Bible Text in Sermon Builder

Gregory Wolff
Gregory Wolff Member Posts: 51 ✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

Am I the only who who thinks that listing a reference to a Biblical Text in Sermon Builder should allow one to simply click on that link when preaching the sermon to bring up the actual text of the Bible? This could also work for quoting from other resources, as well.

I guess I thought that would be the standard usage, since typing in a Bible reference automatically makes it a hyperlink. But, in Sermon Builder (and when going into "Preach" mode), the links do nothing--except the desktop app tries to open the link.

From a very practical perspective, this would put one's sermon (outline, Bible Texts, quotations, slides, handout, questions--EVERYTHING) into one place.

Perhaps I am just missing something here? Thank you.

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  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,819

    Am I the only who who thinks that listing a reference to a Biblical Text in Sermon Builder should allow one to simply click on that link when preaching the sermon to bring up the actual text of the Bible? This could also work for quoting from other resources, as well.

    It does work like that. Please provide a few more details about what is not happening

  • Gregory Wolff
    Gregory Wolff Member Posts: 51 ✭✭

    Thanks for the response Graham.

    I guess the best way to describe it is pretty simple. I type in a Bible text in Sermon Builder. It creates a Hyperlink. I got into "Preach" mode. On my iPad, the link goes nowhere--literally, nothing happens. In the Desktop version, It tries to open a tiny URL, but doesn't actually open the text, and rather than going to a new tab, it redirects the current page, which means I would have to navigate backwards, even if it did take me to the proper text.

    Hope that hepps!

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,819

    Thanks Gregory - that’s helpful

    I guess the best way to describe it is pretty simple. I type in a Bible text in Sermon Builder. It creates a Hyperlink. I got into "Preach" mode. On my iPad, the link goes nowhere--literally, nothing happens

    Yes - I saw that as well. In “non preach mode” tapping a link does update a Bible to that reference.

    I guess the issue is that in Preach mode, it is taking over the whole screen so it would be disruptive to be directed off to another tab.

    Hopefully someone from Faithlife will comment and give their perspective.

  • Daniel Di Bartolo
    Daniel Di Bartolo Member, Logos Employee Posts: 326

    Am I the only who who thinks that listing a reference to a Biblical Text in Sermon Builder should allow one to simply click on that link when preaching the sermon to bring up the actual text of the Bible? This could also work for quoting from other resources, as well.

    Thanks for the feedback, Gregory. I understand how this could be helpful. Right now, Preaching Mode is designed to work with Sermon Builder and Proclaim. Historically, preachers would need to have copied the reference text into a slide or into the body of their manuscript-- so currently Preaching Mode assumes that behavior.

    But we live in a world of hyperlinks, and allowing you to quickly pull up a reference to quote inline could be helpful. :)

    Can you help me understand more about how you'd see yourself using that? What situations would you want to optionally "pull up" the text of a reference as opposed to having the full text inline? 

    Looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts on this. 

    -Daniel 

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,819

    Hi Daniel

    Just my thoughts on this

    When I was preaching from the Logos app (before I started using the Proclaim remote) I would have the sermon document open in one half of the screen and a Bible open in another.

    I would just have references in the sermon doc and click them to update the Bible to that location.

    I preferred this approach to having the full biblical text in the sermon document for two reasons:

    1. It made it easier for me to refer to the passage in contact - “up or down” without including all of that in the document
    2. It made the document smaller and allowed me to easily refer to my notes and to the biblical text at the same time

    Graham

  • Gregory Wolff
    Gregory Wolff Member Posts: 51 ✭✭

    Hi Daniel! Thanks for the reply. 

    First, I want to say that prior to 9, I’ve not used the Sermon Editor/Builder. So, I am on training wheels here. Second, when I preach my sermons, I always outline and speak extemporaneously, except for Bible references and quotations. If I print my outline and bring a Bible, then all I need to do is list the reference in the outline and turn to it during the sermon. 

    But, if the sermon builder “Preach” mode allowed me to tap a reference link and the Bible text were to pop up for me (longer texts could be scrollable) and then when I tap off the text I return to the outline.

    Certainly, if I manuscripted my sermons, this would not be an issue. But as an outliner, even when I publish sermons or share them, I would simply “prefer” to have as brief an outline as possible. 

    Honestly, my initial thoughts on the Sermon Builder (after a whole few hours of playing with it) have been entirely positive. I am thinking of Logos-izing my past sermon outlines, just to get everything in one central location. Then, if I’m called on short notice to preach in the absence of our pastor, I could just pull out my iPad and I would need nothing else. But if I have to bring a Bible, there’s nothing wrong with that!!

    Thanks again. 

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,748 ✭✭✭

    I would just have references in the sermon doc and click them to update the Bible to that location.

    I preferred this approach to having the full biblical text in the sermon document for two reasons:

    1. It made it easier for me to refer to the passage in contact - “up or down” without including all of that in the document
    2. It made the document smaller and allowed me to easily refer to my notes and to the biblical text at the same time

    Graham

    I do this, but it would be nice to add hyperlinks to other resources.  Sometimes you need a hyperlink to a note or graphic or a fuller definition in a lexicon/dictionary.  The notes editor allows for pictures and hyperlinks to be added, but not the sermon builder which is a total shame.  

    The sermon builder should be a full-fledged word processor or at least be equal to the notes processor.

    DAL

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,748 ✭✭✭

    Am I the only who who thinks that listing a reference to a Biblical Text in Sermon Builder should allow one to simply click on that link when preaching the sermon to bring up the actual text of the Bible? This could also work for quoting from other resources, as well.

    Thanks for the feedback, Gregory. I understand how this could be helpful. Right now, Preaching Mode is designed to work with Sermon Builder and Proclaim. Historically, preachers would need to have copied the reference text into a slide or into the body of their manuscript-- so currently Preaching Mode assumes that behavior.

    But we live in a world of hyperlinks, and allowing you to quickly pull up a reference to quote inline could be helpful. :)

    Can you help me understand more about how you'd see yourself using that? What situations would you want to optionally "pull up" the text of a reference as opposed to having the full text inline? 

    Looking forward to hearing more about your thoughts on this. 

    -Daniel 

    Hello Daniel!

    Here are my thoughts on what features the sermon builder MUST have.  I have compiled a list based on what other users and I would like to see implemented.  Check out this thread, you'll see the list there: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/186839.aspx 

    Thank you!

    DAL

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,819

    DAL said:

    The sermon builder should be a full-fledged word processor

    I don't agree with this statement - or at least I think it needs qualification.

    Microsoft Word, for example, does significantly more than I want the sermon editor in Logos to do. 

  • DAL
    DAL Member Posts: 10,748 ✭✭✭

    DAL said:

    The sermon builder should be a full-fledged word processor

    I don't agree with this statement - or at least I think it needs qualification.

    Microsoft Word, for example, does significantly more than I want the sermon editor in Logos to do. 

    I think it’s better to have the extra features and not use them than to not have them and wish you did.  Like many resources most users buy  — some don’t get used, but at least you know they’re there in case you need them 👍😁👌