Want to know what youth in America think about the Bible? American Bible Society has just released the fifth chapter of the State of the Bible: USA report entitled, “Generation Z.” In this chapter, we take a look into the precarious relationship between Gen Z youth and the Bible.
Who is Gen Z?
Gen Z spans people aged nine through 24. For this study, two groups were surveyed 15–17-year-olds called Gen Z youth, and 18–24-year-olds called Gen Z adults. Gen Z are those entering what social scientists name “emerging adulthood,” a period marked by transition. Gen Z has been more likely than older generations to report certain personal struggles. They have the highest levels of stress and they are more likely than average to report trauma exposure.
Only one-third of Gen Z youth (34%) are Bible Users—those who use the Bible at least three to four times per year. Gen Z youth are more often Bible Disengaged and are less likely than either Gen Z adults or Millennials to be Scripture Engaged. In fact, only 9 percent of Gen Z youth qualify as Scripture Engaged, compared with 14 percent of Gen Z adults and 23 percent of Millennials.
But there is good news! Gen Z shows significant openness to the Bible. Eighty-one percent of Gen Z youth and 74 percent of Gen Z adults say they’re curious about Scripture. Additionally, two-thirds of Gen Z youth (64%) wish they read the Bible more.
This is a great opportunity to pray! In this time of exploring, questioning beliefs, and seeking a way in the world, we need to pray for Gen Z. We need to pray that as they navigate the complexities of emerging adulthood, they’ll turn to the Bible for wisdom and guidance.
Let’s Pray Together
Father, we pray for Gen Z, as they seek identity, purpose, and fulfillment, that they’ll find what they’re looking for in the pages of Scripture. We pray that this generation of youth in America will fall in love with the God of the Bible. We pray that churches will support faith formation for emerging adults and help them engage with the Bible. Draw the hearts of our youth to your Word. We pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.
To download the first five chapters of the State of the Bible: USA 2021 ebook, visit: StateoftheBible.org.