I don't know how students got the message, but they all know it.
"Your mission in life is to get the biggest home, nicest car and stay as comfortable as possible."
There must have been a message because they all know it. Someone, somewhere must have sat them all down and told them the meaning of life because most of them are pursuing it.
The only way there wasn't a direct message would have to be they got their purpose from watching us. Maybe it was a non-verbal message they received, or maybe every-time their parents kept them from any threat of danger they got the message to play it safe.
Or maybe when they saw no one from their church do any ministry in the city or take any mission trips to tough places they determined that the Christian life was designed to be comfortable.
Our actions as Christians have consequences and one of them is our students don't know how to take any risks. When Christ followers stop taking risks, we stop living by faith.
Without faith we will do nothing.