OPINION:
For years, many lamented the moral and ethical state of American youths, citing increased depression, hopelessness and mass confusion.
But despite rampant moral relativism and tragic trends, something has spiritually shifted in recent months, with Generation Z and millennials — two of the nation’s youngest generations — showing a swift and surprising move toward sanity, truth and the Almighty.
“The State of the Church” initiative from Barna and Gloo is the latest report to prove just how wild the swing has been toward faith among America’s younger generations — and U.S. adults more generally.
Among all Americans, weekly Bible reading has reached 42%, a jump of 12 percentage points from a 15-year low observed in 2024. And among self-described Christians, it is now at 50%.
But it’s young people who truly stand out, with Barna and Gloo noting that weekly Bible reading among millennials “jumped an unprecedented 16 points,” hitting 50%, with Gen Z also showing a massive increase from 30% to 49% over the past year.
The American Bible Society found similar indicators earlier this year, seeing Scripture engagement among Gen Z rise from 11% in 2024 to 15% in 2025. Likewise, millennials climbed from 12% to 17% during the same time.
With shifting electoral patterns, the death of conservative and Christian commentator Charlie Kirk and other indicators — including claims of spiritual revival — these moves are notable.
Young people are undoubtedly picking up the mantle of faith, increasingly realizing that they’ve been deprived of truth, that relativism is unsustainable and that the biblical blueprint is the best path forward.
Today’s youths were the first people to be raised in a tech-obsessed culture and under the pressure of a media and entertainment landscape that was openly aggressive toward faith values. Over time, this hostility exposed something: that the narratives being fed through these channels simply don’t line up with reality.
People can’t conjure up their own morality. It simply doesn’t work. And there’s a fixed system created by God to lead humans toward flourishing, which is why so many young people are picking up the Bible.
Ironically, youths are outpacing older generations who have traditionally had a more robust faith experience. Baby boomers — those born in the decades after World War II — are now showcasing the lowest levels of weekly Scripture reading (31%), which is fascinating to observe.
Separately, the American Bible Society found earlier this year a rise in Bible users from 38% to 41%. This means 10 million more Americans are now reading the Bible outside of church at least three times each year — yet another powerful indicator.
While Americans overall are turning back to the Bible, it’s the young people who are driving the most encouraging patterns. Bible reading, in particular, indicates a willingness to take action on one’s inquisitiveness. Right now, there’s no doubt that Gen Z and millennials are more likely than ever to take such steps.
Barna and Gloo did find something else that must motivate pastors, church leaders and others to raise an eyebrow and dig in a bit deeper. While interest in the Bible is surging, fewer people are convinced of the accuracy of Scripture.
In 2000, 43% of Americans strongly agreed that the Bible is entirely accurate in its principles. Right now, though, this share is at 36%. Perhaps most alarming is the statistic that just 44% of self-identified Christians fervently believe the Bible is accurate.
This is clearly concerning but also poses a massive opportunity. We’re living in an era in which proper engagement can lead people toward a sweeping understanding of the truth of Scripture. With so much hunger for the truth, pastors, church leaders and others must stand up and meet the moment with preparedness to answer the tough questions.
Just consider the fact that the American Bible Society found that 51% of Americans want to read the Bible more often, a deeply important metric.
Ultimately, young people are the primary drivers of all of these changes. Considering the current dynamics, it’s quite possible millennials and Generation Z — despite negative trends and claims — could end up further embracing the biblical values that will save America.
Will young Americans be our unlikely heroes? Only time will tell, but the images of young people flooding college campuses to hear about Jesus and get baptized are an encouraging sign that Generation Z is on the right track.
Now is the time to dig in on prayer and hope for this generation and for the nation at large.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
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