MAKING YOUR FAITH YOUR OWN

CURRENT RESEARCH

National Study of Youth & Religion 3290 adolescents (13-17 yr old) 267 personal interviews (45 states) 3 waves of interviews (2002-2008) Respondents in 3rd wave were 18-23 yr old What happens to religious faith during the transition from adolescent age to adulthood?

Church Attendance Emerging adults (18-23 yr old) are the least religious adults in the U.S. Emerging adults have not become less religious since 1972 (two exceptions) Little evidence of massive secularization among America’s emerging adults in the last quarter century

Beliefs More than 60% identify as religious General trend toward disaffiliation from religious tradition Fewer than 1 in 10 attends religious service weekly

Beliefs Belief in God and importance of faith declines less dramatically Majority still believe in God, Jesus Christ, divine judgment, miracles, and life after death Most seem positive about organized religion in the United States “The vast majority also have positive feelings about the religious tradition in which they were personally raised.” “At the same time, most think that too many religious people are negative, angry, and judgmental, and nearly half say that mainstream religion is irrelevant to people their age.”

Cultural Factors that Influence Religious Life Disruptions divorce, death of family member, leaving home, job loss Distractions school, work, play Differentiation independent identity

Cultural Factors that Influence Religious Life Postponed Family Formation & Childbearing Keeping Options Open Honoring Diversity Self-Confident Self-Sufficiency Self-evident Morality Partying, Hooking Up, and Cohabiting Religion as a Resource for Stability and Recovery Ongoing Relations with Parents

48% 51% 52% 54% 40% 45% 28% Parental Religion Personal prayer Importance of religious faith Reading scriptures Supportive religious adults Religious experiences No doubts about beliefs

60% Parental Religion Personal prayer Importance of religious faith Reading scriptures Supportive religious adults 60% Religious experiences No doubts about beliefs

84% Parental Religion Personal prayer Importance of religious faith Reading scriptures Supportive religious adults Religious experiences No doubts about beliefs

7% 8% 9% 10% 16% Parental Religion Personal prayer Importance of religious faith Reading scriptures Supportive religious adults Religious experiences No doubts about beliefs

0.8% Parental Religion Personal prayer Importance of religious faith Reading scriptures Supportive religious adults 0.8% Religious experiences No doubts about beliefs

0.4% Parental Religion Personal prayer Importance of religious faith Reading scriptures Supportive religious adults Religious experiences No doubts about beliefs

IDENTITY & FAITH

Daniel 6:10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank.

Daniel 2:17-18 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven…

1 Peter 3:3-5 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

1 Peter 3:3-5 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you… 1 Peter 5:6