On college campuses, we have found that students want to talk about whether the Bible is relevant to what they see happening in their lives and the world around them. This desire can be found in people of all ages. The Bible speaks to loneliness, mental health, relationships, conflict, finances, injustice, politics, how to live justly in our communities, and so on. Our job is to help others engage Scripture around the issues in which they most long for God to bring hope and renewal. We all want our churches to grow bigger and more diverse, and this means learning to engage Scripture in a way that speaks to the issues that various communities are facing.
Let me share an encouraging story of how changing the way we study the Bible can change lives. Christine first experienced Bible study at a conference. She was eager to share her experience and said, “I think Jesus wants me to do this with others on my campus.” Christine learned how to lead a Bible study, and she texted a group of friends to invite them to study the Gospel of Matthew with her every week. Within a few months, Christine’s group had blossomed into 16 students, both Christians and non-Christians.
Lower Bible engagement does not mean all is lost. When we offer people the freedom to study Scripture for themselves, we help them to experience the power of God’s Word and be drawn into God’s story. Our church members may not feel ready for these great opportunities, but with a bit of training and encouragement, we can all grow more confident with initiating spiritual conversations and studying the Bible with our friends and neighbors.
 report reveals that “Americans are less likely than ever before to say that the Bible is influencing the way they live out their faith in relationship to others.” In short, Bible engagement is down.){kind=link}