Autumn View Gardens in Ellisville, MO, is a faith-based community that provides seniors with a friendly, supportive environment while offering resources that support a Christian lifestyle. Amenities include an on-site chaplain and spiritual care in addition to many other wellness services. But if you're looking to read through the Bible this year, you can do so all from a single electronic device in your assisted living apartment.
Smartphones and tablets allow users access to a variety of online bookstores, and many offer a vast collection of Bibles in versions to fit your preferences. After purchasing your Bible online, you'll have access to the text on either the app you purchased it from or after downloading it to your device. This can be a quick alternative to trying to find a hard copy of your Bible at a bookstore in person.
You can also read the Bible for free on numerous apps and online. Sites and apps such as Bible Gateway and Bible Hub offer access to a number of versions for free. The downside is that you're at the mercy of these sites and whether they continue to offer the version you like or unlimited access. This is why many people decide to download a Bible on their Kindle or other ereader.
Either way, reading your Bible on a device has a number of benefits. You can often change the font so that the text is larger and easier to read. If you like to take notes, many smart devices come with highlighting and notetaking options built in.
• Purchase an ebook. If you're looking for a jumpstart into reading the Bible, one of the easiest ways to get started is by buying an electronic copy online. This gives you immediate access to the text, which you can access anywhere you have the device. And, unlike with apps, you don't have to be online to read an ebook copy if you already downloaded it. Just be sure to charge your device if you plan to read outside of your assisted living apartment.
• Download a Bible app. Download a paid or free Bible app. These often provide access to the entire Bible on your smartphone or tablet. Many also come with free devotionals, Bible studies or access to commentaries.
• Remote Bible study. Although it might be ideal to meet in person to have group Bible study, that's not always possible. You can join in Bible study in the assisted living community, but you could also set up a virtual Bible study through an online video chatting platform such as Zoom, Google Meet or Skype. This is a great option if you want to read the Bible with people you know or love who don't live nearby.
You can find copies of the Bible from many online retailers as well as your local library. Some libraries let you place holds on books, including Bibles that are available to check out. Depending on the library system, you may be able to arrange curbside pickup of those materials. Autumn View Gardens has a library on community grounds, so you might want to check it out to see if there is a Bible you can borrow.
Amazon offers the world's largest selection of online books with new and used copies of Bibles available for purchase. After a quick search, you can choose from countless sellers with product recommendations to be sure that your Bible is in good condition and at an affordable price. Amazon also offers a large variety of audiobooks available through Audible.com. This is a convenient option allowing you to listen to the Bible on your tablet or smartphone.
For readers that wish to find a specific version of the text, a great website is Chistianbook.com. They have one of the largest collections of Bibles on the internet, and you can find ebooks or physical copies of many options ranging from the KJV and NIV to less well-known scholarly or niche translations. You can also find a number of Bible study books on this site, which might be a great option if you're looking to explore Scripture with a group.
Another option that is great for seniors who would like to personalize their studies is Mardel.com, an online department store that offers readers a section of Bibles and other Christian items. Their Bibles are great for those who like to record and journal through their studies of the Word.
Consider buying a similar Bible that you and a group of residents at Autumn View Gardens can journal in as a part of your Bible group. If you'd like to get creative, further customize your Bible with accessories available on Mardel's website to add a personal touch to your Bible.
