Why take notice of the Youversion app? On December 5, 2016 it reached 250,000,000 installs so it represents a fair sample size of Bible readers. In 2016 11 Billion Bible chapters were read on the app.2.1 billion were listened to. It was one of the first 200 apps in the Apple store and continues to add new plans and ways to read the Scriptures.

Romans 8:28 was shared more than half a million times last year. It was the most popular verse in Australia , but in Britain, Thailand, Italy, Nigeria and several other countries they like Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” China likes Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Bible engagement through the app is increasing, even in places you might not expect. “Shortly after the Nepali New Revised Version and the New Testament in Eastern Tamang language became available, users in Nepal began discovering them prompting one of the most rapid increases in bible reading in a heart language that we have ever seen’” says Youversion. Nepal Bible reading was up 117 per cent in 2016, Indonesia 86 per cent and Argentina 99.1 per cent and Mozambique 171 per cent.

“In fact, in every category that we measure, the global YouVersion community has been more engaged with the Bible throughout 2016 than in any previous year,” Youversion reports. The Youversion app is part of a partnership called “Every Tribe Every nation” with Bible Societies and other agencies such as Wycliffe.

One final stat, 48 Million verse images were created. We imagine that kept an awful lot of Instagram (an image sharing social medium) users busy.

The Youversion app is at bible.com