Bible Study 

Epuip the Next Generation with Biblical Truth (article from Kerby Anderson and Probe Ministries a survey of Young people and religion)

Intro: Our study investigates the teaching of this article as it relates to reaching the next generation with Biblical Truth, not in criticism but honest critique.

1.      Reading of article beginning of page two: The Unaffiliated with church.

The most dramatic change has been the percentage of young people who are unaffiliated with any religion (often referred to as “the nones” because they select atheist, agnostic or nothing in particular on a survey). In the last decade, the unaffiliated have almost tripled, from 13% to 35% of the population. As we might expect, they know the least about the Bible, theology and the Biblical worldview.

Christian leaders aware of this concerning trend have sometimes predicted that these unaffiliated young people will eventually come back to church once they marry and have children. We refer to this as the Field of Dreams Myth—“If you build it, they will come.” We have built over 350,000 churches, but there isn’t much evidence these young people are coming back.

A significant number of these young adults were rarely or never in church when they were young, so they aren’t “coming back” to a church they never attended. Our surveys demonstrate that not only are they not coming back, but a significant percentage who were in church are leaving. We have also found that many of these young people aren’t hostile to the Bible and church—they just don’t see the Bible, Jesus and the church as relevant to their lives.

Note: It is old adage which says  “you cannot miss what you never had”

(Article continues)

If we are to reach these younger generations, we will have to go to them and not assume they will come to us. Outreaches, from small-group neighborhood Bible studies to open-air crusades to media ministries (online content, radio, podcasts, TV) will be important in reaching them. And it will be important for pastors and Christian leaders to show them how the Bible and a saving relationship with Jesus Christ provides meaning and significance to them.

Note: Has this not been the manner of church evangelism, or does the observation of this  article disregard past evangelism of the church as meaningless, considering the great revivals and conventions of the past, the many store front churches which held daily street revivals outside their doors.

Many of our churches have gone door to door evangelizing and inviting to church. We can truly say to writer of this article “Been there done that”

The truth is: The church has gone to them in fact into all the world, thru many church tent and outdoor revivals and individual evangelism. It appears such evangelism is unwanted by the world, for much religious activity outside the church walls, is banned by law today.

And are we saying we must reach  youth today , not by personal contact but by online media ministries?

Clear consideration of this thought, is found in the fact “Media Ministries” in the form of Christian radio and TV has been offered for many years now. So called “Live Streaming Church is not new”.

With all considered; why then are youth today not attending church, not seeing religion as relevant to their lives? Is the fault as suggested here, simply the church?

It is our belief that in our many surveys, we are not taking into account what the bible says about religious relevancy in light of the times.

We who teach bible truth cannot dismiss what it tells of the last days and we either believe it is or is not the latter days.

If we do not believe it is the last days, then perhaps even if the church did evangelize, it must have done so wrongly and ineffectively, it’s revivals and preaching was not of the bible. The great crusades of Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, Azusa street revival that spread throughout the south, all ineffective.

 If such be the case the observation of this article may be right , the church must go to them again

However, for they who believe we live in the last days as bible teaches, then we must consider the question of religion in light of the climate of today.

Insight on this climate we find in (2 Tim. 3:1-5) This we cannot deny for this we see all around us today. ( 2 Tim 4:3,4)

It is in this irreligious and ungodly atmosphere that is the reason the church no longer appeals to our youth.

In ill attempt to reach youth today the  church must be careful not to  find itself out of the will of God and its purpose by compromising the gospel and truth of the Word

The church must not become a the church of Laodicea being spewed from mouth of God.

John McCarthur, religious author wrote: Too many churches today are but social service centers, as I often say…..replete with many extracurricular activity that do not lend to the main purpose of the church.

Paul in (2 Tim. 4:2) reminds to preach the word in season and out, not compromising the gospel to the approval of men but reprove, rebuke and exhort. (2^nd Tim 2:15)

Remember (Acts 2: 42-47) the word was preached the people fellowshipped together as we do, and “The Lord Added”

Perhaps we should pay more attention to the words. “Added such as SHOULD BE SAVED” No man regardless of our preaching and evangelism can come to Christ except God draws him (John 6:44,65)

So let us continue in prayer for the lost, that God will draw them, in the meanwhile do our best to witness Christ by living a Christian life and sharing Christ with other as opportunity affords.

Remembering although the church may not be drawing many or any yet the church is functioning as is its purpose according to (Ephes. 4:11-16) this we can and should do.