Impact of Sound Doctrine on Christian Youth Development (a Case Study of Assemblies of God Church Abuja District)
Chapter One
Objective of the study
To achieve this overarching goal, the following specific objectives will be pursued:
- To evaluate the consistency and accuracy of doctrinal teachings and beliefs among Christian youth in Assemblies of God church Abuja district.
- To investigate how contemporary cultural influences affect the understanding and application of sound doctrine among Christian youth.
- To assess the presence of conflicting or contradictory teachings encountered by Christian youth in Assemblies of God church Abuja district
- To investigate how exposure to sound doctrine shapes the attitudes, beliefs, and ethical behavior of young individuals
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
Sound Doctrine
Sound doctrine is a fundamental concept in Christian theology that emphasizes the importance of teaching and holding to the correct and true beliefs, as outlined in the Bible. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament, and several passages provide guidance on the significance of sound doctrine.
The Basis of Sound Doctrine:
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
This passage highlights the importance of sound doctrine in the face of the temptation to seek teachings that align with personal desires. It warns against departing from the truth and embracing false beliefs. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV):
Teaching Sound Doctrine:
“You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.”
In this verse, the Apostle Paul instructs Titus to teach in accordance with sound doctrine. This underscores the role of leaders in the Christian community in upholding and transmitting sound teaching. (Titus 2:1 (NIV)
The Nature of Sound Doctrine:
“for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” This passage links sound doctrine to moral and ethical conduct, highlighting that it should be in line with the teachings of the Gospel and the character of God. 1 Timothy 1:10-11 (NIV):
Guarding Sound Doctrine:
“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.” Here, the Apostle Paul encourages Timothy to protect and guard the sound doctrine he has received and to avoid the influence of false teachings. 1 Timothy 6:20 (NIV):
Sound Doctrine and Salvation:
“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” This verse underscores the role of sound doctrine in encouraging and guiding believers in their faith and in countering false teachings. Titus 1:9 (NIV)
Sound doctrine, as illustrated in these passages, is considered foundational in Christianity. It involves accurate interpretation and teaching of the Scriptures, adherence to the Gospel, and a commitment to moral and ethical standards consistent with the teachings of Christ. The New Testament emphasizes the need to protect and promote sound doctrine as a vital aspect of Christian faith and practice.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the design and methodology employed by the researcher for the purpose of conducting the research. The procedure for data collection and the relevant data used to address the research hypothesis.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research design is the overall plan for connecting the conceptual research problems to the pertinent (and achievable) empirical research. In other words, the research design articulates what data is required, what methods are going to be used to collect and analyze this data, and how all of this is going to answer the research question.
According to Kerlinger (1986), research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to obtain answers to research questions and to control variance. Thus, the research design that was adopted in this study was the Descriptive design. The adoption of this design was informed because the study involved the collection of data to accurately and objectively describe existing phenomena and determining the nature of a situation as it exists at the time of investigation population under investigation.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY AND METHOD OF POPULATION DETERMINATION
This study focused on determining the impact of Sound Doctrine on Christian Youth development (A case study of Assemblies of God church Abuja District)
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRSENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter covers data analysis, interpretation and the mode of presentation to illustrate that the Impact of Sound Doctrine on Christian Youth development (A case study of Assemblies of God church Abuja District. Respondents comprising of Christian men and women, traders, and civil servants amounting to 200. All 200 respondents responded to the various questions asked in the questionnaire, as there were no unreturned questionnaires.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
In this study, our focus was to investigate Impact of Sound Doctrine on Christian Youth development (A case study of Assemblies of God church Abuja District. The study specifically was aimed to evaluate the consistency and accuracy of doctrinal teachings and beliefs among Christian youth in Assemblies of God church Abuja district, to investigate how contemporary cultural influences affect the understanding and application of sound doctrine among Christian youth., to assess the presence of conflicting or contradictory teachings encountered by Christian youth in Assemblies of God church Abuja district and to investigate how exposure to sound doctrine shapes the attitudes, beliefs, and ethical behavior of young individuals. The study adopted the survey research design and conveniently enrolled participants in the study. A total of 200 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are drawn from Christian men and women from different Assemblies of God church Abuja District.
CONCLUSION
In the dynamic landscape of modern society, the role of the Church in shaping the development of its youth remains critical. As this study demonstrates, the impact of sound Christian doctrine extends beyond individual growth, affecting the broader community and society as a whole. It is a reminder of the enduring importance of faith, knowledge, and values in nurturing the next generation of Christians, preparing them to navigate life’s complexities, and ultimately, to make meaningful contributions to their faith and the world at large.
In the spirit of continual growth and development, it is recommended that further research and evaluation be conducted to assess the long-term effects of sound doctrine on Christian youth within the Assemblies of God Church, Abuja District, and other Christian communities. This will provide valuable insights into the sustained impact of faith formation and doctrinal instruction on the lives and contributions of Christian youth.
Recommendation
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study on the impact of sound doctrine on Christian youth development in the context of the Assemblies of God Church, Abuja District, the following recommendations are offered:
- The church should continue to invest in and strengthen its doctrinal education and discipleship programs for Christian youth. This includes developing age-appropriate curricula, resources, and training for youth leaders and teachers.
- To support the intellectual development of young Christians, there should be an emphasis on interdisciplinary education that integrates faith and learning. This approach can help youth apply Christian doctrine to various aspects of their lives, including academics, ethics, and relationships.
- The church can provide opportunities for young Christians to develop critical thinking skills and engage in apologetics training. This will equip them to navigate complex worldviews and engage in meaningful conversations about their faith.
- Encourage youth to participate in interfaith dialogue and cultural engagement. This can help them understand different perspectives, foster respect for diversity, and enhance their ability to live out their faith in a pluralistic society.
- Establish mentorship programs that connect Christian youth with mature believers who can serve as role models and provide guidance in their spiritual, moral, and intellectual development.
References
- Romans 8:28 (ESV) – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV) – “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
- Matthew 28:19 (ESV) – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
- Matthew 26:26-28 (ESV) – The Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Eucharist.
- 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
- 2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV) – “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Romans 6:17 – “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.”
