I recently started reading a book called UnChristian by David Kinnaman. This book is a compilation of 3 years of research of how the new emerging generation perceives Christianity. The verdict is not pretty. The younger generation (specifically ages 16-29) view Christianity mostly in a negative light. Now, this book was written in 2007, but I believe the perceptions in this book have only gotten worse in 2022.
Reading this book has caused me to really think about how to reach this new generation with the Gospel. What I believe one of our biggest barriers is, is that we don’t really understand them. We don’t understand why they feel negatively about Christianity, and usually when they try to tell us, we get defensive and argumentative.
I want to pitch something very simple that I believe will help us in reaching this new generation. Listen to them. In Acts 17 Paul was walking around Athens preaching Jesus to people. In Acts 17:22 Paul does something very interesting. He starts his conversation with them by showing them that he understands where they are coming from. He says, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.” Paul even goes on to mention specific evidences of that. What Paul did here was show them that he understands where they are coming from.
If we are ever going to reach this new generation, we have to try to understand where they are, and meet them there. We can’t expect people to automatically have a desire to live for Jesus. We have to find out what their barriers are, and help them move past them. It all starts with a simple conversation. A simple question like, “What do you think about Christianity, and why” can give you more insight than you’ve ever had. Don’t ask to defeat them with your response, but to listen and understand where they are coming from. We have to approach this new generation humbly asking them to help us understand why they look down on Christianity. Only then, when we understand why they feel that way, can we begin to meet them there and help them overcome those barriers.
Kolton Balance