Perhaps we have known it all along; we just haven't come face-to-face with the facts. Teenagers today are becoming "fake" Christians. A recent CNN article confirms suspicions that young adults today are "viewing God as a ‘divine therapist' whose goal is to boost people's self-esteem." The article references the book Almost Christian by Dean, which is based on the National Study of Youth and Religion that examines why today's teens are accepting a watered-down version of Christian faith.

According to the book description on Oxford University Press, "In order to produce ardent young Christians, Dean argues, churches must rediscover their sense of mission and model an understanding of being Christian as not something you do for yourself, but something that calls you to share God's love, in word and deed, with others."

As also evidenced by the alarming statistic from LifeWay Research that nearly 70% of Gen X and Y Protestants leave the church before age 22, the fact of an "un-Christian" Christian generation is becoming more evident than ever. Some, as the book claims, blame the church for teaching "feel good" messages that promote people to live good lives and nothing more. Some blame the parents for not displaying passionate fervor in their faith.

Where does education come in? Certainly this must also play a role in the development of young adults' spirituality. What are we teaching? Our responsibility as Christian educators is to promote godly character and a solid Christian worldview. Faith comes from a daily practice of belief. How can we teach a Christian worldview if our lectures and curriculum do not include a Christian worldview or promote a daily message of truth? Alpha Omega Publications' curricula offer Bible-based lessons that focus all aspects of learning upon the Creator and God's Word.

Are your teen students practicing their faith? What are you teaching them about Christianity?