Generational Trends
According to recent research from Barna, Scripture reading in the U.S. is on the rise and, perhaps unexpectedly, it’s younger generations who are leading the turnaround.
Weekly Bible reading among adults has climbed to 42%, a significant rebound after years of decline. Among self-identified Christians, the rate is even higher at 50%.
Millennial Bible readers have jumped roughly 16 points in a short span, and about half now report reading weekly. Gen Z has seen similar growth, rising from 30% to nearly 49% in just one year.
Meanwhile, the generation once most likely to read Scripture—Boomers—now reports the lowest weekly engagement.
Why It Matters
For organizations looking to come alongside seekers or those new to faith, these trends are rich with opportunity. The return to Scripture also signals people are more open to encountering the Bible as part of their faith journey.
However, there’s a telling nuance: even as reading recovers, conviction still lags. On the question of whether “the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches,” only 36% of adults and 44% of Christians strongly agree.
That gap between reading and belief reminds us that engagement alone doesn’t bring transformation. It invites organizations to:
- Create accessible entry points that help readers understand what they’re reading
- Offer next-step pathways that move people from curiosity to deeper study
- Look beyond surface metrics to measure life change and spiritual growth
Next Steps
Younger adults are curious and connecting, but they need guidance, relevance, and community to make what they read matter.
Content and media focusing simply on “read your Bible” may miss the mark. Instead consider what stories, formats, platforms, and relationships help someone take that next step from curiosity to connection and from reading to transformation.
How could your organization build a bridge from “reading” to “believing” for new or curious Bible readers?
Jonathan Andrews
Director of Media | jonathan@eaglecom.ca