How Americans Adults Read the Bible Survey of 2,000 Bible Reading Adults
2 Methodology A representative sample of American adults was surveyed. Two thousand people who read the Bible once a month or more qualified for the study. Only people who read the Bible personally (outside of group activities) or as part of a family activity were included those who only read it at church, small group, etc. were excluded. Respondents were not informed the research was being conducted on behalf of LifeWay Research.
3 Methodology Continued A demographically balanced online panel was used for the interviewing. Surveys were conducted during August 2011. The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed +2.2%. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups.
Survey Responses
Group situations where Bible readers read the Bible 5 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 75% Church worship services 42% A small group Bible study or prayer group 49% Christian Education or Sunday School classes at church Q. In a typical month, do you read the Bible in each of the following situations? As part of
6 Frequency of Bible Reading 37% 22% 22% 11% 8% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Nearly every day 3-5/Week 1-2/Week 2-3/Month 1/Month Q. About how often do you read the Bible either by yourself or together with family members as part of a family activity?
7 Other Religious Activities 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 72% Read religious books other than the Bible 50% Read religious magazines 85% Attend worship services at a church 53% 51% Attend Sunday Participate in a School or small group Bible Christian study or prayer Education classes group at a church 47% Serve in some type of volunteer leadership position at a church Q. Which of these things, if any, do you do at least once in a typical month?
8 Number of Bibles Owned 5 or more, 24% Just 1, 16% 4, 10% 2, 27% 3, 23% The average number of Bibles owned is 3.6, with a median of 3.0. Respondents reported up to 50 different Bibles owned. Q. How many Bibles do you, personally, own?
9 Using Different Bibles 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 74% 26% All 79% 76% 21% 24% HHI <$30k 69% 68% 31% 32% 83% 17% $30-59k $60-99k $100k+ High school 75% 25% Some college 70% 66% 30% 34% College Grad School Different Bibles for different situations One primary Bible most of the time Q. Which of the following is true about your Bible use? 1. You tend to use different Bibles for different situations or different reasons 2. There s one primary Bible you use most of the time
10 Using Different Versions All from same translation or version, 25% Among Bible readers who use different Bibles for different situations/reasons Use different translations or versions, 75% Q. Which of the following is true about the different Bibles you use? (n = 524) 1. You use different translations or versions 2. You may use different Bibles, but they re all from the same translation or version
11 Bible Version Exclusivity 74% 26% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Open to using different translations Only willing to use one specific translation Q. Which of the following is true for you? 1. There is only one specific translation of the Bible you are willing to use 2. You are open to using different translations of the Bible
12 Who Chose the Version 75% 19% 6% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Personally chose it Someone else chose it Don't recall Q. Which of the following is true about the Bible you use most for your personal reading? 1. You personally chose the specific translation you are using 2. Someone else chose this translation for you (it was a gift, it was inherited, you relied on someone else to choose it for you, etc.) 3. You don t recall
13 Satisfaction with Primary Version 56% 35% 4% 2% 4% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Completely satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Completely dissatisfied Mostly satisfied Mostly dissatisfied Q. How satisfied are you with the specific translation of the Bible you use most for your personal reading?
How Americans Adults Read the Bible Survey of 2,000 Bible Reading Adults