Step By Step

Recent polling shows that the Bible seems to be experiencing a resurgence, with Bible sales last year spiking and usage of a well-known Bible app surging earlier this year. But, we have to remember that we have to approach the Bible in a way that promotes spiritual growth. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2nd Timothy chapter 2:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

A recent article at the Lifeway Research website is sobering and challenging; it says:

In the past few years, Americans have grown generally more positive toward the Bible, but that doesn’t mean they’re reading it more.

According to a Lifeway Research study, U.S. adults increasingly view the Bible as a book worth reading multiple times, but few have actually done so.

Here's a statistic worth noting, "...more than 2 in 5 Americans (44%) say the Bible is a book to read over and over again, up 4 points from the previous study. Yet 9% say they’ve read it all more than once, unchanged since 2016. Still, half of Americans have engaged with the Bible beyond just a few stories."

Andy McLean of Lifeway Christian Resources is quoted as saying: "Of course, with that increase in sales, one would also hope that Bible engagement is on the rise. In other words, we want people reading their newly purchased Bibles, which I think shows up in the data and my experience as a Bible publisher.”

When you break it down regarding American Bible readership:

9 in 10 Americans have read at least some of the Bible, 4 in 5 have read more than a few sentences, and 1 in 5 have read the entire Bible at least once.

Around 1 in 10 U.S. adults (9%) say they’ve never read any of the Bible personally.

Another topic area the survey measured was the method that people used in reading the Bible.  The survey summary article noted:

Among those who have read at least part of the Bible, around a third say their approach to reading it includes systematically reading through a section a little each day (34%), looking up verses or sections suggested by others (34%) and looking up things when they have a need (33%).

But is it true? Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, related: “Americans’ brief descriptors of the Bible coincide with the pattern in a series of studies Lifeway Research has done on the state of theology in which Americans are consistently split down the middle on whether the Bible is 100% accurate or not literally true,” adding, “While very few Americans have outright disdain for the Bible, there is no clear majority convinced it is completely true or life-changing.”  Only 48% of Americans, according to the survey believe that the Bible is true.  But, that's up from a 2016 Lifeway survey, which revealed that just over a-third - 36% believed in the truth of Scripture. 

So, we see that Americans generally have some positive things to say about the Bible, but many have not read it completely.  And, less than half believe that it's true.  So there is room for growth. 

People approach Scripture or, as it's said, "engage," in different ways. But, we have to make sure that our Scriptural engagement leads to life change and spiritual growth.  Some will be positive about Scripture, but may not have a high commitment level to read it consistently.  And, consistency is a major contributor to Christian maturity.  

Faith Radio desires to be a trusted source of Biblical teaching, as well as information, that can build you up spiritually.  But, as the now-late Kay Arthur used to say, we have to study God's Word for ourselves. Reading the Bible through in a year is an admirable goal and it gives us a working knowledge of Scripture, but we also need to examine the Scriptures - studying and meditating on these words from the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate what we find there.  And, as James directs us, we are to do more than just be "hearers" of the Word, we have to be doers - to be obedient to the instruction that the Lord gives to us.  In an information age, we have to make sure we are choosing and personalizing the right information - and the Bible gives us the truth we need to resist the philosophies of this world.