“Open the Book: Why College Students Need the Bible Now More Than Ever”
In a world of constant noise and endless distractions, the Bible offers clarity, identity, and a deeper purpose — if we’ll only open it.
College life is full of change. You’re figuring out who you are, where you’re going, and what truly matters. Friends change, routines shift, and your beliefs are tested — sometimes quietly, other times head-on. In the middle of all that, there’s a unique book that still speaks: the Bible. And yet, most college students — especially Christian ones — aren’t opening it.
The Alarming Decline in Bible Engagement
Let’s be honest. Bible reading isn’t exactly trending right now.
According to the American Bible Society’s 2023 “State of the Bible” report, only 14% of Gen Z (ages 18–26) say they read the Bible weekly, and almost 60% say they rarely or never read it at all. These stats include Christians.
And it’s not just a Gen Z thing — it’s a cultural drift. But here’s what’s at stake: When we stop listening to God’s Word, we, by default, listen to every other voice around us — TikTok influencers, academic worldviews, social media hot takes. Without realizing it, those voices shape who we become.
The Bible Is More Than a Book — It’s a Lifeline
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword…” That means it speaks directly to our hearts, cutting through confusion and exposing truth. When you’re anxious about your future, dealing with heartbreak, or wrestling with big questions, Scripture is not outdated — it’s oxygen.
Psalm 119:105 calls God’s Word a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” That’s what college students desperately need: not more opinions, but more clarity.
Why Read It? Four Key Reasons
1. To Know Jesus Personally
The Bible isn’t just information — it’s revelation. Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me!” Reading the Bible is how we get to know Jesus — His heart, His mission, His love. A quiet time in His Word is more than a habit; it’s a conversation with the living God Himself. If you want to follow Jesus, you need to know Him — and the Bible helps to get you there.
2. Identity: Know Who You Are
College is a time when identity questions rise to the surface. The Bible tells you who you are — not just a student or social media user, but a child of God (John 1:12). The more time you spend in the Word, the more you’ll see yourself through God’s eyes rather than the world’s filter.
3. Direction: Know Where You’re Going
Life decisions stack up fast in college: what to major in, what career path to take, who you will marry, where to live. Proverbs 3:5–6 encourages us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” God’s guidance comes most clearly through time spent with Him in His Word.
4. Foundation: Stand When Everything Shakes
Jesus described two kinds of people: those who build their lives on sand and those who build on rock (Matthew 7:24–27). The difference? “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice.” In a culture where truth is often seen as relative, the Bible anchors you to something (or more accurately, Someone) unchanging.
How to Start (and Actually Stick with It)
You don’t need a seminary degree or hours of free time. Start simple:
- If you don’t already have a Bible, get one. You can also use a Bible app like YouVersion (you’ll just need to fight against the distracting notifications that love to compete for your time and attention on your phone or other electronic device).
- Jump into a reading schedule. There are countless Bible reading plans available online. You can also join our club’s Bible reading challenge. Beginning every August (fall semester) and continuing through May (spring semester), we’ll read through the entire New Testament. Here’s the link: www.ttucat.com/activate
- Read with friends — community fuels consistency.
Bottom Line
You’re not too busy to read the Bible. You’re too busy not to.
College is shaping the person you’ll become. The question is: who (or what) is doing the shaping? If you want to build a life that’s meaningful, rooted, and resilient, then make space to hear from the God who made you.
The Bible isn’t a burden. It’s a gift. And it’s waiting for you to open it.
“The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” — Isaiah 40:8
Now’s the time. Open the Book. Get to know Jesus. Let it change your life.