Verbum Catholic Bible Study Reviews

by ScottytheMenace

I’ve used their apps for nearly five years. Their interfaces (especially on the desktop app) have always been unintuitive. Now they’ve ruined an otherwise decent mobile app.

The primary way I use notes on mobile is side-by-side with my Bible so I can see the notes as I read scripture. That used to work OK on my iPad. Now it’s nearly impossible. What compelled them to force a THREE PANE VIEW on mobile? How did anyone think that was a good idea? Clearly nobody at the company who actually used it.

I used to be able to simply open the notebook in split view with my Bible and scroll through the notes and tap the note icon next to a passage in scripture to load that note in the notebook pane. Now the note opens ON TOP of the scripture, preventing me from reading the scripture. Then it takes half a dozen taps to go from one note to another, then I have to scroll through the entirety of the scripture I anchored the note to just to get to my personal note that was the only reason I opened the note in the first place.

Since notes are the primary reason I’m even still using VerbumCatholicBibleStudy, I’m dumping VerbumCatholicBibleStudy for one that’s actually usable.

by Gravste

Verbum has a best library of Catholic resources but the iPadOS app makes it difficult to get the most out of your library.

Searching has improved a lot since VerbumCatholicBibleStudy was first released but still doesn’t help the user navigate the mountains of writings of the Church Fathers. Searching your own notes is broken. It generates many false positive searches.

Notes are much improved but organizing one’s notes is a disaster. Just imagine opening up a notebook in which you took notes only to find the pages are randomly ordered and there is nothing you can do to fix.

Also it is impossible to add links within notes to resources in your library other than bibles.

Finally, the iPad version hasn’t been keeping up with all of the new capabilities of iPadOS: no keyboard shortcuts, it doesn’t work well with a touchpad or mouse, it doesn’t work well with Apple Pencil and iPadOS Scribble feature, and no access to iPadOS built in dictionary for your notes.

Right now it is just a little bit better than an e-reader.

by Cooldoc2

Thank you for VerbumCatholicBibleStudy! I use every day, and I very much appreciate it. However, I am not as impressed with the updated dashboard interface-it’s dull and harder to find what I am looking for. The verse of the day is not as inspiring as it once was, and it seems as if though there may be a new artist or a group of artists, however the recent verses are not very good, in my opinion. I do like the fact that you can click on the Image and it takes you to the verse. The newer ones (within the last several months) or not as inspiring as they used to be, and often are highlighting negative passages. For example the one listed for December 5, 2019, refers to a Punishment of the children of Israel. I realize that we must see both sides of the spiritual equation, however, that should be reflected within the understanding of the person, or persons creating these “inspirational verses of the day.” I used to regularly share these with others so that they may be inspired as I was, however, I am finding fewer and fewer of them are worth sending to others.

by SalSwimming

For quite a few years I have used “Ictus 3”, a search engine which has given me great results. It’s limited to PC computers and I would like to move toward Apple System. Thus I found “Verbum” and “Logos Bible” which is very good, but as far as I can see in my attempts to start making good use of it, I can’t draw —by far- the benefits I had with Ictus 3. The interface is different, granted. But the wealth of documents in Ictus 3 is huge and the access to commentaries excellent. Somehow related to “Biblia Clerus”. Maybe I don’t know how to use Verbum and need some mor guidance. I bought a license for that system (Ictus 3) —pricey really, but worth my money. Any suggestion?

by Wmj154

I was a logos software user way back when. Then I heard about this software, it is amazing. I have had it 2 years now and I find new ways to explore Scripture everyday. With all the Church documents, books, writings etc., I find myself using it daily. From daily readings, prayers, to deep study, reflection and presentations.
I can’t say enough good things about this software.

by KarangRN

I’ve been using Verbum to help me prepare my RCIA lessons since I got this as a recommendation from another catechist. It is the most powerful tool for studying the Catechism of the Catholic Church alongside the Church Fathers and Sacred Sacred Scripture.

The only thing I don’t understand is how Verbum Now fits into Verbum 7.

by Dcn. Paul

The Verbum app is amazing, the developers have done an incredible job putting the power of the Verbum search and study features into a simple app format. This is often my first go to, before accessing the full software on my computer.

Thanks!

by Galute127

I bought Verbum to help during graduate studies, and it has been terrific. I can flip through different passages in the Bible that we are discussing, then jump to a paragraph from the documents of Vatican II, and still keep up with the professor and my notes.

I put VerbumCatholicBibleStudy on my phone and have found myself dipping into scripture throughout the day. I look at the daily readings, or go looking for a particular passage that relates to a conversation I’m having. It can do a lot more, and I have used it for more than just a Bible app, but for the most part that’s how I use it. It’s a lot easier to quickly find the information I want than any other Bible app I’ve ever used.

Highly recommend VerbumCatholicBibleStudy for anyone who already uses Verbum.

by Presbyter A

As a parish priest I can say with confidence that I have yet to find a better resource for in depth study into Sacred Scripture, the Divine Liturgy (of both the West and the East), the Dogma of the Church, and of the Words of the Holy Fathers. Keep up the good work. I thank you and our parish thanks you as well!

by Nickname00011111

I have used Logos/Verbum for many years on the desktop, iPad and iPhone and it is an invaluable research and inspirational tool. The iOS versions have come a long way and keep getting better with each release. I just wish you could select the reading font.....

by MicHard1

I really love the features of VerbumCatholicBibleStudy that make having a readable Bible on hand so easy. I also like the extra study features and commentaries that are available to be purchased with VerbumCatholicBibleStudy . Having the “low light” setting makes spending this extra time with God’s word easy on the eyes. VerbumCatholicBibleStudy and all the extra features are worth every penny!

by Mild Conqueror

The way this software holds your place makes it easy to cross reference topics in different sections of different articles or even in the same article. I really appreciate the books that come with VerbumCatholicBibleStudy. I find it helps me with apologetics. The Faith Database is another software I highly recommended.

by Jim LifeNewsRadio.com

The only thing missing is my making more use of Verbum; more time with this content, and with God.
Maybe I should take more time than I do with all the tools. Having these so accessible is nice and I do use them, but most of us simply need to read scripture more and take time to listen.

by Terp272

I like how I have access to my library, documents, collections, etc. reading is easy on the iPad (better than the desktop).

I would like to be able to use VerbumCatholicBibleStudy on my iPad with the same functionality of the desktop version. For example, create, change collections; search without being online; layouts for different types of activities like homily prep, exegesis, teaching prep.

by H. Questiones

Verbum’s mobile app staff keeps upgrading its features and adding new ones. Adding books does the same. Of course, selling those resources is the reason they are able to offer this great app for free! That, and leading you towards upgrading to its more comprehensive computer platform program. That’s “not a bad thing” for those who wish to bring their “Wisdom” and “Faith” to even higher levels.

by Mountiehoo

I’ve had Verbum for a few years now and have spent quite a bit on resources. Love the desktop and app functionality but a new change is that when you go to airplane mode none of the books in my library open up. Even my chosen bible RSV-2ce doesn’t work in airplane mode. For a bible study app where I have spent so much money I should be able to read when offline. And yes I did check to see by clicking the information icon to see that it was downloaded. This must be some licensing issue which is disappointing.

by NY_Jim

Liked VerbumCatholicBibleStudy with its free initial resources so much that I subscribed for a Catechism package and got Logos software as well. Great products.

Update: I've expanded the Catechism package several times. Has gotten expensive, several hundred dollars; but the cost is worth it for some really superlative resources to study the Bible, Catechism, and Church Fathers. Also great apologetics and catechetical resources. The software is free, but most of the resources are not.

Another update (2/20): One very nice feature is Verbum’s Free Book of the Month. I’ve significantly added important resources to my library at no additional cost. Verbum continues to be a critical part of my plan for spiritual growth.

by Rev. 0.

This application is as as useful and powerful as it can be given that the platform, IOS device, is limited. Offline, without internet connection, there are still very many of the capabilities available. Those lacking are those of the tools, as is with the passage guide for one, are only available online. The user need only to know how to navigate individual resources to get to the desired results. There seems to be little lacking as soon as VerbumCatholicBibleStudy connects online. Some limitations on flexibility remain as on the computer version, but time will tell since evolution and innovation may continue to improve capabilities. Thanks to Verbum, Logos, FaithLife, etc.

by Payer42

First I love VerbumCatholicBibleStudy, I have it on all my devices, iPhone, iPad, laptop and desktop. I’ve had it since it’s introduction. I’ve even signed up for the unlimited resources. Additionally I have “logos” on my devices. This new update of “Verbum” seems to have some kind of bug. When you open VerbumCatholicBibleStudy it goes to the intro screen and hangs, then crashes. Interestingly my “Logos” works fine. Hopefully the authors can remedy this glitch. The anomaly happens on all my iOS devices. I have uninstalled it three times and get the same problem after reinstalling VerbumCatholicBibleStudy . Before update a great five star until it’s fixed how can I rate it anything but a one star. Please fixed

Bug causing crash fixed back to 5 star ratings

by Ibnabouna

With the release of Verbum 6.01, VerbumCatholicBibleStudy has reached a new height of usefulness with tabbed resources. I find myself drawn to VerbumCatholicBibleStudy more than my web browser and social media apps now that it’s so easy to immerse oneself in Scriptural and Patristic study. Well done, Logos! I hope to see this iOS app continue to evolve into something that rivals the desktop app, especially on the new iPhone X and iPad Pro, which seem to have enough power to do so.