Drifters
by Kathy Brown on August 4th, 2009 | 0 comments
As young people begin to walk into college classrooms this fall, our prayers for them should rev up! That’s because *Barna’s research shows that even kids raised in strong Christian homes are likely to drift into the world’s system, or worse, wander from their commitment to Christ. Why is that?
There is an attention-getting expanse of white hair atop my head from the bumps and bruises of parenting. Not always by choice, I have accumulated a few observations over the years. Many factors, probably not just one, lure budding adults into harm’s way.
(1)Most of the education Christian children receive is not worldview focused. There is usually little attention given to the broad implications of Biblical Truth (Foundational Presupposition Chart). Teens can recount Bible stories and recite correct information within a like-minded setting. But, they are largely unprepared to encounter any opposition or challenges because they have received little training in contrasting ideas and their logical conclusions. This inability leads them to abandon their beliefs, rather than work to effectively defend them.
(2)Once the shelter of parent and family is gone, a “natural rebellion” may ensue. Because no one receives Jesus by proxy, everyone must find out for themselves what is True. For some, this may entail exploring a side of life that has been previously fenced off.
(3)Peer pressure is difficult to combat. The Church could provide encouragement and strength for Believers, but many youngsters no longer attend. Often they settle for the closer support within social settings.
(4)One of the most difficult habits for anyone is consistent, daily Bible reading. It is especially hard for a generation that is used to immediate gratification (from ATM’s, “right now” sex, to fast food) and visual stimuli other than the written word (from tv to Skype.) They want information quickly and don’t focus on how truthful it is (the Internet and much of the reported news.) “Tolerance” for everything has diluted the acceptability of a source for “right.”
(5)The influences of our culture appeal to what our “flesh” wants. Even with a strong Biblical worldview, incongruent messages come fast and furiously. The most seasoned Christian must continually re-access whether bad ideas have attached themselves to an otherwise consistent pattern of thinking. The inexperienced are more vulnerable.
Perhaps this is all very depressing. Take heart! Prayer is a powerful weapon to protect and direct those who head off to campus life. It is not too late to address the possible pitfalls they confront, and understanding the importance of worldview is a good place to begin.
*Barna's research:
- 64% of churched parents think they are doing a "good" or "excellent" job at helping their children develop a Biblical worldview based on the Bible. Yet only 5% of these parents admit to having a worldview based on the Bible.
- Only 20% of teenagers who are involved in church today will be spiritually active at age 29.
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