Gen Z, Alpha Gen, and Storytelling
One of the best ways to reach this generation is story. And what I mean by story, is preaching and teaching. Telling the story of Christianity and the gospel through preaching and teaching.
Now, let me say a couple of things to start this blog:
First, I know there are differences in storytelling, preaching, and teaching. But, I want to define all three with their similarities. There will be another time to differentiate between them. But not today.
I find that the similarities of storytelling, preaching, and teaching are exciting. Looking at the example of Jesus, story may be one of the best ways to communicate to a generation. Any generation.
Second, I am aware that many next gen leaders today do not emphasize preaching. They will say things like "preaching isn't necessary", or "students don't want to sit and listen to me preach", or "there are better ways to raise the faith of this generation".
I couldn't disagree more.
Sure, maybe a poor example of preaching isn't necessary. But, my experience with adolescents is that they are enthusiastically involved with preaching. And there is no better way to raise the faith of a generation than storytelling, preaching, and teaching.
For example, the last 20 years youth ministry focused on small groups. And much of that focus was not theology. It was very little discipleship or theological formation and more like hangout time. And what resulted was the lowest biblical worldview in any generational set.
Story Is A Necessity
Telling a story is one of the age-old communication methods. Story was one of the main methods of Christ in the 1st century, and, Gen Z and Alpha Gen today are moved by story.
Story is a necessity. By story I mean the retelling of the Gospel in the language of the day. The story is the message of Christianity retold to a new generation in their language. Ultimately, story is contextualization. Incarnational ministry.
Preaching To Gen Z & Alpha Gen
Here are 4 rules to create story to reach this youth generation:
Rule #1…Don’t engage listeners and neutralize the message
I don’t want to simply use persuasive words. I want to demonstrate the power of God to a generation. The story of Christ is powerful. The message of Christianity is central to human nature. Don’t lose that power with prose.
There are three dangers of neutralizing the message.
First, we can lose our confidence in God’s word with cute prose and slick language.
Second, we can lessen the effect of God’s word to bring change and redemption.
And finally, we take a pragmatic approach that negates the supernatural. If we know the right switches to flip, we are tempted to reduce preaching to an art-form. And miss the supernatural prophetic in preaching.
Rule #2…Follow the elementary rules of effective communication
Maybe you have taken communication at the freshman 100 level. If so, you learned a few simple principles:
The sender and the receiver have a responsibility to communication.
We complete an idea with supporting content.
Be concise by eliminating excess
Receiving feedback and making change
Here are 3 practical principles for communicating effectively:
If your style is larger than the story…they will see you and not the story.
If your language is more impressive than the story…they will listen to you but they will not hear the story.
If you are short on creativity...you are missing the real creative miraculous story of God.
When it comes to communication, I like to say it this way; we should be prophetic (in the sense of spiritual) and pathetic (in the sense of natural passion and connectedness to our audience).
Rule #3…Risk getting involved with the audience
We must enter the listener’s world with genuineness. A listener will become involved if they sense we are concerned about them.
Empathetic communication is a powerful approach to preaching. When is the last time you cried for the people you were communicating to? When is the last time you cried over the message you were communicating?
Our story has a lot of influence. Don’t underestimate the impact of connecting with people with your personal story.
Sharing OUR story in relation to GOD'S story brings immediate connection. Just the same, we must be filled with compassion for our audience. There is a wall between leadership and followers that must be removed…by leadership!
What is our perceived attitude toward the listener’s world? How can we learn to speak the language of the setting? Internet, podcasts, social media, AI, magazine, newspaper, documentaries, and real-life research will keep you current with the culture. But relationship will give you credibility with the audience.
Rule #4…Address the real world and the biblical one
The real story is a two-way connection between the 1st century and the 21st century. It is historical content (1st century) in the context of history (21st century). How can we best connect the two worlds in their mind? Story!
The world Jesus lived in must become familiar to our audience as they listen to us. Biblical parabolic storytelling through preaching and teaching is powerful. It takes time and resources to connect yourself to the story of both worlds, but, it was how Christ communicated to His generation. In the language of the day.
For example, a teenager needs to know who wrote the book you are preaching from. For example, Paul. What an example of the impact of the person who wrote the book you are preaching or teaching from on the message. Paul was one of the most amazing people in world history. What he has to say matters because of who he was!
If you want to reach this generation, you will do whatever it takes. I believe that storytelling, preaching, and teaching is the bridge we build that carries the message to the masses!
Finally
Here are 10 non-negotiables that every next gen leader should be storytelling to our students. When an adolescent finishes children's and youth ministry, here are 10 things they should be comfortable understanding:
1. Salvation
2. Baptism
3. Bible reading, prayer, fasting
4. Identity
5. Attending church on weekends (Saturday or Sunday)
6. Serving at church
7. Giving
8. Apologetics
9. Trinity (The Holy Spirit)
10. End Times and apocalypse
We will hit this concept next week!
What are our students understanding about Christianity when they leave the ministry? It is our responsibility to disciple a generation using every means possible to tell the story.
So much content this week!
We will talk through some practical sermon planning ideas and communication tips next week.