Biblical literacy matters—not only for individual spiritual growth, but for the health of the church and effectiveness in the mission God has given us to make disciples. When it comes to Scripture engagement, research from Barna reveals that most Americans have read very little of the Bible. Only 16% read the Bible most days. 

Becoming faithful disciples requires more than shallow and intermittent engagement with Scripture—it necessitates that we love God’s Word, accurately understand it, and are formed by it as we follow Christ and seek to become more like Him. Biblical literacy is about more than familiarity with isolated Bible verses or stories. It encompasses: 

  • awareness of the coherence of the entire story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation 

  • appreciation for the inspiration and authority of every book in the Bible 

  • the ability to comprehend and interpret passages in context and with sensitivity to genre and historical and cultural context 

  • the intention to apply Scripture to life.

Karen Engle observes that biblical literacy is “approaching the Bible for what it is: alive and active, God’s living Word (Heb 4:12).”  

"For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12 CSB

The aim of biblical literacy is knowing God more fully, loving him more completely, and becoming fully mature in Christ, obeying all that Jesus taught. Being biblically literate is part of being equipped to participate in God’s mission in the world. If that sounds a lot like discipleship, that’s because it is! If we believe that God has revealed Himself through His inspired Word, then biblical literacy is an integral aspect of healthy discipleship—the two go hand in hand. We are conformed to the character of Christ as His Word dwells richly in us.  

7 Steps Toward Cultivating Biblical Literacy  

  1. Learn the storyline that makes the Bible one coherent story and be able to share it in 10 minutes or less. 

  2. Read chronologically through the whole Bible. 

  3. Go deep in study of individual books of the Bible, balancing Old Testament and New Testament.   

  4. Make sure your theological foundation is solid. 

  5. Learn to recognize themes that are carried through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. 

  6. Learn to identify literary genres and hone your skills in responsible biblical interpretation and application. 

  7. Appreciate the historical, geographical, and cultural context of the Old and New Testaments.