More than 80 percent of Americans are open to the idea that there is a spiritual or supernatural world, according to recent research by Barna.

And Generation Z young adults are no different.

Barna reports that nearly 3 in 4 Gen Z young adults are moderately or highly open to spirituality, referring to this large group as “the spiritually curious.”

It’s easy for us to see the negative side of this openness. Many stores catering to young adults sell crystals, zodiac-themed gifts, and even clothes noticeably displaying pentagrams or other satanic symbols.

There has also been an increased interest in the New Age, with many young people wanting to explore the supernatural, get in touch with their chakras, and find ways to increase their positive energy.

Yet, there is a silver lining.

As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to step into this moment and meet the spiritually curious where they are. Why? Because we also believe there is a spiritual world — and we have a relationship with the God who created and rules over it.

So instead of judging or rejecting those young adults who are searching for peace or fulfillment in spiritualism, I believe we can point them to the true Source of peace, who loves and gave himself for them.

There are at least three shifts taking place among young adults regarding their spirituality.

Not Anti-Religious

It is easy for us to think of nonbelievers as hardcore atheists, who are anti-God and anti-religion, and ready to mock or berate us for our beliefs. We assume they hate Christians and don’t want to discuss anything remotely close to faith or religion. But that isn’t the case.

In Mark Matlock’s book, Faith for the Curious, he describes today as the age of “polite atheism.” He writes, “These people choose disbelief in God but are okay with others believing something else and often have an appreciation for those who do.”

We must keep this in mind while having conversations with those outside the Christian faith. Instead of assuming people are identical or must see us in the same way, we need to take time to get to know the individual we’re trying to reach.

Understand that it isn’t, as Matlock describes, an “us versus them” situation. Instead, we need to look for opportunities to show Christ’s love to young adults who are not anti-religion but open to it.

Spiritually Open

Barna’s research found that nearly 8 out of 10 Gen Z members believe in a higher power. Additionally, 74% wish to grow spiritually. This means most young adults today are not only open to spirituality — they are actively seeking it.

Christ is the source of fulfillment for the spiritually desperate.

This new spiritual openness has been “potentially heightened by the global events of recent years (and) represents a significant opportunity for meaningful engagement,” Barna concluded.

Today’s young adults are exposed to more information through social media, the news, and the internet than any generation before them — and they’ve witnessed countless frightful things in recent years. During 2020, they experienced COVID-19, which left many feeling afraid for the health and safety of themselves and their families.

Recent world events have left young adults concerned about war, violence, and poverty — leaving many to fear for their futures and look for hope anywhere they can.

As believers, we have a unique opportunity to reach these spiritually curious young adults who are desperate for answers and certainty in a changing and frightening world. We can point them to the only true Source of peace and hope, who offers them eternal life through His death on the cross and a real, loving relationship with Him.

We must step up and take advantage of these opportunities for deep, meaningful conversations with the spiritually curious.

Open to Conversation

Young adults aren’t just open to religion in a hypothetical sense — they want to talk about it.

I recently spoke with a young lady who told me that, after seeing a recent horror movie, she was terrified of being possessed by a demon so strong not even a priest could help her. On her desk was an assortment of crystals and skulls, in addition to having tattoos of Buddha and the evil eye she believed would help ward off danger.

This generation’s members are desperate for peace and know there is more to this world than they can see. We don’t need to convince them there’s a spiritual world or supernatural evil — they already know it. They just don’t know how to combat it, and some are even desperate enough to dabble in it. As Christians, we need to point them to Christ.

Barna CEO David Kinnaman writes, “They are open to different faiths, including Christianity, and they’re open to friends, causes, and ideas. (We) 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.”

Instead of shying away from talking about religion or being put off by the interest of young adults in the New Age, let’s use that as a jumping-off point to share Christ and what the Bible says about the spiritual world.

We have a unique calling in this time to be a source of direction and guidance for young adults who are seeking answers.

In John 7:37, Jesus says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”

Christ is the source of fulfillment for the spiritually desperate. He is the only One who will satisfy them. And as believers, we have a role to play as well.

In verse 38, Jesus continues, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Not only do we have the answers to the questions young adults are asking, within us is the hope and fulfillment they so desperately seek. Let’s not miss this moment. Praying for wisdom and more of Christ’s heart for the lost and pointing the spiritually thirsty to Christ.