Up to 60% of Generation Z members think what is right or wrong depends on an individual’s beliefs, according to Barna. In addition, most young adults believe what is morally right or wrong can change over time based on society. These views have become pervasive throughout our culture.

Some believe all religions lead to salvation — that they are all “spokes on a wheel” leading to a central truth. Others who are against spirituality and religion believe there is no such thing as “truth.”

Instead, many now hold to what they call “my truth.” They use terms like “finding my truth” to describe their personal identities and journeys; and believe everyone can decide for themselves what is true and right for their lives.

In this world of ever-shifting ideals and truths, it’s essential we come alongside our Gen Z students and root them in the truth of God’s Word.

There are at least three ways we can encourage the next generation of Christians to be rooted in the truth.

Set the Bible as Their True Foundation

Truth is an essential part of God’s identity throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, He declares of himself, “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isaiah 45:19). The Psalms continually remind us of the trustworthiness of God and His Word. Psalm 119:160 says, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

In the New Testament, Jesus says of himself, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). A few verses later, Jesus speaks of the coming Holy Spirit and refers to Him as “the Spirit of truth” (verse 16). And just before He is arrested, Jesus prays over His disciples that God would “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

It’s crucial that we hold to this fact: God’s Word is truth. There is no other standard or doctrine we can latch onto. There is no one (not even ourselves) we can place our hope in or trust outside of God and His Word. As Paul writes in Romans 3:4, “Let God be true, and every human being a liar.”

Encourage Gen Z members to set God’s truth as their center. Remind them of God’s faithfulness and share examples from your own life where you’ve seen it evidenced. Remind them it’s OK to have questions and doubts. Make yourself available to talk through any concerns they may have. Most importantly, encourage them to pray for the Holy Spirit to provide faith and help them trust in God and His goodness. He will always be there to strengthen them.

Apply the Bible to Their Daily Lives

When our young adults learn to establish the Bible as their source of truth, it’s important they start applying it to their own lives.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

In this world of ever-shifting ideals and truths, it’s essential we come alongside our Gen Z students and root them in the truth of God’s Word.

The Bible is more than just a moral standard: it is a source of direction and guidance for us. As mature believers, we have the unique opportunity to come alongside Gen Zers and teach them how to apply God’s Word throughout their daily lives.

Sit down with your young adults and talk through the issues they’re facing. Instead of immediately sharing your own solutions or helping them come to their own conclusions, direct them to God’s Word. Teach them how to apply biblical principles to their own challenges.

Share examples from your own life where the Bible has guided your actions and given you direction, insight, and hope. Encourage them to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and direction, reminding them that He will be there to help, no matter what may occur.

View the World Through a Biblical Lens

Gen Z is exposed to more information than any generation before it. The internet and social media offer constant access to hundreds if not thousands of ideas and sources, all with differing views, beliefs, and opinions.

It’s important for us to teach the younger generations to evaluate what they see and hear through the Scriptures, both inside and outside of the church.

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Acts 17:11 highlights the Berean Jews, who when hearing Paul’s teachings, “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” In the same way, Jesus tells us we will know people by their fruits, as “a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit” (Matthew 7:16-20).

We need to teach our young adults how to recognize what is true — not based on what we believe, but on what the Bible teaches. We need to encourage them to compare everything to God’s Word and see if it aligns with Scripture.

Instruct your Gen Zers how to critically review what they hear, and instead of making a judgment call based on their own (or someone else’s) beliefs, teach them how to dig into the Scriptures for themselves to find answers. Encourage them to approach each situation and question with prayer, and to ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, discernment, and guidance.

Encouraging our Gen Zers to test what they hear against God’s Word and pray for wisdom gives them tools they can use throughout their lives to discern right from wrong and truth from lies as God says — not as anyone else says.

Our most important responsibility is to lead our young people to Christ, that they can have a relationship with Him for themselves — not based on what society says or because it’s how they grew up.

By teaching our young adults how to anchor themselves in God’s Word, invite the Holy Spirit in, and test what they hear against Scripture, we’ll empower them to experience God and His truth.