Transmission of Seventh-day Adventist lifestyle values to Cameroonian youth in Douala III District of the West Cameroon Conference

Abstract

The transmission of values is the process by which the beliefs and values of one person or a group of people are adopted/internalized by another person or group of people. It is part of the maturation process for adolescents to personalize their faith rather than reflect their parents' faith, and parents need to be supportive of the questioning and searching stage of the faith journey. It finds its roots in the express will of God, which commits the people of Israel to make it a fundamental principle in the education of children, and for the perpetuation of divine values as written in Deuteronomy 6:6-10. The problem raised by this research is the need for intentional and comprehensive methods to enhance the transmission of Seventh-day Adventist values, to comply with the lifestyle of the members, especially the young people to the standard of the Bible teachings This dissertation developed, implemented, and evaluated a strategy based on biblical principles and methods that can effectively and efficiently impart values to Cameroonian youth in the Douala 3 sub-division. The methodology is mixed methods research based on surveys, interviews, and focus groups with pastors, church leaders, members, and young people. The sampling method selected participants from 13 churches in the subdivisions to ensure a variety of perspectives. Triangulation, thematic, and integrative analyses were used to interpret the data and identify tools and instruments for comprehensive value transmission. The findings show that the church in the Douala III is using traditional ways of transmitting values, which can be updated and upgraded according to the challenges they are facing; parents are not intentional, and some of them are involved in premarital sex issues and cohabitation; pastoral care is very low when considering the number of people living in cohabitation (43) and those having children out of marriage (80); and a need for a comprehensive project for the transmission of values. The research proposes that the combination of discipleship, mentoring, and fellowship is an effective tool for transmitting values. The research highlighted a transmission of values based on peer influence, specialized mentors, ongoing teaching, and dynamic fellowship.