Most churchgoers don't read Bible daily

While the majority of churchgoers desire to honor Christ with their lives and even profess to think on biblical truths, a recent study found few actually engage in personal reading and study of the Scriptures.

The survey found 90 percent of churchgoers agree that "I desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do," and 59 percent agree with the statement: "Throughout the day I find myself thinking about biblical truths." While the majority agree with both statements, there is a significant difference in the strength of agreement. Nearly two-thirds of churchgoers (64 percent) strongly agree with the first statement, but only 20 percent strongly agree with the second.
However, when asked how often they personally (not as part of a church worship service) read the Bible:

-- 19 percent respond "every day." ...

read more: http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=38659

Jesus reminds us that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the moth of God. Just as there is a physical life so there is a spiritual life. Just as the physical life is sustained by physical food. So the spiritual life has to be sustained by spiritual food. In this case the spiritual food is the word of God.

What happens when one does not eat physically. They become weak, sick, and eventuly die. So what happens when one does not eat spiritually. They become weak, sick, and die. Thus us the reason so many Christians subcomb to sin. As Keith Daniels quoted from one if his mentors. Sin will keep you away from the Bible or the Bible will jkep you away from sin.

I know this is basic 101. But a football coach by the name of Vince Lombardie used to tell his team. Men it us time to get back to basics. This is a football. I might add by sticking with the basics this coach always had a winning season.

Ae can alwsys win against the evil one if ae know the scriptures. In the temptations of Jesus, he met Satan's temptations by saying It is written.

John tells the young men. You are strong because the word of God lives in you. And you have overcome the evil one. Again we can not win against thee Eevil without the word in us.

Bearmaster.

Bill I do not believe Iceman was judging anyone who read the scriptures off the internet. Or saying one could not browse the internet such as coming on SI. I got the impression he was talking about how much time people waste ob facebook, Twitter, internent at the expense of reading the scriptures. I might also add time wasted watching TV, playing sports, hunting, fishing, three wheeling, stock car racing, and so forth. (I live in Ark..). It is sad to see the wasted time Christians spend on frivolous stuff.

I know men who will set time aside to see a Razorback game. But come up with every kind of excuse for why they cannot get time in God's word.

Just my thoughts.

Bearmaster.

I realize that our walk with Christ is one motivated out of a heart love for Jesus. But let us not confuse legalism with discipline. Discipline starts with a choice. A choice to read the word, a choice to pray, a choice to put away sinful habits, etc. Our walk with Jesus comes down to choices.

This is best illustrated in the Mary and Martha story. Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus to listen to his word. Martha chose to serve in the kitchen. She got an attitude about it. Then demanded Jesus tell her sister to help her. This is when Jesus gently chastised her and said Mary has chosen what is better. And it would not be taken from her. Thus Mary's desire to hear the word of Christ was a self conscience desire on her part. No doubt motivated by a desire to be in the presence of Christ.

But to make such choices of prayer and the word, the flesh screams. And then the devil plays the legalism card. Saints if I waited to read the word or pray when I felt like it I would never do it. Because the flesh would step in and reign. It is only when I choose to mortify the flesh by the Spirit and pray and read the word, then the blessing comes.

Jerry Bridges in his book The Pursuit of Holiness speaks of victory over sin not as a result of victory from feeling like doing something. But choosing rather to obey God. Even when our flesh screams against ut.

Just my thoughts.

Bearmaster.

1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Also this is a powerful video voiced by Alexander Scourby

"The Forbidden Book" This is another fresh remeinder of what so many went through to get the Bible into the hands of the common man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtO-7xN26ME&feature=relmfu

The persecuted cry out for Bibles in restricted nations. And we in the west seek the Toronto blessing. Makes one wonder?

Bearmaster.

Reprinting here what I posted on another thread of what I think is a good Bible reading program.

For over 20 years my main approach to reading the word is to read the books through in full context. I will continue to use this approach.

However, I have a new "base" daily reading plan that I got from Tony Miano who got it from a Dr.Horner of the Masters College.

Here it is.

HERE IT IS:

* PROFESSOR GRANT HORNER'S 'TEN LISTS BIBLE READING SYSTEM' *

Each day you will read one chapter from each list, in order. THAT'S RIGHT -- *TEN CHAPTERS PER DAY*!!! Use ten bookmarks or sticky notes with the individual lists on them to keep track of your locations. On day one, you read Matthew 1, Genesis 1, Romans 1, and so forth. On day 2, read Matthew 2, Genesis 2, etc. On day 29, you will have just finished Matthew, so go to Mark 1 on the Gospel list; you’ll also be almost to the end of 2nd Corinthians and Proverbs, you’ll be reading Psalm 29 and Genesis 29, and so forth. When you reach the last chapter of the last book in a list – start over again. Rotate all the way through all the Scriptures constantly. Since the lists vary in length, the readings begin interweaving in constantly changing ways. You will NEVER read the same set of ten chapters together again! Every year you’ll read through all the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul’s letters 4-5 times each, the OT wisdom literature six times, all the Psalms at least twice, all the Proverbs as well as Acts a dozen times, and all the way through the OT History and prophetic books about 1 ½ times. Since the interweaving is constantly changing, you will experience the Bible commenting *on itself* in constantly changing ways -- the Reformer's principle of 'scriptura interpretans scripturam' -- 'scripture interpreting scripture' IN ACTION!

After you’ve read any particular book once or twice, your speed in that book usually *doubles or triples* because you’re familiar with it and can move quickly and confidently -- because you are no longer merely decoding the text but thinking it through in the context of all of the scripture! Acts 20:27. Even an ‘average’ reader, if focusing on moving through the text, rather than trying to figure everything out, can usually do this in about an hour a day – 5-6 minutes per chapter. If it is taking you longer, then you are ‘reading wrong’ – stay relaxed, focus, and just keep it moving. Moderate but consistent speed is the key. This is "gross anatomy" -- looking at the whole body; you're *not* closely studying organs or systems or tissues or cells -- it is *not* microbiology. BUT -- microbiology and the study or organs makes more sense when you know what the *whole* structure of the human body is like, and how all the parts, large and small, relate in perfect interdependence. After just a few days the reading gets *much* easier; in a month it will be a habit, and in six months you’ll wonder how you ever survived before on such a slim diet of the WORD. And then -- you'll tell others to start the system!

I began in 1983 as a new Christian and have now read (most of) the Bible hundreds and hundreds of times. You also need to get ONE Bible, keep it, and do all your reading in it, so you learn where everything is. I’ve had the same Bible since 1983 and I know it intimately. If you keep switching Bibles, you ‘lose’ this intimacy with the text. Find a translation and format you like and stick with it. THIS IS CRUCIAL.

When I was flown out by Masters for a 3-day interview/theological-grilling process, the culmination was of course being ushered in to Dr. John MacArthur's private study, which is where he asked me this one question: "Can I see your Bible?" I thought he would be horrified, because it looked like it had been through a typhoon -- it looked unloved and neglected. Something from a dumpster. It was unbound, with stringy mess and paper debris hanging out. I was so embarrassed. I thought he would chastise me and recommend I get a new study Bible if I was serious about the Word. (No doubt which study Bible he would recommend!!!) He flipped through it and handed it to his wife and said "If your Bible is falling apart, you probably aren't." I was basically hired on the spot.

Your Bible is the only thing on Earth that, as you wear it out, will actually work better and better.

THE TEN LISTS:
List 1 (89 days)
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

List 2 (187 days)
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

List 3 (78 days)
Romans, I&II Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, Hebrews

List 4 (65 days)
I&II Thess, I&II Tim, Titus, Philemon, James, I&II Peter, I,II&III John, Jude, Revelation

List 5 (62 days)
Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

List 6 (150 days)
Psalms

List 7 (31 days)
Proverbs

List 8 (249 days)
Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I&II Samuel, I&II Kings, I&II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

List 9 (250 days)
Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

List 10 (28 days)
Acts

If you are wondering why you should read Acts (or Proverbs) all the way through *every single month* then -- you've just shown that you NEED to read them that much!

*Put these instructions in your Bible and review them from time to time*

SECRETS TO SUCCESS WITH THIS SYSTEM:

• Read one chapter from each list each day, in one sitting or two. At the end of a book, go to the next book. At the end of the list – start it again. Do it in the order given above.

• Read quickly (without “speed reading”) in order to get the overall sense. Read as fast as you comfortably can with moderate retention. You’re not studying deeply or memorizing; shoot for 5-6 minutes per chapter. At the end of a chapter, move immediately to the next list.

• GET THROUGH THE TEXT – no dawdling, back-reading, looking up cross-references!

• There are different ‘kinds’ of reading: super-quick skimming, careful moderate-paced, studying the text, deep meditation. You should be between the first and second kind.

• Most people decrease their time spent and increase their retention after just two-three weeks! I now read and retain the entire text of Matthew in 35 minutes, Romans in 20, Genesis in *one hour*!

• Don’t look up anything you ‘don’t get’ – real understanding will come through contextualizing by reading a LOT of scripture over time. Get through the text!

• If you miss a day or two – OK, get over it, then keep going. Don’t cover yourself in sackcloth and ashes and quit! Move the bookmarks along, to find your place(s) quickly next day.
Heb 4:12;5:11-14; Eph 5:26; 6:17; Col 3:16; 2 Tim 3:16; Psalm 119; Ezra 8; Prov 3: 1-2, 10:14; Daniel 1

The goal of this system is simple, and twofold: To know scripture, and to love and obey God more!

SOLI DEO GLORIA

There are some good sermons in the SI archives on Bible reading. Just listened to Erlo Stergen give a message on Make the Bible Your Best Friend. In the message he speaks on the importance of God's word as revealed in Psalm 119. There are good practical exhortations to read the word.

I found it a little distracting in that it was English to German. And then German back to English. But once you get into the message, well with listening to.

Bearmaster.

@MrBillPro

I'm pretty sure that's not what iceman9 meant at all.

Earlier I quoted 1Peter 2:2 As "newborn" babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Then reading the next verse God through Peter points out that you will desire this "IF" you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. This is Peters way of saying if you have been "born again". (Newborn)

Most "Churchgoers" are not born again therefore they do not have a hunger for the word.

1Pe 2:3 "If" so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Again another good message on being in the word is one by Don Allen. He speaks on Eight Reasons to be Committed to the Bible. Don speaks from his experiences with the Navigators. The message is given to a group of collegiates encouraging them to be in God's word.

I like these type of messages. They are good meat and taters. Solid, filling, and practical. By God's blessing I was impacted by the Navs in the early days of ny walk with Jesus. I have so appreciated their ministry in their love for the word.

In listening to this short 40 minute messages I was stirred once again to a a practical love for God and his word. This is a good hearty message to encourage you to love Jesus and his word.

Saints hope you check out the archives. There is some good treasure there. God bless Greg for putting this data base of good messages together.

Bearnaster.

Another good message by Hans Waldvogel entitled Desiring the Sincere Milk of the Word. Good solid preaching in a German tradition. Message is in English. Very rich food for the soul. Message is 30 minutes long.

Bearmaster.

Last night brother Kevin Turner led off on our SI prayer call. He shared with us about his experiences ministering in the restricted nation of Eritrea. One thing that Kevin shared was how those in prison would find comfort in scraps of paper that contained scripture on them. Often times these scraps of paper would be more precious than the physical food itself.

Saints what can the persecuted teach us? What do they value more than life itself? How precious is the word to us? Will we wait till it is too late and he Bible is taken out of our hands?..Are we going to wail and lament and say "If only, If only ".

Saints while we still have time. Please get into the word. Has anyoneheard of Keith Daniels? What do you think of when you hear his name? His love for the word? He has said that 15 minutes reading the New Testament in the morning and 15 minutes at night reading in the Old Testament you have gone through the Bible in a year. Certainly we can give God 30 minutes. Yet I can hear it now. I don't have time. How many of us spend more than 30 minutes in this forum. Ouch! Just stepped on my toes.

Saints whether you do what Keith Daniels does or use Prof. Horners system or use an app on your phone. (I listen to a Travellers Go Bible). Whatever works for you. As a certain athletic shoe company says. Just do it.

Bearnaster.

I am one of those people that don't read my bible daily. I have read it several times before. From time to time I read it, but never to read it for reading sake. Surprisingly God gives me a passage, sometimes just a one single word or two words and that sets my mind in motion. Personally, I am a strong proponent or believer that Matthew 4:4 It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

"by every word that proceedeth". Because the Holy Ghost dwells within, we have in us a well springing up unto everlasting life. That well is God speaking words of life into our spirit. When He speaks faith ignites, and faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

If anyone is reading this and is thinking that I am discounting the written word of God, your mind is looking for strife, for I think not that way at all. I love my bible, but I also love it when God speaks to me by His Spirit that dwelleth in me.

"During my student days in Toronto my one weapon, in the jails and slums, was the Bible. In China I have often given from thirtyfive to forty addresses in a week, practically all of them being simply Bible rehearsals. In fact, I think I can safely say that, during the fortyone years that I have been on the foreign field, I have never once addressed a Chinese audience without an open Bible in my hand, from which I could say, "Thus saith the Lord!" I have always taken it for granted that the simple preaching of the Word would bring men to Christ. It has never failed me yet. My Chinese pastor, one of the most consecrated men I have ever met, was saved from a life of shame and vice by the first Gospel address which he ever heard me give.

My deepest regret, on reaching threescore years and ten, is that I have not devoted more time to the study of the Bible. Still, in less than nineteen years I have gone through the New Testament in Chinese fiftyfive times. That prince of Bibleteachers, Dr. Campbell Morgan, has declared that he would not attempt to teach any book in the Bible unless he had first read it over at least fifty times. Some years ago, I understand, a gentleman attended the English Keswick and was so fired with a zeal for the Bible that in three years he read it through twelve times. One would imagine, of course, that he belonged to the leisured class. On the contrary, however, he began his day's work at the Motherwell steel plant at 5:30 a. m."

Jonothan Goforth

Marvelous testamony. Gets ne fired up ti read tve Bibke.

Breaux Besr

I am reminded of this quotation by John Bunyon.

" Read and read again, and do not despair of help, to understand the will and mind of God though you think they are locked up from you. Neither trouble your heads though you have not commentaries or expositions. Pray and read, and read and pray; for a little from God is better than a whole lot from men."

It was said the only library Bunyon ever knew was his Bible. Others have said if you cut Bunyon he would bleed scripture. Some have rightly observed Bunyon was Biblene.

When I visited Bedford, England where Bunyon was born. I was struck that any statue or picture of him showed him holding a little book. One would gleam the book was the Bible.

Based upon the above quote it would seem Bunyon would tell us to read our Bibles in an attitude of prayer and let the Holy Spirit teach us. For surely a little from God is better than a whole lot from men.

Breaux Bear.

I remember reading an account by John MacArthur where he was shown a an actual martyrs Bible. This was an old English Bible. Could have been one of Tyndale's illegal New Testaments. What struck MacArthur was the use of this Bible. The pages were worn and tear stained. Suggesting much use. The precious saint that owned this Bible was martyred. This Bible had been dipped into that saints blood as an insult. Later these Bibles were valued as prized possessions.

How well used are our Bibles?

Breaux Bear.