Revealing new Nielsen research commissioned by the New Zealand Bible Society has found a real hunger for the Bible among Christian youth, with 62% of Kiwi teenagers who read the Bible wishing they could read it more.
"The Bible is God's message to us. The messages calm my heart when I am stressed or feeling down," commented one teenage respondent.
So what's stopping Kiwi Christian youth reading the Bible more often?
Time management was the most common barrier with 32% saying they never have enough time to read it. Another survey respondent said, "I would be encouraged to read the Bible more if I had more time, less homework and less chores."
A further key finding was 68% of all young Bible readers were taught to read the Bible by their parents, with one in five saying their grandparents were influential. Youth leaders, a Bible-focused church and school encouragement were also critical influencers in passing on the Bible to the next generation.
However, for some Kiwi youth the Bible is an overwhelming (12%) and confusing book (19%).
To address this major challenge of reaching Kiwi youth with the Bible, Bible Society is producing a range of creative resources including a teen guide to the Bible and training for youth leaders in how to open the Bible creatively with youth.
This is all part of Bible Society's continuing Pass it On campaign, the theme for July's Bible Month.
"We're focused on helping children and young people understand the Bible is important to their faith. And as a result of our research, we're actively encouraging parents, grandparents, family members, youth leaders, schools and churches to be intentional about passing on the Bible to the younger generation," said Bible Society Programme Director Stephen Opie.
To do this, Bible Society plans to resource families and churches in passing on the Bible.
In the lead up to Bible Month 2016 more than 1,200 churches throughout New Zealand have received a free DVD featuring an enlightening short film of young people and youth leaders sharing the challenges and joy of engaging with the Bible.
Other resources aimed at encouraging youth in their Bible reading have also been made available online.
In addition, the Nielsen research is available as a free down-loadable report at www.biblemonth.nz.
The Pass it On campaign, launched in 2015, has so far enabled the development of three Bible apps for children and the free distribution of 1,600 Bible storybooks, with 2,000 more to be given away in the coming months.
Visit www.Biblemonth.nz for more information.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html