Free Bibles
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Free Bibles are available at multiple sites on the Internet, either by requesting that the printed Bibles be shipped to the ones requesting them, or by downloading the entire Bible onto a computer in its entirety or book-by-book. Since obtaining a free Bible online has become relatively easy, even people who are homebound have an opportunity to study the Scriptures. For someone who is new to Christianity, a Bible makes a wonderful gift to help him/her grow in faith. Since the study of Scripture is part and parcel of Christianity, the companies and organizations promoting the distribution of free testaments are providing a valuable service. Sunday School teachers who would like to provide this valuable resource to their students can do so from suppliers online. While the numbers of free books may be limited per person in some sites, even so, there are enough available to make sure every child or adult has a chance to read the Bible in class, even if not available at home.
Such contributions to any person, young or old, are invaluable to the Christian life - the Word is the most useful weapon that can be possessed as the person realizes the spiritual battle they face in life. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
Missionaries have always been provided with donations of the Word from various church denominations as part of their missionary efforts and support, but the resource hasn't always been so widely available to the general public. As an evangelizing tool, a free Bible online is a very good opportunity to share the word with someone who is interested in Christianity, but isn't really sure they will want to read the Word it's based on. This online source will give them the opportunity to ask questions of someone who is knowledgeable anonymously. Many of these sites have e-mail addresses where such conversations can take place. Study guides often come with the free Bibles, which helps the reader understand better what he or she is reading. For those people who don't particularly like going to classes, an independent, free study online are just what they need.
Just about every version of the Bible is offered at sites where free Bibles are given away. The New International Version is most common, but the King James Version and others are also available. Some of the sites include contacts to others who are studying Scripture, so discussion is encouraged. If someone is interested in the New Testament only, that is available as a free Bible online. For a new biblical student, the New Testament is a good place to start, and easier to carry in a purse or briefcase while traveling. Trains, planes, or buses are good places to spend reading the Word, whether going to and from work, or traveling on vacation. While not exactly a beach novel, if traveling alone, and able to concentrate while traveling, it's a good way to make use of what would otherwise be idle time.
Good beginnings can happen with online resources or a book simply handed to one without obligation, but most people will eventually want to purchase a better version for themselves. Perhaps a nice leather-bound version and a carrying case would suit the reader, or a larger version with places for family history would be better. Formerly, a common practice was to have the Bible owner's name or initials added to the Bible's cover, especially if a gift. It doesn't seem so common any more, but it's not a bad idea. While unable to get engraving on free Bibles when first provided, the personalization can be added by the owner at a later time, if that becomes important.
The Gideon Society has the oldest tradition of giving free Bibles, long before getting any version online became possible. They place the books in hotel rooms, where guests can read them if they want to. The Gideon Bibles were usually left in the drawer of a nightstand so as not to seem too pushy, but the practice became common knowledge of their presence. While not expensive editions, but the books had nice red bindings with gold lettering on the front. One wonders just how many guests read from them before retiring for the night, and just how many and in what ways lives may have been impacted.
Getting a free Bible online could mean printing out many pages of text, or transferring it to a CD. Either way, portions of text at a time could be printed, both to break down the amount a person must read at one time, and to save the printing costs of a large single printout. One could conceivably print out a book at a time with the lesson plan, so as to make one's study organized and in the kind of segments that would be included in a weekly Bible study outside the home. One of the positive aspects of getting an online study is the personal freedom to access it at one's leisure along with having the convenience of the computer to receive the information.
The first Bibles most people receive are gifts on the occasion of Christmas, Baptism, or Confirmation. Those are held dear for the rest of their lives. While a free Bible online won't have the same sentimental value as those gift Bibles, it contains the same moving narratives and letters that have inspired millions before our time. In that way, their value is not decreased by computerization.
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