One of the unique things about the Bible is that its teachings are always confirmed by the best of social science. Why? Because God is the author of the Bible that Christians study, and he is the author of the world which social scientists study. An accurate conclusion from the Bible is never at odds with an accurate conclusion from social science.
By training, I’m a social scientist—an educational psychologist—who leads a Christian nonprofit, Back to the Bible, and its Center for Spiritual Fitness. One of the most compelling findings from research is what is called the “Power of Four.” This research shows that when Christians engage with Scripture four or more times per week, they experience profound spiritual transformation. Reading the Bible once or twice a week is beneficial, but the real change occurs when we make it a regular habit, meaning that we engage in it more than half the days each week, allowing the Word of God to become a central role in our days and weeks.
The Power of Four research reveals that people who engage with Scripture four times a week or more see a spike in their spiritual-emotional “key performance indicators.” For example, they are 30% less likely to struggle with loneliness, 32% less likely to have anger issues, and 40% more likely to forgive others. This regular biblical engagement also leads to significant decreases in destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse, and increases in positive habits, such as sharing their faith and serving others. Clearly, Scripture has the power to transform every area of our lives when we commit to it consistently.
Why is this consistent engagement so crucial? As the Bible teaches us, God intends for his word to be our primary spiritual nourishment. I like the way J.D. Greear once put it: “The Bible is not a book we read once and put away. It’s God’s living Word that speaks to us daily, guiding, correcting, and shaping us.” Indeed. When we interact with the Bible regularly, it’s as though God is personally coaching us in our spiritual fitness journey, helping us grow stronger and more resilient.
You might be thinking: “In all honesty, I want to engage with Scripture regularly. But most days, it’s hard to really get into it and enjoy it. So, I ended up ending my Bible time quickly or not doing it at all.” Okay, that’s very understandable. I imagine we’ve all felt like that before. I know I have.
But here’s where I want to put my “scientist” hat back on for a moment. Research suggests that the more consistently we eat certain foods, the more likely we are to start enjoying them, mainly because our tastes and cravings can adapt. This shift in preference is often due to changes in both brain chemistry and the microbiome—your body’s community of microorganisms that help digest food and influence cravings. There is the “exposure effect,” meaning our brain begins to associate certain tastes with positive experiences, making them more enjoyable over time. There is “microbiome adaptation,” meaning the bacteria in your gut adapt based on the foods you eat, releasing signals to your brain that can increase cravings for these foods. There are “brain reward pathways,” meaning the brain’s dopamine system, which influences pleasure and reward, also adapts to regular food choices. When we habitually eat healthier options, our brains can start associating these foods with positive reinforcement, encouraging cravings for them. So, by gradually incorporating foods you’d like to enjoy more, you might soon find yourself reaching for them without hesitation.[1]
In a similar way, the more we feast on Scripture, the more we will enjoy its taste. It’s not out of reach that we might one day be able to say honestly in unison with the psalmist, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long” (Psalm 119:97). The more we engage with the Bible, the more likely we are to increase in our desire for God and his word. The more we grow in desire, the more we engage and share the feast with others.
The Power of Four, therefore, reminds us that spiritual growth isn’t about occasional bursts of Bible reading but about regular, ongoing engagement. When we allow the Bible to shape our daily routines, we position ourselves to experience the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, making us more spiritually fit for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
[1] See Emeran Mayer, M.D. The Mind-Gut Connection by and Scott C. Anderson, The Psychobiotic Revolution by Scott C. Anderson for a deeper dive into the fascinating scientific research that proves the old adage that many things are an “acquired taste.”