A Theological Response to Spiritual Decline Among Christian Youth in Nigerian Society

Edward Inem Onyeije

doi:10.56201/ijrcp.vol.10.no5.2025.pg25.32

📄 Download Paper

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

spiritual declineChristianyouthmitigate.

References

Abegunde, Adesina Recounting Youth Ministry Model. Ogbomoso: Kingdom Impact Publishing Media Ltd. 2025),17. Areo, Amolara Abosede Strategic Christian Parenting. Ogbomoso: Kingdom Impact Publishing and Media Ltd., 2021. Asoquo, V. E. “Christian Youth and Morality Question in Methodist News 4th Quarter Edition”, n.p, 2003. Black, Wisely and Clark, Chap and Nel, Malan, Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001. Brain Baker,” Satan’s Attacks on youth” https//yputhministry.wol.org/multiple/satans-attack-on- our-youth-brain-baker/ (accessed May 21, 2025) Bruce, Barton Life application Study Bible. Michigan: Tyndale House publishing, 1996. Burns, Jim, The Youth builder. Eugene: Harvest house Publishers, 1988. Clark, Chap ed Youth Ministry in the 21st Century: five views. Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing house, 2015. Danfulani, Dayilim & Ajowoju, Youth Restiveness in Nigeria: A Theological Reflection. Lagos: B Print Publishing, 2012. Enyinnaya, John Oluchi Theological Incongruence in Africa and the Search for Theology Fit for the People of God. Ogbomoso: Kingdom Impact Publishing Media Ltd., 2023. Fields, Dough, Your First Two years in youth Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. Gibs, Alfred P. The Preacher and His Preaching. Murfreesboro: Sword of the Publisher, 2000. Irving Roy G. and Zuck, Roy B. eds, Youth and the Church: A Survey of Church’s Ministry to Youth, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1988. Mueller, Walt Engaging the Soul of the Youth Culture. USA: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Nihinlola, Emiola, Theology for Living: Essays in African Context. Ogbomoso: Kingdom Impact Publishing and Media Ltd., 2021. Olaleye, S. A. K. Strategies for Church Growth. Lagos: Spirit and Life Equipment Ministry, 2012. Oloyede, Akinwale, Introduction to Christian Theology in African context. Osogbo: House celebrity Publishers, 2023. Robins, David W. Building a Youth Ministry that Builds Disciples. Michigan: Zondervan, 2011. Solomon, Philemon “Moral and Spiritual Decline Among Christian youths: A Careful Approach of Eli’s Family”. Dynamic theological Seminary, Kwale Delta State. (20th May, 2023), https://www.google.com/search?q=spiritual-decline-among-christian-youth-in- nigeria+pdf7oq=s&gs-icrp= (accessed March 18, 2025). Yaconeill, Mark Contemplative youth Ministry Practicing the Presence of Jesus. Michigan: Zondervan,2006.

A Theological Response to Spiritual Decline Among Christian Youth in Nigerian Society

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE