Stopping the Decline in Student Spirituality

Chuck Edwards looks at the huge decline in the spirituality of college-age students and offers some suggestions to reverse the trend.

When it comes to the spiritual life of college students, the statistics are not very encouraging. According to a recent study by the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, after three years in college, the number of students who frequently attend religious services drops by 23 percent. The study also confirms that 36 percent rated their spirituality lower after three years in college.

. . .

What can we do as parents, educators, and church leaders to keep our young people from dropping out of church or converting to the “no longer born again” category?

First, we must understand that the battle is for the hearts and minds of students. For too long many churches have been content to focus on the emotions, shying away from a serious discipleship of the mind. . . .

Second, our teaching should revolve around the fact that Christianity is a robust faith, and when it comes to life’s most pressing issues, we have answers that are superior to all other philosophies. . . .

And third, we must teach students that Christianity is a comprehensive world and life view. This means explaining the reality of God’s truth in every area: from philosophy and science, ethics and economics, to psychology, sociology, law and, yes, even politics. . . .

Read the whole post at the Christian Worldview Network.

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