PHILADELPHIA (BP) – Engagement with Scripture is linked to increased hope and reduced stress among Generation Z, according to the American Bible Society’s (ABS) latest findings in the 2024 State of the Bible report.
Generation Z, whose lives were significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, faces heightened stress and diminished hope amid an uncertain job market, rising living costs, and substantial college debt. This demographic, comprising individuals aged 18 to 27, is less connected to the church and the Bible compared to older generations, the ABS stated in the third chapter of its annual report, released on June 13.
John Farquhar Plake, ABS’s chief innovation officer and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible report, highlighted the positive impact of Scripture engagement on Gen Z. “As a group, these 18-27-year-olds are less connected with the church and the Bible than older generations,” he said. “But what about those in Gen Z who do engage with Scripture? Not only do they score higher on the Human Flourishing scale than other young adults who don’t read the Bible, but they have the highest score of any generation.”
The report also indicated that, across all generations, individuals who can forgive those who have wronged them—regardless of whether an apology was received—tend to score higher in human flourishing and hopefulness. “Apparently, the ability to forgive is a key component of moving forward with one’s life in a positive way. This is an important insight, and not only for Christians,” researchers noted. “People are held back in their own personal progress when they can’t forgive others. They may think they’re getting back at those who hurt them, but they’re only depriving themselves of a forward-moving hope.”
Boomers, the report found, excel in all areas of human flourishing, experience less stress, and are significantly more hopeful. This is attributed to their higher levels of Scripture engagement, consistent practice of Christianity, and overall ability to thrive.
Since 2020, ABS researchers have employed Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Index to track progress in areas such as happiness and life satisfaction, mental and physical health, meaning and purpose in life, character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial and material stability.
The State of the Bible report is based on a nationally representative survey conducted for ABS by NORC (formerly the National Opinion Research Center) at the University of Chicago, using the AmeriSpeak panel. The findings are drawn from 2,506 online interviews conducted in January 2024 with adults from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Future chapters of the report will explore topics including philanthropy, the Church in America, finding hope and healing in the Bible, dealing with disappointment, and the Bible’s impact on loneliness, among others.