1. Session 4
The Story of
Adolescence
Dawn Rundman
Director of Children’s Development at
sparkhouse

2. Adolescent Demographics:
A Quick Look at the 4 Cs
countrycommunity churchcongregation

3. 10-14yo 20.6 million 6.7% of population
15-19yo 21.2 million 6.9% of population
Adolescents make up 13.6% of population: 1 in 8 in US
countrycommunity churchcongregation

4. countrycommunity churchcongregatio
n
In a 2008 ELCA report, 4% of members between ages 15-
19
No data reported for 10-14yo
1 in 12 ELCA members

5. Our Town: Who’s in Your
Community?
countrycommunity churchcongregation

6. Locate Congregation Stats,
Stat!
countrycommunity churc
h
congregatio
n

7. Which data points are most surprising / revealing / compelling to you?
Describe 2-3 demographic features of youth in your context that matter to you.
countrycommunity churchcongregatio
n
Bonus Question! What do we know about young Jesus’ country, church,
community, and congregation?

8. A Deeper Look
Mental Illness,
Mental Health
Early Onset
Puberty
The Boy Crisis Digital Natives

9. The Biblically Illiterate Youth
Um, what’s
that again?The
Bible?
The
Bible
?

10. The “The Bible Tells Me So”
Youth
Um, what’s
that again?
It’s that
rule book,
right?
The
Bible?
The
Bible?

11. The “I had lots of Sunday school
adventures with art and puppets
and snacks and games and
science activities and…” Youth
Um, what’s
that again?
It’s that
rule book,
right?
The
Bible?
The
Bible?
The
Bible?
Best. Skit
prop.
Ever.

12. Stories of Faith can mean…
Stories from the Bible
Stories of faithful Christians
Stories about the Christian church in action
Stories about the ministries of your congregation