An Investigation of College Students' Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Bible Reading Habits: A Descriptive Study

Authors

  • Christy Lumista San Isidro College
  • Jhosua Ray C. Ganzon San Isidro College
  • Manolito Necolas C. Signocan San Isidro College
  • Nestor D. Aznar Jr San Isidro College
  • Evan P. Taja-on San Isidro College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/ajpr.v4i1.12982

Keywords:

Bible Reading, Bible Reading Habits, Descriptive Study, Bible Reading Attitude

Abstract

Bible reading remains a cornerstone of spiritual growth for Christians, yet modern distractions and shifting values have diminished its consistency among young adults who face unique challenges like academic demands and social obligations. Existing research highlights the importance of spiritual practices but often generalizes young adults' habits, leaving a gap in understanding the specific attitudes, perceptions, and factors influencing students' engagement with Scripture. This descriptive study was conducted at San Isidro College with 146 first-year students selected via stratified random sampling. The findings indicate that first-year college students hold a high level of positive attitude toward Bible reading, with an overall mean score of 2.68, valuing its spiritual, emotional, and relational benefits. These results highlight the students' recognition of the spiritual, emotional, and relational benefits of Bible engagement, affirming its significance in their personal and faith development. However, findings also highlight the need for innovative and structured approaches to facilitate engagement and address misconceptions about formal Bible study.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anzano, D.A. (2019). Graduate Institute of Religious Culture and Organization Management [Master’s Thesis, Aletheia University]. Aletheia University Institutional Repository. https://auir.au.edu.tw/handle/987654321/5586

Balila, J. S., Heng, P. H., Tiatri, S., Balila, E. A., Narbarte, M. P., & Tumanggor, R. O. (2021). The Influence of Student Involvement, Religiosity, and Peer Influence on Lifelong Learning Skills as Mediated by Teacher Support. In International Conference on Economics, Business, Social, and Humanities (ICEBSH 2021) (pp. 1296-1303). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.210805.203

Baring, R. (2018). Emerging transitions in the meaning of religious constructs: The case of the Philippines. Religions, 9(12), 387. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9120387

Baring, R. V., Erasga, D. S., Garcia, L. D., Peracullo, J. C., & Ubaldo, L. R. (2017). The Young and the Sacred: An analysis of empirical evidence from the Philippines. Young, 25(1), 26-44. https://doi.org/10.1177/1103308816665013

Baring, R., Sarmiento, P. J., Sibug, N., Lumanlan, P., Bonus, B., Samia, C., & Reysen, S. (2018). Filipino college students’ attitudes towards religion: An analysis of the underlying factors. Religions, 9(3), 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9030085

Barnes, K.B. (2018). A Bible Study About Studying Bible: An Introduction to Inductive Bible Study [Doctoral dissertation, Asbury Theological Seminary]. Asbury Theological Seminary ePlace. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatsdissertations/1228/

Bautista, D. M., MM, A. M. A., Matillano, A. E., & Abanilla, C. S. (2017). The Level of Morality and Religiosity in a Philippine Academic Institution: The Basis for Intervention Activities of Faculty. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Approach & Studies, 4(6), 46-67.

Bualoy, R. C., & Pariñas, S. L. (2020). Influence of Spiritual Practices, Academic Motivation, and Self-Discipline on the Academic Performance of Theology Students in a Faith-Based University. Adventist University of the Philippines Research Journal, 23(1) 14-28.

Cajilig, J. S. (2022). Building a Biblical-Foundational Framework for Maka-Diyos Core Values of the Department of Education: A Study on Biblical Framework of Education [Master's Thesis, Cebu Graduate School of Theology]. Baptist Theological College.

Canete, J. J. O., & Pandey, D. (2020). The social dynamics of spirituality and youthfulness: A social interplay between disposition and process. Indonesian Journal of Social and Environmental Issues, 1(2), 122-131. https://doi.org/10.47540/ijsei.v1i2.53

Conner, M. (2020). Theory of Planned Behavior. In G. Tenenbaum & R.C. Eklund (Eds.) Handbook of Sport Psychology, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119568124.ch1

Cornelio, J., & Aldama, P. K. (2022). Religious diversity and covenantal pluralism in the Philippines. In Exploring Religious Diversity and Covenantal Pluralism in Asia (pp. 121-132). Routledge.

Dearing, J. W., & Cox, J. G. (2018). Diffusion of Innovations Theory, Principles, and Practice. Health Affairs, 37(2), 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1104

Del Castillo, F. A. (2022). Toward Synodality and Social Transformation: Lived Religion of Select Catholic Women Servant Leaders. Religions, 13(10), 963. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13100963

Del Castillo, F. A., Del Castillo, C. D. B., & Koenig, H. G. (2023). Associations between prayer and mental health among Christian youth in the Philippines. Religions, 14(6), 806. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14060806

Dizon, E. T. (2023). Understanding Secularized People of Metro Manila: A Case Study Approach for a Contextualized Urban Ministry Strategy [Doctoral Dissertation, Andrews University]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

Embalsado, J. V. M., Yabut, H. J., Miranda, J. O., Medina, A. K. S., Cruz, R. N. C., & Dumaop, D. E. (2024). Mediating role of communion, agency, and private practice on the relationship of spiritual experience and prosocial behavior of the Catholic Youth in the Philippines. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 45(1), 21-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/13617672.2022.2153340

Hildebrandt, J., Barentsen, J., & de Kock, J. (2021). Personal Bible Reading and the Faith Formation of Teenagers in a Digital Age. Journal of youth and theology, 20(2), 165-190. https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-02002004

Hill, M., & Hill, H. (2022). Translating the Bible into action: How the Bible can be relevant in all languages and cultures. Langham Publishing.

LeMay, A. R. (2018). No time for church: School, family and Filipino-Japanese children’s acculturation. Social Science Japan Journal, 21(1), 9-25. https://doi.org/10.1093/ssjj/jyx030

Lemm, K. M. (2022). Stratified sampling. In The SAGE Encyclopedia of Research Design (pp. 1626-1627). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071812082.n605

Macaraan, W. E. R. (2019). A kapwa‐infused paradigm in teaching Catholic theology/catechesis in a multireligious classroom in the Philippines. Teaching Theology & Religion, 22(2), 102-113. https://doi.org/10.1111/teth.12477

Macaranas, J. R. G. (2021). Understanding folk religiosity in the Philippines. Religions, 12(10), 800. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12100800

McMahon, D. W. (2018). Analysis of the reception and appropriation of the Bible by Manobo Christians in Central Mindanao, Philippines [Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Edinburgh]. Edinburgh Research Archive. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/28958

Milagros, C. (2020). Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) Involvement and the Spiritual Growth of the Youth and Adults in Selected Areas of Iloilo, Philippines. Voice of Intellectual Man-An International Journal, 10(1-2), 63-84. https;//doi.org/10.5958/2319-4308.2020.00005.5

Mirasol, R. G., & Topacio, K. N. (2021). Reading Perceptions, Needs, and Practices among Parents of an Urban Poor Community in the Philippines. Reading Psychology, 42(7), 777-787. https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2021.1939822

Park, E. (2024). Reading the Bible with Asian Eyes. In J.D. James (Ed.) The Asianization of Christianity: New Models for Mission (pp. 73-96). https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.12949104.10

Perez, R. C., & Eusebio, D. A. M. (2019). Perception on Augustinian Values among Senior High School Students of La Consolacion University Philippines. Journal of Religion and Theology, 3(3), 9-18.

Quejada, A. C. C. (2017). Beliefs, Values and Experiences of Filipino Christian Parents in Norway [Master's Thesis, Instituto Universitario de Lisboa (Portugal)]. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Sadje, H. C. (2017). Grassroots Theology in the Philippines as a Third Way Beyond Liberation and Pentecostal Theologies [Master's Thesis, The Protestant Theological University]. Theologische Universiteiten.

Siedlecki, S. L. (2020). Understanding descriptive research designs and methods. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 34(1), 8-12. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000493

Stephens, A. L. (2021). Understanding the Factors that Motivate or Hinder Regular Bible Reading Among Adult Christians to Increase Bible Reading Among Believers [Doctoral Dissertation, Liberty University]. Jerry Felwell Library. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/2885

Tallara, M. I. M. (2023). Virtual Catholicism in the Philippines: An Analysis of Technology, Religion, and Kalooban in Time of Isolation. In Philosophies of Appropriated Religions: Perspectives from Southeast Asia (pp. 303-321). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5191-8_22

Tejada, M. S. & Madrigal, D. V. (2021). The Quality and Challenges of Catholic Education among Parochial Schools in the Diocese of Kabankalan. From The Editor, 4(3), 75-84. https://doi.org/10.52006/main.v4i3.398

Villanueva, F. G. (2018). The Calling of Asian Christian Scholars: A Biblical Scholar’s Perspective. Journal of Asian Evangelical Theology, 22(1-2), 7-28.

Downloads

Published

2025-04-25

How to Cite

Lumista, C., Ganzon, J. R. C., Signocan, M. N. C., Aznar Jr, N. D. ., & Taja-on, E. P. (2025). An Investigation of College Students’ Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Bible Reading Habits: A Descriptive Study. Asian Journal of Philosophy and Religion, 4(1), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.55927/ajpr.v4i1.12982

Issue

Section

Articles