New Study: Majority Christians NOT Reading Bible Daily
Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 2:15PM 
By Paulette Harper-Gaines
If you’re among the group that says there is a sharp rise in carnality among Christians, a new study by Lifeway Research just may provide a valid reason why. The research shows that most Christians aren’t reading their Bible daily, which is a necessary part of strength, growth, and spiritual maturity.
The Transformational Discipleship study conducted by LifeWay Research surveyed more than 2,900 Protestant churchgoers and found that 90 percent "desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do," but only 19 percent make the Bible a part of their daily reading.
Something is wrong with this picture.
"God's Word is truth, so it should come as no surprise that reading and studying the Bible are still the activities that have the most impact on growth in this attribute of spiritual maturity," said Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research. "As basic as that is, there are still numerous churchgoers who are not reading the Bible regularly. You simply won't grow if you don't know God and spend time in God's Word."
Are you studying the word of God consistently or are you one of those individuals that picks up the “good book” only when your pastor is preaching a Sunday morning sermon?
18 percent say they "Rarely/Never" read the Bible. A quarter of respondents indicate they read the Bible a few times a week. Fourteen percent say they read the Bible "Once a Week" and another 22 percent say "Once a Month" or "A Few Times a Month."
“These days, there are so many things competing for our attention that weren’t major factors just a decade ago,” said Dianna Hobbs, President of EEW Magazine in response to the study’s findings.
When asked to elaborate, Hobbs made the point that, "We are an entertainment-driven society. We enjoy recreational activities and things that help us escape reality," something Hobbs says can be a major distraction if not tempered.
“We have to be deliberate about carving out time to read the Bible daily because it gives us the strength, wisdom and insights we need to glorify Christ in our everyday living.”
Many Christians attempt to prove piety and devotion to God by attending church regularly, listening to gospel music, and refraining from certain activities deemed taboo. But that's not enough. Deepening our relationship with God is not possible apart from getting to know His ways, standards, and expectations of us found only in the Holy Scriptures.
What are your thoughts about this study? How are your Bible reading habits? Where do you fall? Daily, weekly, monthly, or rarely?
Reader Comments (4)
I have to do better in this area. Some weeks go by and I don't read at all until I go to church. Just being honest. Lord help me improve in this area!
Ooh guilty as charged! Going to get my Bible now!
I'm in the same boat. I don't read as much as I know I should. Lord, please help me to read and understand your Word. Going to grab my bible now.Thanks EEW for the conviction, keep it coming, so that we can all push each other to strive for greatness in Christ.
So glad this article is bringing conviction... I applaud those who admitted their area of weakness and want to do better! I'm praying for ya! God bless!