For a generation often described as skeptical of organized religion, Generation Z is buying Bibles at a rate that’s surprising even industry veterans.
In 2024, U.S. Bible sales rose 22% over the previous year, with nearly 14 million copies sold before December. In the United Kingdom, sales have nearly doubled since 2019, reaching more than £5 million in annual sales. The numbers are clear: The Bible is having a resurgence, and it’s not because older generations are stockpiling for the end times.
The real story is Gen Z. According to the American Bible Society’s “State of the Bible” report, 21% of Gen Z adults reported reading the Bible more in 2024, compared to just 9% who said they were reading less. Millennials, by contrast, are more likely to be reading less. The stereotype of Gen Z as “spiritual but not religious” is accurate, but incomplete. They are not showing up for tradition. They are showing up for answers.
Why? Start with the obvious: The world is unstable. Political chaos, climate anxiety and a general sense of uncertainty have left many young people looking for something that isn’t going to change with the next news cycle.
“One of the things we do know from the data is that when people experience disruptions in their life, they are more open to exploring their faith and exploring the Bible,” said John Farquhar Plake, the chief innovation officer with the American Bible Society. “When people are facing something they’ve never faced before, they often ask the question ‘Does the Bible have any wisdom for me?’”
But this is not a return to their parents’ version of faith. Gen Z is engaging with the Bible on their own terms. TikTok is full of Bible study routines, verse breakdowns and even “Gen Z translations” of Scripture. The hashtag #Bible has hundreds of millions of views. Some of it is irreverent, some of it is sincere, and most of it is happening outside the walls of any church.
Sociologists say we’re seeing a generation that’s not afraid to ask hard questions, and who are curious about what the Bible says about topics like about anxiety, justice or purpose.
Publishers have noticed, too. Bible designs now look more like something from a design studio than a church pew. There are pastel covers, journaling margins and fonts that do not scream “1990s youth group.”
“We’re very aware that we’re not causing this trend,” said John Kramp, senior vice president of the Bible division at HarperCollins Christian Publishing. “We’ve been publishing Bibles for a long time, and what we’re experiencing now is really exceptional and encouraging. It’s across the industry.”
The verses that trend are not about rules or rituals. They are about anxiety, hope and purpose. Philippians 4:6-7 (“Do not be anxious about anything…”) and Jeremiah 29:11 (“For I know the plans I have for you…”) are everywhere on social media. These are not just ancient words — they are practical responses to the mental health crisis Gen Z is living through.
According to the Barna Group, 82% of Gen Z say they have experienced anxiety in the past year, and 44% say they feel “deeply misunderstood.” For many, the Bible is less about doctrine and more about survival.
Social media is a major driver. Influencers like Girls Gone Bible and Ashley Hetherington have built large followings by sharing Bible study tips, mental health advice and personal stories of faith.
“I started reading the Bible because I saw someone on TikTok talk about how it helped with their anxiety,” said 22-year-old college student Maya Thompson. “I didn’t expect to stick with it, but it’s become part of my daily routine.”
The viral account @gen_z_bible, which retells scripture in Gen Z slang, has nearly 400,000 followers and millions of views.
“This is easier to understand than any other translation,” reads one comment.
“I’m suddenly into the Bible,” says another.
But there is skepticism, too. Only a small percentage of Gen Z Christians actually hold what researchers call a “biblical worldview.” According to a 2023 study by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, just 4% of Gen Z adults have a worldview that aligns with traditional Christian doctrine.
“There’s a gap between curiosity and commitment,” said Dr. George Barna, director of research at the center. “But the curiosity is real, and it’s driving engagement in ways we haven’t seen in decades.”
Some faith leaders see this as an opportunity, while others worry about the potential for trivialization. For now, if you are looking for a sign of hope for faith in the next generation, this is it. Not a revival in the old sense, but a quiet, data-backed return to the text itself. No hype, no altar calls, just a generation asking hard questions and — maybe for the first time — actually opening the book to see if there are any answers.
Title: The New Bible Boom: Why Gen Z Is Buying More Bibles Than Ever
URL: https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/the-new-bible-boom-why-gen-z-is-buying-more-bibles-than-ever/
Source: REL ::: RELEVANT
Source URL: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/rss/relevantmagazine.xml
Date: June 9, 2025 at 10:09PM
Feedly Board(s): Religion