A Theological Response to Spiritual Decline Among Christian Youth in Nigerian Society
Edward Inem Onyeije
Abstract
Spiritual decline among Christian youth in Nigerian society has become a crucial phenomenon posing a significant threat to both the church and its clergy. Biblical examples of spiritual decline among youth include Samson, Eli's children, Samuel's children, and Demas. Factors contributing to spiritual decline among Christian youth in Nigeria include lack of proper parental upbringing and care, inadequate biblical teachings, bad company and peer influence, youth exclusion in church planning and programs, technological and social media influence, societal and economic pressures, and spiritual attacks. The consequences of spiritual decline include apathy, coldness, lukewarmness, and massive exodus of Christian youth from the church and church activities, affecting both the church and its leaders. Theological responses to mitigate this decline include emphasis on godly parental upbringing, discipleship and follow-up, youth inclusion in church planning and programs, lively messages and fervent prayer, integration of faith and fun, and building a lively youth department. The researcher concludes that addressing the spiritual decline of the Christian youth in Nigeria is both inevitable and urgent, considering their crucial role in the church. Whatever affects them affects the entire church.
Keywords
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