Why Have Americans Stopped Reading the Bible?
Ask the average American on the street if they read the Bible, and after they stop looking at you like you just came from another planet, they will probably say “No.” According to the Center for Bible Engagement, 93% of Americans say they own a Bible but less than half of those who identify as Christians have said they have read it cover to cover, and most Americans admit to never having opened one at all.
Why have Americans Stopped Reading the Bible?
The Center For Bible Engagement conducted an eight-year, one hundred thousand person (ages 8-80) research study on what activities and habits associated with a Christian life actually impacted the way people live. The potential options included reading the Bible, praying, going to church, listening to Christian music, or watching Christian media programs. But of all the activities that actually changed a person’s life, it was Bible reading that had the most positive effect. In fact, 4 days or more a week was the tipping point. Those who read their Bible one to three times a week had little to no change in their choices nor did it change the direction of their lives differently from those who never read the Bible. And, although most people pray, prayer didn’t have nearly the impact of 4 or more days a week of Bible reading.
Why do we have so much difficulty finding time to read the Bible? The number one reason cited for not reading the Bible regularly (four or more times a week) was that we are too busy, and the second biggest reason was that we are too distracted.
What are we engaging in instead?
We are engaged in media and entertainment. We’re reading books, engaged in social media, and we’re spending hours searching the internet for solutions to life’s issues. We live on our smartphones and are distracted by reality TV shows, video games and anything that will divert our attention from thinking and confronting our problems. We use business for as excuse when in reality we’re filling our vacant time and loneliness with digital noise. The iGen population (24% of Americans) spends less time with real people and more time with screens than any other time in history. There is such a wealth of information at our fingertips that an individual can’t keep up and chooses group opinions and choices driven by popular and social media platforms instead.
How can we turn it around?
It takes courageous choices. It takes recognizing our need for a higher power - God in our life. Sadly, we don’t stop to take the time to engage in Bible reading unless a disaster strikes. Then, we often end up making poor choices because we have no firm foundation of faith to stand on. We know God’s name but don’t know Him intimately. If we’re smart and willing, we don’t wait for life’s uncertainties to strike. We should invest our time four or more times a week in Bible reading. We schedule time for our golf game, gym time, therapist sessions, and our kids play dates, so isn’t it time we schedule God time and get serious? The CBE’s study proves that it works and dramatically brings positive changes into a person’s life.
Will God deliver if we prioritize Bible reading?
The research tells it all. The CBE found that if a person engages in the Bible four or more times a week their odds of drinking in excess fell 62%, pornography viewing and sex outside of marriage fell 59%, gambling decreased 45%, gossiping and lying 28%, and even overeating and mishandling money fell 20%. Bible engagement also produces more peace and joy in a person’s life, by reducing the frequency of various emotional struggles. The Bible tells us in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (NIV).
When will you begin to choose the wisdom of the Bible for the challenges you face? I challenge you to try it 4 or more times a week and watch your life change.
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