4Soils has created a series of Bible apps for kids to learn “the greatest story ever told.”
Bible Heroes, the creation of Stanford University graduate student Lusi Chien, is the partner parents, youth ministers, and school teachers need to effectively teach the most memorable stories of the Bible to children. The series of apps takes the latest technology and mixes in effective storytelling, entertaining games, and rich illustrations for little minds to begin an everlasting connection with Him.
“Despite the plethora of apps out there, there were few biblically accurate yet entertaining and engaging apps for young children,” Chien said. “Children are spending 43 minutes per day on mobile devices. We need to create quality biblical content for them where they want to be.”
The company, founded in February 2012, was established to stand strong in midst of “mindless games” for kids that have saturated the app market.
The core principles of Bible Heroes are to:
- Allow children to experience life the fullest (John 10:10);
- Inspire all kids to put their hope in God (Psalm 130:5);
- Delight children with Bible adventures to help them learn to delight in the Lord (Isaiah 61:10);
- Make the Bible accessible and fun for the new generation; and
- Reach the nations with technology (Matthew 28:19).
On May 1, the Bible Heroes: Noah and the Ark app was released on iTunes as a tester. After listening to what customers had to say about the Noah app, Chien said it has been updated several times. Noah’s story was soon accompanied by Bible Heroes: David and Goliath and Bible Heroes: Daniel and the Lions, and Bible Heroes: Jonah and the Giant Fish on iTunes.
Christie, a mother of two girls, said Bible Heroes is a great way to get kids excited about the stories and characters in the Bible. In addition, she applauded the “enthusiastic narration, the cute graphics and animation, as well as the fun and interactive games.”
“The best thing about it is that each story drives home a key, biblical lesson for kids to learn,” she added. “Normally, I wouldn’t let my kids plug themselves into video games, but this one is the exception.”
Scott Varney, an associate pastor, said Bible Heroes helps students understand the biblical principles.
“As a dad, I’m always concerned about what my daughter is reading, watching, and listening to. As a pastor, I have a global concern about what we are corporately teaching our children about Jesus,” he said. “I find that technology is a great tool not only for teaching our children important biblical principles, but also it can be used to make it fun!”
“I believe it is to be a ‘must consider’ for all families who want to help their children understand the scriptures,” Varney said.
Apps in the works include the stories of Esther and Joseph and the Multicolor Coat, Chien said. The Bible Heroes apps are compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, iOS4.3 or later is required for the app to operate.
In the company blog, titled “Telling The Greatest Story Ever Told,” Chien provides customers with a backdrop of the process behind the creation of app. The four-part series includes the theory behind the storytelling and illustration choices.
Chien said her organization is always looking for ministry partners, pastors, teachers, and parents to partner with them in achieving their mission – to spread God’s word in difficult-to-reach and under-evangelized regions of the world.
To learn more about 4Soils, visit www.4soils.com and the company blog at www.4soils.com/blog.
