Revival – "The Truth: In a Confusing World"

John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

The Great ‘Unchurching’—and the Quiet Revival

Studies from Barna and Pew Research show an increasing number of Gen Z identify as “nones”—having no religious affiliation. They distrust institutions, find church rules outdated, and are disillusioned by scandals and hypocrisy. But beneath the surface, there’s a quiet hunger – ‘a hunger for the truth, for God’.

Across campuses and social platforms, young people are asking:

“Who am I?”
“Why is life so hard?”
“Is there something more than this?”
“What does Jesus really say?”
“Who do I talk to?”
“What is truth?”

In 2023, the Asbury Revival—a spontaneous, student-led prayer movement—broke out in Kentucky, lasting over two weeks and drawing thousands. No lights, no famous preachers—just hungry hearts. That wasn’t an anomaly; it was a signal!.

Religion vs. Relationship: What Gen Z is Really Searching For

This generation doesn’t want performance. They want authenticity.
They don’t care for polished sermons—they long for raw truth.
They are not impressed by perfect people—they are drawn to grace-filled communities.

Gen Z is rejecting religion without power, but many are embracing Jesus without the noise. They are intrigued by a Christ who sat with sinners, spoke up for the oppressed, and called out injustice—not for popularity, but for truth.

They’re not asking, “What denomination are you?”
They’re asking, “Do you know Jesus—and does He still speak today?”

Digital Discipleship: Faith in the Age of the Algorithm

While digital distractions abound, so do opportunities (read again). TikTok has become an unlikely mission field. Some Gen Zers are encountering the gospel through 60-second testimonies, Bible study threads, and street preaching clips.

Apps like YouVersion report a surge in Bible reading among youth. Virtual Bible studies are springing up on Discord and Zoom. And while the local church ‘must’ still matter, digital discipleship is real—and God is using it.

But with this access comes some confusion. The same algorithm that shows truth also spreads lies – a lot of it. Gen Z is flooded with half-truths, self-help spirituality, and relativism. The result? A spiritual hunger with no compass. So what is the solution?

>>> That’s where the gospel must step in <<<

The Answer is Still “Jesus Christ”

Jesus & Gen Z: The Relationship they need

In a world screaming, “Be your truth,” Jesus gently invites:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life…” – John 14:6

In a culture drowning in identity crises, Jesus offers eternal identity:

“To all who believed Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12

To a generation overwhelmed by anxiety and depression, He whispers:

“Come to Me, all who are weary… and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

What the Church Must Learn (and Unlearn)

If the church wants to reach Gen Z, it must move:

From performance to presence
From hierarchy to humility
From rules to relationship
From noise to real encounters with Christ

Gen Z doesn’t need us to entertain them. They need us to walk with them—to model a gospel that is lived, not just preached.

Let’s not write off this generation. Let’s disciple them. Let’s show them the way and the truth that will guide them and lead them aright.

Do you have children, siblings, cousins, or relatives who belong to this group – Gen Z? Your job as a Christian is to disciple them. You may ask, how?

Read the gospel – Mathew, Mark, Luke & John – you will realize what you need to do….exactly how Christ guided His disciples with the “raw truth” that opened their eyes to the light of the Word…He never painted anything to make them happy or to stay with him; you either stay or leave when He speaks the truth, but He spoke the truth always.

The Gospel of truth is…for reproof, for doctrine and for correction (2 Tim. 3:16), this is how you disciple them. Tell them the truth in the word, reproof and correct them when they go wrong or do it wrong, then teach them the scriptures always, which becomes their doctrine. Never, ever “coat” the gospel just to make them happy or like you. One day, they will thank you for always telling them the truth or dislike you for never telling them the truth, whether you are a Pastor, their parent or guardian – the repercussion will come, good or bad.

Conclusion: There is Hope in the Hunger

Jesus is not done with this generation. And Gen Z is not done with Him. The Pt 1 of this topic will give you a baseline in this discussion to understand better.

Behind the screens, beyond the cynicism, beneath the rebellion—there is a longing for something real. And Jesus is still the realest thing this world has ever known.

Let’s meet Gen Z where they are. Not to water down truth, but to point to the Truth who still saves; who is the Truth – “Jesus Christ”.

“He has set eternity in their hearts…” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Let’s help them find Him – The truth!.

Do not forget to chek out the PT 1 of this discussion to help you get a baseline of this post, click here

Hi! I’m Dr. Eno Iwok, a follower of Jesus Christ and the heart behind this blog. In a world full of noise, half-truths, and shifting values, I created this space to seek and share unshakable Truth—the kind found only in God’s Word. Here, we wrestle honestly, walk humbly, and stand boldly. Because even in the chaos, Truth still stands—and His name is Jesus Christ.

Welcome to The Truth: In a Confusing World!.
Let’s walk this narrow way together, anchored in Scripture, lit by grace!

John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Religion: The Norm

Although there are various definitions of the word “religion” across the globe, ranging from a religious approach to a multidimensional approach, the one that strikes me most is Émile Durkheim’s (1858-1917) definition. According to Émile Durkheim, religion is defined as “a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things, i.e., things set apart and forbidden—beliefs and practices which unite into one single moral community called a Church, all those who adhere to them.” This definition is the closest of what is happening in the world today in the name of “religion”. Although religion sets apart and gives an identity to a group of persons having the same beliefs and practices, it has also caused a lot of divisions in the world, both from centuries ago and in the modern era.

The Generation That’s Done with Religion… Or Are They?

James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Having said all that, we are led to the relationship between religion and the present generations (Generations Y, Z, and Alpha), but I will focus on Generation Z as a case study. A blend of Gen Z and religion is like mixing oil and water, and studies have shown that Gen Z—those born roughly between 1997 and 2012—are widely labelled as the most unreligious generation in history.

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram long enough, and you’ll see a curious blend: a viral video of a deconstructionist questioning the Bible, followed by a spontaneous worship session in a college dorm. Gen Z, known as the least religious in history, are currently proving the ideology by their low presence in religious gatherings and questioning of traditional structures. But if you look closely, something deeper is happening; Gen Z may be walking away from religion—but they are not walking away from God, they are trying to find a way to God that is not bent on religion.

Reasons behind the shift from religion

There are various reasons behind the current religious shift among Gen Z:

Gen Z: Access to information & Technology

Access to information: Gen Z grew up with the internet at their fingertips. They can easily explore diverse worldviews, question traditional teachings, and form their own beliefs. This means they can search for anything and believe anything if not properly guided.

Skepticism of institutions: From political systems to religious organizations, Gen Z tends to be wary of authority—especially after witnessing scandals and hypocrisy within religious circles. This has made religion look like a joke to them, like there is no confidence or hope there.

Emphasis on inclusion: Many Gen Zs prioritize values like LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, which can sometimes clash with traditional religious doctrines. This, on the other hand, is majorly based on influence in the systems and on the web, not God’s system.

Alternative communities: Unlike previous generations who found ‘belonging’ in churches, mosques, or other religious gatherings, Gen Z often builds community online or through shared interests and activism.

Spiritual independence: Rather than rejecting spirituality altogether, many prefer to craft their own belief systems—mixing mindfulness, astrology, or even pop culture references into a personalized spiritual identity. And this is a step away to spiritual blindness.

It’s not that Gen Z is anti-spiritual—they’re just redefining what belief looks like based on what they have seen and what they have come to know. The question now is, “who and what is guiding them?’.

It has been proven that Gen Z can be highly influenced by their own generation. They prefer to learn from their generation rather than the previous generations, and this is becoming more and more difficult to put them under control. How can you put someone under control who has all the information in the world at their fingertips via the internet? Until the entire World Wide Web is shut down, that dogma cannot work.

So what do we do next?

How do we lead Gen Z to Christ without bombarding them with religion?
How do we bring their focus on Jesus than the world system and the internet?
How do we help our children, brothers, sisters, and grandchildren make heaven even with these flying new age teachings flooding the internet?

Want to dive into how this shift is affecting religious institutions or what it might mean for the future? Come with me to the concluding Part 2 of Jesus and Gen Z.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has set eternity in the human heart…”