You have questions about Jesus. Have you had these questions? (You cannot shock me.)

I grew up with the Sunday school stories. Every week. I was also the recipient of family devotional times. Maybe you were too. Maybe not. I realize I grew up in a rare situation. I realized this in the first weeks of my Pentateuch class in 1983. I knew all of those stories in Genesis. So many of my fellow-studying-soon-to-be pastors didn’t.

I didn’t know Jesus until I was 15 but I knew these stories which gave me the foundation of who God is. When I read Judges 19 and Ezra 9-10 as a 20-year old I didn’t freak out because I was so rooted in this larger story of the whole Bible.

Biblical illiteracy has grown to be a valid concern in the decades since. I’ve been a youth pastor in all those decades. I have seen firsthand what little knowledge the teens know. Yet they are still drawn to something about Jesus. They always have, which is why I stayed a youth pastor.

In this 5^th decade I have seen that teens don’t even feel socially obligated to go to church. They are not receiving the Sunday school stories nor the awkward and beautiful intergenerational conversations that shape their foundation of who God is.

So what does this have to do about you?

Some new research from Youthscape Centre for Research makes this clear: today’s teenagers often don’t have a framework for faith, the Bible, or even the basic story of Jesus. So when they encounter Jesus, they’re not reacting to the version I grew up with. They’re meeting Jesus fresh. We, older adults, have our assumptions wrong.

In this study, non-Christian teenagers were invited to read Bible stories that church leaders would typically describe as “good news.” But instead of immediately recognizing hope, grace, redemption or Jesus’ culture-changing message, many of them saw something else. Some described Jesus as:

• manipulative or controlling
• overly authoritative
• unaware of power dynamics

The young peoples’ conversations in this research hinted at deeper questions they, and perhaps many other young people (and you?), are asking about Christian faith and the church.

Was Jesus mansplaining to the woman at the well?

Is Jesus gullible to believe Zacchaeus’ conversion?

In the case of Peter, why does Jesus forgive instead of hold people accountable?

Is Jesus controlling when he tells people what to do?

Is the miracle of the paralyzed man telling us that we need to try harder and persevere to get the best out of every situation, even if no one else is doing it?

Does following Jesus mean losing your autonomy?

Is Jesus trying to help people, or to control outcomes?

As the research sums up for us, “Expect young people to be prophets.”

I don’t want my assumptions to create blind spots as to how culture is shaping this. These very different insights to the same Bible stories are revealing their worldview.

The worldview that is shaping them (and you) is from growing up in a world that is all about:

• power and abuse
• consent and autonomy
• authenticity and hypocrisy

The young people in the study approached Bible stories like moral lessons. They didn’t see a living, disruptive Jesus. They saw principles, guidance, and self-help.

In the one story of the healing of the paralyzed man (John 5:1-15), Jesus barely registered as central because the focus became human effort and perseverance instead of divine interruption.

Is this what behavior-modification youth ministry has led to? Though the reality is that most teens are not in a youth ministry. Yes, maybe you grew up in 1990s and later behavior modification youth ministry. These teens didn’t.

Is this what the culture–who is trying to find any way forward without Jesus–is teaching?

How often do you hear from everyone and anyone:

• be kind
• try harder
• make better choices
• believe in yourself above all else
• define your own truth
• protect your peace at all costs
• cut off anyone who challenges you
• stay in control, don’t depend on anyone
• happiness is the goal
• avoid discomfort, it’s a sign something’s off

This is an empty gospel of good news. This is transactional. This puts the whole effort on me. This is very far from the message of Jesus who said, For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16.

I wrote a book about this good news, The Story of Two Lost Sons for those who think God is about debt, shame, penalties, or violations of the law.

These are the things I am remembering as I talk to teens and would do if I could talk to you:

You may be encountering this counter cultural Jesus for the first time. You do not even know the basics. My face will not show shock at that.

Nothing is off-limits in our conversations. My face will not show aghast. I’m over that. Working with teens will grow this in you.

If you think Jesus sounds controlling, say it. Or whatever else.

I hold my certainty with humility.

Many of us inherited a simplified version of faith that worked–until life got complicated. This generation (and you?) is starting with complexity. I don’t want to rush to simplify faith for you. The complications is your interest to ask the next question. You are free to ask the next question.

You are not looking for a safe version of Jesus. I don’t want to give you a safe version of Jesus. Your life is too complicated so how about a Jesus that doesn’t want a transaction with you and is not afraid of your complications?

These are two of my favorite verses which I learned at age 16 and at age 17:

But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life. Psalm 42:8

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8.

I would like to talk to you more about this. This is why I write. Contact me.