EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 1
Effects of Reading Scripture and Having a Daily Spiritual Experience
Results
40 participants were recruited from author’s church and job, but only 20 participants were
surveyed for the study. i The following demographics were reported for the 20 participants:
Biological Sex (male or female), Age and Martial Status. The study contained 50% male and 50%
females. 20 adults completed the survey aged 25-62 [M=5.33; S= 22.64].
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between reading scripture and
having a Daily Spiritual experience (DES). As shown in Table 1, a Pearson’s r correlation
revealed there is no statistically significant relationship between reading scripture and having a
Daily Spiritual Experience (DES), r (18) = 0.022, p >.464 (one-tailed). The null hypothesis is
rejected; .05% of the variation in daily spiritual experience is accounted for by reading scripture. i
There is no relationship between reading scripture and having a daily spiritual experience (DES),
see Figure 1.
Table 1
Pearson’s r correlation for Daily Spiritual Experience (DES) and Reading Scripture
Figure 1
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 2
Scatterplot for Reading Scripture and Daily Spiritual Experience (DES)
Note. Reading scripture scores were measured from 0-60, 0 representing no minutes and 60
representing 60min and the max. DSE was averaged and ranged from 1-6, with higher values
indicating a DES. There is no relationship between reading scripture and having a daily spiritual
experience (DES).
Discussion
This study sought to answer the question does reading scripture have an impact on a daily
spiritual experience (DES) by examining the relationship between the two. Based on statistical
analysis there was no relationship found between the variables. The data revealed that it doesn’t
matter the amount of time spent reading scripture a daily spiritual experience (DES) can still
happen.
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 3
Qomaruddin & Indawati (2018) research suggest that in a society where so many people
are in a sense lost or seeking guidance, the relationship with God is extremely important to
experiencing a DES. However, these are not the results experience in the current study conducted.
Konening and colleagues noticed that people who had low relationship God was also low on their
DES, thus providing that they could room for experience is having a higher DES (Koening et al,
2016). However, neither study mentioned measured how reading scripture impacted a DES,
although DES was developed in other ways. However, this is good for the field as it provides
multiple resources that will aide in the achievement of a higher DES.
Reading scripture matters to the field because this a way as a to be able to provide
research on what factors impact a daily spiritual experience within the population. Knowing these
factors are crucial on how address social issues within the field of psychology and what resources
are beneficial. Reading scripture allows for an understanding of God’s word but more importantly
his character. Reading scripture should be inclusive to rereading the same chapter, versus, and
parables to obtain i deep perspective (Muto, 2012). How can a spiritual experience be experienced
without knowing the character of God who the experience is meant to happen with?
The question above leaves for room in the field to study more in debt the DES through an
actual relationship and dare it be said an intimate relationship God. Deepening the research of a
person’s relationship with God may be able to provide accurate results when it comes to
measuring a person’s DES. In addition, another variable to measure can be the comprehension of
reading scripture versus only reading scripture. As comprehension provides more detailed
information of understanding the information presented. It would be interesting to see the results
of this study as it is more in depth and detailed and using the full version of the DES.
EFFECTS OF READING SCRIPTURE AND HAVING A DAILY 4
References
Koenig, H. G., Pearce, M. J., Nelson, B., & Erkanli, A. (2016). Effects on daily spiritual
experiences of religious versus conventional cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.
Journal of Religious Health, 55 (5), 1763-1777. DOI:10.1007/s10943-016-0270-3
Muto, S. (2012). The art and discipline of formative reading: Revisiting holy scripture with
humble receptivity. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 5(1), 100-116.
https://doi.org/10.1177/193979091200500106
Qomaruddin, M. B. & Indawati, R. (2018). Spiritual everyday experience of religious people.
Journal of International Dental and Medical Research,12 (2), 823-827.
