A few years back, the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) undertook a massive three-year study. The results were not pretty. The NSYR found that most American teens, even those claiming to be Christians, embraced a faith in "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism--a hodgepodge of banal, self-serving, feel good beliefs--that bears little resemblance to the historic teachings of Christianity."Â
Sadly, it is not teenagers to blame for this, but churches. Instead of filling teens with a counter- cultural mission that requires intentional living and sacrificial giving, far too many youth ministries offer teens what Kenda Dean calls a "diner theology: a bargain religion, cheap but satisfying, whose gods require little in the way of fidelity or sacrifice...filling [teens] with an agreeable porridge about the importance of being nice, feeling good about yourself, and saving God for emergencies." As if all of that wasn't bad enough, the study went on to show that the average teenager views God as either a butler or a therapist, someone who meets their needs when summoned, who listens non-judgmentally, and helps them feel good about themselves.Â
In spite of all of that, the youth of America still have the energy and enthusiasm necessary to change the world. We just need to give them a mission and a vision worth fighting for, then point them in the right direction! So it's time to quit adding water to the Gospel. Instead, let's boldly challenge today's youth to strive after the standards, requirements, and expectations of God's Word.Â
Youth leaders, let's teach total surrender, not agreeable assent. Let's preach Christ-likeness not "moral affirmation and a feel-better faith." Let's point youth to a holy God that wants to guide their lives instead of pointing them to a "buddy" who's willing to tag along behind. And let's give teens a vision to follow Christ, not culture; to seek after holiness, not Hollywood, and to desire heavenly things, not worldly ones.Â
That is the purpose of this lesson book. Are you ready to make an eternal difference in the lives of today's youth? Are you ready to turn teens' eyes from the culture and focus them on Christ? Are you ready to be on the front lines, training and equipping our teens to change the world? If so, then order this book today!
