By Kjetil S. Johnsen

The reading plan is now available in the popular Bible app from YouVersion, which has over 600 million downloads. Through a 3-day reading plan of key Bible verses, the significance of the temple for Christians today is explained. The collaboration with YouVersion represents a shared desire to make the Bible’s content accessible by combining the Bible texts with unique films from the game.

Arve Solli, head of the team developing the video game, hopes the reading plan will be thought-provoking and inspire many of the users of the Bible app.

“We hope the reading plan will help close the gap between modern technology and ancient scripture. Quite simply, it will inspire today’s young people to read more of the Bible,” says Arve Solli.

The game attracts attention in Canada

Arve was recently interviewed by the Canadian talk show 100 Huntley Street. He hopes the game will be well received among young people:

“Reading the Bible is one thing, but we also believe that understanding the context in which it was written and why Jesus used the examples He did, can have a huge impact. If they can also get a sense of the events, and what is at stake, and become immersed in the Bible stories, we believe they will understand the meaning of Jesus’ message much quicker.”

This is what the reading plan contains

The plan starts by exploring the role of the temple in ancient Israel. It was a holy place where God dwelt among His people, but commercial exploitation by traders was a major deviation from the temple’s intended purpose. It is written about Jesus in the Gospel of John 2:13-16:

“In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”

Jesus’ radical act of cleansing the temple is a powerful testimony of godliness and purity. These values are equally relevant for believers today who are called to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

The reading plan includes unique videos from the game universe, taking readers back to the time of Jesus and giving them a first-hand experience of how we believe the events in the Bible unfolded.

Read the full reading plan in the Bible app here and feel free to share it with your friends.

Felicity has a background in singing and playing several instruments. She attended the training to assist the music groups, and when asked about the goal for such a training weekend, she replied; “We really want to inspire the next generation and spark an interest and desire in them to use their skills to elevate the music here.”

On the morning of the main event, I took a seat with my plate of food and studied the participants surrounding me. They were varied. American and Canadian, familiar and new, bright-eyed and gray-haired, analytical types and artistic counterparts. Some had years of experience while others were complete beginners, excited to learn. But despite our differences, we were all there for the same reason: we came to develop a technical or artistic skill to further God’s Word and Christianity. 

I took a seat in the packed hall for a brief kickoff, the light hum of conversation around me. A short service was given before a thought-provoking demonstration showing the importance of media, audio-visual devices, and music in helping to convey the message of the Gospel both on a local level and out on the mission field.

Frank, an energetic Dutch expatriate who has more than a decade of experience in AV, started the demonstration by reading some words from a song out of the songbook, “Ways of the Lord.” The words were good, but as he pointed out, they didn’t necessarily touch the heart of the listener just by reading. The lines were written to be put to a melody, so he then asked a vocalist, Liz, to sing a verse a cappella. The melody added emphasis in the right places and she sang well, but there was still a puzzle piece missing. 

“No goosebumps yet?” Frank said. “Okay. Let’s continue adding layers.”

Liz continued, this time with a backing track; the instrumentation lended backbone and power. She sang another verse and I caught auditory effects like reverb over her voice which added depth and silk.

Then the AV experts unleashed years of honed craft; what was once a well-illuminated hall became a concert stage with Liz in the spotlight. Vibrant back lights shimmered with flavor. Two large screens accentuated the lyrics. Along with everybody else, I was struck like a boxer in the knockout round when it was over.

Someone in the audience raised their hand and exclaimed, “Goosebumps!”

Frank resumed his place behind the podium. “Liz sang well, but she’s just the person we saw performing,” he pointed to the back of the hall where the AV crew operated. “It took several people to run the sound, the lighting, and the screens to bring out the depth in this song. It takes an entire team, and if we were missing any of these components, the message of the song couldn’t have been properly expressed. That is the reason we’re here this weekend.”

Armed with a new perspective, the group broke up to go to their elected breakout sessions, and I joined the other musicians. Most of the breakout sessions began with a training phase designed to equip beginners with a basic understanding of the subject. This was usually done by a combination of demonstration or presentation, and once the trainees had a grasp on the fundamentals, they were encouraged to practice with hands-on experience. 

The orchestra practiced pieces together, and the AV lighting crew created fixtures and programs for various occasions. The photographers learned some shot basics before mixing in focus, spacing, and exposure. Those operating video cameras cut between shots and filmed an impromptu karaoke show. 

In the digital musicians’ space, I was greeted by silence, but when I saw the musicians were wearing headphones, everything made sense. Getting to hear a few of their masterpieces made it entirely worth the initial confusion.

When I had the chance, I chatted with a few people responsible for organizing and constructing these courses. Luke is a music teacher and can play more instruments than most people know exist. I wondered about how much effort he had put into arranging the orchestral music program; he admitted it had been time-consuming, but seeing the hard work pay off far eclipsed the effort put in. “Let’s just say I’ve missed a few hours of sleep recently, but it’s all worth it. Working with others who are so enthusiastic for God’s Word has been a blast as well as personally reinvigorating.”

Several participants were inspired to refine their musical craft and involve themselves more. Sylvia, a clarinetist who traveled from Canada to learn vocal recording and play in the orchestra, was inspired to support her local church: “Our studio back at home doesn’t get used enough so we’re going to amp it up. I’m also going to start playing clarinet in our Sunday services.” 

The breakout sessions lasted through the afternoon, and that evening, when we were all dressed our spiffiest, we toasted to our accomplishments. Accompanied by good food, God’s Word, and games that raised laughter to the roof, we were treated to a talent show of the achievements of various groups. The orchestra and choir shared the stage for a few songs, and the photographers presented a slideshow of their captures. We enjoyed a collaboration from the video team and digital music participants: a short video using music made earlier that day. 

Selina is a young technician who had her first exposure to AV during this event. She was on a high, running point as the video mix director during the event: “I’m in charge of the whole broadcast– they actually trust me with it!” 

Breakout sessions concluded the following morning with a final session. While the first sessions were intended to teach handlebars from pedals, this session was simply meant to be fun. It was a chance to goof off, take funny pictures, and create crazy light shows. It was a chance to use new skills in a creative and free environment.  It was a chance to enjoy the company of new friends who shared similar interests.

Wandering through the sessions, I couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiastic and artistic atmospheres. I chuckled – and winced – at the puns supported by sound effects from the AV crew. From a safe distance, I watched photographers immortalize each others’ wild hairdos, stoic motifs, and vintage outfits. 

I asked participants Sean and Kaden – who both drove over 350 miles and crossed an international border to be here – if it was worth the journey. They both answered without a hint of hesitation; “Yes. Always. Definitely. There’s no question about it.”

In its entirety, the training weekend was intended to broaden horizons and skill sets as well as encourage young people to get involved in their local churches and communities. After seeing the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm invested in improving our media, I have no doubt this was achieved. I’m excited to see the elevated quality of music, AV, and media in the near future. 

By Eunice Lenk

For the past three years, Bible X has been creating Gate Zero, a groundbreaking new Bible video game that takes players back in time to explore ancient Israel, interact with gospel stories and examine the deeper meaning of Jesus’ words.

“We believe that there’s a great need for innovation when it comes to conveying the message that Jesus came with to the younger generation.”

As part of their research on the target audience, head of games Arve and a few others from the team travelled to California and Ohio last year in March to conduct in-depth interviews with youth pastors from seven churches.

The team hoped to get insight into youth ministry work in the US, the challenges youth pastors face and their sentiments on using a video game like Gate Zero in ministry.

Prior to this, the team had also met virtually with seven other youth leaders from Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Washington in the fall of 2021.

Youth need innovation

The youth pastors the team met with came from a variety of denominations with varying church sizes. All of them were full of youthful energy and keen on creating the best program possible to engage their students.

“We believe that there’s a great need for innovation when it comes to conveying the message that Jesus came with to the younger generation,” says Arve.

And the youth pastors agreed.

One challenge that many of them mentioned was the short attention span among youth today. “How can we capture their attention long enough to bring a message across?” is a real question youth leaders face.

Several shared that they try to bring in interactive elements in their teaching, from using props and games to lighting something on fire.

Using video games in ministry – a welcome possibility!

Through the interviews, the Bible X team learned that there is a need for a game like Gate Zero in educating young Christians today. Many of the youth leaders acknowledged that gaming is popular among their students. In general, their feedback on the game was very positive!

Several gave practical feedback on specific elements in the game. It was helpful to know that most of the youth leaders, regardless of denominational background, were open to using the game as long as it was true to the Bible.

Armed with valuable feedback from these conversations, the Bible X team travelled back to Norway in enthusiasm to continue developing what they hope to be the first of many high-quality, immersive Christian video games for youth.

About Bible X

Bible X was formed in 2020 as a subdivision of BCC Media STI in Norway. Their vision is to provide access to the most powerful message in the history of the world through immersive experiences.

They are currently developing Gate Zero, a story-rich adventure video game where you can travel back in time to explore 1^st century Israel, solve missions and dodge danger while experiencing Biblical events firsthand.

Designed with youth groups in mind, the game also includes a unique cross-platform co-op feature where groups can play together using a PC and mobile phones.

Release 1 of Gate Zero is planned for 2024.

Exclusive testers

From February to April last year, Bible X invited members of BUK (Brunstad Youth Club) to participate in their closed beta. Over 500 youth from BCC NA got to try out the beta version of Bible X’s game, meeting for several sessions over six weeks for gaming, good conversations and a fun time together with their friends.

Since then, Bible X has been tested by hundreds of gamers.

Listen to what Steve VanMeter (Forge Gaming), Micah Walsh (Riverview Church) and Bubba Stallcup (Love Thy Nerd) have to say after playing Gate Zero by clicking the video below.

Follow along!

Interested in more info and regular updates? You can follow along with Bible X and Gate Zero developments on Bible X’s exclusive YouTube channel: Bible X Game, Bible X’s Instagram (@biblexgame), or Bible X’s main websites: Biblex.io and Bcc.media/us.

Jesus’ life-changing message: A focus on the inward

In one of the videos, titled “I actually need a miracle,” Matthew and Peter talk about how different and life-changing Jesus’ words were, specifically when he says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). 

“And when he taught us, Jesus was pointing us in the completely opposite direction – away from all this focus on how things look on the outside and over to how things are in our minds and hearts.”

Peter says, “I was shocked. Matthew, it was like he was saying, ‘Israel has been waiting for the kingdom of heaven for all these hundreds of years, but I will give it to you here and now if you will listen and do just as I say.’” Matthew expresses that he hadn’t heard it that way, and they continue discussing. Matthew mentions that the Sadducees and Pharisees who study the Scriptures day and night, often would argue with each other about who knew them better – they wanted some sort of bragging rights. The Sadducees even challenged Jesus himself. Peter then points us back to the intention behind Jesus’ message on the mountain: “And when he taught us, Jesus was pointing us in the completely opposite direction – away from all this focus on how things look on the outside and over to how things are in our minds and hearts.” 

I ask Christian (34), a mentor working closely with the Sermon on the Mount Project if he has gotten anything out of the project personally. Touching on the topic of being poor in spirit, he tells me, “I think what’s stuck out to me is if Jesus’ words are going to accomplish anything in me, then I have to be poor in spirit; I have to be able to be taught. I can’t manage anything on my own. I need Jesus to teach me.” 

Engaging activities

A fun aspect of this bible-study project are the challenges and competition. There will be a raffle for a fun trip at the end, for everyone internationally who watched all the videos and completed all the associated tasks. Another perk of being up-to-date for the younger crowd is getting added to exclusive group chats with their local youth groups every week. Each local church then has the freedom to make challenges and games tailored to their youth group.

In Delaware, USA, these group chats have been extremely successful in creating a fun atmosphere around the project, especially for the younger ones. When I ask Katie (16) what her favorite part of the project was, she says, “The chats we get added to after watching the videos and doing the tasks. There are a lot of fun competitions and conversations that go on in them that make it exciting… The challenges and activities that we do are extremely fun and get the whole youth group along in competing. This gives me extra motivation to watch the videos and stay on track so that I can participate in all of the fun.” For everyone who makes it into the exclusive group chats, there have been group chat quizzes (with prizes, of course), treasure hunts, and other exciting activities. With everyone participating either glued to their screen eagerly awaiting the next question, furiously typing, or sprinting across rooms and diving over chairs for clues, it is not hard to tell that the energy and enthusiasm levels surrounding the Sermon on the Mount project are high.

“The project is extremely easy to follow along with and the way the different verses are explained and talked about in the videos makes it very easy to understand… That makes it even easier to see how I can use it in my own life.”

Relevant examples

One thing that makes this bible study project a bit different from what one might traditionally think of are the simple visuals and explanations, along with the down-to-earth conversations between Peter and Matthew, and situations they face and work through. 

It can be easy to feel alienated from the stories and Jesus’ words written in the Bible because they happened so long ago, but even such incredible people like Jesus’ disciples… experienced similar situations and temptations, and had to humble themselves to live out the message Jesus came with, just like us today. 

In one of the videos (“Judging others = bad deal”), Peter and Matthew are walking through town, joking around and swapping stories. They go to buy fish from a fishmonger who Peter is well acquainted with from his time as a fisherman. Peter is friendly with him, but the fishmonger responds in a curt and cold manner. Confused, Peter and Matthew walk away, pondering the interaction. Peter becomes irritated, ranting about how someone must have spread rumors about him, specifically a previous coworker who he calls “two-faced.” Matthew stops him and urges him to think about what Jesus said about not judging others: He calms Peter down, and helps him to see that his immediate reaction was to judge others. Peter quickly realizes this, humbles himself, and chooses to judge his own thoughts and reactions instead.  

Though fictitious, the scenario played out in this video is an example of a real interaction the disciples could have had, and it really paints a picture of a situation that most people can relate to – even in the present. Both the cold interaction and the reaction to accuse others of spreading rumors are very much present in the 21st century. It can be easy to feel alienated from the stories and Jesus’ words written in the Bible because they happened so long ago, but even such incredible people like Jesus’ disciples were only human. They experienced similar situations and temptations, and had to humble themselves to live out the message Jesus came with, just like us today. 

An accessible and applicable message

“The project is extremely easy to follow along with and the way the different verses are explained and talked about in the videos makes it very easy to understand,” Katie shares. “That makes it even easier to see how I can use it in my own life.”

The amount of effort that has gone into this bible study project both locally and worldwide is astonishing. It’s been incredible to see how Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount have been embraced by so many the past several weeks, and it will certainly be interesting to see what the rest of the project has in store!