A new study by Lifeway Research reveals that fewer than one-third of regular churchgoers engage with the Bible on a daily basis, despite a high level of respect for scriptural authority.

On February 10, Lifeway Research released the latest State of Discipleship Study (source: Lifeway Research). The institute conducted an online survey from March 19 to 26, 2025, with 2,130 Christian respondents.Among those who attend church at least once a month, the results were as follows:

• 31% said they read the Bible daily

• 30% said they read it several times a week

• 14% read it once weekly

• 11% read it a few times a month

• 5% read it only once a month

• 9% “rarely or never read the Bible”

Although Bible reading habits still show room for improvement, the overall proportion has improved compared with previous years. Daily Bible reading among respondents saw a steady climb from 16% in 2007 to 19% by 2012. According to a 2019 report, 32% of regular churchgoers read the Bible daily, 27% several times a week, and 12% “rarely or never.”

The survey also found that 74% of Christians said the Bible has “authority” in their lives; 15% were uncertain, and 11% disagreed. In addition, 72% agreed that they “think about biblical truths throughout the day,” while 19% were uncertain and 10% disagreed.

Bible Reading Habits Show Signs of Stabilization

These figures highlight a discrepancy between believers' affirmation of scriptural authority and their actual reading habits: although most believers affirm the authority of Scripture and claim to meditate on biblical truth constantly, only a minority read the Bible daily.

Scott McConnell, Executive Director of Lifeway Research, noted that since 2007, after a period of noticeable growth, the proportion of believers who read the Bible several times a week or more has now stabilized. He said, “Over this time, the churchgoing population itself has changed. The number of people attending church at least once a month has decreased compared with the early stages of the study. However, those who still attend church monthly today are more likely to maintain a consistent Bible reading habit than those in the past.”

Distractions of Modern Culture Erode Spiritual Vitality

Dirk Smith, Vice President of Eastern European Mission, said the data reflects a modern culture filled with distractions, obsession with instant gratification, and shallow spirituality.

He observed, “We often take the Bible for granted, yet we get used to scrolling our phones nonstop to ‘relax.’ But such relaxation fails to provide true rest, instead exacerbating anxiety and depression. The results are obvious: churches are growing weaker, Christians are weary in both body and mind, and society searches for peace in the wrong direction, only to become more restless inside.”

He emphasized that the fastest-growing churches in America are not those with flashy worship teams or trendy branding, but those that “open the Bible and teach its truth line by line, verse by verse, and book by book.”

The findings serve as a reminder to churches of the importance of returning to the Bible and cultivating a steady habit of Bible reading are the keys to rooted faith and healthy church growth.

(Source: Christian Post)