Bible great to read but hard to apply - survey
Posted: Tuesday, February 12, 2008, 12:14 (GMT)
Nearly three quarters of Christians say the Bible challenges them to live in a way that runs counter to today's culture, a survey commissioned by Bible Society has revealed - but they still struggle to apply that challenge to their daily lives, the organisation warns.
The report, 'Taking the Pulse; Is the Bible alive and well in the Church today?', was undertaken by research company ComRes on behalf of Bible Society and other Christian organisations to give a snapshot of the way the Bible is used by the Church.
More than 3,660 churchgoers and church leaders in England and Wales were quizzed as part of the study. Five focus groups were also interviewed in depth, in one of the most extensive research projects of its kind which will be extended to Scotland later this year.
Figures show that almost all churchgoers and leaders believe the Bible is relevant and the majority of churchgoers feel it should shape their lives "a great deal".
The Bible challenged 91 per cent of church leaders and three-quarters of churchgoers to live differently, and most people felt "encouraged" when they read it.
A third of churchgoers said they read the Bible daily, and a quarter read it several times a week. Half said they were "fairly confident" in their knowledge of the Bible.
However, when it came to living out its message, the focus group studies found that churchgoers "want to learn how to apply the Bible to their daily lives".
Just over one in three churchgoers (39 per cent) said what they read in the Bible affected a decision they had made in the last week, and many think the church needs to provide more help in connecting biblical teaching to day-to-day life.
Have your say on this article
The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, February 13, 2008, 2:36 (GMT)
Good Evening,
I liked this article very much. I read my Bible every day. What I have found, and I call them "nuggets", is the Word of God is deep, but when I study my Bible and use a expository for further explanation, it is marvelous and awesome how God the Holy Spirit fills my heart and spirit with His understanding...His perspective..
His guidance, and then tells me to "put one foot in front of the other", and go forward.
I believe that God, in His Divine Love, wants the very best for anyone who opens His Book, and to gain understanding of His written word...well, I ask the Holy Spirit of God to guide me there, and then flow with the Holy Spirit in my walk-a-day life...as much as I can. I don't have to be perfect on the walk because Jesus
did it all....I kind of like that because I don't have to have a burden placed on me...
He is our Burden Bearer...and as it says in His word..."I supply you with many benefits." That is anyone who seeks Him, and His ways...He is the Supplier (Phil 4:13.."My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." That is a very interesting walk. I'm sure there are many people who didn't know where their next job or home or car or bills to be paid...was coming from,
but when a few of us walk that Scripture...God supplies every single need."
Be encouraged and blessed abundantly...because God is good all the time!
Love ya' in Christ Jesus, Maggie
Maggie B, U.S.A.
