Already well known worldwide for Bible teaching resources from trusted teachers, The Good Book Company has today launched the first of its new range of innovative Virtual Reality Access Library Bible Studies—VIRAL for short.
Using low-cost VR headsets paired with smartphones, you will now not just read what the author says, but interact with them as they join your group, ask questions, explain Bible passages and drive home the application.
The first title available features TGBC editors Carl Laferton and Rachel Jones, leading you through a nine-session Bible overview called Promises Kept.
Group members don the headsets and log into the VIRAL app via their phones. Carl and Rachel appear on the coffee table in the middle of the room, and introduce the study together before asking the first question. The smart technology enables the avatars to make preprogrammed responses to the answers that group members offer. Specific answers to individual questions are designed to encourage the group whatever stage they are at.
“Users can choose to use the ‘good cop/bad cop’ personalities in the way we respond to answers,” said Rachel. “When someone makes a statement, for example, that undermines the Trinity, Carl is more likely to say ‘Hmmm… that’s interesting. Where are you seeing that in the passage?’ Classic good cop. Whereas I—bad cop—am more likely to take the issue head on with ‘They would burn people who said that in 16th century you know’."
“It keeps the Bible study on track” she added.
Feature Rich
Other features are designed to improve the way a study works, and to work around the many little annoyances that group leaders wrestle with week by week.
Future plans
Version 2 is already in development that incorporates remote access. When it launches a year from today on April 1st 2018, there will be no need to leave the comfort and safety of your own home to visit your small group. You can enjoy your weekly “get together” while lying in bed or on the couch. Christian fellowship has never been so effortless.
Long History
Some people may be critical of using technology in this way, but recent research into the medieval church has revealed that this is not a new phenomenon. This image from a stained-glass window at the village church in Middle Wallop was little understood until recent times. Perhaps we are just re-discovering something that has actually been part of the Christian tradition for a long time.
Get your hands on the brand new Virtual Reality Access Library Bible Studies (VIRAL) while stocks last!