The Dragon, the Princess, the Treasure, and the Quest

By Russ Zacek

Why Are Churches Failing to Disciple Their Youth?

Many churches believe they are discipling their youth. They invest in programs, purchase curricula, recruit volunteers, and ensure kids hear Bible stories. For most, this meets expectations—children are engaged, enjoying themselves, and learning about Jesus. But is this truly discipleship?

To forge disciples, godly leaders must commit to a radical sacrifice of time, energy, and resolve. They must challenge the status quo, critically evaluate current models, and relentlessly pursue what it takes to raise true followers of Jesus.

Definitions

• Convert: Someone who accepts the Gospel’s truths and prays a salvation prayer

• Christian: A convert who participates in church activities, identifying as a Christian

• Churchgoer: An individual who attends church, valuing its community

• Disciple: A devoted student of Jesus, actively living out His teachings

Churches often aim to convert people, turn them into churchgoers, and eventually label them as Christians. Success is measured by salvations, baptisms, attendance, and giving—metrics satisfied at the “Christian” level. There’s little urgency to push beyond this, as it risks discomfort or disruption. Christians enjoy community, eternal security, and church involvement, keeping both members and leaders content.

But a disciple is different. A disciple internalizes Jesus’ words, striving to live as if walking with Him in the first century. When Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Luke 9:23), a disciple acts on this call. They see the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) as their life’s mission, prioritizing making disciples over personal comfort or church metrics.

The Dragon Threatening the Church

The obvious enemy might seem to be Satan—the deceiver who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet, the dragon menacing the next generation isn’t just Satan. It’s a fourfold beast: tradition, complacency, social pressure, and busyness. These forces hold captive the church’s youth, preventing them from becoming disciples and claiming the treasure of God’s kingdom.

The Four Claws of the Dragon

1.   Tradition: Clinging to the Past“We’ve always done it this way.” Inertia blinds churches to ineffective methods. Barna research reveals 64% of young adults leave the church, yet many ignore this, satisfied with fun programs and Bible stories. The Great Commission doesn’t call for entertaining kids or teaching stories—it commands making disciples who obey Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 28:19-20). Instead, churches settle for childcare with a sprinkle of Jesus, watching graduates drift away.

2.   Complacency: Settling for “Enough” Ministry is exhausting, and change is daunting. Teaching kids to truly follow Jesus risks raising radical believers who disrupt schools, workplaces, and communities—and expose adult complacency. Churches maintain services, programs, and volunteers, deeming it sufficient. Demanding spiritual disciplines like daily Bible reading, prayer, evangelism, and service would require adults to model the same, and many lack the time or will. So, they avoid rocking the boat, content with stable attendance and giving.

3.   Social Pressure: Fear of Cancellation In a connected world, churches face global scrutiny. Social media and constant information amplify anxiety about public perception. Parents prioritize children’s mental health, extracurricular activities, and cultural conformity over bold faith. Teaching kids to follow Jesus—evangelizing, praying publicly, or confronting sin—could lead to persecution or cancellation. To avoid this, churches tone down faith, teaching moral stories and fitting church into busy schedules, hoping salvation alone suffices.

4.   Busyness: No Time for Discipleship Our culture dreads boredom, scheduling kids into endless activities—sports, clubs, camps—leaving no room for silence, stillness, or spiritual formation. Matthew 6:33 urges seeking God’s kingdom first, but spiritual growth is sidelined for academics or social pursuits. Adults model this, prioritizing personal desires over sabbath rest or spiritual disciplines. Children follow suit, learning that faith is optional or secondary, something to address later—if at all.

The Princess: The Next Generation

The princess is the vibrant, faithful next generation, held captive by the dragon’s claws. Young people don’t abandon Jesus’ way because they reject Him; they see through the hollow, cultural Christianity offered by churches and find it uninspiring. Jesus’ call—“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19)—is a thrilling adventure to save the world through God’s kingdom. Yet, churches often cage this power, offering a tame religion that neither empowers youth nor engages them in God’s mission.

This princess is the church—Christ’s bride, meant to be spotless and holy (Ephesians 5:27). Jesus expects disciples who walk in His ways, empowered by His Spirit, using their gifts to preach the Gospel, reach the lost, and mentor others into discipleship.

The Treasure: The Kingdom’s Reward

Churches languish in emptiness, lacking vision. Revelation 7:9 paints a vivid picture: a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue worshipping before God’s throne. The Christian life isn’t boring or restrictive—it’s the most exhilarating adventure. Following Jesus brings miracles, divine encounters, and the joy of seeing lives transformed. Disciples experience God’s presence, hear His voice, and witness His provision as they pursue His dreams.

The treasure is multifaceted:

• The People: Those we disciple who become spiritual children, carrying out God’s mission

• The Experiences: Stories of miracles, provision, and answered prayers

• The Kingdom: A life of purpose, building God’s eternal kingdom

• Jesus Himself: The ultimate treasure, our King and Lord, glorified through our obedience

The Quest: Slay the Dragon

The choice is stark: the easy road of status quo or the hard road of discipleship. The easy path—maintaining programs and traditions—yields little fruit and fails God’s calling. The hard path requires courage to confront the dragon of tradition, complacency, social pressure, and busyness.

Leaders must:

• Reject Tradition: Evaluate programs critically, prioritizing obedience to the Great Commission.

• Overcome Complacency: Model spiritual disciplines and push youth to follow Jesus radically.

• Defy Social Pressure: Equip youth to boldly live out their faith, regardless of cultural backlash.

• Break Busyness: Prioritize spiritual formation, teaching kids to seek God first.

Jesus promises a great harvest (Luke 10:2), but it requires laborers willing to fight. Success is assured if we seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), surrender to His will, and live in daily obedience.

The Call to Action

Why Are Churches Failing to Disciple Their Youth?

Many churches believe they are discipling their youth. They invest in programs, purchase curricula, recruit volunteers, and ensure kids hear Bible stories. For most, this meets expectations—children are engaged, enjoying themselves, and learning about Jesus. But is this truly discipleship?

To forge disciples, godly leaders must commit to a radical sacrifice of time, energy, and resolve. They must challenge the status quo, critically evaluate current models, and relentlessly pursue what it takes to raise true followers of Jesus.

Definitions

• Convert: Someone who accepts the Gospel’s truths and prays a salvation prayer

• Christian: A convert who participates in church activities, identifying as a Christian

• Churchgoer: An individual who attends church, valuing its community

• Disciple: A devoted student of Jesus, actively living out His teachings

Churches often aim to convert people, turn them into churchgoers, and eventually label them as Christians. Success is measured by salvations, baptisms, attendance, and giving—metrics satisfied at the “Christian” level. There’s little urgency to push beyond this, as it risks discomfort or disruption. Christians enjoy community, eternal security, and church involvement, keeping both members and leaders content.

But a disciple is different. A disciple internalizes Jesus’ words, striving to live as if walking with Him in the first century. When Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Luke 9:23), a disciple acts on this call. They see the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) as their life’s mission, prioritizing making disciples over personal comfort or church metrics.

The Dragon Threatening the Church

The obvious enemy might seem to be Satan—the deceiver who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet, the dragon menacing the next generation isn’t just Satan. It’s a fourfold beast: tradition, complacency, social pressure, and busyness. These forces hold captive the church’s youth, preventing them from becoming disciples and claiming the treasure of God’s kingdom.

The Four Claws of the Dragon

1.   Tradition: Clinging to the Past “We’ve always done it this way.” Inertia blinds churches to ineffective methods. Barna research reveals 64% of young adults leave the church, yet many ignore this, satisfied with fun programs and Bible stories. The Great Commission doesn’t call for entertaining kids or teaching stories—it commands making disciples who obey Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 28:19-20). Instead, churches settle for childcare with a sprinkle of Jesus, watching graduates drift away.

2.   Complacency: Settling for “Enough” Ministry is exhausting, and change is daunting. Teaching kids to truly follow Jesus risks raising radical believers who disrupt schools, workplaces, and communities—and expose adult complacency. Churches maintain services, programs, and volunteers, deeming it sufficient. Demanding spiritual disciplines like daily Bible reading, prayer, evangelism, and service would require adults to model the same, and many lack the time or will. So, they avoid rocking the boat, content with stable attendance and giving.

3.   Social Pressure: Fear of Cancellation In a connected world, churches face global scrutiny. Social media and constant information amplify anxiety about public perception. Parents prioritize children’s mental health, extracurricular activities, and cultural conformity over bold faith. Teaching kids to follow Jesus—evangelizing, praying publicly, or confronting sin—could lead to persecution or cancellation. To avoid this, churches tone down faith, teaching moral stories and fitting church into busy schedules, hoping salvation alone suffices.

4.   Busyness: No Time for Discipleship Our culture dreads boredom, scheduling kids into endless activities—sports, clubs, camps—leaving no room for silence, stillness, or spiritual formation. Matthew 6:33 urges seeking God’s kingdom first, but spiritual growth is sidelined for academics or social pursuits. Adults model this, prioritizing personal desires over sabbath rest or spiritual disciplines. Children follow suit, learning that faith is optional or secondary, something to address later—if at all.

The Princess: The Next Generation

The princess is the vibrant, faithful next generation, held captive by the dragon’s claws. Young people don’t abandon Jesus’ way because they reject Him; they see through the hollow, cultural Christianity offered by churches and find it uninspiring. Jesus’ call—“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19)—is a thrilling adventure to save the world through God’s kingdom. Yet, churches often cage this power, offering a tame religion that neither empowers youth nor engages them in God’s mission.

This princess is the church—Christ’s bride, meant to be spotless and holy (Ephesians 5:27). Jesus expects disciples who walk in His ways, empowered by His Spirit, using their gifts to preach the Gospel, reach the lost, and mentor others into discipleship.

The Treasure: The Kingdom’s Reward

Churches languish in emptiness, lacking vision. Revelation 7:9 paints a vivid picture: a multitude from every nation, tribe, and tongue worshipping before God’s throne. The Christian life isn’t boring or restrictive—it’s the most exhilarating adventure. Following Jesus brings miracles, divine encounters, and the joy of seeing lives transformed. Disciples experience God’s presence, hear His voice, and witness His provision as they pursue His dreams.

The treasure is multifaceted:

• The People: Those we disciple who become spiritual children, carrying out God’s mission

• The Experiences: Stories of miracles, provision, and answered prayers

• The Kingdom: A life of purpose, building God’s eternal kingdom

• Jesus Himself: The ultimate treasure, our King and Lord, glorified through our obedience

The Quest: Slay the Dragon

The choice is stark: the easy road of status quo or the hard road of discipleship. The easy path—maintaining programs and traditions—yields little fruit and fails God’s calling. The hard path requires courage to confront the dragon of tradition, complacency, social pressure, and busyness.

Leaders must:

• Reject Tradition: Evaluate programs critically, prioritizing obedience to the Great Commission.

• Overcome Complacency: Model spiritual disciplines and push youth to follow Jesus radically.

• Defy Social Pressure: Equip youth to boldly live out their faith, regardless of cultural backlash.

• Break Busyness: Prioritize spiritual formation, teaching kids to seek God first.

Jesus promises a great harvest (Luke 10:2), but it requires laborers willing to fight. Success is assured if we seek God’s kingdom first (Matthew 6:33), surrender to His will, and live in daily obedience.

The Call to Action

Will you retreat to the safety of mundane ministry, or will you draw your sword, enter the dragon’s lair, and fight? Will you slay the beast, rescue the next generation, and claim the treasure of God’s kingdom? The harvest awaits brave disciples. The decision is yours.