A Generation Like This (Youth Sunday)

A Generation- Matthew 11:16-24

First Generation in history where most possess a mental health disorder with the highest depression rates leading to the title as the “Depressed Generation” – American Psychological Association

• • • 1. 1 out of 3 suffer from a form of anxiety disorder- American Psychological Association
      2. 3 out of 4 report being stressed- American Psychological Association
      3. 1 out of 4 suffer from severe depression- American Psychological Association
      4. Generation with the highest suicide attempts and rates in history (12% attempt suicide at some point)- FBI Annual Statistics 2022
      5. First generation where most believe things are getting worse – Pew Research

Expert concluding factors:

1. First Generation in history where almost half of Gen Z are raised in single-parent homes (Almost 80% by single mothers)-U.S. Census Bureau 2021
2. 1 out of 4 know someone close to them battling drug addiction- Walton Foundation Study
3. First generation to grow up not knowing a season of national peace (always at war)
4. First generation to grow up with social media as an active element of social interaction- Morning Consult Survey
   • • • 1. Depression increases to 1 out of 3 for females on social media
5. First Generation that placed climate change as their biggest fear- Pew Research

*They are engaged in the same war, but different tactics

*The frontlines have shifted

A Generation Lacking – Genesis 1:27-3:20

• Genesis 1:27- God gave man and woman identity in His Image
• Genesis 2:23- Adam names his wife “woman” out of his image
• Genesis 3:4- Satan tempts the woman with a new identity to be “like God”
• Genesis 3:20- Adam gives his wife the new identity “Eve” out of God’s promise

*Satan has always attacked weak identity. In our failures, God gives us new identity in his grace (1 Corinthians 15:10)

*We are telling our youth what their identity in Christ is, but we are not SHOWING them

A Generation Lacking – 1 Samuel 19

ILLUS: The youth that prayed for family prayer

• The Tragedy of David’s fight with Goliath
  • It was a fight meant for adults, not children- 1 Samuel 17:10-14; 24; 33
  • Adults allowed a child to fight it- 1 Samuel 17:37
  • Adults encouraged him to fight it- 1 Samuel 17:38-39
  • Adults let a child fight alone- 1 Samuel 17:40-41 (Even Goliath had his shield bearer with him)

*Our youth are fighting fights because adults failed to fight it. The front lines of battle is with our youth

A Generation- 1 Kings 19:18

• Twice, Elijah sulks “he is the only one left” in his generation who loves the Lord – 1 Kings 19:10-14
• God responds “I’ve reserved for me 7,000 who have not bent the knee”- 1 Kings 19:18

*Be proud, your raising good kids!