America's Unprepared Children

The following is from a survey the Barna Group did regarding children in America. Excerpts could be used to illustrate Level 1 classes such as Importance of Conversion, Importance of Reaching the Child in the Neighborhood or Importance of the Teacher. It could also illustrate Level 2 classes such as Basic Needs of the Child, Christian Conduct or The Ministry of Teaching. Although the research is focused on American children, connections could undoubtedly be made to children of other countries.

According to a survey from The Barna Group (www.barna.org). America's children are not being adequately prepared for life. Based on interviews with more than 1000 adults nationwide, the survey discovered that less than one out of every five adults believes that children under the age of 13 are being “superbly” or “pretty well” prepared for life emotionally, physically, spiritually, intellectually or morally. Fewer than one out of every twenty adults believe that America’s youngsters are receiving above average preparation in all five of those areas of life.

Adults were asked to evaluate how well children under the age of 13 are being prepared for life in each of five dimensions. Using a scale that ranged from “superbly” to “poorly,” half or more of all adults contended that children are “not being prepared well enough” or are “poorly prepared” for the life that awaits them.

The lowest ratings were reserved for the moral and spiritual preparation of children. Only 8% of adults said kids get better-than-adequate preparation in the spiritual realm, while more than 7-out-of-10 adults (71%) said children get inadequate spiritual training. Similarly, three-fourths said youngsters get inadequate moral preparation. The survey results were generally the same across gender, racial, political and age lines, and even across those with and those without children.

A companion study showed that most parents of children under 13 claim that they are responsible for the moral, spiritual, intellectual and emotional maturation of their offspring. However, the study also showed most parents lack defined standards for evaluating their child’s preparation, spend surprisingly little time engaged in developmental activities with their children, and generally assume that the brunt of the responsibility for facilitating life skills and perspectives lies on the shoulders of schools, churches and community organizations.

Combined with the increasingly busy schedules of adults, the outcome is a culture in which nobody is responsible and nearly everybody is dissatisfied with the results.

This study is yet another reminder of the importance of training people to reach children with the Gospel and disciple them in God’s Word. Through our Good News Club ministry, we have opportunity to help children develop a relationship with God that will result in the kind of character and moral direction that is lacking yet essential for life.