Different research groups/companies publish annual data about their projects the past year. To know the state of Bible reading, for instance, we can compare data among these research groups. One said that 69% of Americans read the Bible.
Another group reported that 50% of Americans are Bible users. Meaning, they engage the Bible by listening to, watching, and praying using Bible text.
These numbers tell us that people still read the Bible despite the growth of other reading materials.
For many children, Bible-reading regimens were jump-started by storybooks, which retell Bible stories through simple words and interesting visuals. Other kids, those whose parents are digital natives, get their first Bible stories through videos.
“After my introduction to Bible stories through books and videos, I was excited to read more about them as I grew up,” Lysa, a faithful Bible-reading teener said. “Storybooks and videos only tell you so much. I want to know why and how these happened.”
The re-telling of Bible stories through books and videos, therefore, are appetizers for the main entree. They are helpful to whet our appetite, but they should not take the place of the Bible.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT)
By all means, let’s use all tools available to us to make children interested in the source of all truth—the Bible—so that they will be Bible readers like Lysa when they grow up.
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