As a guy who spent 25 years in full-time Youth Ministry, I have a burning question that, with each passing year, weighs heavily on my heart and mind.
But first, a disclaimer:
There’s always debate between which is better: a digital copy of the Bible? Or one with real pages? One may be better for one’s particular learning style. Neither is “right”, nor “wrong”, but merely a matter of preference. I don’t care what medium a person uses as long as it’s being used.
Now that we have that out of the way and, hopefully, understand my question has nothing to do with what media we ought to use – let’s dive in…
Here’s my burning question:
What is the reason most modern teens have little or no regard for Scripture, and how do we fix it?
Every teen today can download a Bible app. But, as with all technology it’s a double-edged sword. Reading the Bible has never been easier or more convenient due to digital apps. But, in my experience, less and less are actually reading and studying it.
Most teens can quote entire song lyrics by Drake and Cardi B, but struggle to recite two or three scriptures from memory.
Why should the Bible be vitally important?
Here’s why…
- It’s the sole source for revealing to us who God is.
- It’s our sole authority for what is right, and what is wrong.
Biblical illiteracy among Christian teens and young adults is alarming and heartbreaking.
The problem, in my experience as, both, a youth pastor and adult pastor, is indicting: the loss of respect and honor for the Bible originates with us – the parents/adults.
My favorite quote on learning is this one that I heard a long time ago:
“We teach what we know, but we reproduce what we are.”
If we, as adults, have no real, consistent devotion to the Word of God then there is little chance our children, as well as the younger generation, will either.
If, as parents/guardians, our lifestyle demonstrates a low priority for being a disciplined student of the Bible don’t be surprised when our children have little interest in the Bible when they’re grown. Parents, not church staff, were always designed to be their children’s primary “youth pastors.”
I’ve visited with many Christian adults who know little about the Bible. I’m thrilled to help them learn, but taken back at how much they don’t know, given the fact that our very faith is based upon a book so rarely studied.
Ever heard this one? “The Bible is too heavy and complicated for teens to understand.”
Give me a break.
Have you seen what they’re studying and accomplishing in school? Chemistry, trigonometry, physics, etc. We grossly underestimate how much they can absorb and learn.
Granted, we can’t compete with the lightning-speed entertainment of social media. But, we don’t have to. We have something better than social media.
When life comes crashing down around us, social media or the latest song to top the Billboard Charts can’t give us hope, peace and truth.
Only scripture can do that.
I fear if we don’t whet the appetite of this generation, modeling for them a hunger for righteousness, introducing them to the great, epic adventure of God in the Bible, allowing them to, with us, wrestle with the Bible’s hard teachings and seeming problematic passages, the words of Judges 2:10 will, once again, apply:
“After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done…”
Please know my heart – there is no shame or guilt intended for anyone here. Far too many times, I’ve been as poor an example for teens as the next guy.
Fortunately, because of the Cross and the Empty Tomb it’s never too late to do the right thing.
I heard a preacher say once, holding his Bible up,
“This book will keep me far from sin; and sin will keep me far from this book.”
Parents/adults, join me in putting down our phones for a few minutes and engaging in intelligent dialogue with the younger generation about the Bible and the treasure it holds.
Join me in challenging one another to memorize verses and passages, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our lives through God’s Word.
My friends, may we return to a deep conviction that God holds the answers for our fallen world, and that those answers are found in his living, active, powerful Word.
Sola Scriptura, Nick