Do you actually read the Bible?

[JoyG]

I'm making this an anonymous poll because I want your honest answers. I'm curious about the people who post on threads that either start out as or turn into religious topics. I wonder how many people who "know what the Bible says" actually read the Bible. And if so, how often.

I'm curious if our stats will end up showing what a nationwide poll of professing christians showed. I read somewhere that less than 20% of professing christians actually read the Bible regularly.

(This post is also inspired by last night's episode of Black/White where the white lady (name?) told her black friend that she hadn't read the Bible in 10 years. And her friend was surprised b/c people in the black culture don't usually admit that...)

Now if I could just figure out to turn this into a poll I'll be all set.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I read the Bible regularly (I won't be more specific so as to honor the goal of anonymity). I think you are on to something... Biblical illetracy is a huge issue in churches all over the US. People just don't know the book they profess to live by.

 

[kimmikayb]

I just started to read it about 6 months ago. I started adult bible school this year too and really enjoy it. The bible is a great book to read, who would have guessed?

 

[JVL1018]

I read along with the minister's reading every Sunday in church, dont know if that counts.
I also read it a couple of times a year when I am feeling down or depressed, I read it often during my mother's illness and after her death, looking for passages that would soothe my heart, and it really helped me a lot then,

 

[cardaway]

Three times from beginning to end and parts countless times.

You haven't really read the bible until you have read it as both a believer and a non-believer.

 

[robinb]

I read parts of it when I went to Bible Camp as a teen-ager. Now that I am an atheist it really holds no relevance to my life at all.

Mike: I'm reading your reply as I write . People are often surprsied that I know so much about scripture.

 

[Captain Brain]

Sad to say but, I don't read the Bible much anymore. I wish that I could remember to read it more.

 

[JoyG]

I read parts of it when I went to Bible Camp as a teen-ager. Now that I am an atheist it really holds no relevance to my life at all.

Mike: I'm reading your reply as I write . People are often surprsied that I know so much about scripture.

Robin,
Thanks for responding. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know so much about scripture? Is it from your Bible Camp experiences or from other sources?

Thanks
Joy

 

[MelessaG]

I realized at the beginning of this year that I've read the New Testament several times over, but never the Old Testament from start to finish. I have to wait outside DD's school every day for 20-25 minutes so I started when she went back to school after winter break and I'm almost finished with Deuteronomy. I got a study guide to help me understand what I'm reading so I don't get bored again and quit.

 

[Stacerita]

I read it often. But im not discipled enough to read it daily though. The church I attend prints out in the bulletin the verses to read on that day. If you follow it, you will be able to read the whole thing in a year. I did it faithfully for a year.

 

[robinb]

Robin,
Thanks for responding. If you don't mind me asking, how do you know so much about scripture? Is it from your Bible Camp experiences or from other sources?

Most of it from when I was a youngster, bible study mostly. I was raised Baptist and rebelled!

 

[LiteBrite]

I read the Bible daily, as a rule, although of course I miss days sometimes. I have also read the whole Bible through twice - once straight through from Genesis to Revelation, and once following a plan that put the readings in chronological order. The chronological plan was very interesting - it really helped me understand both the history of Israel (Old Testament) and the beginnings of the church (New Testament), as well as how these two fit together in one magnificent plan.

 

[Aidensmom]

I read a couple of times a week. I don't have a logical order, I look up issues that I am dealing with personally. There are some great sites online that make that very easy to do. And I have read some of the same stuff over and over...and over...and over.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't read it as much as I used to. I need to get back to it on a more regular basis. Lately I have felt somewhat separated from God. And like Aidensmom, I jump around depending on the issue.

I'd like to get into the Old Testament a little more. Maybe I should get a study guide for that.

 

[MelessaG]

I'd like to get into the Old Testament a little more. Maybe I should get a study guide for that.

I do recommend a study guide. It has really helped me. Also, I alternate between the King James and the NIV versions of the Bible to help me make sense of it all.

 

[Keli]

I do read the bible daily, I've found that it makes a difference in my christian walk. The more I read the bible and pray the more 'in tune' I feel with God and the happier I am in life.
Like many of you guys I tend to jump around when reading the bible. I'll read from Isaiah one day and from I Timothy the next. What is amazing is how frequently the scriptures that I pick to read correspond so closely to things that are going on in my life right then.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

I try to read daily but its more like a couple times a week-every other day. But this is my reminder to get off Dis and read now (how sad is it that I don't forget to check my email or Dis but I can forget to read the Bible).

 

[SPAM]

yes, i try a couple of times a week.

 

[JennaTX]

Well you don't have an option for me. I read it less than once a week, but more than one times a year. That's a big gap between the two.

 

[shortbun]

I read the New Testatment and studied it as a youth in church. I've read almost all of the Old Testatment at one time or another. I don't really "read" the Bible anymore. I do refer to it once in a while and we discuss some parts in church.