Ten Bible engagement facts* every pastor needs to know …
The power of Bible engagement in church growth and health.
- Bible engagement and church attendance are inextricably linked
- People who read the Scriptures a few times a week will usually attend church frequently
- Local churches that major in Bible engagement are more likely to grow
- Bible engagement is the primary factor that sustains and nourishes faith
- Robust conversations about the Bible are strongly correlated with church health
- Christians are built up spiritually primarily through conversations about the Scriptures
- When confidence in the Bible is nurtured, church attendance is strengthened
- If people don’t have confidence in the Bible, they probably won’t attend church
- People who believe the Bible is relevant to life are more likely to attend church
- People who believe the Bible is the “Word of God” are six times more likely to attend church weekly
Creating a culture of Bible confidence.
Considering the above facts, how should the local church align itself to facilitate and encourage Bible engagement? Pastors, here are ten practical suggestions:
- Encourage everyone in the congregation to read and reflect on the Scriptures regularly
- Equip people with Bible reading guides, plans and resources that help them develop and sustain daily Bible reading disciplines, e.g., Scripture Union Guides
- Cultivate small groups that facilitate vigorous conversations about the Scriptures
- Promote, preach and teach the trustworthiness, relevance, usefulness, inspiration and uniqueness of the Bible
- Create opportunities or forums for people to discuss the weekly sermon and associated Scripture text
- Train people in public Scripture reading so that the Bible is read dynamically, clearly and compellingly
- Have Bibles available in the pew and actively encourage people to use them during services and gatherings
- Provide opportunities for people to publicly share how God strengthens, supports, comforts, inspires, informs or guides them by His Word
- Give everyone who doesn’t have a Bible an age-appropriate easy to read version (maintain a supply of Bibles, advertise the availability of free Bibles)
- Highlight the importance of Bible engagement with an annual program, quest or activity that the congregation does together, e.g., E100 Challenge
*[The ten facts are gleaned from the research findings of the Canadian Bible Engagement Study (CBES). The CBES is the first-ever comprehensive national study of why Canadians do or do not connect with the Bible. World-class market research company Angus Reid Strategies, led by Angus Reid, conducted the survey. The CBES sampled 4,500 Canadians regarding their use, beliefs, and attitudes toward the Bible. You can download the CBES at the EFC]
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Summary
Bible engagement is closely linked to church attendance, with those who read the Scriptures regularly attending church more frequently and showing stronger faith. Churches prioritizing Bible engagement are more likely to experience growth and health, with robust Bible conversations further strengthening the congregation. Pastors can foster Bible engagement by encouraging regular Scripture reading, providing resources, and creating opportunities for discussions, including through small groups and sermon reflections. Additionally, building confidence in the Bible’s relevance and trustworthiness helps sustain attendance and spiritual growth within the church.
© Scripture Union Canada
