I’m a reader. I love reading books in any format, whether the good old paper version or an electronic version on my smartphone or Nook. I find I’m reading more and more electronically, including my devotions. Last year I used a Bible reading plan I chose at YouVersion.com and read it at my computer each morning.

When it comes to reading my Bible in a class or church service, however, I’ve learned that I prefer reading from my marked up Bible rather than an electronic version. I navigate it faster and easier and I like the feel of the Good Book in my hands, its thin pages rustling between my fingers. That’s probably because that’s how I grew up and learned to use the Bible.

But what about today’s generation that sometimes learns to read their Bibles via electronics? I’ve got mixed emotions about this. On one hand, I want kids to use a regular paper version of the Bible so they can learn the order of the books and how to find each one. I want them to know the Old Testament from the New Testament. Will they learn those foundational things when they simply touch which book and chapter they want to read on their device? How will they  be able to find Bible passages should they be unable use their electronics? Or does that even matter anymore?

My own personal preference is that they learn the books of the Bible when they’re young, before they have electronics to depend on. Then when they get electronic devices, they’ll already know the basics of the Bible, so it won’t matter so much that they’re not using the old paper version.

What do you think? Should kids learn the books of the Bible anymore or is that outdated in today’s world? Shouldn’t we just be glad when we see them reading their Bibles in any form? Leave your opinion in the comments below.