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The effect of Bible study on wellbeing

Background: There is little prospective data available analyzing the utility of the study of Christian scripture on personal well-being.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a Bible study method training program on the well-being within a Christian community environment.

Methods: Wellbeing surveys were conducted before and after a 4-week Bible study program.

Results: Fifty subjects were randomized and 46 completed this study, of whom 33 were in the active-intervention and 13 in the control group. When both groups were compared to baseline there were differences in the active group consisting of improved general well-being, confidence and ability to study the Bible, as well as several individual items of knowledge derived from the study materials related to improved comfort and security in the subject’s relationship with God.

Discussion: This study suggests increases in short-term well-being can be achieved by studying scripture. More research is needed to explore the results in a sick population.

In total, 50 subjects were randomized and 46 completed the study of whom 33 were randomized to the active-intervention and 13 to the control-intervention group. Four subjects did not complete due to scheduling difficulties (n=2), moved living location (n=1) and did not complete the final survey (n=1). The pre-and post-survey results can be found online (supplemental material). The subject characteristics are shown in Table 1.

Both treatment groups showed a trend of increased knowledge and well-being. When compared to baseline there were no statistical differences. However, there were differences after a Bonferroni correction in the active group, which had more subjects. These differences consisted of general well-being, confidence and ability to study the Bible as well as several individual items of knowledge about scripture related to improved comfort and security in the subject’s relationship with God (P≤0.01; Table 2).


This is internal data, under review for publication in peer-reviewed journal. Please do not distribute without permission from Teleios, Inc.

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