American Bible Society today released the final chapter of the 12th annual State of the Bible report, which highlights cultural trends in the U.S. regarding spirituality and Scripture engagement. This year’s study shows that Americans predominantly still prefer print Bibles for reading, Gen Z shows the most curiosity when it comes to engaging with the Bible, and Christians gave $145 billion to charity in 2021. To download the entire State of the Bible 2022 ebook, visit StateoftheBible.org.

“This year’s research confirms that people lead better lives when they’re engaged with Scripture. It’s a fact that when reading and applying the Bible is a central part of our faith, we flourish, even in a hurting world. Although Bible engagement has decreased overall this year, we are given significant hope that our youngest generation is curious and open about sharing their faith, more than ever before. It’s up to us to equip them well,” said John Farquhar Plake, PhD and Vice President, Ministry Insights & Innovation for American Bible Society. “Research and faith both remind us of our responsibility to point those around us toward the hope found only in God’s Word, offered freely to every human being.”

The State of the Bible 2022 findings come from a survey in January 2022 conducted by American Bible Society in collaboration with NORC at the University of Chicago, which produced 2,598 online or telephone responses from American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

In 2023, the State of the Bible research team plans to release the 13th annual report with data building upon previous work with new insights into active faith, spiritual vitality and styles, and persevering hope.

Key findings analyzed in Chapter 9: What We’ve Learned, Where It Leads

● While Americans still prefer printed Bibles, those who use a Bible app are more likely to use it daily–especially Gen Z (page 196).

● Gen Z and Elders show the most curiosity when it comes to engaging with the Bible (page 200-201). Gen Z is also the generation most likely to say they turn to the Bible for “comfort” (page 200).

● More than half of all adult Americans say they’ve made a personal commitment to Jesus that’s still important to them, but among Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X, two-thirds are not actively living out their faith (page 203).

● Eighty million Americans talk with others about the transformation they have found by engaging with Scripture (page 204). Gen Z adults are most likely out of all generations to say they want to share their faith with others (page 205).

● Christians gave $145 billion to charitable causes last year, with the bulk of charitable donations from going to their local churches (page 206).

*Scripture engagement is defined as consistent interaction with the Bible that shapes a person’s choices and transforms their relationships with God, self, and others. For descriptions on how Scripture engagement was measured and reported, please see page 33 of the ebook available for download at StateoftheBible.org.