A recent survey reveals that a large number of American churchgoers hold the Bible in high esteem, yet many do not read it on a daily basis.
According to a poll by LifeWay Research focusing on Protestant church attendees, 62% expressed that they would “desperately miss” their time with God if they skipped reading the Bible for a few days. Additionally, 58% stated they feel empty without this practice, but only 31% reported reading the Bible every day.
This research is part of LifeWay Research’s project called “The State of Discipleship.” It shows that while a good portion of churchgoers reflect on biblical truths frequently, most find it challenging to carve out time to engage with Scripture.
Scott McConnell, the executive director of LifeWay Research, explained that although Protestant church members tend to claim a commitment to the Bible, one in five indicated they do not actively follow Jesus in that way. He noted a general trend within churches regarding how they assess their members, which often skews positively but doesn’t align with biblical standards.
Besides the 31% who read the Bible daily, the survey found that 30% read it weekly, while 14% do so about once a week, and roughly 11% read it several times each month.
Interestingly, churchgoers admitted feeling unfulfilled when they skip Bible reading. About 26% strongly agree they feel this way after a few days without it, with another 32% somewhat agreeing. Furthermore, 30% strongly feel they really miss spending time with God during such breaks, and 32% agree to some extent.
Additional findings from the study include:
– 72% think about biblical truths throughout the day.
– 74% believe the Bible holds authority over all aspects of their lives.
– 9% of those surveyed stated they rarely or never read the Bible.
“Most individuals who connect with the Bible regularly appreciate the benefits it brings,” McConnell observed. “While deepening our engagement with the Bible requires intention, drifting away from it can happen gradually. Taking a moment to reflect on the value of engaging with Scripture can help remind us of what we might be missing.”
The survey, conducted with 2,130 members of Protestant churches, was released on February 10.
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