5 Tips for Better Scripture Display

Making Scripture Come Alive on Screen

Displaying scriptures effectively is both an art and a science. After working with dozens of churches, we've compiled our best tips for making your scripture presentations clear, readable, and impactful.

1. Choose the Right Font Size

The most common mistake is text that's too small. A good rule of thumb: if you can read it from the back row with your eyes slightly squinted, it's the minimum acceptable size. We recommend starting at 48pt for scripture text and adjusting up from there.

Test your font size before the service by having someone sit in the farthest seat and confirm readability.

2. Use High-Contrast Color Combinations

White text on a dark background is the safest choice for most projection environments. Avoid low-contrast combinations like yellow on white or dark blue on black. If you use an image background, add a semi-transparent dark overlay to ensure text pops.

WayPresenter's built-in themes are designed with readability in mind, so they're a great starting point.

3. Display the Reference Prominently

Always show the book, chapter, and verse reference clearly. Place it either above the text (so readers see it first) or below with slightly smaller formatting. Include the translation abbreviation (e.g., NIV, ESV) so the congregation knows which version is being used.

4. Keep Passages to Readable Chunks

For longer passages, break them into smaller sections rather than cramming everything onto one slide. Two to three verses per slide is usually ideal. This also helps the congregation follow along without feeling overwhelmed by a wall of text.

WayPresenter handles this automatically when you specify a verse range — it intelligently splits the passage across multiple slides.

5. Use Consistent Formatting

Consistency builds a professional feel. Stick to the same theme, font, and layout for all scripture displays within a service. If you switch between themes for songs and scriptures, make sure the transition feels intentional rather than jarring.

Create a dedicated scripture theme in WayPresenter and set it as your default for all Bible content.

Bonus: Prepare Ahead of Time

While AI detection handles unplanned references beautifully, pre-loading planned scripture readings into your service plan ensures perfect formatting and gives you time to verify everything looks right before going live.