One day, many years ago, Harry Cohen, the head of Columbia Motion Picture Studios in Hollywood, had a conversation with his brother Jack, who suggested they produce a biblical epic film. “What do you know about the Bible?” Harry asked. “I’ll lay you $50 you don’t even know the Lord’s Prayer.”
Pausing for a moment to reflect, Jack replied, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” as he recited the well-known children’s prayer. Harry then declared, “Well, I’ll be!” as he handed $50 to his brother. “I didn’t think you knew it.”
Although this story is funny, it points to a real issue that has challenged our nation for years: biblical illiteracy. Americans still own more Bibles than ever before, yet consistent engagement with Scripture remains uneven.
Recent research from the Barna Group shows some encouraging signs. About 42% of U.S. adults now read the Bible at least once a week, the highest level in more than a decade. Among self-identified Christians, roughly half report weekly Bible reading, and younger generations have shown renewed interest compared to recent years.
At the same time, challenges remain. Studies conducted in partnership with the American Bible Society reveal that many Americans still engage Scripture only occasionally, and daily Bible reading is far from a consistent habit for most believers. While access to God’s Word is widespread, depth and discipline often lag behind.
The sad reality is that many — including those who were in church last Sunday — still spend more time on social media than they do reading their Bibles. The average American can tell you what someone ate for lunch, who took a nap, or what chores await after work, yet struggles to name 6 of the 12 Apostles or locate the book of Obadiah.
It has been said of the Bible: “This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It will reward the greatest labor and condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents. It is the book of books — God’s book — the Revelation of God to man.”
One final encouraging note from recent research: more than half of Americans say they wish they read the Bible more. That desire matters. My advice is simple — just do it. Open God’s Word, spend time in it, and let it shape your life. You will be eternally glad you did.
