Every second , people in the world conduct more than 40,000 Google searches, they create 5 new Facebook profiles, and they open the YouVersion Bible App 112 times. That may not seem like a lot but that equals 9,676,800 uses every single day. That’s a lot!
In that same second, three bookmarks are created, four verses are shared, and 18 verses are highlighted. The equivalent of more than 50 Bible chapters are listened to, and 342 chapters are read.
The YouVersion Bible app was launched by Life.Church in 2008. They have just announced that the Bible app has topped 200 million installs. The app now offers the Bible in more than 1,200 versions and 900 languages.
Here are some interesting facts they have compiled about what people’s favorite Bible verses are.
As part of its annual review of user activity, YouVersion highlighted the most popular Bible verses in the 10 countries where it has been installed the most.
The verse that was bookmarked, shared, and highlighted more than any other in the app’s history was also the top verse for the US and Brazil in 2015.
That verse was Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
They didn’t differentiate between translations so I am using the NLT for these examples.
Other top verses were also favorites in more than one country (and proved popular last year as well).
Mexico, the United Kingdom, and South Korea engaged the most with Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Likewise, Nigeria, South Africa, and the Philippines all engaged the most with Jeremiah 29:11.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Canadians engaged most with Ephesians 1:23
And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Meanwhile, Chinese engaged most with 1 Corinthians 10:13
The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
The overall most shared, highlighted, and bookmarked verse of 2015 was Joshua 1:9
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The people at YouVersion also broke down which verses were shared the most over email, text, and social media. Here are the top 5.
- Proverbs 3:5-65 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. - Philippians 4:6-76 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
- Joshua 1:99 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Romans 12:22 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
- Romans 15:1313 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
YouVersion added a feature in 2014 to foster a communal experience for readers. Friends can also choose to see each other’s highlighted verses, bookmarked passages, and notes.
You can learn more about the YouVersion Bible App here.
