Fé cristã e o estímulo à leitura: um estudo de caso Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil (IPB)

Abstract

This study analyzes the influence of Christian faith on reading habits among members of the Presbyterian Church of Brazil (IPB), investigating religious engagement as the main mediating variable. The research adopts a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach, configuring itself as an exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory case study. The methodology included administering 302 questionnaires to IPB members in the Northeast region and conducting eight interviews with participants with different levels of engagement. The analysis considered variables such as worship attendance, devotional practices, participation in study groups, age, education, and income, in addition to employing techniques such as factor analysis, chi-square tests, and ANCOVA. The results demonstrated that personal religiosity, expressed in individual disciplines such as prayer and Bible study, strongly correlates with reading habits, but community engagement was the decisive factor in explaining the volume and intensity of reading practice. It was evident that Christian faith alone does not have a statistically significant effect on reading hours; In contrast, church engagement proved to be the central variable, mediating the relationship between faith and reading. The research also found that the reading habit is sustained by motivations for theological deepening and ministerial responsibilities, such as teaching and preaching, which transform reading into an essential practice for spiritual and community growth. Therefore, it can be concluded that reading is not merely a reflection of faith, but an active component of engagement, capable of strengthening personal devotion, broadening faith perspectives, and consolidating community identity in the reformed context.