Picture this; a hand held device that has a screen about the size of a book. It reads clearly. Beyond that you can change the font, its size and color. Highlight the texts, dog-ear the pages, and even make space to write in your own notes.

Nothing will ever take the place of one-on-one discipleship, and this article will not attempt to prove otherwise. Here I want you to just dream about what lies ahead for training in the future (the near future).

A number of years ago I saw a cartoon where the preacher says to the congregation, “Now would you all key in…” They all had laptops. I just laughed. But how far-fetched is that today? How many colleges don’t require them as standard equipment?

I have argued for years that the paper and ink book as we know it will begin fading away in my lifetime. Everyone then says to me that they do not like reading a book on a computer. Neither do I. But picture this; a hand held device that has a screen about the size of a book. It reads clearly. Beyond that you can change the font, its size and color. Highlight the texts, dog-ear the pages, and even make space to write in your own notes.

Does this sound science fiction? Well, I saw my first device like this in 1997! Today they are beginning to appear on the market. You don’t think this will take off for years? I was sitting on a ferry in Seattle a few weeks ago and a woman in her 40’s was sitting across from me reading a book she downloaded from Amazon.

How does this affect discipleship? I am 57 and have used a computer since 1985, but I am not really what is called a techno guy. But I do know that times are changing – fast. The younger generation we want to reach knows nothing but computers, and they expect them to do everything. Now, picture this for a Bible study. Your whole group has a device like I mentioned. They are doing the recently published study of Genesis, written by PCA pastor Will Hesterberg. There are many questions in there that require the student to write in their answers, and they can do it right on the screen – in class or at home.

CEP is working very closely with Logos Bible Software (Libronix) to begin producing such material in the near future. It will not only be student material, but also contain several other features. The package will contain video segments, PowerPoint presentations, notes for the students, and everything else needed to teach the course. But there will be one more feature for the teacher.

Under the Libronix system, the teacher will be able to do research through as many as 800 theological books. The will enable the teacher to not waste time trying to find things in a lot of books, all he or she will need to do is type in the reference (Bible text, word, or topic) and Libronix will search and open every source available in that library.

You have got to see the power and ability of this system to believe it. Am I promoting Logos – you bet I am. Over the years, I have had a chance to review almost all the programs out there, and there is none that comes near. CEP is honored to be working with Logos, and you will begin to see more and more materials being produced by us in conjunction with them.

The article first appeared in Equip For Discipleship, the magazine of the Christian Education and Publication Committee of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and is used with permission. The author is the Coordinator of Training and Resources for CE/P http://equip.pcacep.org/