At a time when church attendance and religious affiliation are reportedly on the decline, new research from Barna Group suggests that the next generation may be more spiritually engaged than many assume. According to Barna’s Gen Z Vol. 3 study, over half of American teenagers (52%) say they are “very motivated” to learn more about Jesus, and an overwhelming 77% express at least some interest in discovering more about Christianity’s central figure.

The findings reveal a significant opportunity for Christian leaders, parents, and mentors to engage with young people in meaningful ways. Despite a culture that increasingly sidelines religion, today’s teenagers are proving to be open, curious, and even eager to explore faith and spirituality.

Barna researchers noted that while Generation Z may not always be drawn to organized religion or traditional churchgoing, they still believe in something greater than themselves.

“This generation tends to believe there’s something out there more powerful than them,” Barna researchers observed. “Still, many remain hesitant to embrace religion or churchgoing.”

However, their openness to learning about Jesus presents a unique and timely opportunity for churches and Christian ministries. Rather than assuming Gen Z is uninterested in faith, leaders must recognize that young people are searching for answers—but they want authenticity and relevance in those discussions.

The study found that only about 20% of teenagers said they were completely unmotivated to learn about Jesus, while 7% remained unsure. On the other hand, three out of four teens (76%) agreed that “Jesus speaks to me in a way that is relevant to my life.”

This is a hopeful sign for Christian leaders and parents seeking to disciple the next generation. Barna CEO David Kinnaman emphasized that, despite changing cultural attitudes, Jesus continues to be a powerful and personal figure for today’s youth.

“Though religious affiliation and church attendance continue to decline, spiritual openness and curiosity are on the rise,” Kinnaman said. “Across every generation, we see an unprecedented desire to grow spiritually, a belief in a spiritual/supernatural dimension, and a belief in God or a higher power.”

This hunger for spirituality isn’t limited to Christianity, though. Kinnaman noted that today’s teens are also open to other faiths, diverse ideas, and different perspectives—which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Christian leaders.

Given this spiritual curiosity, how can churches and Christian leaders respond effectively? Barna’s research suggests that Gen Z is not looking for rigid religious structures but rather honest, relevant conversations about faith.

Barna advises church leaders to authentically engage teens, address difficult questions honestly, and demonstrate how Jesus and the Bible relate to modern life.

“While teens express interest in Jesus, they may approach faith differently than previous generations,” Barna reported. “Authenticity and relevance are key.”

This aligns with broader trends in spiritual belief across the U.S. A 2022 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults found that 77% of Americans believe in a higher power, while 74% expressed a desire to grow spiritually. However, fewer Americans identify with specific religious institutions, pointing to a shift toward personalized spirituality rather than traditional religious practice.

For many Christians, the findings offer hope that the next generation is not lost to secularism but is actually hungry for deeper meaning, truth, and purpose. While the Church faces challenges in engaging young people, the desire for Jesus remains strong among teenagers.

“Young people may be fueling this rise in spiritual hunger,” Kinnaman noted. “They are confronting the Church with something we haven’t seen before—a kind of blank slate, a chance to imagine a different future.”

With teens increasingly shaping their own spiritual journeys, Christian leaders must be intentional, relational, and adaptable in their approach. The message of Jesus is still compelling to this generation—it’s up to the Church to deliver it in ways that resonate.

As churches navigate how to reach Gen Z, the key takeaway from Barna’s study is this: Teenagers want to know about Jesus—they just may not be seeking Him in traditional ways.