Bible Reading: The Next Generation

In Hebrews 4, we can explore some of the dynamics of the Christian life:
9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Another translation says that God's Word is living and active!  Think about that with me - in order to experience the activity of God, as well as the rest that we can have in Him, there is activity in which we take part.  In our devotion to Christ, we exercise diligence, studying and applying God's Word so we will develop a greater reliance on Him.  Our activity, which leads to surrender and spiritual growth, enables us to experience God's supernatural ability.

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From a passage in Psalm 19, we can receive encouragement about interacting with the Lord through His Word:
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

According to a recently-released study, the majority of teenagers who identify as Protestant, attend church at least once a month, say their faith is very important in their lives, and who read their Bible, read it the same amount all year long. That's the premise that is related in the opening statement of a Christianity Today report on the American Bible Society's Teen State of the Bible poll, conducted by the Barna Group.

73% of those "practicing" Protestant teenagers are consistent Bible readers.  As CT points out, though, 18 percent of practicing Protestant teens read more during the school year and only 9 percent read more during the unstructured summer.

Of course, the size of the sample of practicing Protestant teens is rather small - 16 percent of those surveyed in 2016, compared to 20% last year.  But, the results in that subcategory were fairly consistent with last year's results: 85% said the Bible contains everything needed for a meaningful life (down from 88%) and 12% said they read their Bible every day (down from 16%).

But, overall, Arthur Satterwhite, senior manager of national movements mobilization at American Bible Society, is encouraged.  In a summary on the ABS website, he is quoted as saying, “American teens sometimes get a bad rap as being uninterested or even anti-faith,” adding, "But today’s Teen State of the Bible report shows that a majority of America’s teens have respect for and interest in the Bible.”

The research also found that 53 percent of teens say they wish they read the Bible more often.

18 percent of teens did increase their Bible reading, with 55 percent saying that occurred because they “came to understand [Bible reading] as an important part of [their] faith journey.”

14 percent of the teens surveyed said their Bible reading declined in the last year. Why? The principal factor they identified is that they feel too busy with life’s responsibilities - 51% gave that indication.

Overall, 69% of American teens own a Bible.

And, the influence of parents on teens' spiritual practices is important to note: 50 percent of teens say they see their parents reading the Bible “frequently” or “sometimes.” Also, 54 percent of teens say the Bible has “a lot” of influence on rules at home, and an additional 32 percent say it has “some” influence.

The breakdown of the spiritual categories in this survey, according to the survey data: 29% self-identified as "practicing Christian," 41% as "non-practicing Christians," who do not attend a religious service at least once a month and say their faith is very important in their life.  And, 30% would be categorized as having either "no faith" or "other faith."

So, what we have here is a state of awareness of the Bible but what might be regarded as a lack of application.  There is interest, but perhaps a failure to execute, primarily due to busy-ness.  The "summer slump" also applies to Bible reading - with almost 2-in-10 of your most devout Protestants reading more during the school year.  But, it does appear like the "want to" is there and that a sizable number of teens realize that the Bible is important. 

And, I would say that doesn't just apply to teenagers.  We know that a greater devotion to the Word is a good thing, but the challenge is to actually spend the time, to prioritize the study of Scripture.   

Overall, I do think that this data can give us hope for the next generation, and I believe that God is doing an incredible work in the lives of teenagers, giving them opportunity to grow in the Lord and serve Him.  Through events such as See You at the Pole, coming up on September 28, teen believers can identify other Christians in their schools so that they can serve Him together.