On this week’s edition of The Stand, Don Crawford Senior, President of Crawford Media Group, mentions the spiritual hunger of Generation Z. As he references Barna’s research, we thought this would be a great opportunity to share with our readers what the article entailed.
Many Teens Want to Learn About Jesus.
You might be surprised to find that teenagers today are often eager to talk about God. A recent study by Barna shows that many teens in the U.S., whether they identify as Christians or not, have a strong interest in getting to know more about Jesus as they grow up.
The Facts.
According to the study, more than three-quarters of U.S. teens—77%—say they feel at least a little motivated to learn about Jesus throughout their lives. Specifically, 52% of them are “very motivated,” while 25% are “somewhat motivated.” Less than 20% say they aren’t motivated to learn (6% are somewhat unmotivated, and 10% feel not at all motivated). Another 7% are unsure about their interest.
This is positive news. Most teenagers today express a desire to understand more about Jesus. Additional research from Barna reveals that this generation is curious about spiritual topics and believes that there is something greater than themselves. However, many teens are still hesitant about organized religion and attending church.
What does this mean?
Church leaders and parents should pay attention to this openness among teens. It presents a great chance to connect with them about their faith. But it’s important to approach this thoughtfully, keeping in mind that many young people might be wary of traditional religious practices. Creating a welcoming environment for open discussions will allow teens to ask their questions about Jesus freely and without feeling pressured.
It’s also essential to recognize that while these teens want to learn about Jesus, they might have different ways of understanding faith compared to older generations. Authenticity and relevance matter a lot to them, so being ready to engage in honest conversations and relating Jesus and the teachings of the Bible to today’s world is crucial.
