Gen Z is Asking Questions. How Will We Respond?

It wasn’t long ago that many believed the next generation had been lost to secularism. Millennials were leaving the Church and the generation behind them—Gen Z—seemed to have no interest in coming. From 2007 to 2019, the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian dropped from 78% to 65% (1). 

For many, it felt as if we had entered a post-Christian era. Church attendance was declining, and some congregations began softening their teaching to align more closely with cultural norms. As moral and cultural confusion grew, secularism appeared to be winning. The Church’s voice in public life was fading—no longer seated at the table of cultural influence, but often the subject of the conversation and not in the room to respond. 

But Jesus’ command had not changed: 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. — Matthew 28:19–20 

While the rise of secularism has indeed shaped recent decades, something surprising is happening post-COVID: many young adults are showing a renewed openness to faith. The isolation of the pandemic combined with a deep desire for moral clarity, truth, and justice has sparked a new wave of spiritual curiosity. 

Consider the following stats: annual Bible sales in the U.S. have risen 41.6% since 2022, while downloads of religion and spirituality apps have increased nearly 80% since 2019 and streams of contemporary Christian music have grown by about 50% over the same period (2). Moreover, research from Barna and Lifeway reveals that Gen Z is “…open to spirituality but skeptical of institutions” (3).   

Despite this skepticism, signs of renewed engagement are emerging. According to a recent Barna study, young adults are leading a resurgence in church attendance and are attending more frequently than older generations. The typical Gen Z churchgoer now attends 1.9 weekends per month, while Millennial churchgoers average 1.8 weekends—a steady upward shift since the lows seen during the pandemic (5). 

Across campuses and communities, young people are visiting churches, joining small groups, and reading Scripture—many for the first time. They’re also seeking mentors: men and women, as Paul wrote in Titus 2, who are authentic, vulnerable, and present.  

In a generation marked by anxiety, depression, and uncertainty, more than half of Gen Z reports struggles with fear, anxiety, or depression in the past year (6). Yet amid those challenges, they are asking deep and timeless questions: What does it mean to be human? What’s wrong with the world? How do we fix it? 

This is good news and presents an opportunity. The question now is: how will the Church respond? 

Explore Framing Your View 

We must lean in and create safe, authentic spaces for honest questions, biblical conversations, and spiritual growth. We must equip young adults to see the world through the lens of the Gospel’s truth, goodness, and beauty, reminding them that God’s love will provide clarity and purpose.   

One such effort is Framing Your View, a 14-part video series designed to help college students and young adults navigate life’s biggest questions through the lens of the Gospel. The series explores questions such as: 

What does it mean to be human? How should Christians think about AI and technology? Where do science and faith connect—or clash? How do we look at work, politics, and mental health with a Christian worldview? 

Designed for individuals and small groups, Framing Your View invites participants to explore and challenge their worldview in light of Scripture. While the series was created with students and young adults in mind, it’s also a valuable resource for parents, teachers, and ministry leaders who want to better walk alongside the next generation, deepen their own faith, and grow in their understanding of a biblical worldview. 

You can explore the series for free at framingyourview.com. 

How To Engage with the Next Generation 

At Woodside Bible Church, we exist to glorify God by making disciples who live out their identity in Christ. As we see a renewed spiritual openness among the next generation, the call for us is clear: step in and walk alongside them. Here are four ways to engage with the next generation as they wrestle with the tensions of faith and culture: 

1. Be a mentor. Scripture reminds us to shepherd others and lead by example (1 Peter 5:1–11). Gen Z and young adults are looking for authentic relationships, community, and guidance. One way to foster relationships like these could be by starting a multigenerational Life Group for men or women.
2. Meet one-on-one. Invite a student or young adult out for coffee. Listen, ask questions, and share stories about how God has worked in your life.
3. Connect through calling. If you meet college students pursuing a vocation or skill set that you share, invest in them. Help them see how their work can glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
4. Get involved with Framing Your View. If you’re a college student or young adult, join our Framing Your View cohort. If you’re a parent, teacher, or ministry leader, join one of our Intro to Framing Your View webinars to learn how you can lead a group through this worldview discipleship series. For more information, contact me at johnirvine@woodsidebible.org.  

Together, let’s lean in, build relationships, and equip the next generation to see the world through the lens of the Gospel. 

SOURCES 

1. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/ 
2. https://heartlandernews.com/2025/10/16/bible-sales-faith-apps-christian-music-streams-on-the-rise/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 
3. https://www.barna.com/research/rising-spiritual-openness/ 
4. https://www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/ 
5. https://www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/ 
6. https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CRC-Release-AWVI-5-Sept-24-2024.pdf