer to each other and Christ. By joining, you’ll gain access to exclusive notes, discussion questions, and interviews with the authors. You can also join in the conversation by asking your own questions and posting notes.

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Bill and Pam Farrel will lead you through 58 short daily devotionals. Every day, you’ll encounter practical ideas for staying in love, questions to deepen your relationship, tips for great interactions, and passionate prompts.

See what 15 minutes a day with your spouse and God can do for your relationship. Reading begins April 23.

Learn more


Enjoy all of Faithlife’s digital features, such as Community Notes, by purchasing the book through Faithlife’s sister company Vyrso. For a limited time only, use coupon code JOURNEY at checkout and save 25%.

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About the authors: Pam and Bill Farrel have been married for 33 years, worked in ministry for over 25 years, and written over 38 books. They have devoted their lives to helping couples build stronger bonds with each other and with Christ. They want to connect love and wisdom in order to build happy, unbreakable marriages.

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Get a Free NIV through April 8!

For a limited time, you can get the world’s most popular Bible translation free with the Faithlife Study Bible. The New International Version (NIV) makes the Bible’s ancient text accessible without losing any of Scripture’s original form and beauty.

Download the Faithlife Study Bible by April 8, and you’ll get the NIV, along with the FSB’s several daily devotionals, three layers of in-depth study notes, custom highlighting and note-taking, and more.

The Faithlife Study Bible can be read on your iPad, iPhone, Android, Kindle Fire, or online at Bible.Faithlife.com. It’s the perfect resource to bring with you to church and Bible study, and allows you to study no matter where you are. The FSB is always growing and improving, and by downloading it today, you own the FSB and the NIV for life.

If you’re already using the Faithlife Study Bible, simply open it before April 8. That’s it. The NIV will automatically show up in your resource library. You’ll be able to use your favorite translation and our notes, media, and reading plans together—without having to pay for anything.

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Get the NIV free. But hurry! You only have until April 8!