By: Gary L. Hutchens

Almost certainly, the Bible is owned by more people in our society, even by people who virtually never read it, than any other book that has ever been published. In almost every household at least one copy of the Bible can be found. A great many people would love to know what the Bible says on any given subject. Interestingly, most of those same people probably do not know much of what the Bible says on hardly any subject. Why is this case?

One big reason why so many people know so little of what the Bible says is because a huge percentage of the churches out there today do not teach much Bible. That should seem odd, but it is nonetheless fact. Many churches today teach a social gospel that is not found in scripture. Many teach some sort of feel-good religion that emphasizes emotion and subjectivity over the factual teachings and instructions in God's word. Some talk a lot about the Bible, but they do not actually teach much from the Bible.

God's plan is for the church to boldly, consistently and continuously teach His word throughout the world (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 3:10). Teaching the Bible is the primary work in which the church should be engaged. When a church is not teaching much Bible, it is truly falling down on the job, no matter what other supposedly good works in which it might claim to be involved.

As serious as is the lack of consistent Bible teaching by churches, an even bigger reason why so many people know so little of what the Bible says is simply because they do not spend much time reading the Bible. The apostle Paul spoke to the need of every individual to diligently study God's word: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). It is through His word that God has provided instruction as to how to come to salvation and how to be equipped to live a life of faithfulness and dedication to Him (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

A person has to have basic knowledge of what the scriptures teach in order to have true faith in God and Christ. "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). True faith is not just a feeling, it is an active, obedient belief that is based on the facts presented in God's word.

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