Connected to Jesus

Source: "Jesus Speaks Back" from Pastor's Weekly Briefing, April 30, 2010.

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A majority of Americans believe that Jesus speaks back to them in two-way communication, according to results from a new Barna Group^® survey. The study was conducted among a random sample of 2,002 U.S. adults.

While an overwhelming majority of Americans claim to pray during a typical week (more than 80%), the results point out that a majority also believes that Jesus speaks back to them. Overall, 38 percent said they are "completely certain" that Jesus speaks to them in ways that are personal and relevant to their circumstances. An additional 21 percent said they are "somewhat certain" that He does so, while 10 percent contend that Jesus speaks to them, but they were not as sure about that communication. Eight percent did not know if Jesus Christ speaks to them. In total, less than one-quarter of all adults (23%) stated that Jesus does not speak to them.

According to Americans, Jesus speaks to them in multi-faceted ways. At least one out of every six adults contends that He communicates with them in the following manner:

• By influencing or connecting directly with their mind, emotions or feelings (52%).
• Through the content of a Bible passage they read or which was read to them (41%).
• By providing a sign (36%).
• Through sermon or teaching content concerning their immediate situation or need (34%).
• Through miraculous or inexplicable circumstances or outcomes (31%).
• Through words spoken to them by someone else who was speaking for God (31%).
• Through a passage they read in a book other than the Bible (18%).
• Through an audible voice or whisper that they could hear (16%).

Click here to view the full report from Barna.