By Kayla DeKraker
As people begin the New Year with personal goals and resolutions, many are developing one of the most important habits of all: reading the entire Word of God in a year.
CBN News reported, “Estimates suggest only 13-20% of Americans have completed the feat. But that number is expected to rise, as early data shows a significant surge of people committing to the challenge in 2026.”
Dr. Corné Bekker, Dean of Divinity at Regent University, spoke out on the rising desire to read the Bible.
“I do think increasingly, our world is falling apart,” he said. “The foundations of our society are being eroded at a record speed – and people are longing for that which is eternally true, that which is ancient, that which is unchanging.”
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He continued, “So, the extraordinary prophet Isaiah speaks for God in chapter 66 – and he says, ‘I will look on the one who trembles at my Word. And God’s Word is holy and pure, and alive and finer than gold, and sweeter than honey. I want to sit and tremble before God’s Word.”
Brekker also shared some encouragement for those who may be struggling to read the Bible.
“Wrestling is a normal part of the spiritual walk. And so, this is what I would say to people: bring all of your wrestling to the reading,” he said. “Bring it to the Lord. The Lord can help you. And the Lord is big enough to handle any wrestling that you might have.”
In 2025, the American Bible Society’s “State of the Bible” report discovered some encouraging news.
The report reveals that from 2024-2025, Bible use rose from 38% to 41%. The report states, “Millennials are leading the way in this move toward greater Bible Use, and in every generation, men are using the Bible more.”
The report also emphasized how Bible reading often correlates with church attendance.
“The Bible repeatedly touts the value of the community of faith, urging us not to ‘give up the habit of meeting together’ (Hebrews 10:25). While it’s possible for someone to be Scripture Engaged and not go to church, it’s rather rare. Only one in eight of the Scripture Engaged (12%) are unchurched,” it said.
Although the New Year has already begun, it’s not too late to start something new! There are many Bible plans available for those who need a little more structure and guidance. Why don’t you make reading the Bible a 2026 goal and see how amazing it truly is?
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