Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I need to talk about something that's been on my heart for a long time.
It's about the state of teaching in many American churches today. I'm going to be honest with you: Jeff and I have left a few churches because of what I'm about to describe. This isn't about being critical or judgmental. It's about being heartbroken over what's happening to God's people when they're not being fed the Word of God.
[The original letter ]
About 15 years ago, a friend of ours named John Rackliffe wrote an open letter to pastors. His words struck a chord with us then, and they're even more relevant today. He began with this passage from Hosea 4:6: "My people perish from a lack of knowledge."
This scripture has always been powerful, but it speaks volumes in our current moment. When John wrote his letter in 2010, he was concerned about what he was seeing in Charleston-area churches. But here's what we need to understand: The problem has only gotten worse in the 15 years since.
[The state of biblical literacy today - updated statistics]
Let me share some sobering statistics with you. According to a 2024 study by the American Bible Society, only 11% of Americans are considered "Scripture engaged"—meaning they read the Bible regularly and allow it to transform their lives. That's down from 14% just five years ago. Among Christians specifically, less than 20% read their Bible daily.
Barna Research reported in 2023 that 37% of practicing Christians—people who attend church at least monthly—cannot name all four Gospels. Nearly half cannot identify more than two or three of Jesus's disciples. And when asked basic questions about core Christian doctrines, the majority of churchgoers gave answers that contradicted biblical teaching.
Friends, how did we get here? How did we reach a point where people who regularly attend church don't know the basic content of Scripture? I believe a significant part of the answer lies in what's happening—or not happening—in our pulpits every Sunday.
[John Rackliffe's challenge - the heart of the message]
Let me read you what John wrote to pastors 15 years ago, because it's still desperately needed today:
"Pastors, if you are reading this, the people want to know what God has to say about our world! Please tell them. If you don't know, read God's word and find out! Your flock is perishing from a lack of knowledge. Popular preachers can't help you. Best-selling books are inadequate. Slick programs are not the answer. The Bible is our only answer book. Please tell your people."
When John wrote that in 2010, he was concerned about topical preaching, guest speakers talking about self-help issues, and teaching from popular authors instead of Scripture. But today? The situation has deteriorated even further.
[The problem today - entertainment over substance]
Now we have churches where the Bible is barely mentioned at all. We have services that are more like TED Talks than worship gatherings. We have pastors who are more concerned with not offending anyone than with declaring the whole counsel of God. We have worship experiences designed to entertain rather than to encounter the living God. We even have so-called churches showcasing drag queens and leaders from Planned Parenthood.
A 2023 study by Lifeway Research found that only 52% of Protestant pastors strongly agree that the Bible is the sole authority for their faith and practice. Think about that! Nearly half of pastors don't fully embrace biblical authority. Is it any wonder that their congregations are biblically illiterate?
And here's something that really concerns me: According to Pew Research, 63% of young adults who grew up in evangelical churches and left the faith say they never really understood what Christianity taught. They sat in church for years, but no one actually taught them the Bible systematically. They got stories and inspirational talks and feel-good messages, but they never learned the grand narrative of Scripture or the foundational doctrines of the faith.
[Why this matters - the times we live in]
Friends, John wrote back in 2010 that "the times we live in are difficult. Terrorism, frequent natural disasters, the American dream disappearing before our eyes, and reports of wars all over the globe are in our faces daily. People want to know why these things are happening and they want to hear it from God."
Well, if that was true in 2010, how much more is it true today? We're living in times of unprecedented confusion, division, anxiety, and fear. We have entire generations drowning in mental health crises. We have families falling apart. We have a culture that's hostile to biblical Christianity. We have believers who are being tossed back and forth by every wind of doctrine because they don't know what Scripture actually says.
And entertainment-driven, topically-focused, feel-good church services are not equipping God's people to stand firm in these times. Second Timothy 4:3-4 warns us: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
[What people need - biblical teaching]
Here's what John asked 15 years ago, and it's still the right question: "Will my next place of worship reveal a deep knowledge of who God really is? How can I tell if the church I attend is revealing to me who God is?"
His answer was simple: "Is your pastor regularly teaching from the Bible? If he is not, if he is choosing topics, teaching from popular authors or theologians' writings, or bringing in guests to talk about self-help issues, it may be time to look elsewhere."
Friends, people need to know who God is! Not who Oprah thinks He is. Not what the latest Christian bestseller says about Him. Not what makes us feel good about ourselves. They need to know who God has revealed Himself to be in His Word. They need systematic, verse-by-verse, book-by-book teaching that takes them through all of Scripture—not just the comfortable parts.
[The personal cost - why this matters to us]
Let me tell you friends, leaving a church is hard. It's painful. You have relationships there. You have history there. Your kids have friends there. But you need to ask yourselves: Are your children learning who God is? Are they being grounded in Scripture? Are they being equipped to stand firm in their faith?
Often times the answer is no. You may be getting a lot of entertainment, some great programs and lots of feel-good messages about living your best life. But you aren’t getting consistent, deep, systematic teaching from God's Word. And friends, you shouldn’t stay in a church that isn’t feeding your family the Word of God.
[What to look for - practical guidance]
So what should you look for in a church? Let me give you some practical guidance. First, does the pastor preach through books of the Bible systematically? Not just his favorite verses or topics, but actually working through entire books, verse by verse, chapter by chapter? This ensures that the whole counsel of God is taught, not just the pastor's pet themes.
Second, is the Bible the authority, or is the pastor using it to support points he's already decided to make? There's a big difference between expository preaching—where the text determines what's taught—and topical preaching where Scripture is just sprinkled in for support. Third, does the teaching challenge you, convict you, and call you to obedience? Or does it just make you feel good and send you home unchanged?
Fourth, are doctrinal truths being clearly explained? Do you understand more about God's character, His redemptive plan, His purposes in the world after attending this church? Can you look at what is happening in the world and understand it better through the context of Scripture. And fifth, is there an expectation that you'll read and study Scripture for yourself during the week? Or is Sunday morning the only time God's Word is opened?
[Biblical foundation - God's call to teach His Word]
Nehemiah 8 gives us a beautiful picture of what biblical teaching should look like. Verses 8-9 say: "They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read. Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, 'This day is holy to the LORD your God.'"
Notice what happened: They read from God's Word. They made it clear. They gave the meaning. The people understood. And the result? Conviction, repentance, worship, and transformation. That's what happens when God's Word is faithfully taught!
[The call to action - for everyone]
So friends, here's what I want to challenge you with today. If you're in a church where you're not being fed the Word of God, it's time to have a conversation. Make an appointment with your pastor. Ask him, respectfully and humbly, why expository teaching from Scripture isn't happening. Tell him you're hungry for God's Word. Tell him your family needs to be grounded in biblical truth.
And if things don't change? It may be time to find a church that will feed you. I know that's hard to hear. I know it's disruptive. But friends, spiritual malnutrition has eternal consequences. Your children are watching and learning what you prioritize. If you stay in a church that doesn't take Scripture seriously, you're teaching them that God's Word isn't really that important.
[Five characteristics of a Bible-teaching church]
Let me leave you with five characteristics to look for in a Bible-teaching church. First, Scripture is opened every single week, and substantial portions are read and explained. Second, the teaching flows from the text—the passage determines what's taught. Third, the pastor looks at the world and helps you understand what is going on through the lens of Scripture.
Fourth, the whole Bible is taught over time—Old Testament and New Testament, easy passages and difficult ones. And fifth, there's an expectation and equipping for personal Bible study—the goal is to make you a student of God's Word, not dependent on the pastor to spoon-feed you.
[Closing encouragement and prayer]
Friends, John Rackliffe ended his letter with these words: "Our time is short and God wants to use us for His purposes. Get out of the dark places and move into the light so that God can put you to work."
I couldn't agree more. Life is too short and eternity is too long to spend your Sundays in churches that aren't teaching you who God is. Pray and ask God to lead you to a church, a Bible study, or a home group that is learning about God from the Bible and honoring Him through genuine worship and obedience to His Word.
Let me pray for us:
Thank you for joining me today. I know this was a challenging episode, but friends, it needed to be said. Your spiritual health and your family's spiritual health depend on being in a place where God's Word is taught faithfully.
Until next time, remember—as you keep your eyes on the nations, remember the warning that God's people perish from lack of knowledge. Don't let that be your story.
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