A Key to Discipleship

Even though we may profess to know Jesus as our Savior, we can consider whether or not we are acting as a disciple.  That involves surrender - and it entails knowing the Word and following His instructions.  A simple key to doing that is to spend time in His Word.  In Luke 14 (ESV), we can find these verses; Jesus said:
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.  

Later in the chapter, He says:
33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

A recent survey conducted by Lifeway Research shows that one of these keys to discipleship is not being used to the extent that it should in order to unlock spiritual growth. That is, very simply, reading the Bible.

A survey summary notes: 

The Lifeway Research State of Discipleship study found Bible engagement to be one among eight signposts measuring distinct characteristics for believers progressing in their spiritual maturity. On a scale of 0 to 100, the average churchgoer scores 69.8 on Bible engagement, placing it fifth among the signposts.

Among U.S. Protestant churchgoers, most say they read Scripture regularly, but just 31% say Bible reading is a daily habit.

Lifeway Research listed those eight signposts: "Bible engagement, obeying God and denying self, serving God and others, sharing Christ, exercising faith, seeking God, building relationships and living unashamed."

The highest-ranked signpost is "seeking God," with a score of 78.5.  "Obeying God and denying self" followed at 75.1.  Bible engagement, as I said, was at 69.8, and the lowest score is "sharing Christ," at 54.8.

The average churchgoer scores the highest in seeking God (78.5), followed by obeying God and denying self (75.1), serving God and others (73.1), exercising faith (71.6), Bible engagement (69.8), building relationships (64.0) and living unashamed (61.0). The lowest score is in sharing Christ, where the average churchgoer reaches 54.8.

While less than a third of regular Protestant churchgoers - those who attend at least once a month - read the Bible daily, 61% indicated they read the Word "regularly."  

Lifeway Research Executive Director Scott McConnell is quoted in the article, stating: “The portion of churchgoers reading the Bible a few times a week or more on their own has leveled off recently after rising dramatically since 2007, but the churchgoer population was also changing during this period,” adding, “A lower percentage of Americans attend a Protestant church once a month today than when this series of studies began. Clearly, the remnant of Americans attending church each month are more willing to regularly read the Bible on their own than when churches were more populated.”

The impact of missing daily time in Scripture?  Well, just over 6-in-10 "say they desperately miss the time with God if they go several days without reading the Bible."  Just under 60% "say they find themselves unfulfilled if they go several days without reading their Bible."

But, many don't necessarily strongly believe this: "Three in 10 (30%) strongly agree they desperately miss personal time with God when they go several days without reading the Bible, and 26% strongly agree they find themselves unfulfilled in that situation."

So, there does seem to be a passion for Scripture that is lacking in the lives of some; here's another example: "Around 3 in 4 (74%) say the Bible has authority over every area of their lives, with 15% unsure and 11% disagreeing. However, only 40% strongly agree, leaving 3 in 5 with at least some doubts about the authority of Scripture."

Again, Bible engagement is one of the "signposts" of discipleship, according to the research organization - 1 out of 8.  And, we should take great care in how we engage.  It's more than just a matter of reading the Word, maybe to check a box.  But, we should think about what it says, determine how Scripture applies to us, and act accordingly.  James tells us that we should be doers of the Word, not just hearers.

Jesus taught us the concept of surrender, possessing the correct heart attitude, so that we are conditioned to obedience.  Time spent in the Word of God will contribute to that.  Faith Radio offers a stellar lineup of Bible teaching day after day, with a new resource - Faith Radio On Demand, that can enhance your engagement with Scripture.  But, we don't aim to be a replacement for personal time with God and in His Word.  He calls us into a deep relationship with Himself, so that we can know Him and His will for us - and obey.