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Astonishing Percentage of Teens ‘Very Motivated’ to Know Jesus
By Movieguide® Contributor
Did you know that nearly 52% of teenagers in America are “very motivated” to learn about Jesus and another 77% are at least “somewhat motivated?”
According to The Open Generation: United States, most of U.S. teens are open to “learning more about Jesus throughout their life,” Barna reported.
But why are more teens interested in Jesus?
In a world driven by social media and the need to fit in, teens who aren’t Christians have noticed that their Christian friends experience “joy and satisfaction,” which researchers believe is one reason for this phenomenon.
READ MORE: REPORT: TEENS WHO SPEND MORE TIME READING BIBLE HAVE BETTER SCREEN-TIME DISCERNMENT
“Though religious affiliation and church attendance continue to decline, spiritual openness and curiosity are on the rise. Across every generation, in fact, we see an unprecedented desire to grow spiritually, a belief in a spiritual/supernatural dimension and a belief in God or a higher power,” Barna CEO David Kinnaman said.
Teens who have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus are more motivated to study Him, the report continued, while also noting that “over half” of those who haven’t become Christians yet still want to learn more about Him.
This research is crucial for parents, pastors and youth leaders, as teens will look to them for answers.
“Having a spiritual mentor is one of the strongest factors for helping young people develop a resilient faith — one that grows and sustains them over time and helps guide them toward meaning and purpose in life,” Kinnaman wrote.
This means that spiritual leaders should be ready to respond with authenticity and clarity when sharing the gospel with teens, showing them how a relationship with Christ can change their lives.
“They are open to different faiths, including Christianity, and they’re open to friends, causes and ideas,” Kinnaman said. “Though parents, educators and others who mentor young people have a tall task to provide wise guidance to emerging adults, today’s teens are confronting the church with something that I think we haven’t seen before — a kind of blank slate; a chance to imagine a different future.”
READ MORE: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GEN Z’S INTEREST IN FAITH
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