Today, the distractions of our devices, and the resulting fragmentation of our attention, can make spiritual disciplines more challenging to teach, learn, and practice. In this month's episode of The Leading Tomorrow podcast, I am joined by Jayelle Dolan, who has over 25 years of experience in youth and adult ministry. She offered some practical considerations as we seek to encourage the next generation in spiritual disciplines. 

1. Create experiences where they can "taste and see" that God is good (Ps. 34:8)
As leaders, we need to create experiences where young people encounter God for themselves. The key is to take them to a place where they encounter God for themselves and then teach them how to return to that place. If they haven’t tasted God's goodness, it will be difficult for them to have an appetite to pursue it. Young people need experiences where they can taste God's presence, His Spirit, and the wisdom in His Word. Group spiritual experiences often help them learn disciplines that can then be replicated individually later: 

• A powerful group prayer meeting encourages a personal prayer life
• A deep time of worship in a service fuels an individual worship time
• A teaching of the Word brings about a love for the Word that rolls over into personal study
• A connective experience of fellowship in small groups, teaches young people to pursue true community

 2. Model personal disciplines (give them options) 

You can show young people how you practice spiritual disciplines. If you are a paper and pencil kind of person, show them how you note insights from Scripture, highlight key passages, or journal. Share worship and prayer lists and talk about different translations of the Bible; discuss what you have found helpful in worship, prayer and Bible reading. Allow them to ask questions. If they prefer digital resources, help them find equivalent digital resources that help them develop their own spiritual practices. Some examples include:

• Filament Bible App
• YouVersion Bible App
• Through the Word App
• Worship Lists on Spotify (or similar) App
• Day One Journaling App

​3. Provide practical steps and help young people learn to pray

Prayer can be hard to inspire. In her book, The Throne Room: How to Pray Powerful Prayers, Jayelle explains how in her youth ministry they taught young people how to pray by providing easy to follow steps: 

1. Pray Specific
2. Pray Big
3. Pray Persistently 

After teaching that simple process, they then did it every week in the youth ministry for the rest of the quarter. Ten minutes of each service was set aside to pray together in this format. After teaching that simple process, they did it every week for the rest of the quarter. Every service had 10 minutes where they prayed together in this format. 

Example:
1. Pray for Student M’s mother who has cancer. 
2. Pray for every person on the planet who has cancer…. pray for breakthroughs in medical treatments, etc.
3. Pray daily throughout the week (give prayer card or other reminder tool)

It is important to model spiritual disciplines for young people in ways they can see and understand, be willing to engage in honest conversations, and walk with them as they learn to practice them in their own lives. Consider where there may be opportunities to do this more intentionally. 

In the past 20-30 years, cultural and societal changes have been significant. The speed of change has accelerated, so has our access to watching change happening around the world. These are among the many reasons that the differences between older and younger generations today are more than a generation gap.

Here is one way to think about generational differences today. Imagine that the Silent (b. 1929-1945) and Baby Boomer (b. 1946-1964) generations were born into a blue room. Everything in the room was blue—the rules, the expectations, the work ethic and communication preferences, the values and perspectives.

​Then, Gen X (b. 1965-1980) came along and was also born into the blue room, but there was an open doorway where they could see into a green room beyond. While they are comfortable in the blue room, they also understand a lot that is green.

Millennials (b. 1981-1995) were born into the green room. However, like Gen X, they were next to an open doorway that allowed them to see into the blue room beyond. They too often understand elements of both rooms.

Then came Gen Z (b. 1996-2010) and Gen Alpha (b. 2011-). The youngest generations were born into the green room and the door to the blue room had closed. Objective truth, influence based on title or position, phones with cords, dial-up internet, in-person only learning and work, limited access to information, and many other “blue room” realities are things that many of them have never experienced. They may hear stories, have parents or grandparents who understand them, or even see glimpses of them in old movies or television shows, but “blue room” values and expectations are not something that is a part of their everyday experience.
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For those born into the “green room,” the world has been/felt chaotic and uncertain their entire lives. I often hear older leaders asking why young people are not interested in learning about “blue room” ways of doing things. The reality? They are usually just trying to survive in the green room, where few older, wiser mentors and teachers are willing to enter, listen, and learn to help them figure out what it looks like to live and lead well in a room where the rules and realities are “green.” We need more “blue room” leaders who are willing to step across the threshold, with “blue room” wisdom to help young people today navigate the challenges and opportunities in the “green room.” This requires sacrifice, humility, a willingness to listen and learn, and authentic care for the “green room” natives.
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For more on this topic, check out this month's episode of The Leading Tomorrow Podcast. 

Is spiritual growth more challenging for Gen Z than other generations? While every generation has encountered barriers to growing in their faith, young people today do encounter some unique cultural challenges. Here are a few of the barriers to faith we are seeing today:

• Constant distraction due to the pervasive presence of technology. This can make it hard to be still, reflect, listen and learn. 
• Unprecedented access to information. This can create a sense of possessing knowledge and in turn suppress a felt need for mentoring, guidance, and input from others.
• Decrease in face-to-face interactions and emotional intelligence. This can hinder much needed community and healthy relationships and result in a sense of loneliness. 
• Focus on self-determined identity and truth ("you do you"). This can hinder the pursuit of understanding one's identity based on biblical truth. 

While these challenges are real and can be difficult to overcome, there are several key practices that mentors, leaders, and parents can use to engage Gen Z effectively in their faith journey. Here are a few:

• Practice humility; seek to understand the perspectives and experiences of young people before offering input or advice. 
• Ask open-ended questions and actively listen. Be discerning about what God might be doing in a young person's life and encourage them in that. 
• Give specific affirmation. With everyone promoting themselves online, young people can feel lost in a crowd. Looking them in the eyes and speaking truth and encouragement that is specific to them can help motivate them to pursue who God has called them to be. 
• Encourage them to set aside time daily to reflect, pray, read, and journal. Help them identify what would work best (time of day, setting a reminder, how to start, etc.). 

Gen Z is desiring to grow spiritually. Identifying the unique barriers they face, and supporting them in their journey, can make a difference. For more on this topic, check out this month's episode of The Leading Tomorrow Podcast. 

In 2024, 41 million Gen Zers were eligible to vote, 8 million for the very first time, making them one of the largest and most significant voting blocs in the recent election. The headlines regarding Gen Z following November 5th ranged from critical (BuzzFeed: "The Internet Is Roasting Gen Z For How They Voted In The 2024 Election") to surprised: Independent UK: "Gen Z Caused the US Election Shock – and could do the same here"). Gen Z's voting was unexpected and key to the election results. USA Today reported, "On election day, Gen Z turned out for Trump, with 49% of Gen Z men voting for him and 47% voting for Harris, according to NBC News exit polling. Trump also gained some ground with Gen Z women, though that same exit polling shows 61% of these voters still went for Harris. In 2020, voters under 30 largely went for Biden (59%) over Trump, according to a Pew Research Center analysis." Slate reported, "Tufts University found that 56 percent of men between the ages of 18 and 29 voted for Trump. Biden won that same demographic by 6 points last cycle. Other exit-poll analyses depict a more complicated picture, with young people voting for each candidate at relatively equal margins, but that is still a far cry from the overwhelming numbers put up by young people for Obama, Kerry, and Gore. It was a rude awakening for many Democrats. The assumptions that they long held about the denizens of America’s future—that they would reflexively vote left, no matter what—were simply not true in 2024."

While Gen Z voting trends surprised many, several key values and traits became apparent in the reasons for how they chose to vote: 
• Gen Z values financial security (the economy is important!)
• Gen Z values authenticity (they follow/choose those whose message resonates with their lived experience)
• Gen Z values identity and individualism (they want to feel seen, valued, and empowered)

While these values led to different voting decisions for different Gen Zers, they emerged as critical and worth noting for those who lead, engage, and seek to encourage young people today.  

Regardless of how we personally voted, I believe there are several key takeaways from this election for every leader of Gen Z: 

• We need the input of Gen Z as we engage the next generation

The votes of young men proved key to Trump winning this election. Independent reported how earlier this year, when Trump, 78, began trying to court young male voters by engaging with YouTubers and podcasters, he was surrounded by middle-aged campaign aides. So, the former president turned to his youngest son for his advice. Trump's 18-year-old son Barron is said to have had the last say on which podcasts the Republican appeared on during his campaign. Despite criticism from some, the strategy worked. 

Who are the Gen Zers in your organization, on your team, or in your family who can provide valuable input? How are you giving them opportunities to do so? 

• Gen Z is individualistic and independent; avoid assumptions

Independent explained, "This latest generation is particularly fluid. And not just in America. After all, Gen Z inhabits an unprecedentedly fragmented media environment, with more choice than ever before in news, opinion and content. And party identification appears to be on the decline, with young Americans increasingly likely to call themselves independents." Gen Z is unlikely to demonstrate loyalty to an organization, association, or even political party. They are drawn to those whose message resonates with their individual needs and experiences. 

How are you listening to and connecting with the young people around you? How could you communicate more effectively with the Gen Zers in your life? 

• Gen Z wants someone to believe in them

AP recently reported, President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Karoline Leavitt, his campaign press secretary, to serve as his White House press secretary. Leavitt, 27, currently a spokesperson for Trump's transition, would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. Trump said in a statement, "Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator. I have the utmost confidence she will excel." While there are many Gen Zers who feel devastated about a Trump win, those who support him see him giving young people opportunities and expressing belief in them. Regardless of our political persuasion, showing Gen Z we value them in the words we speak and the opportunities we provide goes a long way toward building followership. 

How are you expressing belief in the young people around you? How can you create more opportunities for them to contribute and gain experience? 

The Atlantic summarized, "Of course, whatever happens next won’t affect all young adults in the same way—and ultimately, more voters under 30 still chose Harris than Trump. But anyone who was surprised by Gen Z last week might want to stop assuming they understand the young people of the world, and instead start listening to them."

As most organizations and companies now have four, in some cases even five, generations in the workplace, bridging the generation gap continues to be a critical need. This month, Vanessa Torres, a Gen Z corporate professional, joined me on the podcast to discuss what has been helpful for her in connecting across generations. A few of the key insights to emerge from our conversation are as follows:

• Show intentional interest in learning more about teammates and coworkers who are older and/or younger than yourself.
• Encourage collaboration where possible. Especially as many people are working remotely, we sometimes need to focus on connecting in person when possible.
• Get comfortable with discomfort. Be willing to experience some discomfort as you work to foster conversations and build understanding across generations.
• Consider providing specific opportunities for connection and mentorship across generations.

Consider how you are integrating these ideas into your own workplace. Are there ways you could do one or more of these more intentionally?
For more on this topic, check out this month's episode of The Leading Tomorrow Podcast. 

​This month, Katy White and I are celebrating the 2-year anniversary of our book, Mobilizing Gen Z (check out our latest podcast for new insights on this topic)! It is also the 10-year anniversary of my first book, Millennials in Ministry! What a journey it has been this past decade working with all of you as we seek to encourage and equip the next generation. 

As I reflect on all that I have learned in over a decade of researching generational trends, I am struck by the fact that the best practices for connecting across generations are contained in a list written many centuries ago by the Apostle Paul. In his letter to the Galatians, he lists traits that many people of faith often refer to as the "fruits of the Spirit." They are as follows: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If you go to Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he talks about three things that will last forever: love, faith, and hope. 

These insights from Paul's letters, penned long ago, hold great value today. In a society where cancel culture and polarization inform perceptions and behaviors, young people are desperate for patience, faithfulness, and kindness. When 24/7 news leaves us feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, young people need to see peace, self control, and hope. 

As leaders, mentors, parents and teachers, we have an amazing opportunity to model those things that will last forever. They often seem extinct in many parts of our culture, which only makes them more impactful when the young people around us experience them in our lives.

How can you model what Paul wrote about to the young people around you today?  

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only about one-third of businesses survive to their 10th year. We are thrilled here at Leading Tomorrow to have celebrated this milestone this past month! For the rest of this year, we will be highlighting key resources, providing new content, and having special offers to say “thank you” to those of you who have supported and worked with us over the past decade! This month, I reviewed my current Top-10 Picks for Next Gen Resources (see below). I hope you find these helpful! You can also listen to me discuss key takeaways from each resource in this month’s episode of The Leading Tomorrow podcast.

Marching Off the Map by Tim Elmore and Andrew McPeak
This book was published in 2017 but continues to be my go-to resource for teaching and training strategies for Gen Z & Gen Alpha. My favorite is the EPIC model — experiential, participatory, image-rich, and connected (relational). This is how young people today learn best!

Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It by Jason Dorsey & Denise Villa
This is the best book I have found on understanding the workplace expectations and needs of Gen Z. Practical strategies are presented for every step of onboarding a Gen Z team member, from recruiting, to training, to retention.

The Culture Translator by Axis
This weekly email on what is trending in culture and the lives of teens is gold. For example, did you know that in teen slang “Bop” means a really good song, “Cheugy” means awkward or cringey, and “Finna” means you are going to do something? Axis also has a podcast and many other resources for anyone wanting to understand the music, movies, shows and social media trends impacting today’s youth.

Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch and Amy Crouch
My favorite all-around resource on creating a family/home culture that helps manage technology in healthy ways. A great quote from the book states: “Technology is in its proper place only when we use it with intention and care. If there’s one thing I’ve discovered about technology, it’s that it doesn’t stay in its proper place on its own; much like my children’s toys and stuffed creatures and minor treasures, it finds its way underfoot all over the house and all over our lives. If we aren’t intentional and careful, we’ll end up with a quite extraordinary mess.” Another convicting quote: “An awful lot of children have been competing with their parents’ screens for attention their whole lives.”

Family Media Plan Tool by the American Academy of Pediatrics
This tool walks parents and other family members through a practical list of questions to consider in creating a media plan for the young people in our lives. I appreciate how the template generates good considerations for how to help all of us manage our devices.

The Anxious Generation: How the Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
This one was just released in March of 2024 and is already creating some powerful dialogue regarding how childhood has changed, what young people need, and how adults need to be intentional and unrelenting in creating environments for the next gen that counter the mental health epidemic and related challenges.

Kids’ Brains and Screens: A ScreenStrong Student Course by Melanie Hempe
Finally, a practical resource for educating and equipping young people to understand the impact of screens on their developing brains and lives. While most resources on technology speak to adults, this curriculum is designed for middle school students and presents information in a fun and engaging way. ScreenStrong has other resources as well.

Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents - and What They Mean for America’s Future by Jean Twenge
Dr. Jean Twenge is one of the most noted researchers on generational trends. In this, her latest book, she highlights key factors that contribute not only to the perspectives and behaviors of the youngest generations, but the trends that have impacted all of the living adult generations today.

Touch the World Youth & Young Adult Mission Training and Trips
Committed to equipping the next generation to live on mission every day, everywhere, Touch the World has some of the best training materials and programs out there for engaging Gen Z in missions. They offer in-person and online training, as well as short-term trips, internships, and a gap year program.

Gen SeXYZ: Love, Sexuality and Youth by Jeff Grenell
In the opening chapter, Grenell states: “One of the cultural realities of the Millennial and Gen Z sets is that they are living in a real and historic sexual revolution. Maybe the most staggering society-shifting tsunami to ever hit the shores of youth.” He continues to unpack the sexual revolution occurring today and offers practical strategies for anyone mentoring the next generation.

It is often noted today that our society and especially younger generations lack GRIT. So, what is GRIT? GRIT is a combination of passion and perseverance. It’s not necessarily strength, but rather the ability to persist in the face of challenges and setbacks, to always move forward. Sometimes, there are other words that are used interchangeably, like resilience, but GRIT and resilience are quite different. Resilience is the idea of learning from something, whereas GRIT is about continuing to move forward, no matter what. 

GRIT is not something that we’re given, it’s not an intelligence that we have, It’s not a talent we’re born with. It’s a mindset and a skill set that must be cultivated; it’s something that must be grown.

GRIT is a predicator of success, more than just natural ability. GRIT helps make long-term success happen. Embracing failure is key to developing this type of perseverance. Younger generations often need encouragement to view failure as a steppingstone to improvement.

So, what are some indicators that young people in our lives need to develop GRIT? Here are a few indicators to consider:
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1. Is a challenge, or anything related to it, being avoided? Sometimes, if it looks hard, sounds hard, then we don’t even attempt it. Sometimes people have called Gen Z lazy. If anything, that’s the complete opposite. Often, they’re very calculated, they’ll look at a situation and assess it so much more than perhaps other generations have. As a result, they often choose to avoid challenges or potential failure. When we see this occurring, we can offer encouragement to step into a challenge or try something difficult. We can also provide support through the process.
2. Is a young person in your life quick to give up, quitting sports, jobs, or hobbies very quickly? When this happens, we can encourage them to finish what they start. It is helpful to provide a listening ear where they can process emotions, frustrations, and recognize what can be learned through this situation. Asking good questions that help them reflect goes much further than just telling them what we think they need to understand.
3. Is there a lack of passion or interest in activities? We really want young people to explore many different things as early as possible to get them interested in different aspects of life. A lack of passion might be a warning sign that our kids need to develop GRIT. 

​Often, we can be prone to “rescue” young people around us from challenges or difficulties. We want to minimize their stress and struggle. However, offering consistent encouragement and support as they persist in working through challenges is a powerful gift that helps equip them to be successful.

Below is a list of resources with more insights and tips for encouraging GRIT in the young people we lead, teach, mentor and parent. The excerpt above is from my most recent podcast interview with James LaLonde. Check it out the full conversation on our website, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

A Growth Mindset for Teens by Sydney Sheppard
Executive Functioning Workbook for Teens
Grit for Kids by Lee David Daniels
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

I was recently asked if I had ever developed a top 10 list of Gen Z traits. The following is not a comprehensive list, but these ten traits stand out to me as important for us as leaders, parents, teachers, and mentors to understand about the next generation.

1. Individualistic: Gen Z is probably the most individualistic generation alive today. Technology has allowed them to customize their experiences and represent their individual perspectives and preferences instantaneously. Since childhood they have been encouraged to “you be you!” The resulting focus on self—personal development and happiness—often takes precedent over social norms or group rules.
2. Authentic: Gen Z has grown up in the era of “fake news,” where it is hard to know what is accurate. They value authenticity in themselves and others. Unlike older generations who may have sought to “fit in,” Gen Z is okay being unique. Identity is important.
3. Connected: This is a generation that has watched global events unfold via a device in their back pocket. They feel connected to needs, injustices, and tragedies in places and with people far away. As a result, they often have empathy for people who are treated unjustly and passion for important causes.
4. Anxious: Watching global tragedies, school shootings, and online breakups via social media, while surrounded by a culture of fear from the time they were born, this generation often struggles with anxiety and other mental health concerns.
5. Lonely: Many young people today have been competing with devices for the attention of parents and trusted adults since birth. In addition, virtual connections with their own friends do not allow for the emotional connection needed. Many young people today feel lonely and deeply desire a sense of belonging.
6. Tech Reliant: Often both tech savvy and tech addicted, the invasive nature of technology in the lives of young people today has created significant noise and distraction, as well as connection and opportunity.
7. Distracted: The constant distraction of dings, beeps, and buzzing has resulted in shortened attention spans for many of us today. Many Gen Zers need help creating intentional time for silence and reflection that result in peace, problem solving, and greater self-awareness.  
8. Openminded: Tolerance (understanding, respecting, accepting, affirming, and celebrating everyone’s point of view as equal and valid) has emerged as one of the highest values for this generation. As a result, many young people need help processing their own convictions and beliefs.
9. Biblically Illiterate: This is a generation that has grown up without a solid understanding of the Bible, clear definitions of truth, or clear moral guidelines. We can offer guidance and encouragement as they seek truth.  
10. Creative: This generation is willing to ask “how?” and see opportunities for innovation. They can be risk averse as well, so benefit from support and encouragement that creativity requires appropriate risk, and that failure can result in learning.

For more on these Gen Z traits, check out this month’s episode of The Leading Tomorrow Podcast.