The Shallow End of the Faith Pool

   A recent survey by the National Study of Youth & Religion found that while many teens are active in religious groups, few are well educated about those beliefs, and therefore have a “shallow” faith. The study showed that while many teens had a belief in God and believed faith was important, many had a difficult time explaining how that faith made any difference in their lives. 

  I believe this study shows us the importance of Biblical education to growing in faith. As many have abandoned “Bible” class for classes more rooted in popular psychology and current fads, the spiritual development of their students has suffered. With out hearing God's word, faith does not grow. (Romans 10:17) Faith that does not grow beyond the basics is weak and shallow. 

  As we read in 2 Peter 1:5-8, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We must challenge not only our teens but also ourselves to grow in faith or risk having a worthless faith!