AMERICAN TEENAGERS OPEN TO JESUS

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Although religious affiliation and church attendance are on the decline, more than half of American teenagers say they’re “very motivated” to know more about Jesus, and just over 75% say they’re at least “somewhat motivated” to learn about the centerpiece of Christianity, according to Barna Research.

Citing data from Barna’s Gen Z Vol. 3 research, which also highlights an openness and curiosity about spiritual matters among teenagers and young adults, researchers noted that the findings represent an opportunity for Christians to engage them.

“This generation tends to believe there’s something out there more powerful than them. Still, many remain hesitant to embrace religion or churchgoing,” researchers said. “Disciples of Christ should recognise that teens’ openness to learning about Jesus represents a significant opportunity for meaningful engagement.”

The data show that 77% of teens are at least motivated to learn about Jesus, with 52% being “very motivated” and 25% saying they are “somewhat motivated.” Less than 20% of teenagers said they were unmotivated to learn about Jesus, while 7% said they were unsure.

“While teens express interest in Jesus, they may approach faith differently than previous generations. Furthermore, authenticity and relevance are key. Be prepared to address difficult questions honestly and demonstrate how Jesus and the Bible relate to the world we live in today,” Barna advised..

It must be remembered that Pew Research data published in 2018, showed that although 80% of Americans say they believe in God, only a slim majority of the nation’s approximately 327 million people were found to believe in God as described in the Bible. Very few Americans have a Biblical worldview. This is a major problem, and as persecution of Christians increases, many will fall away, just as Jesus prophesied in the Olivet Discourse.

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and you shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:9-13

HOW TEENS ESTABLISH THEIR IDENTITY

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Identity is defined by Psychology Today as the knowledge of who we are (Timothy Pychyl, “Teenagers, Identity Crisis & Procrastination: On the Benefits of Knowing Who You Are”, Psychology Today, April 2008).

63% of teens say they “know who they are” while 37% do not fully know their identity yet (Stage of Life, “Did You Know: High School Facts and Figures”, 2008-2018.).

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whosoevers.com – MAINSTREAM STATS AND QUOTES ON 25 OF SOME OF LIFE’S TOUGHEST TOPICS TEENS STRUGGLE WITH TODAY, AND THE BIBLE’S RESPONSE TO THEM.

Teens search for identity in status, work, race, ethnicity, education, family, opinions of others, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, friends, money, power, talent, etc. Technology and social media, no doubt, proves finding identity even more confusing and difficult, giving them more possible versions of “self” than ever before to constantly edit, As well they have an endless supply of people to compare themselves with. They risk a vicious cycle of seeking constant online approval, causing unhealthy online dependency or a misconception that online identity equals real life. (Chandra Johnson, “Growing Up Digital: How The Internet Affects Teen Identity”, Desert News Family, May 2014) (Mary Madden, et al., “Teens, Social Media, and Privacy”, Pew Research Center, May 2013), (Solstice RTC, “Self Identity in Teens: Social Media Is Getting in the Way”, 2019).

The truth about their identity is found in only one place, the Bible. Our Creator says our identity is found in Him because we are created in His image (Genesis. 1:27). Before we were born, He knew us (Jeremiah 1:5) and had plans written for us (Psalms 139:16). Jesus said we find our true life if we give ours to him (Luke 9:23-25), He then sends us the Holy Spirit to live in our Spirit to sanctify us, to enable us to be children of God (John 1:12) to live a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) and be in relationship with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17) all through our identity in Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28). Our citizenship is in heaven and eventually on a new earth. (Philippians 3:20 & Revelation 21:1-4).

Sadly, in our post Christian world children are no longer taught the truth from God’s word by parents and certainly not at our public teaching institutions, schools and universities. Moreover, increasingly our institutional churches are no longer preaching God’s Word having compromised with the world on its changing moral values. The good news is provided in my last post: HARVEST RIPE: THE GOSPEL WELCOME NEWS TO THE YOUNG. Each of us just needs to be attuned to what God is doing and follow the Holy Spirit’s lead.

Source of information Tough Topics (for Teens) by Zeal Bible Club. Go to whosoevers.com to support this great work.