Biblical Literacy by the Numbers Part 2: Scripture Engagement

The following article is located at: https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/october/biblical-literacy-by-numbers-2.html

Ed Stetzer Blog, October, 2014

October 28, 2020Evangelism & Discipleship

Biblical literacy cannot exist without regular Scripture engagement.

Ed Stetzerposted 10/22/2014

Biblical Literacy by the Numbers Part 2: Scripture Engagement

Last Friday, I posted part one of my "Biblical Literacy by the Numbers" series, and we focused on the challenge we face when we address biblical literacy. Today, we focus on one of the ways (perhaps the most effective way) to begin leading people to be more familiar with the Bible: Scripture engagement.

Of course, you can (and should) click over to the full article in Charisma right now (also, subscribe if you haven't already). However, I will be adding more stats and context as I blog through the article. At the bottom of today's article, we've got a TON of helpful stats on Scripture engagement.

It's All About Engagement

The bottom line is that too many Christians are simply not reading and studying their Bibles. This goes beyond simple trivia questions aimed at revealing how few facts we know about our Bibles. American evangelicals increasingly lack a spiritual depth. Our lives betray a lack of Christian character. We don't seem to be very Christlike to a watching world. So what do we do about it?

There are several things we can do to reverse biblical illiteracy here in America. At LifeWay Research, we define Bible engagement as "allowing God, through His Word, to lead and change an individual's life—one's direction, thinking and actions." When we compiled all the data from our most recent study on Bible engagement, we found this maxim to be true: Engaging the Bible impacts one's spiritual maturity more than any other discipleship attribute. In fact, "reading the Bible" topped our list of things we found impacting spiritual maturity (followed by such things as praying for unbelievers, confessing sins and asking God for forgiveness, and witnessing to an unbeliever).

With research showing Bible engagement being so important to life change and spiritual maturity, is there any doubt our failure to read our Bibles impacts everything? The Holy Spirit works though the Scriptures, leading us to maturity in every area. That can't happen if we are not in the Word.

What Leads to Bible Engagement?

When we talk about research, we look for things that predict—if you do one thing, you're likely to do another. We found eight things that lead to a higher likelihood that people will engage the Bible, which leads to growth in everything else. (Spiritual growth is a cycle—a cycle that leads to maturity!)

1) Confessing sins and wrongdoings to God and asking for forgiveness.

2) Following Jesus Christ for years (i.e., the longer you've been a disciple of Jesus, the more serious your commitment to engaging the Bible).

3) Being willing to obey God, no matter how costly the decision.

4) Praying for spiritual status of unbelievers.

5) Reading a book about increasing your spiritual growth (excluding the Bible).

6) Being discipled or mentored one-on-one by a more spiritually mature Christian.

7) Memorizing Bible verses.

8) Attending small classes or groups for adults focused on Bible study.

Our research shows that as Christians increase their participation in small groups, their Bible engagement scores go up. For example, average Bible engagement scores were as low as 60.6 when there was little or no participation in small groups, and as much as 79.4 when a believer participated in a small group four or more times a month.

No matter how you look at it, Bible engagement is related to spiritual growth. Growing Christians don't just read the Bible; they value and engage it because God is at work in their lives.

Some Stats to Consider

Bible Engagement goes up, church goes on mission

Our research has found a strong correlation between Bible Engagement and mission. Or if we flip it around, we've found strong evidence that the lack of Bible Engagement coincides with the growing problem of a lack of mission engagement. Our numbers are reflecting a serious problem with a church that increasing seems to lack the will to carry out Christ's mission to bring unbelievers to himself.

Here is a comparison of churchgoers who read the Bible more than once a week (45% of those surveyed) and those who read the Bible less than once a week (41% of those surveyed).

Churchgoers who read the Bible more than once a week are more likely than those who read less than once a week to:

Currently be involved in ministries or projects that serve people in the community not affiliated with their church (46% v 27%)

Have participated in a mission trip in another country (10% v 4%) or in the United States (13% v 4%)

Those who read the Bible often are more likely to agree with the following:

While interacting with others on a normal, daily basis, I seek opportunities to speak out about Jesus Christ (55% v 19%)

I am intentionally putting my spiritual gift(s) to use serving God and others (74% v 40%)

I intentionally try to serve people outside my church who have tangible needs (69% v 51%)

And less likely to agree with the following:

I am hesitant to let others know that I am a Christian (7% v 10%)

I sometimes doubt that God can change the lives of non-Christians I know (9% v 12%)

Many people who know me are not aware I am a Christian (10% v 19%)

Those who read the Bible often are more likely to agree with the following statements:

I feel comfortable that I can share my belief in Christ to someone else effectively (84% v 64%)

I feel overwhelmed by the need to share my personal experience with Jesus Christ with non-Christians" (41% v 17%)

I am open to helping anyone God wants me to help (95% v 83%)

In the past 6 months, they are more likely to have done each of these at least once:

Shared with someone how to become a Christian (56% v 20%)

Invited an unchurched person to attend a church service or some other program at their church (64% v 37%)

These findings came from LifeWay Research’s Transformational Discipleship research. You can see how your church is doing at LifeWay.com/TDA

Bible Engagement goes up, church functions in community

Pastors know intuitively that there is a connection between Bible Engagement and church participation. Our research bears that out. People who lack Bible Engagement tend to be terrible church members.

Here is a comparison of people who read the Bible more than once a week (45% of those surveyed) and those who read the Bible less than once a week (41% of those surveyed).

Churchgoers who read the Bible more than once a week are more likely than those who read less than once a week to:

Currently have regular responsibilities at their church (for example, greeter, teacher, musician, etc.) (53% v 31%)

Those who read the Bible often are more likely to agree with the following:

It is necessary for a Christian’s spiritual well being to give time on a regular basis to some specific ministry within his/her church (74% v 53%)

I intentionally make time in my schedule to fellowship and interact with other believers (72% v 36%)

I intentionally spend time with other believers in order to help them grow in their faith (60% v 22%)

And less likely to agree with the following:

I hesitate to share with Christian friends about my own doubts and spiritual struggles (26% v 38%)

Spiritual matters do not tend to come up as a normal part of my daily conversations with other Christians (17% v 43%)

Those who read the Bible often are more likely to agree with the following statement:

I believe one of the best ways to get to know others in the church is to serve with them (92% v 82%)

Those who read the Bible more than once a week are also more likely to engage in these behaviors more than once a week:

Pray for fellow Christians I know (87% v 45%)

Pray in a group with other Christians (33% v 7%)

These findings came from LifeWay Research’s Transformational Discipleship research. You can see how your church is doing at LifeWay.com/TDA