Who is Reflecting Whom?

Generationally, In this lesson, they are not pre, post, or present millennials in reference to a 1,000 year reign of Christ. Instead, “millennials” are generally * said to be the generation born from 1982 – 2004; aka “Generation Y.” This designation is predicated on “Generation X” being understood as those born between and the early 1980’s.

Confident, Tolerant, (have a sense of) Entitlement, and are Narcissistic (self-absorbed). (Obviously, these are generalizations that are not present in each individual, but are fairly accurate representations of the class.) Characteristically, In “Generation ME,” author Jean Twenge says Millennials and younger Gen. X’ers are:

“generally more upbeat and positive about America’s future, but are the first generation in the modern age with higher student loan debt and unemployment.” They added, that Millennials are also, “detached from institutions and networked with friends.” Characteristically, In March of 2014, the Pew Research Center said that, as adults, Millennials are:

45% for Baby Boomers ( born )* 70% for Gen. X’ers (born 1965 – early 1980’s) 75% for Millennials (born ) (This data is included just to help our understanding of Millennials.) Characteristically, In the same study (March of 2014), the Pew Research Center folks added generational percentages for those “viewing wealth as important”:

50% for Baby Boomers ( born 1946 – 1964) 39% for Gen. X’ers (born 1965 – early 1980’s) 35% for Millennials (born ) (Again, this data is included just to help our understanding of Millennials.) Characteristically, While, again in the same Pew Research Center study March of 2014, the generational percentages for those “viewing keeping up with politics as important” numbers were:

“Trophy kids”- a term that reflects a trend in competitive sports, as well as many other aspects of life, where mere participation is frequently enough for a reward. While this term may or may not reflect your attitude (if you’re in this generation), you certainly can see the origins of the term. Characteristically, Author Ron Alsop summarized Millennials in 2008 as:

The “Peter Pan Generation” because of its members’ perceived tendency to delay rites of passage into adulthood longer than previous generations (things like financial independence, living apart from parents, obsession with video games, etc.). And, The “Boomerang Generation” because these tendencies may be a boomerang effect to their parents getting married and starting careers earlier in age, but then suffering failed marriages, businesses, and careers. Characteristically, American sociologist Kathleen Shaputis labeled Millennials as:

Millennials are less likely than previous generations to practice organized religion, And more likely to be “skeptical” of religious institutions. Remember the 2014 Pew Research Study which found Millennials “detached from institutions and networked with friends.” With regard to Religion, In the United States,

7% were “irreligious” prior to % were “irreligious” % were “irreligious” % were “irreligious” While these percentages are still in the minority, remember that they reflect those willing to claim “irreligious” rather than “religious”- they are not reflections of true Christianity. With regard to Religion, The generational percentages of those “irreligious” (in the U.S.) support these assessments:

Half prayed before a meal, and One-third Discussed religion with their friends, Read religious materials weekly, and Attended religious services. But I’m fairly certain that those “discussing religion” and “reading religious materials” did so online, and those “attending a religious service” may well have done so online also! ;-) With regard to Religion, In a small sample survey of 1, year olds, a 2005 study revealed of Millennials that:

Behavior, values, and attitudes differ from previous generations in response to the technological and economic implications of the internet. While I don’t believe we must be the products of our environment (too many biblical examples to the contrary*), there is little doubt as to the potential influence of it toward who we become as adults, and Millennials aren’t immune. With regard to Causality, William Draves & Julie Coats, authors of “Nine Shift: Work, Life, & Education in the 21 st Century,” add that Millennials’ Millennials were the first generation raised with the internet!

Should we present the image of Jesus they want and will hear and accept? Should we preach the gospel they want to hear and will accept, and do so only in the way they want hear it? Should we modify the church to meet their perceived needs and wants? Now, here’s the dilemma: Should Jesus, His gospel, and His church be modified in order to attract this Millennial generation?

Self-absorbed and self-centered people who have a sense of entitlement, and expect to be encouraged, accepted, praised, and rewarded for being whoever/whatever they want to be. And then expect/demand that Jesus, His gospel, and His church conform to their expectations in order for them to “follow.” While this is an obvious generalization, which is not true of every individual in the Millennial generation, we’ve seen that Millennials can be:

This mentality, or the solutions to it proposed by men, did not originate with this generation: Malachi faced it, cf. Mal.1:6-8,12-13; 2:17; 3:13-15; As did Jesus, Matt.11:16-24; 12: The Millennials are not the first generation like this, but they could be the last! Heb.3:10 This “Millennial” malady* was predicted, 2Timothy 4:3-4; And a treatment prescribed, 2Timothy 4:1-2.

Previous generations “helped” make them who they are ( apples do not fall too far from the trees ). They, like everyone else, have souls that need saving too, Matt.16:26; Luke 19:10. We can/should go where they are with the gospel that is the only hope of salvation,* Matt.9:10-13! To date, our youtube channel has regular 39 subscribers and 3,730 views of sermon videos. A single fb post on our page reached 975 people last week. Our website continues to be a ready and useful online resource of gospel teaching. We must compassionately teach to save them, Mark 6:34. Millennials: What to Do? Remember:

Jesus into the Man they seem to want Him to be,* Acts 4:11-12; His Word to make it more palatable to them, 1Cor.2:1-5; Gal.1:6-8; or, His Church to suit their desires or demands, Matt.16:18; Eph.1:22-23; 4:4. Millennials, just like everyone else, must conform to and reflect Jesus- not the other way around. No one gets the “trophy” of heaven for participating in life and showing up at judgment! Millennials: What to Do? But we can’t change: