I bought Scrivener so I could finish off an eBook that I was writing, edit it and then publish it on Kindle easily. After all, it was designed for that purpose.
Writing novels and eBooks in a very easy to manage using Scrivener. I can certainly testify that it is a great way to write a book, eBook or free report (like my 7 habits to speed up your blogging) but there is more to Scrivener than just writing books.
When I looked at the features, I realised I could use it for my Bible studies:
Organization
Rather than having one document open, you actually have several documents, folders and categories within Scrivener. This means you can arrange your notes into themes or books of the Bible and easily move between them. If you are following a bible reading plan such as the traditional ‘Bible in a year,’ where you jump between the New and Old testament, it is a great way to keep your notes on each book together rather than quickly followed by a note on a different book, then back to the first book.
Corkboard and Flash Card View
Each document can have a note card. On this you can write a summary or core information. It’s really great for writing a book as you can remind yourself of the important plot events, but with a Bible study, you can keep the key theme or message of the book in your mind at all times. Alternatively you can list some historical events to remind you of the back story.
Export as an eBook
Once you’ve finished your Bible study you may want to share it with other people. Scrivener can help you export it as a pdf, Word document or evena .mobi/.epub format, helping you share your study with other people.
Link within Scrivener
You can also place links within Scrivener to other documents you have written. So, if you are writing your reflection on Jesus using the title “Son of man,” you can then link back to your notes in Daniel about the prophecies for “the son of man”.
Minimalist View
Scrivener can go full screen and take away any extra distractions of web browsers, pop ups and even formatting option. This is great to help you stay focused on getting all you can out of your study time and not wandering off to look at new meme pictures.
Research
There is also a specific folder where you can keep your research. Maybe you found some notes on the section of the Bible you are reading, well put it in the research folder and you can go back and look at it, all help within Scrivener.
Alternatives
You could get some of the same features using a blog or wiki to link within it’s self, set up separate pages for each book of the Bible and then you’d also get the benefit of multiple contributors as well. Plus you can use a free blog platform rather than the $40 for Scrivener.
However, I’m sure you can see that there are some unique features in terms of organising that you get in Scrivener and it really isn’t that expensive. If you are writing Bible studies for small groups or whole congregations then the export feature really is amazing. But even if you are just writing your own personal study the way Scrivener organises it’s self is very helpful to keep track of themes.
Tyler Scott Hess says
What a great idea! I also recently purchased Scrivener so that I could compile my new novel for Amazon and I love it. I haven’t led a Bible study in a few years, but I’ll think about this next time I do!
Eric Dye says
What are you writing, Tyler?
Tyler Scott Hess says
“The Dream” will be out on March 5th, thanks for asking 🙂
http://tylerscotthess.com/the-dream/
Eric Dye says
Looks awesome! 😀
Tyler Hess says
thanks! I was going to save it for a saturday sunday share…but…I guess it happened here first 🙂
Eric Dye says
Well, you should still share it on #SSS 😉
Chris Wilson says
I didn’t mean it just for sharing with others, you can also use it to record your own personal reflections as you go on regardless or whether you later want to share them or not.
I’m glad you found it useful and hope the eBook goes well. I really love scrivener (I’m using the PC version)
Tyler Hess says
I love it too…I have the Mac version, not sure if there is a big difference (other than the $5 price for some reason)
Thomas says
Hey Chris, I saw a link to this post on Scrivener’s Facebook page. I was wondering if you aware of any Scrivener templates available for bible study. Maybe one with the scripture itself already on the template? That would be pretty cool.
Chris Wilson says
Sorry Mark, I’m afraid I don’t. I guess it would be possible to make one though…
If you find one would you share it here?
Nice to know this was shared on the Scrivener Facebook page…and that there is a Scrivener facebook page [logs on to Facebook to join]
Sorry I can’t be of more help
Francis says
How do I upload the Bible into Scrivener and what format? Thanks
Chris Wilson says
I just used good old fashioned copy and paste, I don’t know if there is a better way to upload or import. Happy to be corrected.
Eric Dye says
Pfffft. You’re so old skool.