Connecting Millennials with the Bible …
How can we help Millennials engage with the Bible? It begins with understanding who they are.
Millennials, also known as Generation Y or the Net Generation, are the cohort who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st Century. While there are various proposed dates for Millennials, the earliest suggested birth date is 1976, and the latest is 2004.
Millennials have grown up in a socially networked world, are tolerant of differences, are confident/positive, rely heavily on technology, and are generally optimistic. They can, however, be prone to entitlement/narcissism and hold unrealistic expectations that sometimes lead to disillusionment. A large percentage of Millennials are politically and religiously unaffiliated. They have more Facebook friends than any other generation, send a median of 50 texts a day, and post the most selfies.
Millennials are also wary of institutional religion, yet more likely than other generations to believe in the existence of a god. They are tolerant regarding sexual orientation, concerned about social justice, and more spiritual than religious.
So, what practical things can we do to connect Millennials with the Bible? Here are some suggestions:
Demonstrate what works.
Millennials want to know what works before they’ll accept it as truth. Exhibit Bible engagement methodologies in action and then invite Millennials to participate.
Start with their life questions.
Millennials are more open to engaging with the Scriptures when the Bible engagement approach begins with the questions they’re asking. Recommended resource – Taste and See: An Invitation to Read the Bible.
Offer multiple choices.
Millennials are consumers; they expect a range of alternatives. Provide them with various Bible engagement resources, e.g., Lectio Divina, Inductive Bible Study Method, Praying the Bible, Lectio Continua, Bible Journaling, Spoken Word/Slam Poetry, etc.
Make needs-based connections.
Millennials are burdened with social needs, injustice, and 
compassion issues. Themed Bibles, e.g. God’s Justice, provide a doorway to Bible reading/reflection.
Utilize online resources.
Introduce Millennials to YouVersion, Bible Gateway, theStory and other electronic Bible engagement guides, tools, and resources.
Cultivate small groups that value transparency, vulnerability and authenticity.
Create safe places for radical honesty. When Millennial values are not prioritized, it isn’t easy to facilitate meaningful dialogue about the Scriptures.
Apply the Scriptures together.
Millennials think in terms of community service and involvement. Link the Scriptures to practical service projects, i.e., give Millenials opportunities to serve and share what’s on their hearts.
Read from printed Bibles.
While Millennials are techno-savvy and screen-friendly, their preferred format for Bible reading is the book form.
Recognize that Christian Millennials have a high view of Scripture.
They believe the Bible is the actual/inspired Word of God, is their greatest source of moral truth, and should hold a high or the highest priority in their life of faith. In contrast, non-Christian Millennials hold ambivalent or extremely negative views about the Bible.
Make connections with the big screen.
Most Millennials have seen at least one biblically themed movie in the last year.
Post texts on social media.
Millennials are more likely than any other generation to post and read scriptures on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram (more than 80% posted scriptures online in the past year – Barna).
Facilitate the freedom to disagree.
Millennials only feel safe to reveal and understand their inner selves when questions, doubts and differences are permissible.
Leverage relationships.
We must live out the faith for Millennials to relate, i.e., practice and model what the Bible teaches.
How are you connecting Millennials with the Bible, or how are you as a Millennial connecting with the Bible? Please comment/share what’s working for you.
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Summary
To connect Millennials with the Bible, it’s essential to understand their unique characteristics, such as their reliance on technology, openness to social justice, and wariness of institutional religion. Effective engagement starts by addressing their life questions and offering diverse Bible study methods that appeal to their preferences. Practical steps include utilizing online resources, cultivating transparent small groups, and applying Scripture in community service projects. By fostering an environment of authenticity and providing opportunities to engage with the Bible, both digitally and in print, we can help Millennials connect with the Word in meaningful ways.
© Scripture Union Canada
