Why Is Bible Reading In Decline?

[JohnDB]

Because people love lying.
Mostly to themselves.

The amount of eisogesis that people do is telling the truth.

We look for the answers we wish to hear instead of the answers we NEED to hear.

So people watch The Chosen and believe themselves to be learning about Jesus and the apostles correctly.

They listen to preachers who tell them exactly what they wish to hear. (They are good but everyone else is going to Hell).

And it extends beyond just the church.
Listen to people discuss politics or medical care of vaccinations.....when concepts of basic science are way beyond what they explain or what real research is all about.

Real research is not about finding answers you agree with....it's about finding small minor conclusions and slowly, step-by-step building a larger conclusion based upon smaller ones. And at this point....it necessary for just about any life altering situation.

Politicians are ALWAYS professional liars.
Used to be an axiom....but these days people talk about them as if they are their best friend they grew up with and known their whole life.

That demonstrates "group think" which is the broad path. The narrow path is the one few ever find. And people watch the Chosen and believe they too are going to Heaven because they watched it.

 

[bdavidc]

Maybe someone should make a Bible video game.

Then maybe more people would read the Bible thru the video game.

I get what you're saying, and sure, a Bible video game might get some attention. But the Bible isn’t just a story, it’s God’s Word, and it’s not something to turn into entertainment. Hebrews 4:12 says it’s alive and powerful, sharper than any sword. That means it cuts straight to the heart. It’s not something to play with, it’s something to listen to.

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35 that His words will never pass away. That’s how serious the Bible is. It’s not a fairy tale, and it’s not just for fun. It’s the truth that tells us how to be saved, how to live, and what’s coming in eternity.

Yes, we should help people understand the Bible, but the real power is in reading it and believing it. Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So instead of trying to dress it up, let’s open it, read it, and let it speak. Lives don’t change through games, they change through truth.

 

[JohnDB]

And if you think that you are not under the influence of "Group Think"....

Then without looking up anything anywhere whatsoever.

Who was Simon the Cyrene and why was his actions and identity significant?

But now...by comparison.

What are the New Testament parameters for giving to the Church?

I guarantee EVERYONE can write 5 paragraphs on the second question while maybe half can get a small fraction percentage of the first question. But so few can answer the first question it's pathetic. And the first question matters more.

 

[Hidden In Him]

A lot of Churches don’t help either. Many of them stopped preaching the Bible and started telling stories or giving motivational talks. So people leave hungry and don’t even think to open their Bibles.

Yes, I have found this to be the case as well. In depth, verse by verse analysis and teaching of the word has given way to a few verses (usually taken out of context), and then a bunch anecdotal applications about sports or some form of entertainment they think people will relate to. I often used to complain that instead of applying our lives to the word as it was given 2,000 years ago, we take a few words here and there and then try to apply them to today, usually incorrectly as a result.

For my own part I try to teach the word from a warfare perspective, so that they understand its relevance to their lives today. I also avoid too much scholarship so as not to go over people's heads. Yet I'm still not sure how many have the stamina for actually studying the word verse by verse in any depth. It's rather frustrating, but all we can do is be faithful to what the Lord calls us to as teachers, and pray for others to be drawn by the Holy Spirit.

Blessings in Christ, and thanks for the reply,
Hidden

 

[Hidden In Him]

That demonstrates "group think" which is the broad path. The narrow path is the one few ever find. And people watch the Chosen and believe they too are going to Heaven because they watched it.

I had to look it up, but yeah, I could see that. Why do the study and pray and seek God version when you can do the entertainment with popcorn and a soda version instead, LoL.