In fact, teens are already familiar with adult confidence in other matters, so this apparent insecurity about matters of religion struck the researchers as puzzling. "Adults do not hesitate to direct and expect from teens when it comes to school, sports, music, and beyond," they said. "But there seems to be a curious reluctance among many adults to teach teens when it comes to faith. Adults often seem to want to do little more than 'expose' teens to religion."

But this approach to matters of faith fails to take into account the manner in which youth learn. It is not so much from a vague wave-of-the-hand in the direction of truth, but rather the clear presentation -- by word and deed -- of what adults truly believe.

"Teens learn everything they know from someone, somewhere," Smith and Denton said. "Many youth actually consciously do want to be taught; they are open to being influenced by good word and example."

Expect Teens to Articulate Their Faith. One of the most striking things about interviewing teenagers about their faith, Smith and Denton said, was how inarticulate young people were about the most basic aspects of Christianity.

This shortcoming was, they suspected, the fault of church leaders who failed to engage teens in vibrant discussions about their faith.

"We were astounded by the realization that for very many teens we interviewed, it seemed as if our interview was the first time any adult had ever asked them what they believed," Soul Searching said.

Adults should not only busy themselves with teaching the precepts of the Christian faith, but also "expecting meaningful responses from [teens]."

The expectation from adults that teens could learn and then express their own faith would arise as Christian educators gave opportunity for self-expression.