This is an amazing thing.
Recent research findings reveal a noteworthy trend: while a majority of young adults in the United States remain categorized as “Scripture Disengaged,” there has been an increase in the proportion of them who believe the Bible has had a transformative impact on their lives.
The American Bible Society published the initial segment of its State of the Bible USA 2024 report, titled “The Bible in America Today,” on Thursday. This chapter delves into various aspects, including the prevalence of Bible usage and reading habits across the nation, along with insights into respondents’ perceptions of the Bible’s influence on their lives. The report’s data stems from responses gathered from 2,506 U.S. adults between January 4th and 23rd, 2024, with a margin of error of +/-2.73 percentage points.
One key inquiry asked participants whether they agreed with the statement, “the message of the Bible has transformed my life.” Interestingly, a slightly higher percentage of respondents in 2024 (58%) either “somewhat” or “strongly” agreed with this statement compared to the previous year (57%). This sentiment was mirrored among Generation X adults, born between 1965 and 1980, whose agreement levels matched those of the overall population in both 2023 and 2024.
Of particular note is the increase in the share of Generation Z respondents, defined as those born in 1997 or later, who perceive the Bible as a transformative force in their lives. In 2024, 54% of Generation Z respondents reported such beliefs, up from 50% in 2023. John Farquhar Plake, Chief Program Officer at the American Bible Society and Editor-in-Chief of the State of the Bible series, expressed optimism about this development, noting the signs of curiosity and engagement with the Bible among the youngest adults.
Another noteworthy finding pertains to Baby Boomers, individuals born between 1946 and 1964, who exhibited a larger increase in acknowledging the Bible’s transformative influence. In 2024, 69% of Baby Boomers either “somewhat” or “strongly” agreed with this statement, marking a 5% rise from the previous year.
However, the data also revealed a decline in the percentage of millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, who perceived the Bible as transformative, dropping from 50% in 2023 to 48% in 2024. Millennials were also the only demographic group to report a decrease in Bible reading frequency in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Overall, the report noted a decrease in both the percentage and absolute number of Bible users in 2024, reaching record lows. This decline underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining engagement with the Bible amidst the myriad distractions of modern life, particularly evident among younger generations.