The hope for an awakening in America may rest in the hands of its youth, which could be comforting, according to a new study by The American Bible Society and Barna research.
In “Teens State of the Bible,” the Christian research powerhouse revealed staggering statistics about God’s Word in light of trends proclaiming the decline of Christianity:
- Eighty-nine percent consider the Bible sacred or holy.
- Forty-one percent believe the Bible contains everything a person needs to know about living a meaningful life.
- Forty-four percent believe it has too little influence on American society.
- Thirty-eight percent believe “inspired” is the best word to describe the Bible.
Those statistics reflect all teens surveyed—not just those who practice a form of Christianity.
Among practicing Protestant teens, the statistics soared:
- Eighty-eight percent believe the Bible contains everything a person needs to know about living a meaningful life.
- Seventy-eight percent believe it has too little influence on American society.
- Sixty-five percent believe “inspired” is the best word to describe the Bible.
The survey also revealed 72 percent of all teens own a Bible, and 44 percent read the Bible at least four or five times a year.
By demographic, more African-American teens read the Bible (59 percent) than Hispanic teens (51 percent) or white teens (42 percent).
For those who read the Bible, 94 percent are impacted.
