How Well Do You Know Gen Z?
Here at BSF, we’re defining Gen Z as people born between 1997 and 2015. Right now, they are 6-24 years old. If you know an elementary-aged student, a teenager, or a young adult, you know someone who is Gen Z. As Children’s Leaders and Supervisors, you are on the front line of reaching this vital demographic.
The research firm Barna Group has pioneered studying this generation. Let’s look at three observations from their surveys on Gen Z:
Emotionally Aware
The good news is Gen Z does not have a stigma around therapy, counseling, or asking for help. This emotionally aware generation needs and values support from older believers on how to navigate challenges and transitions well.
Morally Relative
As a generation, the young people in your class value differing opinions and open-mindedness. They are morally relative yet spiritually curious. This suggests that they will bring this genuine curiosity to class as you shepherd them through hard questions and offer a safe space for heartfelt discussions of big ideas.
Driven to Succeed
The BSF School Program guides young people as they discover how Jesus defines and enables true success. You can model Biblical authenticity and grace for a generation that feels like they must constantly curate their image.
What Do They Need From You?
While we don’t have secret code words, we do have the BSF School Program, designed to see God’s Word shape the next generation to be biblical leaders and thinkers. As an important member of this team, you are helping Gen Z discover what Scripture means and learn how they can apply it to their lives. We’re so grateful that you are a part of this crucial ministry!
Test Your Knowledge
The Vision for the School Program
A special message from our executive director, Hollie Roberts:
Becoming a Great Disciple-Maker
Characteristics of a CL
Quality 1: God-focused
Quality 2: Gospel-centered
Yes, these are two pillars of the BSF Children’s Programs, and they are also two characteristics found in every Children’s Leader. This does not mean that you have the most Bible knowledge, but that your heart is centered on God and His Word, and you have a desire for others to know your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
God is the One who fills our hearts with these desires. He is also the One who calls people to serve Him as Children’s Leaders in BSF. Be praying and watching for God to call new God-focused and gospel-centered CLs in your class.
What excites you most about Gen Z?
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I am happy about the opportunity to learn about gen Z and getting to their level and able to connect them to God’s word….
We’re so glad you are here, Eileen!
Just want to remind BSF that Gen Z will be adults sooner than you think. If the school program is learner-centered and the adult program is not, you will lose them when they grow up. You should probably be looking at how you will change BSF for adults as well.
I believe that it is important to show fulfilled prophecy, because there is no other book like our Bible.
Also in my college class, I put up sayings and they have to go to the Bible to see if the saying is from the World or from the Bible.
I introduced this with Coke and Pepsi. They came into the room with two glasses on their tables, they had to taste and tell me which was Coke and which was Pepsi. They disagreed, so I asked how can they be sure. They decided that they had to taste from the original bottles. Just like we have to go to the source.
I am excited to have the opportunity to get to know this generation. I have a 14 year old grandson and I look forward to the lessons I will learn while teaching what I am passionate about: God’s word
My L3 kids are hungry for assurance of, and knowledge about God in the persons of the Holy Spirit and Jesus. They marvel at the omniscience and power of God in each of the three persons. Especially, they are wanting and amazed that the Holy Spirit is totally accessible to them because He resides in them. Once convinced, they see the power of the Holy Spirit constantly at work, and are confident and empowered by His easy access.
Amen! We join your students in marveling at the omniscience and power of God and are grateful that you are part of God’s sharing His truths with them!
I’ve been teaching and raising Gen Z for 20 years and love them! I’ve also been a CL for 6. I think they need God’s Word now more than ever, not easier lessons or more time chatting- they easily share their struggles through the night because they’re very open and genuine. I would love to have our program spend more time imparting truths from the Bible than ever before because social media and peers are bombarding them with contradictory messages.
They are eager to learn and willing to share their feelings.
I am very excited about the opportunity to learn more about generation Z – getting to their level and being able to connect them to God’s word exactly where they are. I look forward to understanding this generation much more than I do now. May God’s word dwell richly in their hearts and minds providing a firm foundation that cannot be shaken, in a shaking world.
??? Just not sure yet.
I am witnessing Gen Z’s of all ethnicities boldly and interactively leaning into areas concerning justice, fairness, and equality. They are also actively taking steps to create wealth and are learning how to generationally pass it down.
I get so excited to hear kids faith showing. Getting to know them amazes me. Their compassion, desire to learn more about Jesus, and humor are just plain fun. I learn from them. The time with them is the highlight of my week.
Excited to connect and make them feel that the older Gen survived and thrived by having a friend in Jesus Who will be with them through and through and that the friendship can be nurtured by constant communication with Him where BSF is a big help.
Things that I still need to know about them, from them – Things that they look upto us, as older generations and relates, their search for the purpose of life!
Thanking God for providing God focused gospel centered teaching from the Bible
through BSF to mature disciples for Jesus & Gods Glory to a generation that is sadly
influenced by a culture where everyone “doing what is right in their own eyes”
is valued, exalted and the norm. May God be pleased to magnify Himself through
these students & their leaders.
That in a world of fake news and opinion, there is a truth that Gen Z are waiting to discover and we have the privilege of sharing it with them through the Gospel of Jesus. That the Lord is waiting for workers to reap His harvest. All we need to do is report to work and the Holy Spirit will help us.
We have Gen Z ‘ers anxiously waiting for our program to start! So excited to begin sharing the Truth about Jesus with this next generation!
They are open and want to share their experiences.
They are spiritually curious
We know that all to soon this Gen Z will be in the work force , market place and parents of their own families.
What or whom will be their teachers, coaches, mentors and/or role models is vitality important. As followers of Christ our risen Lord, we must position ourselves as the “salt” (preservers ) and “light” (showing the way) to that most glorious and sanctifying life in Christ; not of this world but in this world, placed where we are to effectively change this world for and to the glory of God.
Church-going Gen Z teenagers WANT to have relationship with older believers. They want to listen and talk about Scripture with you. We are seeing this in our Student Program. It is such a blessing to watch teenagers grow in their faith because they are having Gospel conversations with adults! Pray for God to draw more students to our classes and for Him to provide leaders who are willing to be vulnerable with teenagers.
As a parent of 3 daughters in Gen Z, I am excited for God to grow me as I continue to learn how to teach this sweet, sensitive generation. I am a 2nd year children’s leader and grateful to God to be a part of this.
Level 5 this year and we are focusing on having the Students lead and share in their Bible Study. To step out and take charge in leading the questions for their group. To learn how to openly and out loud lead in prayer and to ask God for the confidence to step forward and Lead. To look for “God Moments” in everyday life and to Praise God for every precious breath He gives us.
They are a generation who have heard a lot truth may have alternate truth. Many have no idea about even “Basic Truth.”
This makes me even more excited to serve Gen Z with God’s hope and love!
We have 12 grandchildren and we have been teaching children’s church, AWANA,
now preschool at our church. I just started as a CL with BSF. 2 of our grandchildren attend with their father. The single most important aspect of parenting our five daughters and teaching children and teenagers of this generation as well as others before them is this:
Being a living example of what we teach, with words and actions show them who Jesus is and what the Holy Spirit is doing in my life. The cynicism about Christian beliefs and moral relativism of the next generations have their deep roots in the inconsistent behaviors, divorce rates, and moral failings of my generation of Christians. We must own this, repent, change our behavior, and pray vigorously.
There is hope for them if we follow 2. Chronicles 7. 13 + 14
They are very open and not ashamed to talk about mental health issues. It’s not a secret, it’s accepted that everyone has issues. They are supportive of each other. They also don’t have the prejudices that older generations have. They are accepting of anyone, doesn’t matter sexual orientation or color.
I see how these children are bold, courageous and very much interested in learning more about the Lord. It is and honor and great opportunity to be part of a team that shares the word of God with them.
They are curious, ready to learn with receptive minds. Their emotions can be positively directed if guided with love through Gospel centred teaching.
I love that this age is emotionally aware. I am excited that we can move to give these students more connections and tools for emotional maturity and faith. I also love that we are looking at the developmental and generational differences!
I am most excited by Gen Z’s sensitivity to matters of the heart and their desire for the world to be a better place. I pray their sensitivity will open their spirits to know and love our Triune God, Father, Son, and Spirit.
God uses their curiosity and eagerness to learn to draw them to Himself. It is a privilege to be a small part of His plan.
Will love to see the next generation dig deep into the Word of God and answer questions with the help of the Holy Spirit, so they can be train in thinking and expressing Biblical knowledge so that their minds can be renewed by the Word of God, and the are not conformed to this world. Romans 12:2
This generation has tremendous potential: curious, creative, self learner, sensitive, capacity to process info, ability to adapt, and much more. They also desire and experiential faith beyond knowledge and only our faith and our God can satisfy this need.
Amen!
Linking the Old Testament to the Unexpected King, seeing prophesy fulfilled, and watching the lightbulbs go off as they start to connect the dots is amazing. I feel the Spirit moving in my group as they openly discuss their answers. Sometimes they bring a completely different perspective to the table that causes me to pause and say WOW! I am so blessed to be here at this time of their journey with Christ!
Thanks for the bsf children’s program it is truly an amazing tool to engage kids, to teach God’s truth and grow their faith.
I am excited to be used by God to plant seeds that will grow into good fruit as our world continues to spiral into uncertainty about the future. I am excited to see students build their houses on solid ground as the world builds their houses on sinking sand. I am excited that they will emerge as godly leaders for the cause of Christ in the next generation and that they will know with certainty that they can trust God and His perfect plan for their lives.
This is the generation of my grandchildren. They are facing so many more changes than I or my children faced. Society has got more complicated producing more distractions than we had. But God and His word hasn’t changed so we need to share that God loves them and Jesus is the only way in ways that will reach into their hearts. They need to know they can trust Him when everything else is confusing.
I’m looking forward to continuing to be part of the BSF schools programme next year God willing even if it means relearning how to reach out to them/
Their desire to have older people invest in them is exciting. It challenges me to make time for them in my life, by allowing margin. I have seen this hunger for connection in some of my children’s friends.
I have 10 grandchildren that fit into this generation. I am a CL in the evening class, 5 of the 6 grandkids that live near me attend with me and I know they love digging into scripture. The kids in our class are not afraid to ask hard questions of us.They want answers. They want to know about Jesus and they want to know Jesus. What a privilege it is to watch them grow and learn and begin to walk with Jesus.
It is exciting to see how these children are growing up in such a different world then I have (Baby Boomer from the 60’s), yet they still have the same underlying needs. A need to know they are loved, a need for acceptance, a need to have purpose. Only Jesus can meet all three of these needs constantly and for the rest of their lives. It is a privilege to be able to partner along side other leaders in helping this generation know their creator, King Jesus!!!
Lively discussion
Gen Zer’s want to hear from the older generation.
What an incredible opportunity God is giving us to reach the younger generation. Thankfully the Holy Spirit knows each person and what they best need to know Jesus. As leaders in the School Program it will be exciting to see how God uses BSF and us to help point the students to Jesus. What a privilege.
Thanking God for providing God focused gospel centered teaching from the Bible
through BSF to mature disciples for Jesus & Gods Glory to a generation that is sadly
influenced by a culture where everyone “doing what is right in their own eyes”
is valued, exalted and the norm. May God be pleased to magnify Himself through
these students & their leaders.
That they are spiritually curious so it excites me to share God’s Truth so the children will come to know who God is, what He says and that He loves them and wants His very best for them, that He is their firm foundation in a broken world.
Helping this generation encounter Jesus – His grace and love and kindness as they grow. Praying for them and loving on them. I have sons that are Gen Z college students and desperately need an encounter with the Savior. I have a burden for young adults and children to know Jesus and truly live!!!!!
I love that this generation looks to older adults for input and guidance. What a beautiful opportunity for sharing our love of Christ and the biblical foundation that we enjoy in our lives. May this generation fall in love with Jesus and develop a gospel centered lifestyle and world view.
I love the fact that they are transparent about their emotions and their doubts about the faith and are willing to ask for help from the older generation.
I have nieces and nephews in this generation, and they are caring and compassionate. They look for the good in everyone, and they embrace diversity.
They are open and curious. Their insight sometimes amazes me!
The contrast may never have been greater between the insecure and temporal lives of Gen Z with the unrelenting love of God, the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the ever-present assurance of the Holy Spirit. The Light of the World shines brightest in these dark spaces. We have a chance to offer truth through the Word of God; to offer stability and peace where instability and chaos unceasingly swirls around them. What excites me? The challenge to play a part in the battle for their souls, knowing that they in turn will reach their own generation and continue the cause of Christ.
They value relationships and true transparency. They are seeking to know and be real people.