When 70% of churchgoers don't open their Bibles daily

[Michie]

We live in a time when God’s Word is more accessible than at any other point in human history, yet we engage with it less. We scroll endlessly, refresh constantly, and binge on a multitude of screens every day.

Yet, when it comes to the book that holds the very words of life, all too often, our response is plain and simple inaction.

And the cost of that inaction is measurable.

According to Lifeway research, only 32% of American churchgoing Protestants (those who attend services at least twice a month) read their Bibles every day. Even more startling, a whopping 12% of these faithful churchgoers — who many of us might deem the ‘A-team’— admit they “rarely or never” open the Scriptures at all.

Rarely or never at all?

Josiah Queen’s lyrics in his recent song are hauntingly true:

Continued below.

When 70% of churchgoers don't open their Bibles daily

We live in a time when God s Word is more accessible than at any other point in human history, yet we engage with it less

www.christianpost.com

 

[RileyG]

Thanks for the reminder. I need to open my bible more often.

 

[Christworshiper]

I wouldn't be surprised if the RC church is close to 90% that don't. I do, but I have just recently rejoined the faith. I also really enjoy saying the Holy Rosary every day. It is a great way to meditate.

 

[Chrystal-J]

I read the entire new testament 3x. I've read most of the old testament. I sometimes listen to the bible on YouTube.

 

[Fervent]

I'm suspicious of this survey, as there are other ways to consume Biblical material than simply reading the Bible. How many engage in devotions and guided reflections? How many read commentaries? How many practice praying or listen to music focusing on passages from the Bible? How many listen to recorded sermons throughout the week? Or interact with the Bible in some other way outside of simply reading it? Not everyone has the acumen or the time to devote to studying themselves, just as not every organ is meant for speaking.

 

[Tuur]

I'm suspicious of this survey, as there are other ways to consume Biblical material than simply reading the Bible. How many engage in devotions and guided reflections? How many read commentaries? How many practice praying or listen to music focusing on passages from the Bible? How many listen to recorded sermons throughout the week? Or interact with the Bible in some other way outside of simply reading it? Not everyone has the acumen or the time to devote to studying themselves, just as not every organ is meant for speaking.

I can't say anything good. I have several translations: hardbound; softbound; and on Kindle. Maybe three years ago read the entire New Testament in the NASB translation. Then I started on the Old Testament and faltered. I've read the bible through before, but that was long ago, and since my last reading of the OT, I haven't read enough to call it that.

I will say that devotionals, with a bit of scripture and a lot of "happy thoughts" commentary doesn't really do it for me. I'm cynical, particularly of the "happy thoughts" or "daily affirmations," or whatever you want to call it. The sermons I listen to on the the radio while driving are spotty, and have encountered a seemingly innocuous broadcast that suddenly incorporated rank heresy. Did a check and yep, it was put on by a certain group few would consider Christian. It is the rare radio minister I can listen to day in and day out without picking up on tiresome patterns that have zero to do with doctrine and which others might not find annoying. I like listening to old-time Christian music, but if we're not careful, that music may not be Christian and contain things that aren't scriptural. Commentaries are invariably one person's opinion, no more, no less. I have consulted different commentaries to get a different point of view, but feel like the story of WC Fields who, when found leafing through a bible, said he was looking for loopholes. Praying is good if done with the right perspective that God is God and we are not, but it's not the same as reading scripture.

 

[Hentenza]

Not everyone has the acumen or the time to devote to studying themselves, just as not every organ is meant for speaking.

But it only takes a few minutes a day to study scriptures, As a deacon in my church I can tell you that many finish services on Sunday and put their bibles in their car and not open it again until the next time they go to church. The writer of Hebrews warns us that:

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. | New American Standard Bible - N

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

bible.com

Make a Bible reading plan. It doesn’t matter how much you read as long as you are reading the Word of God daily and praying to the Lord to lead you. Get off the milk and into solid food.

 

[Fervent]

But it only takes a few minutes a day to study scriptures, As a deacon in my church I can tell you that many finish services on Sunday and put their bibles in their car and not open it again until the next time they go to church. The writer of Hebrews warns us that:

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. | New American Standard Bible - N

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

bible.com

Make a Bible reading plan. It doesn’t matter how much you read as long as you are reading the Word of God daily and praying to the Lord to lead you. Get off the milk and into solid food.

I disagree on the time commitment, since in my view to give it proper study involves understanding the context, textual issues, etc. Most simply reading it a few minutes a day is more likely to have the reader come away with unsupported understandings that have imported modern biases into the text.

 

[DragonFox91]

I'm surprised the % that doesn't isn't even higher then that.

 

[RileyG]

I wouldn't be surprised if the RC church is close to 90% that don't. I do, but I have just recently rejoined the faith. I also really enjoy saying the Holy Rosary every day. It is a great way to meditate.

During Holy Mass, we have an old testament reading, a psalm, a new testament reading, and the Gospel. Not to mention, many of the prayers of Mass are straight from Scripture. If one attends Mass faithfully, they will hear a HUGE portion of the Bible read to them for most of tier lives. Of course, it's important to read and study it on you own, too.

 

[RileyG]

I read the entire new testament 3x. I've read most of the old testament. I sometimes listen to the bible on YouTube.

I've read the Bible cover to cover at least once. Probably read most of the NT countless times. Some of the OT is too dry for me, and I have problems comprehending it. I still need to study it more often, though.

 

[Fervent]

I can't say anything good. I have several translations: hardbound; softbound; and on Kindle. Maybe three years ago read the entire New Testament in the NASB translation. Then I started on the Old Testament and faltered. I've read the bible through before, but that was long ago, and since my last reading of the OT, I haven't read enough to call it that.

I will say that devotionals, with a bit of scripture and a lot of "happy thoughts" commentary doesn't really do it for me. I'm cynical, particularly of the "happy thoughts" or "daily affirmations," or whatever you want to call it. The sermons I listen to on the the radio while driving are spotty, and have encountered a seemingly innocuous broadcast that suddenly incorporated rank heresy. Did a check and yep, it was put on by a certain group few would consider Christian. It is the rare radio minister I can listen to day in and day out without picking up on tiresome patterns that have zero to do with doctrine and which others might not find annoying. I like listening to old-time Christian music, but if we're not careful, that music may not be Christian and contain things that aren't scriptural. Commentaries are invariably one person's opinion, no more, no less. I have consulted different commentaries to get a different point of view, but feel like the story of WC Fields who, when found leafing through a bible, said he was looking for loopholes. Praying is good if done with the right perspective that God is God and we are not, but it's not the same as reading scripture.

Discernment in devotionals and music is certainly warranted, but (good) commentaries are more than just one person's opinion as they generally speak to all linguistically supportable interpretations and speak to issues of historical picture and manuscripts. Commentaries make us aware of where translators have made decisions that make different translations match their theology, among other uses.

 

[RileyG]

During Holy Mass, we have an old testament reading, a psalm, a new testament reading, and the Gospel. Not to mention, many of the prayers of Mass are straight from Scripture. If one attends Mass faithfully, they will hear a HUGE portion of the Bible read to them for most of tier lives. Of course, it's important to read and study it on you own, too.

I also think this is the same for all liturgical Churches which also include Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and to a certain extent, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, and Moravian.

 

[RileyG]

Discernment in devotionals and music is certainly warranted, but (good) commentaries are more than just one person's opinion as they generally speak to all linguistically supportable interpretations and speak to issues of historical picture and manuscripts. Commentaries make us aware of where translators have made decisions that make different translations match their theology, among other uses.

Well said

 

[Tuur]

During Holy Mass, we have an old testament reading, a psalm, a new testament reading, and the Gospel. Not to mention, many of the prayers of Mass are straight from Scripture. If one attends Mass faithfully, they will hear a HUGE portion of the Bible read to them for most of tier lives. Of course, it's important to read and study it on you own, too.

For a long time, when literacy was low and books cost as much as a thoroughbred horse, that was the only way most were exposed to scripture.

 

[Tuur]

I also think this is the same for all liturgical Churches which also include Anglican, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and to a certain extent, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, and Moravian.

Baptists as well. You're expected to follow along with the preacher as he reads the scripture. There was once something called responsive reading, with scripture numbered like hymns and placed in the back of the hymnal. The number was called for people to turn to it, and then the minister read a portion and then the congregation a portion noted in bold print in the hymnal.

That said, some passages are read more than others. It's not exhaustive. I don't think I've ever heard the list of donations for the tabernacle read aloud in a church service.

 

[SuperCow]

Do they count it if you read it from a bible app on your phone or tablet, or BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.

Furthermore, I think sites like this (christianforums) encourage bible reading, even though sometimes conversations devolve into ridiculous theological disagreements. (So you can decide for yourself how beneficial that is.) But you generally do have to research scriptures to support your posts.

 

[caffeinated hermit]

I used to find frequent Bible reading to be impressive, and a sign of holiness. I don't really feel that way anymore... I mean, it's good to read and study Scripture, learn from it, and obey Christ and His Apostles, that's good. And I do think Christians should intake Scripture somehow, even if through liturgy, prayers that use Scripture, or hearing Scripture read out loud by someone else. But nature, sacred artwork, sacred music, and spending time with people who need you can do something similar and maybe, in some cases, be more valuable.

There has always got to be an effort at discipleship, self-control, and personal holiness that goes hand-in-hand with study and reading. Otherwise, we're not profiting at all, and will probably hurt someone, or hurt ourselves.

 

[Yarddog]

We live in a time when God’s Word is more accessible than at any other point in human history, yet we engage with it less. We scroll endlessly, refresh constantly, and binge on a multitude of screens every day.

Yet, when it comes to the book that holds the very words of life, all too often, our response is plain and simple inaction.

And the cost of that inaction is measurable.

According to Lifeway research, only 32% of American churchgoing Protestants (those who attend services at least twice a month) read their Bibles every day. Even more startling, a whopping 12% of these faithful churchgoers — who many of us might deem the ‘A-team’— admit they “rarely or never” open the Scriptures at all.

Rarely or never at all?

Josiah Queen’s lyrics in his recent song are hauntingly true:

Continued below.

When 70% of churchgoers don't open their Bibles daily

We live in a time when God s Word is more accessible than at any other point in human history, yet we engage with it less

www.christianpost.com

Why do people need to read the Bible daily? I love Scripture but I don't read it daily or weekly. I have read it many times but I'd rather spend time in daily prayer.

 

[RileyG]

Baptists as well. You're expected to follow along with the preacher as he reads the scripture. There was once something called responsive reading, with scripture numbered like hymns and placed in the back of the hymnal. The number was called for people to turn to it, and then the minister read a portion and then the congregation a portion noted in bold print in the hymnal.

That said, some passages are read more than others. It's not exhaustive. I don't think I've ever heard the list of donations for the tabernacle read aloud in a church service.

Thanks for the info