According to the American Bible Society's latest State of the Bible report, 49% of 18- to 21-year-olds and 52% of 22- to 26-year-olds say their lives have been transformed by the Bible's message. Based on its findings, the ministry concludes that Gen Z is extremely open to discussions about faith and the Bible.
Dr. Alex McFarland of Truth for a New Generation says he is not surprised; he believes young people are looking for an anchor in an ever-shifting world.
"Where the Bible is proclaimed and where people of any age, especially young people, hear biblical worldview — scripture, Jesus — they respond eagerly," he observes.
He acknowledges the power in God's Word. And considering it is God's revelation to his creation, the apologist says it is always relevant.
"When the church and individual Christians drill down deeply and they learn the Word of God, we learn, very wonderfully, that the Bible speaks to all of the issues we're facing today," McFarland says.
He goes on to relay that many kids that he talks with have been talked down for their entire church and Sunday school lives.
"Let me encourage churches: Don't water it down. Kids don't want Christianity lite; they want the real deal," McFarland asserts.
He also points out that the American Bible Society's statistics notwithstanding, the church is not having near the impact it needs to have to transform society.
"I just feel like … we're as far down the river as we are because of the silence of American pulpits," the apologist concludes.
