Working with college students gives me a front-row seat to how the enemy is working in this next generation. They are more anxious and depressed than ever, they are a social media generation, they struggle more with identity, and they seem to have some immaturities at their ages that older generations did not in this season of life. On the outside, looking in, it can be very easy to criticize and nit-pick how this generation is far from God and lose hope for the future of our nation and the world. However, I want to write you today to tell you reasons why not to lose hope for Gen Z.
Gen Z Stands by a Cause
This can be scary depending on what cause they get connected to, but for those who give their lives to Jesus, this is a powerful quality. According to the Gospel Coalition, “Eighty-two percent of Christian teenagers told Barna it was important to them to share their faith. They’re serious: almost 80 percent have talked with someone about God in the last year.” This is an astonishing percentage. The young people of today are not afraid to be known for their love for Jesus and tell others of His love for them. I have witnessed this firsthand, as there have been countless students among our college ministries who have sacrificed their summers to go on mission trips, take theology classes, and invest in their local communities.
Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Gen Z Desires Authenticity
I find this ironic because the “digital age” is what Gen Z is known for. However, this is likely a big reason for it. When we ponder the volume of online identities and filtered photos, this generation is crying out for people to just be real with them. They do not want the constant perfect hair days, honeymoon phases, and ideal vacation pics. They desire authenticity, vulnerability, and genuine conversations. As our team has been sharing the gospel with these incoming freshmen, it has not been uncommon this year for them to cry through the gospel presentation. They truly have a sensitivity to the gospel, which is a beautiful thing.
On the other hand, many have negative views of the church itself due to past experiences or just how they were raised. It is vital that we teach and show them what healthy church bodies look like and how to plug in effectively. It is also super important that we take time to listen to their history and bring to the surface anything that has hurt them or affected them. Their drive for authentic living can be a wonderful lesson to the church as a whole that we do life together in the trenches alongside one another.
Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”
Gen Z Is Diverse
Generation Z is the most racially diverse of all generations before. This could easily be a barrier or divider in many ways, but we, as Christians, know that the Lord created diversity. He has a plan for heaven; the perfect place will be filled with people from every tribe and every nation. This is a unique opportunity because, among the differences seen in our nation, Gen Z can be propelled for a greater vision of global outreach. They are more aquatinted with diversity, so it is something that they might more naturally be a part of in sharing the gospel.
In being so diverse, Gen Z gets a greater picture of who God is through culture, worship, and teaching. Rather than having one culture’s idea of the Lord, they are seeing pictures of Himself through the ways that those around them who are believers serve and honor Christ with their lives. This broadens their view of the Lord and leads to great worship and praise of His amazing creativity.
Revelation 7:9-10 says, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”
Gen Z Desires Community
After being heavily hit by COVID during their formative teen years, many Gen Zs genuinely desire to be part of a community. This can be an opportunity for Christians to step in and welcome others. There is more of an openness because it is refreshing to be invited and to be with people in person without masks and social distancing. COVID quarantine was a defining time for this group, and it has had a lot of negative effects, but the Lord can use this difficulty and these times of trials to draw others into Christian community. There is a clear hope to be involved and be with people, even if it takes longer for some than others to readjust to normal life. We can be reaching out and loving them well.
Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
With all of this information, we should not be critiquing Gen Z but cultivating and encouraging the best parts of them. We can help them hone their skills and abilities to fulfill the great commission. We can pray for them and remember that God has a plan and a reason for them in the time that He has placed them on this earth, just like He does for us in the time He has entrusted to us. So do not lose heart over what you hear or see. There is more going on in the post-Christian generation than meets the eye because those who are following Christ are following fully and wholeheartedly after Him. They are missional, authentic, diverse, and desire community. Do not lose hope for the next generation, our Lord has not, and He has a beautiful plan for their lives.
Related Resource: The 5 Greatest Cultural Challenges Facing Gen Z
Every generation has faced challenges from the culture, but the intensity and ferocity of the challenges facing Gen Z is new. These challenges are pummeling the next generation like waves, one after another after another. What are the cultural waves facing Gen Z? We can’t respond to them if we don’t know what they are. Listen to this episode of Christian Parent, Crazy World to hear what these challenges are and what parents can do today to help their Gen Z kids navigate them. You don't want to miss this important conversation! For more expert parenting help, be sure to subscribe to Christian Parent, Crazy World on Apple or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Peter Cade
Emma Danzey’s mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and mom to Graham. Emma serves alongside her husband in ministry, she focuses most of her time in the home, but loves to provide articles on the Bible, life questions, and Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 on Crosswalk in 2021. Most recently, Emma released Treasures for Tots, (Scripture memory songs) and multiple books and devotionals for young children. During her ministry career, Emma has released Wildflower: Blooming Through Singleness, two worship EP albums, founded and led Polished Conference Ministries, and ran the Refined Magazine. You can view her articles on her blog at emmadanzey.wordpress.com