Gen Z Scares Me
Kyle Stutzman
Gen Z is terrifying. In case you don’t know what Gen Z is, it’s all the young adults under 25, and teenagers. So basically the youth of our world today. Now why do they terrify me? Well there’s the fact that they are more biblically illiterate than ever. Only 9% are actually “biblically engaged” (courtesy of James Emery White). And only 66% are considered Bible users, which means they read it at least 4 times a year. Which really is basically not much at all. I mean you can have the Bible app send you daily notifications with a verse, so they’re not even doing that. TikTok has created a culture of people critical of all others, listening to loose, incorrect theological statements simply because the person speaking has a lot of followers. There are plenty of statistics here to be afraid of. There is plenty here to make us doubtful of the next generation, and the one that is going to come after them.
But here’s the thing: Gen Z terrifies me for another reason. They are deeply passionate about pursuing ideas. They are passionate about creating a full sense of right and wrong. They may get carried away, but they want leaders and people they look up to to be held accountable. What they don’t realize is these things within them are desires that Jesus Christ can fulfill.
I think of Isaiah 61 and the anointing of God upon Jesus. And this anointing that is now on every believer. There’s a specific passage I’ve been obsessed with:
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be called priests of the Lord,
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Isaiah 61:4-6
The idea that places that have long been broken will be restored. The idea that the church in America, while it has been struggling, will be reawakened and brought to a new season of growth and revival. The idea that strangers and people who we’ve never known before will come and be a part of the growing Kingdom of God. This is my prayer and my hope for Gen Z. They will be a part of this new era of the church. They will be a part of a new season of revival. So yes, Gen Z scares me, but in a lot of ways they inspire me and give me hope that we will see God do absolutely incredible things through them. And if that doesn’t further inspire you, I’ll put on my charismatic hat: the next generation after them? They’re called “Generation Alpha”. The beginning. Do with that what you will.
Source:
https://www.churchandculture.org/blog/2021/9/9/generation-z-update