6 Real Benefits of Listening to an Audio Bible

1. Convenience

Now more than ever, it has become easier to take God’s word with you. Since just about everyone has a smartphone these days (chances are you have one too) that means you can walk around with God’s word wherever you go.

You can find audio Bibles in basically every translation, so you can always have access to your favorite version. Most of the Bible apps I have seen offer an audio feature that reads the Scriptures to you. This convenience allows you to listen to the Bible when you are traveling, working out, in your car, cleaning the house, in your time with the Lord, or literally whatever you are doing.

This increases your flexibility in how you approach the Bible and gives you another avenue to engage with God’s word.

2. Accessibility

Using an audio Bible is a great tool for someone who may be visually impaired or have some other type of disability. These Bibles make God’s word more accessible to everyone.

There are many people who would do much better with an audio Bible when compared to a written one. Audio Bibles allow you to start, stop, and pause just as if you were reading the pages yourself. This allows you to connect with God’s word just like those who read the physical pages.

One additional benefit is there’s really no technology barrier, so even if you are not very tech savvy, audio Bibles are very easy to use.

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One enormous benefit of an audio Bible – and this could be one of the biggest – is it allows you to engage your mind with what is written in the Scriptures. When the words are not directly in front of you, then your mind can be immersed in what is happening in the narratives. Because there are no visual cues, it gives the spoken word the ability to become more captivating. It is inviting you to fully engage with the narrative, imagery, and teachings.

Imagine, for instance, just hearing the reading of the creation account. You can close your eyes and see how each day God speaks and what he says comes to pass. With an audio Bible, you can do that with all the Scriptures. 

The act of listening to the Bible can also add an emotional dimension to your connection with the Scripture. The act of listening to the Bible, especially when a talented narrator speaks it, adds a dimension that reading alone may not achieve. The Scriptures come alive because the audio recordings will typically incorporate variations in tone and pace, along with applying certain emphasis, which can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the Bible. When this happens, it can lead to a stronger emotional and spiritual connection with God’s word.

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Listening to an audio Bible can be a great way to memorize and learn Scripture. Think of how many things you have learned and can remember just by listening to them. For example, how many song lyrics do you know? How did you learn those lyrics? Most likely you did not sit there and read the lyrics and try to commit them to memory. Instead, you listened to the songs and after listening long enough, you eventually knew the lyrics.

This is true with other things as well. I know people who can quote movies or television show lines simply because they have watched or listened to them multiple times. You can apply this same approach to the Scriptures. If you continue to listen to the Bible and you do it long for enough, the truth of Scripture and the verses you are listening to will eventually stick.

As I mentioned earlier, many audio Bibles are available in different versions and translations, which gives you the opportunity to memorize Scriptures in your favorite translation.

5. It Helps Those Who Are Audio Learners

Audio Bibles are great for people who need more than one form of media to learn. Some people learn best by reading, while others work better when they can read and listen. 

According to Edgar Dale, we remember:
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
70% of what we discuss with others
80% of what we personally experience
95% or what we teach others 

As you can see, engaging with a book or topic in a variety of ways will help you learn and retain more of it. If you can combine that with reading and hearing, then you increase your ability to learn more.

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Whether or not you realize it, when you are listening to an audio Bible, you are giving yourself an opportunity to meditate on God’s word. I know of people who will put the Bible on in their bedroom and allow the reading to continue as they sleep. However, this can also happen while you are awake.

Remember, if you are just listening, you are engaging your mind more in the process and this can be a great way to meditate on Scripture. Remember the command in Joshua to meditate on God’s word day and night. Well, you can absolutely do that with an audio Bible.

Final Thoughts

When you think about an audio Bible, consider it a tool that can bring the Scripture closer to you. It gives you another way of engaging and takes away the excuse for not doing it. Whether you are at home, on a walk, or doing chores, you can listen to God’s word easily. Instead of turning on music or something else, you can turn on God’s word and allow his word to minister to you.

Audio Bibles make it possible to think about God’s word throughout the day, helping you to always keep his word in your hearts. If you find it difficult to sit and read, why not try sitting and listening? While you can listen while you are doing other things, don’t let that be the only way you choose to use your audio Bible. Be intentional about using it in the daily time you spend with the Lord. The more you engage with Scripture in a variety of ways, the better your walk will be.

“With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word”

(Psalm 119:13-16).

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