Publishers are stepping up efforts to reach modern readers with the "still, small voice" of God in the midst of increasingly busy lives.

Bite-size Scripture verses, devotionals and books for mobile devices like MP3 players and cell phones are helping to provide spiritual refreshment for time-pressed Americans-a trend recently spotlighted in the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.

"Pastors have reported that the number one reason people don't read the Bible is they don't have time," said Jon Wilke, spokesman for Faith Comes By Hearing, a ministry that provides free audio MP3 messages to cell phones.

On the retail front, the GoBible, a portable, self-contained MP3 audio Bible, saw sales growth of 70% in 2008, totaling 50,000 units, in its second full year of release. Andrew Block, president of GoBible, said the convenience of the device was the key to its success.

The recent success of dramatic audio Bibles in MP3 format from Thomas Nelson (The Word of Promise New Testament, The Word of Promise: Next Generation New Testament) and Zondervan (Inspired By ... the Bible Experience) have also tapped into the market of busy readers. Zondervan also launched its Symtio downloadable audiobook program in retail stores last year.

"Today, the format that wraps the Word of God is irrelevant," said Jeremy Johnson, vice president and associate publisher for Thomas Nelson's Bible Group. "What's important as a Bible publisher is connecting the Word of God to His people."

Read the full report in the March 9 issue of Christian Retailing.

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