114 Teens

Today I want to share with you the results of the Bible Knowledge Test I gave to 114 teens at the 30 Hour Famine last weekend. The multiple choice section was simply 10 questions on some of the most essential christian doctrines. The red numbers beside the answers represents the number of students who selected that answer.

Circle the BEST answer

How did life on earth begin?
a) Random chance 0
b) Life was brought here by aliens 2
c) God created life 111

Analysis: Despite creationism being kept out of the classroom to a large extent, teens don't buy the idea that life just showed up. That God created life is a well accepted reality among teenagers that participate in the 30 Hour Famine.

Which traits best describe God?
a) Immortal, invisible, loving 99
b) Powerful, smart, physical 14
c) Old, intelligent, distant 1

Analysis: I was actually quite pleased with the high percentage of correct answers to this question. I am not sure the adults would do any better than that. It seems the great nature of God is fairly well established among church teens.

Jesus is unique because…
a) He was a great moral teacher 1
b) He is the Son of God 111
c) He was a great prophet 2

Analysis: Once again, not much to worry about here. Churchy teens know what makes Christ unique compared to all others.

Why did Jesus die?
a) As a sacrifice for our sins 112
b) Romans wanted him killed 0
c) To make a point 2

Analysis: Another impressively sized majority, especially since all 3 choices are legitimately correct to some degree.

Where is Jesus now?
a) Dead, but we follow His example 10
b) Alive, somewhere on earth 0
c) Alive, went up to His Father 103

Analysis: Now this one is a little surprising. Could it be that nearly 10% of churchy teens think Jesus is still dead? The resurrection is central to Christianity! Perhaps they think Jesus is still dead because there's no evidence of life in his body (the church)?

Is Jesus coming back?
a) No, life will go on as normal 14
b) Yes, in the next 40 years 3
c) Yes, but we don’t know when 97

Analysis: I was pleasently surprised that more teens didn't select choice 'b' in light of all the eschatological propaganda floating around these days.

The Great Commandment is…
a) Stop sinning 10
b) Tell other people about Jesus 27
c) Love the Lord completely 74

Analysis: Am I a stickler for thinking teens should know the difference between the Great Commandment and Great Commission? I don't think so. Perhaps those who chose 'a' come from more legalistic background and those who chose 'b' have evangelism stressed to them almost too much (since they picked the great commission for this question and the next). In my humble opinion, I think there may be too much emphasis on evangelism in youth ministry at the expense of discipling the teens present.

The Great Commission is…
a) Get everyone to act like me! 5
b) Make others pray ‘the prayer’ 38
c) Go and make disciples 67

Analysis: Again, I think there is too much emphasis being placed on telling people you love Jesus and getting people 'saved' without emphasizing the importance of investing in the lives of those around you.

How are we saved?
a) By grace through faith 84
b) By faith through works 14
c) By works through grace 14

Analysis: I think the fact that we don't get saved by works is emphasized plenty, so I'm sorta surprised that 14 chose 'c' and that 'c' was equal to 'b'

Faith without works is…
a) Incomplete 65
b) Dead 35
c) Holy 8

Analysis: Okay, I was really surprised about this one. I figured most churchy teens would be familiar with the famous biblical phrase 'faith without works is dead.' My guess is that the disdain of the teenage generation for absolute sounding statements ruled the day. Now why did 8 pick 'c' ? Well, my guess is they saw the word 'faith' and saw the word 'holy' and figured they belonged together.