“Logos Bible Software has not only revolutionized the way that I study the Bible, it’s got me addicted!”
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you might have noticed that I rarely ever do product reviews. In fact if you have one, don’t ask me to review it, because I always say no. But today I wanted to share something with you for one reason and one reason only–I’m absolutely passionate about this.
A couple of years ago I was invited to write for a group blog called, FaithLifeWomen. They were connected to Logos.
Logos? I thought… um, what’s Logos?
They came highly recommended by fellow bloggers, so I joined the writing team.
A couple of months in I was offered some software in exchange for writing on their blog.
Whatever, I thought, but no thanks. I don’t need software. And even if I did have software, I wouldn’t use it…
Ha. That’s what I thought.
Fast forward to this past summer. I received an invitation I couldn’t refuse. Logos invited a group of women up to Texas to learn a little more about their software.
And again I thought… Sure, I’ll go to Texas, but I’m really not sure why. Even if I do get this software I’m sure I won’t be using it…
And again. That’ what I thought!
Saturday morning with laptop in hand I sat down at a table with eight other women for my first Logos seminar.
Let me just say that within 10 minutes I was completely in love with this program. Completely.
I haven’t been this excited about anything in over ten years. Including my publishing contract.
I was so impressed I had goosebumps. Smiling from ear to ear I left like a kid who just got her first bike.
It’s THAT good.
I’ve always loved reading the Bible but here’s the thing. I want to be able to do it on my computer. I want to be able to study the Bible in-depth wherever I am without lugging a pile of books along with me. Logos has opened the door to people like me who want everything they need to study the Word in one place.
I’ve tried apps before–a few of them. I’ve also spent a bit of money on digital study Bibles. I like websites like the blue letter Bible. and Bible gateway. But this is different. Much different.
For example, I have 1,145 books in my library. Those are eBooks that I can either read through like any other book or I can use them for study alongside the Bible.
Right now I have a few of the books open: The King James Bible, Matthew Henry’s Commentary, and the Pulpit Commentary. Strong’s concordance? I just click the Strong’s number at the bottom of the Bible column and it pops up. Just like any paper Bible, I can highlight and underline verses that I want to remember. I’ve got this study layout saved, so anytime I open the software, it looks just like the image below. I can create a different layout if I like and save that one too!
When I study the New Testament, I can click on any word to both see AND hear the Greek translation. Seriously. Wow.
I can keep this one page open at our small Bible study and if someone wants to know a Greek word or a little more information on a verse, I have it right there. I don’t have to be surfing the web. Another thing that’s great for people like me is that I can see the type clearly. I don’t need a magnifying glass to read the commentary notes.
They also have an app for the iPhone and the iPad, so I don’t have to have my laptop with me at all times. I can log in through my phone.
So why am I telling you this? Because it’s not only revolutionized the way that I study the Bible, it’s got me addicted! There isn’t a night that I don’t look forward to going to bed because I know I’ll be opening Logos. I went from reading a couple of chapters/day to reading a couple of hours/day.
I can turn out the lights, get comfy in bed and read this for hours on end.
And the thing is, that I haven’t even begun to figure it all out yet. I know that when I do, I’ll have so much more to tell you about it, but for now I’m still getting my feet wet.
My Study Layout
Oh–I also want to tell you about the home page. When I log onto it, I feel like I’m on a website with awesome apps. It has daily devotionals, thought provoking articles, a Bible reading plan, and more. Super cool stuff!
Logos Home Page
Logos 6 just came out last week, and I’m one of the many people who are excited about this. People like Beth Moore, John Piper, Josh McDowell, and Timothy Keller love it too!
But like I said, I haven’t figured it all out yet. There’s so much to explore–and I will. They asked me if I would review it, and I jumped at the chance because next to my Bible, this is my all time favourite thing!
If you want to know more about Logos, click here to visit their website. It’s great for personal study, but since Christmas is coming up, I thought it might also be an ideal group gift for a Pastor or Bible study leader.
Well, gotta run. I have some Bible studying to do!
Chime in! What are some of your favourite Bible study methods? What tools do you like to use? Click here to join the discussion.
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
Next time I have an extra $250-$1,000 I’ll be sure to get that.
I keep seeing this software and I so want it! Could be a gift idea for me to tell my husband about…… I use Proclaim software for the presentation for our church, and it is made by Logos. Thanks for the review!
Any coupon codes? 🙂
No, I don’t have any. Sorry.
My husband and I invested a few years ago in Logos & hadn’t regretted a minute. We just upgraded this week to the newest update. Our 13 year old daughter uses it on her Kindle, too! We use it on our phone in conjuction with our Bible in hand during church services which aids in understanding (so I don’t forget what question I had-I just quick look up a meaning or cross reference or check another version, whatever is most helpful for what I’m looking up). LOVE Logos. I would highly recommend this as a gift or have family & friends consolidate funds to buy it for someone going into the ministry, a pastor, teacher, anyone.
Sounds like a wonderful resource if you have the equipment and time to use it. I’ll keep it mind. Thanks.
I’ve never used Logos and I can’t say that I’ve ever read a review such as yours Darlene.
My very favorite study method has been my Thompson’s Chain Reference Study Bible. Although friends and family have given me gifts of other bibles, beautiful bibles – I return to my Thompson’s!
Just recently I’ve downloaded the Biblegateway app. to my phone, but I’m not familiar with it – yet.
I think that I’m addicted 😀 and, that’s a good thing 😀
Awesome!!
I’m disappointed. I thought it was going to be something I could afford.
Here are my thoughts on the price. I realize that a lot of people can’t afford it, but for those who can, it’s AWESOME software. I know in the old days, people would put out hundreds for an encyclopedia set. Some will pay $500.00 for a new guitar, another will pay that much for an awesome camera or a sewing machine. Other’s might take the family to Disney and pay thousands. Or go on a cruise for two and spend a few thousand for one week. Some families get a pool in the backyard, and some get cabins. Yes, it’s expensive, but when you actually use it and see the thousands of hours that have gone into creating it, you realize it’s worth the money. Affordable to everyone, probably not, but worth the cost, absolutely.
They do have a payment plant for people who want that. Darlene, what level did you get? Or if you got it for free for reviewing, what level would you get if you had to pay. Starter, Bronze, Silver, Gold… what do you suggest? Thanks for your help. It looks fabulous!
I would start with the lowest level. For me the basic tools are more than enough. There’s so much that it can do, I don’t know if I’ll ever utilize everything. I don’t know anything about payment other than what’s on their website. Sorry I don’t have that. The library can be added to over time, so you don’t need everything in the library at once either.
It looks absolutely wonderful and it would be so convenient to have all of that in one place. However, my husband is a full-time youth pastor, making very little and paying back huge student loans for seminary. I’m working part-time as a teacher’s aide while going to school full-time to get my teaching degree, racking up even more student loans. We don’t even have health insurance. There’s no way we could justify the cost for this, even realizing how much we would use it.
Totally understandable. I pray that God will bless this journey you’re as you continue in the Lord’s ministry.
I looked at the software, looks like an awesome tool to further my bible education. What is the advantage of buying this software over using free resources like blue letter bible?
I don’t have to be online to use it. And I can read everything side by side. So I can have the Bible, Matthew Henry’s Commentary, and Strongs open all inline at the same time (or whatever books you choose). If I search a term like baptism it searches my entire library of over 1,000 books. It’s like having a library of your favourite books all in one spot. Like a Kindle on steroids. LOL.
Wow!! With a price tag like that, I should HOPE you’d be addicted, just to get your money’s worth. That’s absolutely insane, especially for those of us who are barely getting by, just as it is. They’re mighty proud of themselves, aren’t they? I can see a church buying something like this, but not an individual or even a family that isn’t seriously raking in the dough. Darn, got my hopes up for nothing.
Thank you for your review. I have been considering this investment. My husband and I currently have high-schoolers that would benefit from this software as well. I see that some payment plans are as low as $26.00 per month. I am doing some additional research on this…I want to choose the level that is the right fit for our family.
Thank you again.
Cool. You would seriously LOVE it. I don’t say that lightly.