Most Churchgoers Flunk Bible Literacy Test

Faith Facts

• Lifeway Research found that two-thirds of American churchgoers scored below 60 percent on a Bible knowledge quiz.
• Daily Bible reading raises scores by nearly fourteen points while never reading Scripture lowers them by more than six.
• Only nine percent of respondents earned an A grade of ninety or higher.

A new survey by Lifeway Research reveals a troubling gap between pew attendance and Bible knowledge. The study asked more than two thousand regular churchgoers fifty questions about Scripture content and organization. The average score came in at fifty-one percent, with sixty-five percent receiving an F.

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, stated the findings plainly. “This study confirms most Christian churchgoers haven’t learned or don’t remember many things in the Bible and how it is organized.”

“If churches gave pop quizzes on the Bible this Sunday, most people in the pews would fail.”

The report highlights clear habits that improve biblical literacy. Reading Scripture every day adds nearly fourteen points to a person’s score, while holding a graduate degree contributes nearly eleven points. Regular devotional reading and seeking God through His Word also help believers retain what they study.

Conversely, rarely opening a Bible subtracts more than six points from the average score. Those with only a high school education or less also tend to score lower.

McConnell emphasized that Bible literacy requires both reading and study. “Knowing the Bible involves the heart, mind and emotions,” he said. “Bible literacy is impacted by a motivation to be in relationship with God, a desire to be encouraged by the Word and thoughtful exploration of its meaning.”

One longtime religion reporter decided to test his own knowledge on the twenty-five-question version of the quiz. He scored twenty-one correct answers for an eighty-four percent grade. Several of his family members and colleagues also took the test, with scores ranging from one hundred percent down to a single miss.

Ministers across the country are now using the survey results to assess how well their own congregations know Scripture. One Texas preacher is administering a similar quiz to determine what his church needs to teach more clearly.

The findings serve as a wake-up call for families and churches alike. Regular time in the Word remains the surest path to deeper faith and stronger biblical understanding.

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