Theology is Practical
“Is theology practical?” This is a question more youth workers are starting to ask themselves.
A false dichotomy is often presented to youth workers: choose theology or choose practicality. You can either be a leader who presents big ideas about God, man, and sin to a bored (and shrinking) crowd or you can have fun, give practical advice to your youth, and have a thriving ministry.
God’s Word gives us a different vision. The Bible does not present theology and deep thinking about the truths of God as a mere intellectual exercise for pastors and the occasional student. Instead, the Bible grounds its practical advice about life in deep theological truths. Further, without these theological truths, our practical advice and moral teaching will ring hollow.
Our youth need theology. They also need practicality. One example is the book of James, which provides us proof that theology is not merely an intellectual endeavor, but a practical one that transforms the whole person.
James Marries Theology and Practicality
Why can we trust that God is good? Because God doesn’t change like shifting shadows. Our students do not merely need to hear that God is good, they need confidence in a good God who is immutable and unchanging. James wants to ground our hope in God’s goodness in God’s immutability. Without that grounding, we run the risk of not building the proper foundation for God’s goodness. Theology Proper is endlessly relevant for our students. (James 1:17).
Why do we not show favoritism? Because it is contrary to faith in Jesus, the Lord of Glory. Our students ask questions about injustice every day. They also confront questions of injustice every day. James directs us to a view of justice grounded in the person and work of Jesus. A proper Christology shows why the “Lord of Glory” detests favoritism and shows mercy to the poor (James 2:1, 5).
If we are saved, then why do we still sin? We all stumble in many ways. James teaches us our good works are evidence of saving faith, but we still must grow throughout our lives as we grow into who we are in Christ. If students do not understand Sanctification, failure in the Christian life will be crushing (James 3:2).
Why do we quarrel? The passions that wage war in us. The doctrine of total depravity can teach teenagers how to think about the common passions and spiritual sicknesses that infect us all. This way, sin in the church (and in themselves) is not surprising. Theological Anthropology teaches us who we are and so we can understand ourselves, our sin, and our redemption (James 4:1).
Theology isn’t an empty academic enterprise. We do not have to choose between practical instruction or theological depth with our students. The Bible, and especially James, shows us the two actually go hand in hand. Theological depth in our teaching will draw our students towards practical and godly living. We do not need to pick one. We need both—together.
You Can Marry Practicality and Depth Too
Our students will graduate and head into a world where the “why” is essential to their life and faith. They will not walk into this world with “6 Tips for Conquering _______” or an illustration from a game, but with their Bible. Show them how to read, understand, and apply God’s counsel in your teaching, so they will not be “driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).
The way to teach students how theology undergirds the Christian life is by simply teaching and preaching Scripture. Go as deep as the text takes you. A method and model of teaching and preaching that exposits God’s word will give your students the opportunity to see you connect the two up-front. This way every time you give your students a “do” it is grounded in a “why.