Is Reading the Bible a Priority?

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Here are some statistics from a Barna survey in 2018 that at first was encouraging and then became somewhat disappointing and disheartening. It’s hard to imagine that 80% of American homes have Bibles but so few actually believe or read them regularly. 50% agree that the Bible has answers to living a full life, but 46% NEVER open or read the Bible. Only 16% of adults read the Bible daily.

It made me wonder, what is it that keeps people from reading what they claimed to be a source of wisdom and guidance for living a full life? Is it just believing they don’t have time? Do they think they won’t understand it? Is it boring to them? Maybe they don’t like to read? I hope that some of my responses to these concerns may be helpful to those who find interacting with the Bible challenging.

If not having time is the issue given, then I would have to say, we all make time for what is important or a priority in our lives. We carve out time for movies, entertainment, Television, video games, reading, sewing, hobbies of all kinds, yet, we don’t make time to read the one best source of communication about and with our Heavenly Father? It sounds like a priority reconsideration may be in order. Look at your schedule and be honest. Where is the best time you can take even a few minutes to read, listen or otherwise relate with the God through his Word? Set that an appointment and keep it.

Understanding the Bible is a challenge to even the most diligent student of the Word. In fact, most of us do not understand all of it, or much of it, at times. Not even our pastors and theology teachers. If we understood everything God says or does, would we need him? He’s God, we’re not, but spending time in his word is the only way to begin to comprehend and learn about Him. To get to Know Him. There are many study sources out there to help with our understanding. Commentaries, mentors or persons more mature in the Word. We just need to seek them out.

Is it boring? Well, to be honest there are some things within the pages of the Bible that may not hold the same interest level as the loud, active, technicolor world we live in today. But, it may just be that we need to seek some less exciting information that God wants to share with us. It’s all a part of the love story of God for man, something we all need to be reminded of, everyday. Pray about it before, during and after you read and God may well give you the interest, the enlightening you need to find what He is trying to communicate to you.

Lastly, not liking to read is not an excuse in our technological society. The Bible can be found in various forms of spoken formats. Websites and mobile applications have the ability to literally read the Bible to us. Audio Bibles can bring a whole new level of understanding and comprehension if you just give it a chance. And, with any of the various forms of the Bible out there today, it doesn’t have to be taken in all at once.

I encourage each of you to be a part of the population that does “read” the Word of God everyday. It will make a difference. It will change your heart, your mind and your relationship with God and others. Be intentional, have a plan, and work that plan!

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