A new way of reading the oldest book in the world
Good News for Everyone (formerly known as The Gideons) has a rich history of Bible distribution, having shared over 2 billion physical Bibles worldwide. While their mission to spread God's word remains unchanged, the organisation recognised the need to evolve with the times and engage a new generation through digital formats. With their new identity, Good News for Everyone sought to create a Bible app that would break new ground in how Scripture is presented and experienced, particularly for those new to the Bible.
The digital Bible landscape presents a paradox: despite numerous Bible apps available, almost all were designed with the Christian user in mind—those already familiar with the Bible's structure of books, chapters, and verses. For non-Christians or those just beginning to explore faith without any Christian background, existing Bible apps offer little guidance, making Scripture seem like an intimidating and impenetrable text.
We identified the following key challenges:
- Breaking down the Bible's complex structure for newcomers
- Removing barriers that make Scripture difficult to approach
- Creating an experience that feels modern, relevant, and approachable
- Designing navigation that doesn't require prior Bible knowledge
- Connecting ancient text to contemporary life experiences
Solution
Through a comprehensive design sprint and prototyping process, the team developed YourBible with the guiding principle of creating "the best place to start your journey with God." The solution incorporated several innovative approaches.
Series Format: Scripture organised into episode-like chunks presenting major story arcs in digestible portions
Clean Reading Experience: Removal of verse numbers and traditional formatting to present Scripture as flowing prose.
Contextual Notes: Simple explanations providing helpful context without overwhelming the reader
Life-Situation Entry Points: Content organised around feelings and circumstances to help users find relevant passages.
Video Testimonies: Real-life stories showing the Bible's impact on individuals' lives.
Fresh Visual Identity: A modern aesthetic making the app feel youthful and approachable
Impact
YourBible has reimagined Scripture engagement for newcomers by creating a non-intimidating entry point, simplifying navigation, connecting ancient text to contemporary experiences, and presenting the Bible in a visually appealing format that resonates with younger audiences.
The app fulfils Good News for Everyone's mission by reaching those who might never pick up a physical Bible, ensuring that Scripture remains accessible to new generations through technology that addresses their unique barriers to engagement.