The Force of Four

Regular Bible reading (4+ times a week) changes lives. It shapes choices, strengthens faith, and builds community. 📖✨

Do you think it’s possible to quantify the benefits of regular Bible reading? Almost everyone would agree that reading the Bible is a good thing and positively influences people’s life choices. But can we analyze this mathematically? Here are some stats about Bible reading.

The average family owns four Bibles. However, a 2001 Gallup poll indicates that approximately 50% of American adults read the Bible twice a year, or not at all. Those who read Scripture most days are only at about 16%. Hopefully, we can include ourselves in this percentage and see why it is so important.

Jesus himself was among the Bible readers. He employed Scripture to direct his actions and, by the power of God’s Word, could lead a sinless life. Jesus said,

It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 CSB).

God is alive and talking to us. Many Bible passages emphasize the potency of His Word on our lives. Here are a few:

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT).

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105).

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Joshua 1:8 NIV).

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8 NIV).

The Magic Number

Unfortunately, without the Bible as a source, we tend to trust our own abilities to determine solutions to life’s problems—usually not in an optimal manner. However, returning to those regular readers, can we put a number on how often they need to read to benefit their moral lives? Yes!

A recent Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) study1 discusses the benefits and consequences of regular Bible reading or the lack thereof. The research uncovered some startling conclusions. A group of 40,000 people aged 8-80 were asked how often they read the Bible in a week. The administrators correlated these numbers with questions about lifestyle issues.

There was a statistic they were surprised to see: the numbers for unhealthy lifestyle choices remained stagnant until readers engaged with their Bibles at least four or more times a week. One to three times had no more benefit to these individuals than choices made by non-readers. The group of four-timers demonstrated significantly lower involvement in unhealthy behaviors. The only gender discrepancy was in the category for pornography, in which the male gender skewed the stats. See the reduction percentages below.

• Drinking to excess—62% less
• Viewing pornography—59%
• Having sex outside marriage—59%
• Gambling—45%
• Lashing out in anger—31%
• Gossiping—28%
• Lying—28%
• Neglecting family—26%
• Overeating or mishandling food—20%
• Overspending or mishandling money—20%
• Feeling bitter—40%
• Thinking destructively about self or others—32%
• Feeling like they have to hide what they do or feel—32%
• Having difficulty forgiving others—31%
• Feeling discouraged—31%
• Experiencing loneliness—30%
• Difficulty forgiving oneself—26%
• Thinking unkindly about others—18%
• Experiencing fear or anxiety—14%

Wait, There’s More!

These behavior numbers are for the total population. But an even greater surprise emerged among young people. The age group of 13-17 was even more successful in avoiding destructive choices, showing far lower involvement rates than among older participants. Given these results, wouldn’t it be fabulous if we could find a way to encourage our young people to read their Bibles at least four times a week? It sure might help them avoid negative life-changing behaviors at a time when the world is constantly brandishing poor options before them. What about getting young people together as a reading group to do this together? Well, we found one, an active reading group of young adults! Tidings interviewed Bro. Nate Craver of the Paris Avenue, OH Ecclesia, to get insight into setting up and maintaining a Bible reading group.

How did the group start? Did you give it a name?

We began at Shippensburg Bible School on July 6, 2024, at 3:37 PM. One of the speakers, Bro. Peter Owen, suggested we keep together after Bible School and continue our active reading group. We named our group after the other speaker, Bro. Stephen Whitehouse!

How many are in your group, and what is the age range? Have you had trouble retaining participants?

Currently, there are 6-7 consistent members, ranging from 16 to 21. If you count pets, the youngest is two. We lost many of those who started with us. But we’ve since added a few new members. Those of us who remain are regular attenders.

What time of day do you meet, and how long do you spend?

We meet at 8 PM EST for two or more hours. We attempt to get together every day, except Wednesday, because most of us have a mid-week Bible class that night.

What format of chat application do you use?

We started on Google Chat, then switched to Zoom for a special person in Texas.

Do you have discussion questions?

We typically ask, “So what did you think of this question?” Since it’s daily, it would get pretty complex and repetitive. We do use Bro. Jacob Alexander’s Drive Home the Points document, and we’ve made notes in it since he joined the group.

Do the participants use various Bible Versions?

We primarily use the King James Version, though we also look at ESV, NLT, BBE, ASV, YLT, NASB, and others.

Final Point

It’s good to see this group having fun and making friends as they connect around the Word of God. May God grant them continued success with their reading group. We hope their efforts will inspire others to imitate them.

Melinda Flatley,
Pittsburgh Ecclesia, PA