Publication Date

Spring 5-2026

School

School of Divinity

Major

Theology and Apologetics

Keywords

Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, Habit, Habit Formation, Inside Out Apologetics, Identity, Youth Religion, National Study of Youth and Religion

Abstract

This paper engages with the culture of American youth to discover how American churches can intentionally form teenagers toward love of God rather than self. The diagnostic research for this paper is primarily founded on the National Study of Youth and Religion conducted by a team of sociologists led by Christian Smith. The strategy for interactions with teenagers themselves is taken from Joshua Chatraw and Mark Allen’s Inside Out method of apologetics. The premise of habit formation stems from the works of Charles Duhigg, James K.A. Smith, and Saint Augustine. It is the contention of this paper that liturgical confessional habits form hearts before minds to foundationally shift the perspective of American teenagers from internal truth, goodness, and beauty within the self to external truth, goodness, and beauty in God. Regular practices of dependence on God through confession of sin and confession of faith properly position Christian young people to communally and individually receive the grace of God through faith in a way that reorients worship and allows for true joy, peace, and fulfillment.

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