New Research Links Bible Reading to Self-Confidence Among Americans

Recent studies indicate that Americans who engage with the Bible regularly tend to have a stronger sense of self-confidence compared to those who don’t. This exploration of identity evokes age-old questions like “Who am I?”—a topic that has intrigued philosophers for centuries.

A study conducted by the American Bible Society surveyed 2,656 adults in the U.S. The findings reveal that 63% of regular Bible readers report a robust sense of self-identity. In contrast, only 38% of those who seldom or never read the Bible share the same sentiment.

Interestingly, the highest levels of self-identity are seen among daily Bible readers (69%), while those who read weekly (45%) or monthly (33%) show significantly lower self-confidence. There’s even a note that only about 10% of daily readers seem to struggle with self-identity.

The latest data, released recently, is part of the American Bible Society’s annual The Bible State Report.

The report states, “Simple statistics of Bible use have a prominent connection to identity.”

Researchers attribute this connection to teachings within the Bible that relate to identity. As one point out, “The Bible has a lot to say about who we are as humans. We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and viewed as precious parts of creation that God cares for (John 3:16). While it doesn’t shy away from the reality of sin, it emphasizes that, in Christ, we can become ‘new creations’ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and are seen as God’s masterpieces (Ephesians 2:10).” The spirit, the study suggests, reassures us that we are children of God (Romans 8:16).

The report continues, “We would expect those engaged with the Bible to display a strong sense of identity. It’s about fostering meaningful connections that enhance this God-given identity.”

Participants were asked how much they agreed with three statements: “I know who I am,” “I have what is important to me,” and “I understand what I believe and value.”

However, the benefits of Bible reading for strengthening self-identity seem to decrease among those who read occasionally. For instance, those who only engage with the Bible once a month exhibit a lesser sense of identity (33%) than those who never read it (38%).

The report suggests, “Perhaps these individuals wish they could read more frequently, but simply don’t make the time.”