Pastors overwhelmingly willing to provide free Bibles to encourage Scriptural engagement

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Churchgoers may hear the Bible preached every Sunday, but their pastors also want them to engage with Scripture during the week. And, more than 9 in 10 pastors are happy to provide free Bibles to anyone who needs one.

Dwayne Milioni, pastor of Open Door Church in Raleigh, N.C., said pastors often work hard to help their people understand the Bible through their sermons each week, but they hope that’s not the congregation’s only interaction with Scripture. “As we’re preaching and teaching, it would be so much better if we knew our church members were reading and studying the Word of God on their own,” he said. “How much more glorious would the assembling of God’s people be if every day of the week our people were engaging God’s Word?”

A report in 2024 by Circana BookScan shows that Bible sales in the U.S. increased over last year by 22%.  Whether they're looking at the Word of God because of curiosity about Christianity, uncertainty about their personal situation or the state of the world, or something else, those who seek God in the Bible will find him.

"What’s amazing about the Bible is that every time you read it, regardless of where you read it, it’s going to be relevant because the God who gave us this book is still alive,” Milioni said. “He knew exactly what we needed to hear when He gave us this book.”

As a pastor, Milioni has seen the results of his congregation reading through the Bible together. “It not only increases their knowledge of God but deepens their relationships,” he said. “It helps a church grow closer to God and one another.”

“In an increasingly secular culture, pastors are not assuming people have a Bible,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “More churches are prepared to give a free Bible to someone who needs one to encourage them to read more about the message the church shares.”

However, pastors and leaders choose to encourage churchgoers to engage with Scripture, Milioni said the effort is worth it because of what the Bible is. “Sometimes we forget the Bible is a gift,” he said. “God loved us enough to reveal Himself to us, and He’s done it through this book. So how can we not but love Him back when we read it?”

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For more information on the study, view the complete report and visit LifewayResearch.com.