Scripture Search
Find and present any Bible verse using references, shorthand, autocomplete, or text search.
The search bar at the bottom of the Live view is your fastest manual fallback when you need a verse on screen immediately — whether or not it was detected automatically.
Click Search help (below the search bar) for the built-in search guide with examples.
Reference Search
Type a standard scripture reference to look up any verse.
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
John 3:16 | John 3:16 |
Romans 8:28-30 | Verse range (displays first verse, schedules the range) |
Psalm 23 | Whole chapter (defaults to verse 1) |
1 John 4:8 | Numbered book with chapter and verse |
Song of Solomon 2:4 | Multi-word book names |
Press Enter to display the selected result, or Tab to add it to your schedule.
Shorthand Search
Use abbreviated book names. Separate chapter and verse with a space, colon, or comma.
| Shorthand | Resolves to |
|---|---|
gen 1:1 | Genesis 1:1 |
lev 19 18 | Leviticus 19:18 |
eph 2,8 | Ephesians 2:8 |
1 cor 13 4 | 1 Corinthians 13:4 |
phil 4:13 | Philippians 4:13 |
heb 11 1 | Hebrews 11:1 |
rev 21 | Revelation 21:1 |
Minimum characters: Use at least 3 letters for unique matches (e.g.
gen,eph). Some books need more — usephilfor Philippians vsphmfor Philemon.
Inline Autocomplete
As you type a book name, a grey ghost suggestion may appear. Press Space to accept it and auto-fill the book name, then continue typing the chapter and verse.
| You type | Suggestion | Action |
|---|---|---|
ge | Genesis | Press Space → type 3:16 |
rom | Romans | Press Space → type 8:28 |
1 co | 1 Corinthians | Press Space → type 13:4 |
psa | Psalms | Press Space → type 23 |
You can ignore the suggestion and keep typing normally.
Text Search
If your query doesn't match a scripture reference, RheoCast searches verse text in the active translation instead.
| Search query | Finds |
|---|---|
love is patient | 1 Corinthians 13:4 |
companion of fools | Proverbs 13:20 |
in the beginning | Genesis 1:1, John 1:1, and more |
faith without works | James 2:20, 2:26 |
Partial words are matched as you type — searching companion of fo will match "companion of fools". Results always come from the currently selected translation.
Search Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Enter | Display the selected verse |
| Tab | Add verse to schedule |
| Space | Accept inline book suggestion |
| ↑ / ↓ | Navigate search results |
| Esc | Close search dropdown and blur search bar |
There is no global shortcut to focus the search bar — click it directly.
Live Detection vs Manual Search
| Live Detection | Manual Search | |
|---|---|---|
| Trigger | Pastor speaks a reference | Operator types a query |
| Speed | Automatic, real-time | Instant on Enter |
| Best for | Normal sermon flow | Missed detections, planned readings, responsive moments |
Use both together for the most reliable live experience.