Spiritual curiosity opens door to Jesus

Young adults are increasingly spiritually curious, but how can Christians turn conversations about spirituality, culture and faith into opportunities to introduce them to Jesus? The Evangelical Alliance’s Katherine Brown explains.

What are you seeing among young adults that gives you hope about evangelism? 

We’re living in spiritually curious times. Being an atheist used to be the most common and popular position, but the younger generations have watched their parents and can see how the material worldview has failed them. It’s left them asking if there is more to life and if they’re more than just a random collection of cells. That’s creating many opportunities to share faith.

This is a huge change. My husband describes leading an Alpha course at university 15 years ago and having to convince people that the idea of a supernatural realm and God was plausible.

Most young adults I speak to today already believe there’s a spiritual realm.

Instead, what we’re having to do now is convince them that Jesus is who he says he is and that he’s the only way – that a pick-and mix spirituality, with a bit of tarot cards and a bit of Jesus, isn’t an option.

When you speak to young adults about faith, what subjects open the door to conversations about Jesus most often? 

So many famous people have been open about exploring Christianity or professing faith in Jesus that most of my conversations with young adults start there.

They’ve seen a celebrity’s story or listened to a podcast where there’s been a conversation about faith or a Christian practice like prayer or fasting, or they’ve watched the World Cup and seen footballers praying together.

story continues…