So, what is the State of the Bible in the Church?
The Bible is God’s word to the Church, and it is given to the Church to take to the world.
American Bible Society is partnering with the Lead the Way Tour to help ministry leaders like you connect people with the Bible and the gospel. Since 2011 we’ve been exploring America’s relationship with the Bible, faith, and the church and have been learning about the positive impacts of Bible engagement. So, what is the State of the Bible in the church?
It’s no surprise that weekly churchgoers engage more with the Bible than the average American.
Still, 43% of church attenders don’t consistently interact with the Bible in a way that shapes their choices and impacts their relationships…
…but they wish they did. The vast majority of weekly church attenders wish they read the Bible more.
So, what's getting in the way?
For those in the Movable Middle (nearly one third of people in the pews), having enough time to read the Bible and knowing where to start are the biggest barriers to Bible engagement.
For those trying to cultivate a practice of Bible reading, there are some habits that help.
People who are Scripture Engaged tend to set aside time each day, follow a plan, and lean into Bible reading resources for support.
“Each year, State of the Bible pursues a rigorous research agenda. It tracks key metrics year-over-year, and we look for connections to new horizons in the scientific studies of religion, well-being, and society. This information is our gift to the Church, helping us see our neighbors clearly and serve them with grace and truth.”
Rev. John Farquhar Plake, Ph.D., Chief Innovation Officer, American Bible Society
To get new insights from our 2025 State of the Bible survey in your inbox each month, become a subscriber:
Want to learn more about how to help people engage with the Bible? For more helpful insights to support your ministry, download the 2024 report for free:
This April, we’ll begin sharing 2025 insights. Each month we’ll release a new chapter of the report along with an interview with a subject matter expert. Look forward to topics like:
- Digital Bible Habits
- Bible Engagement Around the World
- Church Engagement
- The Bible and Trust
- Stress, Hope, and Human Flourishing
- Identity Formation and Scripture Engagement in the Next Generation
- And more!
State of the Bible
This is an annual study capturing the latest level of interest, attitudes, and practices regarding the Bible and Scripture engagement among the American people across denominations. Sponsored by the American Bible Society and conducted by Barna Research.