From Bible Facts to Worldview: Systematic Theology for Teens & Young Adults

Note: This is part 2 of an article on Systematic Theology.
If you haven't read part 1, Systematic Theology for Kids, yet... 
We recommend reading that first. Click here.

Now that you have the basic principles for teaching systematic theology to kids, let’s take a look at how you modify those principles for working with teens first, and then young adults.

Teaching Systematic Theology to Teens (Middle & High School)

Teens are testing boundaries and trying on different adult identities, looking for a good fit for themselves. They can think abstractly, which opens doors to lots of interesting conversations, but they still learn best when big ideas are applied to concrete issues they’re dealing with in their lives. In general, they’re working on developing their worldview, their identity, and their purpose in life.

Systematic theology gives them a worldview (answers the big life questions from a Biblical viewpoint in a coherent framework), an identity (teaches them who they are in Christ), and gives them a purpose (the over-arching mission God has tasked believers with and specifically their role in His kingdom base on their individual personality, skills, and spiritual gifts).

Additional Principles to Keep in Mind While Working with Teens

• Move from doctrine → discipleship. Each lesson should include a “So what?” section that helps teens see how systematic theology can shape our worldview, identity, and purpose.

• Don’t just do triage – teach triage. We talked about helping kids sort questions into categories by asking, “Does this relate to my salvation? Does this pertain to who God is? Is this a question about church practice? Etc.” For teens, teach them how to do this sorting process themselves. 

When they’re ready, add a secondary sorting consideration regarding the importance of each question. Is this doctrine of primary importance (hills we will die on) or of secondary importance (issues that we can disagree on as Christians)?

For example, primary issues would include belief in the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, His death and resurrection, salvation by faith alone, and the inspiration of Scripture.

Secondary issues would include church government issues, etc. 

When working with kids, we prefer to not deal with secondary issues at all. But when kids become teens, they’re old enough to start wrestling with these types of issues, and what better way to do it than with mature, caring adults who will encourage them to think Biblically and charitably about these issues?

• Prefer dialogue to monologue. Think guided discussion, dissecting actual situations teens face, and lots of question-and-answer.

• Welcome doubt as a doorway. Create a “no eye-rolls” culture. Put a Question Box in the room. Treat hard questions as valuable contributions to the discussion, not as interruptions.

Examples of How You Might Apply These Principles With Teens

As an example, let’s look at two big categories of life questions that teens are wrestling with, and how you might direct the conversation using a systematic theology approach.

1. Justice questions (fairness, suffering, right/wrong)

• Why does God allow suffering and injustice?

• Why do bad people prosper?

• Should I forgive someone who hurt me?

• Does God care about racism/poverty/bullying?

• If God is sovereign, do my choices really matter?

Where these route in theology: Theology Proper (God’s holiness and justice balanced with His patience and forgiveness), Soteriology (man’s sin, God’s response as seen in the cross), Eschatology (final justice and hope).

Example:
Student: “Why forgive if it isn’t fair?”
Teacher leads a back-and-forth discussion, bringing out points along these lines: That’s a great question about justice → There are no easy answers, but we might start in Soteriology → We know that when we’re justified, God forgives us for all of our sins → He can do that because of Jesus’ costly sacrifice on the cross → As part of our sanctification, Christians practice costly forgiveness to imitate Jesus (Eph. 4:32) → And turning to Eschatology, Christians trust God with ultimate justice (Rom. 12:19) → This week: What can you do to work on forgiving someone who has wronged you?

2. Meaning questions (identity, purpose, hope)

• Who am I really? Do I matter to God?

• What’s my purpose? How do I know God’s will for my life?

• What is a ‘good life’? What’s most important for a good life – career, money, relationships, church?

• Is there any hope beyond this life?

Where these route in theology: Anthropology (image of God), Soteriology (sanctification, glorification), Pneumatology (the Spirit’s presence, guidance, and fruit), Ecclesiology (belonging & mission), Eschatology (future hope).

Example:
Student: “Who am I, really? What’s my purpose in life?”
Teacher leads a back-and-forth discussion, bringing out points along these lines: That’s a deep question about our identity → Let’s start in Anthropology: You are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27) → Moving to Soteriology, you’re a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) and adopted into God’s family as a dearly-loved child (Gal. 4:4–7) → According to Ecclesiology, you belong to a body. You are needed, gifted, and called to build others up (1 Cor. 12:12–27; Eph. 2:10) → This week: Choose one identity verse that’s meaningful to you and discuss it with a friend.

Teaching Systematic Theology to College & Young Adults

Having examined ideas for teaching systematic theology to kids and teens, you probably have a good idea of how to teach the same material to college and early-career young adults.

The truths and methods are similar. Your students may be wrestling with counter-arguments they’re hearing at their secular university, or they may be dealing with new questions about their long-term vocation and how it fits into God’s plan for their lives, but their need is the same – a safe place to discuss issues with a leader who will point them to a Biblical worldview, identity, and purpose.

Your students may be ready to take more initiative themselves. For example, you could challenge them to write their own personal doctrinal statement, explaining in a few sentences what they believe about each of the major categories of systematic theology.

Or you could challenge them to become teachers – in a kids’ classroom or to their peers. Remind them that teaching a subject is a great way to learn it well yourself. And Charles Spurgeon thought teaching theology to kids was especially beneficial:

If the Lord will but help us to teach the children, we shall be teaching ourselves. There is no way of learning like teaching–and you do not know a thing till you can teach it to another. You do not thoroughly know any Truth of God till you can put it before a child so that he can see it. In trying to make a little child understand the Doctrine of the Atonement you will get clearer views of it yourselves and, therefore, I commend the holy exercise to you.

Remember, your role with college students and young adults is less “teacher,” and more “mentor.” You want to model finding answers to difficult questions rather than just giving answers. You want to teach how to disagree like Christians – holding fast on matters of primary importance and showing charity over disagreements on matters of secondary importance.

Conclusion: Systematic Theology—Shaping Durable Faith in Teens & Young Adults

We’ve gone through some of the nuts and bolts of teaching systematic theology to teens and young adults. Now let's summarize some of the benefits and how systematic theology impacts teens and young adults – right where they live, study, and work:

Coherent Worldview. Young people face competing stories about truth, identity, justice, sex, money, and meaning. Systematic theology connects the dots from a Biblical point of view so they can answer life's hard questions with God’s truth instead of the latest trend, podcast, or algorithm.

Gospel Triage. A theological framework teaches them to major on the majors (Trinity, deity of Christ, grace through faith, authority of Scripture) and show charity on minors (church polity, end-times views), producing conviction and humility, two character traits crucial for friendships, small groups, and future church membership.

Shared Vocabulary. Naming big truths, like justification, adoption, sanctification, inspiration, etc., gives young adults and leaders a common language for discipleship. With shared terms, we can counsel precisely and encourage meaningfully.

Identity & Calling. Systematic theology anchors who they are (beloved, adopted, Spirit-filled) and clarifies what their life purpose is (getting to know God better, using their gifts to serve the church body, etc.). Doctrine turns vague aspirations into wise decisions made from a Biblical worldview and identity foundation about dating, media, money, vocation, and church involvement.

Practice That Endures. Because we ask, “What does the whole Bible teach—and what does that mean for me today?” doctrine naturally flows into daily rhythms of prayer, Scripture reading, Christian fellowship, hospitality, integrity, generosity, and more. 

By grounding teens and young adults in systematic theology, we aren't just filling their heads with facts; we are fundamentally changing what they believe. And what could be more important than that? As A.W. Tozer said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

Additional Resources:

1. Click here for more systematic theology quotes, helpful books, curriculum recommendations, etc.
   
   
2. Click here to read the first half of this article, focusing on Systematic Theology for Kids

Note: This blog post was originally written for a chapter in the upcoming Next Gen Ministry Textbook for the KidMin Academy. Check back for details about the book's release.