I ran across some devotionals the other day that had some disturbing statistics in them. Some of the items were somewhat understandable to those unfamiliar with Christianity (although for basic cultural literacy, it's a problem). According to surveys by George Gallup, only four in ten Americans know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, much less the ideas in it. A majority cannot name the four Gospels of the New Testament. Fewer than half can name the first book of the Bible. Twelve percent think Noah's wife was Joan of Arc.

Somewhat more serious is that six out of ten cannot name even half of the Ten Commandments. Two-thirds of Americans believe there are few, if any, absolute principles to direct human behavior. Eighty percent of Christians believe the Bible says 'God helps those that help themselves.' George Gallup says, "We revere the Bible, but we don't read it." He also says that ninety-two percent of Americans own at least one bible, with the average home having three. Twenty million or more are sold each year, not including the millions that are distributed free of cost.

But the statistic that really brought tears to my eyes was, 'Only three in ten teenagers know why Easter is celebrated.' That made me very, very sad. I can only imagine how it makes God feel. Have we failed our younger generation? I can only pray that God will give us the grace and strength to get the word out.

Scripture says, "And when your children ask you, 'What does this ceremony mean to you?' then tell them..." (Exodus 12:26). Of course, when Moses said this, he was speaking of Passover- the ceremony honoring God's liberation of His chosen people from slavery in Egypt. But we can tell of Jesus, the Passover Lamb for all time and our deliverance from other forms of slavery. Things like addiction, poverty, illness, family problems, a checkered past, all those things that oppress us. Things we may say to youth (adults, too) often go in one ear and out the other, but what you DO gets noticed! As the saying goes, 'talk is cheap.'

Are you a happy Christian? Does your face know?

Please join me in prayer:

Lord, we're concerned. about our young people.
Your son, Jesus, died that not only might we be saved, but that we are to have a victorious life. Only the blood of Your son could purchase that.
We thank You for Your gift and offer ourselves for Your use. Help us reach our young people with the powerful message of Easter by an example they cannot ignore- that of living a victorious life.
Thank You for leaving Your Spirit behind until the work is done.