According to the 2025 State of the Bible report by the American Bible Society (ABS), Bible engagement in the U.S. has increased for the first time in four years, particularly led by younger men. In comparison to 2024, approximately 11 million more Americans are reading the Bible this year, with notable increases among millennials (30%), Gen Xers (14%), and men (21%), The Christian Post reports.

“We were incredibly encouraged,” John Plake, chief innovation officer at the American Bible Society, told Christian Daily International after his presentation at the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) annual convention on May 5. “It’s not yet a trend, but it’s a significant step in the right direction.”

This year’s report was a 3 percentage point rebound from the number of American adults, identified as “Bible users” dropped from 50% in 2021, 40% in 2022, 39% in 2023, and 38% in 2024.

“That amounts to 11 million people picking up the Bible who didn’t last year,” noted Plake.

Meanwhile, Bible engagement remained flat among women and older adults, which are considered the traditional backbone of Bible readership.

Regarding the uptick among younger men, Plake says the result “tells us something is stirring” in that demographic.

He added, “And that’s not what we expected to see.”

The report also experienced significant increases in Bible users in the Northeast (18%), Western U.S. (18%), and Midwest (15%), while the Southern States, also known as the Bible belt, remained steady.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Bible sales increased by 22% year over year in October 2024. Overall, the results, when paired with ABS’ data, indicates an interest in spiritual curiosity.

“There are 71 million Americans in what we call the ‘movable middle,’” Plake explained. “They’re curious about the Bible, but uncertain. They need someone to come alongside them, answer their questions, and help them discover the bigger story of Scripture.”

He also explained how nearly half of all Americans who identify as Christians but are not actively practicing — termed “non-practicing Christians” are willing to growing more in their engagement of the Bible and their relationship with Jesus.

“They may be disenchanted with church or the way the Bible was presented to them,” Plake said. “Often, they’ve been taught Bible stories as morality tales — Samson, Jonah, Noah — but they’ve missed the grand narrative that points to Jesus. That’s where we need to do better.”

On the other hand, 52 million Americans identified as “Bible engaged” — those who consistently interact with Scripture in shaping their lives — but a majority of them feel unequipped to share their faith.

“These people love God’s Word and have been deeply transformed by it,” Plake said. “But they don’t always know how to advocate for it. That’s the next challenge for churches and ministries: helping them share that message naturally and effectively.”

He added that the matter is a personal one rather than just an institutional opportunity.

“If you care about the Bible, now is the time to speak up,” he said. “Your friends, neighbors, coworkers — they’re asking spiritual questions. Many of them are open, even if they’re not in a pew on Sunday. And you could be the one to walk that road with them.”

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