The phrase “thinking outside the box” has become en vogue recently in certain areas of our culture. As many readers will recall, this analogy morphed into our culture’s vernacular due to the puzzle made of three vertical columns of three dots each. The goal of this brainteaser is to use four straight lines to connect all nine dots without lifting your pencil off the paper. The only way to successfully complete the puzzle is to draw the line outside the box. The point, of course, is “outside the box” thinking.

I’ve come to the conclusion, however, that this concept of thinking outside the box may have done us a disservice in some areas of life. Many of us applaud the idea of creativity, and we revolt against the concept of conventional thinking. We cheer free thinkers and disdain the idea of conformity. I’m afraid that many youth workers have accepted this kind of thinking when it comes to ministry.

In some areas I would agree that it is time to think outside the box. Reaching people for Christ and ministering in the context of our culture may demand creative and relevant thinking—and action.

Yet when it comes to doctrinal integrity, we should think inside the box. In other words, let’s remember that our “box” needs to be the inspired and inerrant Word of God. Biblical truth must make up the very fabric of our ministries with students instead of being relegated only to the pages of an oft-ignored doctrinal statement. Is doctrinal integrity merely an outline point in our church constitutions, or is it a highly visible characteristic of our ministries? We must loyally and intentionally ground our student ministries in Bible doctrine.

Most youth workers who read this post would champion doctrinal integrity. They would argue that they want their students to possess such a working knowledge of Scripture that they can personally apply it to their lives and live in accordance to the principles of God’s Word. But there’s a trend that I’ve noticed in many local churches. Many churches are doing away with educational ministries in lieu of other methods of reaching and ministering to today’s students. It seems as if the trend is to emphasize relational ministry at the expense of prioritizing the clear and complete teaching of Scripture. Some churches have begun using the regular youth ministry functions (i.e., Sunday School, youth group meetings) to spotlight entertainment (often in the form of music or video) or social interaction (giving kids the opportunity to just hang out with each other).

I certainly don’t intend this article to be an indictment of all youth workers. In fact, I have visited several churches recently where youth workers are intentionally emphasizing Bible doctrine with students. Many churches still make educating their youth in Biblical truth the top priority of their Sunday Schools and other youth meetings. I also recognize that students need fun, and our churches should provide legitimate opportunities for enjoyable fellowship with other believers and creative outlets for evangelism.

Each youth worker will need to do a comprehensive evaluation of his or her own ministry. Are we utilizing Sunday School as a culturally applicable means to teach Scriptural truth to students? Do our teaching materials and curricula contain sound Biblical truth, and do our lessons reflect the doctrinal truth we want our students to know? Are our other youth meetings intentionally designed to teach students what they need to know about Biblical theology before they graduate from high school? Are we creatively teaching our students the complete Word of God in a way that will change their lives and mold them into mature followers of Christ?

I believe that today’s millennial generation wants to know what they believe. This is a generation that craves depth and substance. Gone are the days when fluff and entertainment can attract great numbers of students. Today’s young adults want something genuine and real—not the diet of contrived reality that is so prevalent in their media-driven culture. According to well-known researcher Christian Smith in his book Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, the vast of majority of this generation is interested in what he calls “religious beliefs.”

It’s time to think inside the box.