One of the big things in my heart at this point in my life is how you enable young people to see Jesus for all who He really is.
Frankly, from my experience with them, I see that they are very distracted, never bored and use a language package that is beyond me.
However, I also see the extreme amount of potential they do hold seeing their strengths compared to the generations that have come before.
Being a part of Generation Z (by a hair’s width being a 98 baby), I share much of the lens with kids in the second half of their teenage years.
Though these days, a lot of my effort is in a youth group context, as much as I can, I’ll make this as practical as possible regardless of the context as I’ve had experience sharing Jesus in smaller groups and 1-on-1 settings.
Here are some of the things I’ve found helpful:
Engage without an agenda
Of course, we have an agenda, for them to know Jesus.
What I mean is to approach initiating interactions as though you don’t have one. Meet them where their interests lie. Video games? Sport? Art? Music?
How much the gospel is understood can sometimes come from how far you’ve come to genuinely understand a person and meet them where they’re at.
Consistency over multiple touchpoints
Long gone are the days where young people can be invited to an event and they are in the communities for the long run. Young people find comfort in knowing that there are a few they know well in the larger community they’re a part of.
So if they were to consider youth group, or a church camp of any kind, often the first question that is asked is “Who is going?”
As much as it’s good to keep an eye out for cliquey behaviour, there can be a healthy utilisation of it in settings where young people are prevalent in the church.
Familiarity with someone, or a few people goes a long way being involved in a wider group context.
I also mention this in light of younger people having a tendency to be shy anyway. We are a little more anxious compared to other generations, so we may take our time to open up.
Given touch points are frequent and high quality (I would also count sending memes/reels, not just in-person conversations), through this I often experience a mutual trust will be built.
Seek understanding about how they introspect
As you develop great relationships, if they’re every comfortable opening up, give them space to process their thoughts.
Gen Z is hungry for mentors and good role models, I don’t know what it is, but it seems they desire to be led the right way.
I’ve particularly enjoyed recent conversations about how to navigate the future and what to do with feelings they have for a girl they like.
It opens very organic opportunities to teach and describe the Bible’s wisdom in being above reproach and stewarding your gifts for God’s glory.
But never lose sight of posturing yourself to listen.
Share your life
As far as it is important to listen, relationships are often enriched when there is mutual understanding.
This has often come in two ways, talking about your own life experiences and creating memories with people.
It’s often intriguing for Gen Z to know how other people live and work through things in their lives.
When I relive my high school days in conversation by sharing how I dealt with matters like crushes and things I learned at my part-time job, it helps with empathising with situations they go through day-to-day
When we go out to the driving range, play some ball, and eat the cheapest meals in Maccas and Carl’s Jr, it creates more space to be a spiritual influence as they associate you as a trustworthy figure in their life.
Share the truth as it is
The gospel is the power of salvation for those who believe. Though this point might be a given, there can be a way we can swing towards being comfortable in the current way our relationships are as opposed to being intentional with growth and speaking the truth in love.
Since Jesus says the truth sets us free, we have a duty and pleasure to speak truth in their lives. I would also say they’re looking for it.
If a great foundation for friendship has been built, there is a lot of space to speak life over young people.
In my experience, discipleship/mentorship has been a matter of understanding what’s been happening in their world and seeing if they have anything they are thinking or working through.
Having time where you sit down to read scripture and pray is also foundational as you give them the relevant tools to walk with the Lord.
Focus on building quality relationships
As a surface-level observation, I see that I see previous generations being more content with the logistical nature of the church. What I mean bu this is people will attend the Sunday Service, Wednesday Bible and Friday Prayer Night to call it a great week in their walk.
I don’t mean to say that’s a bad thing, I’m meant to contrast it with the approach I see the current way young people take things where there is a general desire for a life-on-life involvement with their friends.
If my hunch is correct, there may have already been a shift with modern evangelism going from 1-to-many to 1-to-few.
Sharing our faith relationally is what is more effective in reaching Gen Z right now.
It’s a lot of work, but it bears fruit in ways that are reflective of what we see in the early church.
A lot of the effort we place in the youth doesn’t only have to do with having touch points through the week.
Not that every interaction has to be deep, but it give space to do so eventually given the months or even years of effort you’ve placed into building the relationships you have with these individuals.
But all of it has to be intentional and a great mix of sharing life, enjoyment, deep chat and spiritual engagement.
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