The Bible tells us that all Scripture is given by God and is profitable for things such as doctrine, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). This means that while Jesus told the disciples specifically to go and preach the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20), we, as disciples, are expected to do the same. And as younger Christians, two demographics we should make it a point to witness to are millennials and Generation Zers.
These days, hardly a month goes by without an article or poll saying young people are drifting away from the faith. For example, Probe Ministries found in August 2021 that more than 60% of “born-again” Christians in America between 18 and 39 believe Buddha, Mohammad, and Jesus are all ways to salvation (Church & Ministries News christianpost.com).
More than 30% believe Jesus was a sinner just like anyone else or they were not sure. A more recent finding from researcher George Barna says that, among other things, over 30% of millennials today identify as LGBTQ.
“If you consider millennials to be the niche born from 1984 through 2002 – as this report does – then they include about 78 million individuals,” wrote Barna.
Some definitions and pollsters say people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s are Gen Z. Regardless, people born in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s do not know what they believe and often live in ways God does not approve (Romans 1). While it is our responsibility to be a witness to all, millennials and Gen Zers are the best suited to reach millennials and Gen Z for Christ. We are not Baby Boomers or Gen Xers that may appear to “speak down at young people.” We know our generation’s hopes, dreams, and concerns, and we should share what Jesus has done for us and why He is necessary for us.
People who identify as “born-again” Christians and yet say Jesus is not the only way to heaven are ignorant, misled, or both. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life.” He tells us as much in John 14:6. He didn’t say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life … unless you’ve already given your heart to Mohammed and/ or Buddha.”
Moreover, if Jesus was a sinner just like us, He died for His sins only and not all sins. That was not the case, as Hebrews 4:15 tells us Jesus was “without sin.” The NIV translation of Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus “did not sin.” Other verses that tell us Jesus did not sin include 1 Peter 2:22 and 1 John 3:5. Peter and John would have known whether Jesus was a sinner. They lived and worked with Him for three years during the Lord’s earthly ministry. As for Paul, the Lord put this message on the apostle’s heart: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV).
Do you know what else teaches us about righteousness? The Holy Bible. That is the same Holy Bible that instructs us to tell others about Jesus Christ, who He is, why He came, how we can live forever with God after we leave this world, and what God expects from us until that day (John 3:16- 17; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9,13; 1 Timothy 4:12).
We are the future of the church. It is the church’s responsibility to reach people for Christ. Many millennials and Gen Zers do not know Christ, or they are doing/believing things that are contrary to Scripture. Who better to reach young people than young people?
