Listening to the Current Reality
By the year 2033, our goal is that every person on Earth will have access to at least a portion of God’s Word in their own language—whether that’s the full Bible, the New Testament, or selected Scripture portions—so that no community remains unreached by the message of hope, truth, and love found in the Bible. Technology has changed the pace and possibilities of Bible translation. Access to resources, online databases, and AI have all accelerated the rate of translation, making the 2033 goal more feasible than ever before. Territorialism and silos are still a challenge for translation agencies and groups. For example, those who have adopted strategies for faster translations through AI can be at odds with those using technology more moderately and with greater scepticism. These challenges exist, even with church-based translations, but have not kept organizations involved from being energized and working toward greater collaboration to achieve goals.
Digital transformation is reshaping Scripture engagement globally, driven by increased accessibility to digital Bibles and resources. Platforms like YouVersion and Bible Gateway have opened pathways to the Bible for people in previously underserved areas. However, discussions revealed concerns about the gap between access and active, meaningful engagement. While Bible app downloads are high, the number of users who delve into more profound engagement tools—such as Bible study plans, community features, and interactive notes—remains significantly lower. This disparity suggests a need to move beyond access to cultivate spiritual growth through deeper, contextually relevant interactions with Scripture.
Participants in the group discussions also emphasized the unequal digital landscape, with many communities lacking necessary internet access, digital literacy, or even essential devices to benefit from these digital resources. The digital divide remains a significant barrier, with remote and low-income areas facing technological and linguistic challenges. Some populations have limited digital literacy or are served by content only being available in major languages, leaving minority language speakers and oral learners marginalized. Furthermore, the individualized nature of digital interaction can contrast sharply with communal Bible engagement practices in certain cultures, posing a challenge to integrating digital tools with traditional, community-based learning methods.
Participants recognized that a shift toward digital engagement requires thoughtful, culturally sensitive approaches. For some, the personal or communal nature of Scripture study has been compromised, and many expressed a need for tools that enable deeper relational engagement in the digital space. The consensus is clear: as digital tools become more pervasive, so does the need to adapt them to local contexts and communal structures, ensuring that engagement is accessible and spiritually transformative.
Imagining a Preferred Reality
Looking forward to 2050, participants envisioned a digital landscape that fosters robust, community-centered translations and engagement with Scripture across all cultural and geographic contexts. They imagined a future where digital Bible resources are not only widely accessible but are also designed to encourage communal interaction, making Scripture engagement a shared experience. Digital discipleship ecosystems were a common theme, where small groups, churches, and global networks could connect, study, and apply Scripture in a unified, Spirit-led manner. This ideal state would transcend isolated digital interactions, creating an interconnected platform for global discipleship.
The role of technology, particularly AI, is seen as pivotal in making this vision a reality. Participants noted that AI-assisted translation could provide Scripture to previously unreached people groups in their heart languages. Real-time translation and interactive features tailored for various cultures would allow individuals to experience Scripture in a context that resonates with their language and traditions. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, the digital tools of 2050 could bring Scripture to life, engaging users not just in reading but in a complete cultural and spiritual immersion.
Integral to this vision is the support of Lausanne’s Fourfold Vision: ensuring every person hears the gospel, cultivating disciple-making churches for every person in every place, raising Christ-like leaders across all churches and sectors, and creating Kingdom impact in every sphere of society. Participants envisioned every Christian having access to Scripture in a personal and communal way, bridging the gap between individual engagement and communal discipleship. Digital hubs for Bible engagement, equipped with AI-driven translations and cultural resources, could enable each person, regardless of location or digital literacy, to encounter Scripture profoundly, uniting global believers in the mission of God.
Creating a Way to Close the Gap
To realize this vision, participants identified clear priorities and steps to transition from current challenges to a fully connected digital engagement by 2050.
- The priority is creating collaborative partnerships among tech developers, translation agencies, local churches, and communities. Partnerships with organizations like YouVersion, Biblica, and local Bible societies will enable the development of single-language, culturally relevant Bible apps, making Scripture engaging and accessible in a user’s heart language. Customizable features in these apps could cater to different cultural contexts, enabling users to interact deeply with Scripture in formats that resonate with their traditions.
- Additionally, the need for training emerged as a critical action point. Equipping local pastors, lay leaders, and church members with digital literacy and skills will foster ownership and active participation in using digital scripture tools. Digital literacy workshops and leadership training would empower leaders to utilize and model these resources within their congregations, especially in regions with limited tech familiarity. Collaborative Action Teams (CATs) could be instrumental in organizing such training, advocating for enhanced internet infrastructure in underserved areas, and working with local governments and NGOs to address connectivity barriers.
- Establishing community-driven platforms was another key strategy, where people could gather for interactive Bible studies and discussions. This includes deeper engagement with local churches and faith-based seminaries. By creating digital spaces that foster community and accountability, these platforms would bridge the gap between individualistic digital engagement and traditional communal Bible study. Participants also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between digital engagement and in-person fellowship, recognizing that technology can facilitate connections. However, it should complement rather than replace physical, relational interactions in discipleship.
Communicating a Prayerful Proposal
Effective collaboration is essential to bridging the Scripture engagement gap in the digital age. Participants highlighted the importance of forming Collaborative Action Teams (CATs) through the Lausanne Action Hub to unite diverse partners, including translation experts, digital developers, and local ministry leaders. CATs will focus on creating and distributing culturally relevant, linguistically accessible digital Bible resources. These initiatives will prioritize underserved regions and minority language groups, aiming to deliver digital Bibles and discipleship resources in all spoken languages
Specific collaborations have already emerged within the Lausanne network, with CATs mobilizing partners from both church and tech sectors to expand digital Scripture resources. Existing CATs are currently focused on creating interactive Bible study materials, training local leaders, and ensuring digital Scripture engagement in rural and low-connectivity regions. Utilizing Lausanne’s regional and issue networks, teams can mobilize for widespread impact, with local churches and ministries fostering on-the-ground implementation and engagement.
The proposals also underscore the importance of using digital platforms to train leaders and share resources, equipping them with tools for discipleship in the digital age. Regional hubs, supported by local and international partners, can host training sessions, webinars, and collaborative workshops that bridge cultural divides and provide ongoing support for digital Bible engagement. Through these structured and prayer-backed collaborations, the digital space becomes a tool and a mission field, spreading Scripture in a way that honors local traditions and builds a global community of disciples committed to the Great Commission.
Acknowledgments
The collaborative conversation for the gap of Scripture Engagement in the Digital Age was greatly enhanced by the dedication and insights of our facilitators, John Nyadjro Jnr and Tamas Schauermann, intern Ried White, and affinity hosts Lindsay Olesburg, Agnes Lid, Sarah Starrenburg, Richard Sempala, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, and Mark Martin. Their contributions were invaluable in shaping discussions that paved the way for impactful Scripture engagement initiatives.
Author
Mariam Varghese | Catalyst for Scripture Engagement, Catalyst Representative, YLGen
Mariam Varghese is a content specialist focusing on Scripture engagement in the digital age. She is passionate about bridging the digital divide to make Scripture accessible and engaging for every cultural and linguistic context. Contact: mvarghese@laussuane.org