ONLY 17% of CHRISTIANS ARE ENGAGED IN REGULAR BIBLE STUDY

The American Bible Society in its annual State of the Bible Report for 2026 report that only 17% of adults eighteen and over are engaged in a weekly Bible study outside their usual church attendance. An all-time low. This group is identified in the report as Significantly Engaged because their relationship to God and others is deeply shaped by their study of the Bible. The good news in their report is that 23% of the adult population is curious about what the Bible has to say and explore a topic maybe once a month but has limited impact on their relationship to God and others. This group is identified as the Moveable Middle. They are good candidates to become significantly engaged in weekly Bible study.

That's where LifeMark Ministries comes in. We can connect you with a Bible study group, help you start your own Bible study group, and provide the Christian Bible study curriculum and resources you need to move from the Moveable Middle into the Significantly Engaged category. This is what Melanie Crosby, one of our group participants has to say –

“I was never in a Bible study group before. I didn’t know how to study the Bible. I like the LifeMark Ministries way of reading the Bible then answering the question to learn and apply to life every day. When we get together, we can discuss the answers and the application. The group has become a sisterhood of my best friends.” 

Our experience and the research agree: small group Bible study is one of the most powerful tools for spiritual growth, personal transformation, and faith-based community. When people gather regularly around Scripture — whether in person or through an online Bible study group — isolation decreases, purpose increases, and hope takes root. The kind of Christian community that forms around God's Word carries people through life's hardest seasons. That's why we develop Scripture-based small group resources for real people in real communities, making it easier than ever to start a Bible study group and help it grow.

If you're ready to start a Bible study group, we can help. If you want to join a Bible study group, we can help. If you need Bible study resources or curriculum, we can help. Visit us at lifemarkministries.org/programs to get started today.

Summer is winding down, and that means one of our favorite times of year is almost here — the start of a new small group season! The week after Labor Day, local Bible study groups across the area will gather for their first meeting of the fall: a night of fellowship, reconnecting with familiar faces (and meeting some new ones), and picking up this season's Bible study guides.

This year's lineup has something for everyone:

• Rooted in Christ A study of Hebrews— for those wanting to go deeper in their foundational walk with God

• The Word of the LORD Came Major Prophecies of the Minor Prophets— a journey through the Minor Prophets and what they still speak to us today

• Fire Up! A study on the Holy Spirit — a study that continues to spark powerful conversations between believers and seekers alike

• A Time of New Authority the Gospel According to Mark — exploring what it means to live under God's authority in a shifting world

• On the Lookout for Jesus! A study on Revelation — for groups ready to wrestle with Scripture's most anticipated book

• On the Pathway with Paul: Letter to the Galatians — a study that will challenge you to stay faithful to God's purpose in your life

Whether you've been in a Bible study group for years or you're considering joining for the first time, there's no better time to start than the beginning of a new season. Groups create space for real conversation, real accountability, and real growth — and it all starts with a fellowship meeting and a Bible study guide in hand.

Not in a group yet? It's not too late to find one near you or start your own.