Gen Z On Deconstructing

Gen Z on Deconstruction (feat. Bailey Thompson) 
In this episode of the Real Life Theology podcast, host Reagan Grace Gibbs, the student ministry director at Ekklesia Christian Church, discusses the urgent topic of faith deconstruction within Gen Z audiences. Joined by Bailey Thompson, they dive into the statistics showing the rise in religious disaffiliation among Millennials and Gen Z, the concept of deconstruction and reconstruction from a biblical perspective, and the cultural impact of influencers on faith. They emphasize the importance of discipleship, being actively involved in a local church, and the crucial role of church leaders in guiding and supporting Gen Z. Follow Reagan on Social Media @thereagangrace
Visit RENEW.org to view books, articles, and more: https://renew.org/ 
Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/TpZu2xehddc 
Key Takeaways 
00:00 Introduction and Host Background
05:30 Celebrity Influence on Faith
10:37 The Role of Church Leaders in Supporting Gen Z
13:01 The Importance of Personal Relationships in Ministry
19:12 Challenges and Solutions for Engaging Gen Z in Church
24:15 The Importance of Studying the Bible
28:54 The Impact of Social Media on Faith
35:27 Engaging with Gen Z in Ministry
37:34 Concluding Thoughts and Prayer
Subscribe to the Real Life Theology Podcast: https://reallifetheologypodcast.podbean.com/ 
Other podcasts by RENEW.org:
– Scripture in Black and White: https://scriptureinblackandwhite.podbean.com/ – Step into Scripture: https://stepintoscripture.podbean.com/ 
Check out RENEW.org for resources on theology and disciple making. 
See below for a longer description:In this episode, Reagan introduces Bailey, a worship leader and singer-songwriter from Ekklesia Christian Church. Together, they dive deep into the topic of Gen Z and their relationship with faith, particularly focusing on deconstruction and reconstruction of beliefs. Reagan highlights alarming statistics pointing to Gen Z as the least religious generation in American history. She references Ryan Burge’s research, showing a significant increase in the number of millennials and Gen Z individuals with zero religious affiliation. Bailey and Reagan discuss these trends and the potential reasons behind them, such as less parental influence on religious upbringing. The conversation covers the concept of deconstruction, contrasting its healthy and harmful forms. Reagan explains how Jesus exemplified healthy deconstruction by confronting the false teachings and hypocrisy of religious leaders. In contrast, Reagan and Bailey discuss the modern trend of deconstruction, where individuals systematically dismantle and often reject their faith due to various reasons, including church hurt.
Bailey brings in insights from Lisa Childers, who defines deconstruction as a popular trend among millennial and Gen Z Christians. They also touch on how celebrities openly share their deconstruction journeys, influencing their young followers' faith decisions. Reagan emphasizes the crucial role of church leaders in supporting and guiding Gen Z through these processes, rather than just attacking them. Reagan shares personal anecdotes about the importance of church community and mentorship in her faith journey. She recounts how church leaders, including her parents and student ministry leaders, have been foundational in her spiritual growth. This leads to a discussion on the importance of discipleship and being actively involved in a local church, both for personal growth and to foster a supportive faith community for Gen Z.
Reagan and Bailey stress that students need consistent biblical study and community involvement to thrive spiritually. Reagan talks about her church's emphasis on discipleship, mentioning their multi-generational vision and various ministries that cater to different age groups. Bailey adds examples of how older generations in the church mentor younger members, creating a nurturing environment for spiritual growth. They also address the challenges and misconceptions about student ministry, highlighting the importance of building authentic relationships with students. Both Reagan and Bailey believe that genuine discipleship involves walking with students through their spiritual journeys, providing guidance and support along the way.
Wrapping up the episode, Reagan discusses the powerful impact of prayer and how it can transform lives. Bailey closes with a heartfelt prayer for Gen Z, asking for God’s guidance and blessing over them. She prays for leaders to be equipped to steward these young hearts well, fostering safe spaces for meaningful conversations and growth. Tune in to this insightful episode to understand more about the spiritual dynamics affecting Gen Z and how to approach the topics of deconstruction and reconstruction of faith. Follow Reagan on all her social media platforms to stay updated on future episodes and engaging discussions. Until next time be blessed.#GenZ #RealLifeTheology #GenZOnFaith #Deconstruction  #Reconstruction
 
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Gen Z On Relationships

Gen Z on Relationships
Interested in hearing a conversation about both relationships and friendships from a Gen Z Perspective? Well then this episode is for you. Reagan Grace and her husband Manny answer questions like the following:
What does a Christ-centered relationship look like?How do you approach forgiveness and move past hurt in relationships? What are your biggest suggestions for finding a good Godly relationship? How can you combat temptations in relationships when you are saving yourself for Marriage? 
Have more questions about this topic? → Please like, subscribe, and comment on this episode. You can also reach out to Reagan on social media @thereagangrace
Watch the Video:
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction to the new series GEN Z ON
01:31 Romantic Relationships: A Biblical Perspective
03:51 The Role of Love and Sacrifice in Relationships
10:41 Cultural Influences on Modern Relationships
13:46 Navigating Privacy and Publicity in Relationships
19:02 Q&A: Addressing Your Relationship Concerns
20:27 Navigating Secular Culture and Prayer
21:51 Christ-Centered Relationships: Expectations vs. Reality
23:52 The Purpose of Christian Dating and Marriage
30:22 Forgiveness and Communication in Relationships
33:00 Finding a Godly Relationship
34:43 Combating Temptations and Understanding Purity
38:21 The Importance of Friendships and Accountability
47:32 Closing Thoughts and Prayer
 
Subscribe to the Real Life Theology Podcast: https://reallifetheologypodcast.podbean.com/ 
Check out RENEW.org for resources on theology and disciple-making. 
See below for a longer description:
Gen Z and Relationships!
In this kick of episode of the Real Life Theology Podcast’s new series “GEN Z ON” , host Reagan Grace Gibbs, along with her husband Manny Gibbs, dive into the complexities of relationships for Gen Z from a biblical perspective. They discuss romantic relationships, friendships, and the role of faith and accountability. Covering topics such as the importance of Christ-centered relationships, combating temptations, and the significance of forgiveness, this conversation is enriched with scripture and personal insights. Join Reagan and Manny as they share their journey, answer audience questions, and provide valuable advice for young Christians navigating their faith and relationships.
If you would like to follow Reagan on social media search @thereagangrace on any social platform. 
This series geared towards a Gen Z audience is a series where Reagan interviews different members of Gen Z in the church to discuss urgent topics of faith. Today's episode focuses on relationships, both romantic and platonic, and features a special co-host, Reagan's husband, Manny Gibbs. Manny serves in the student ministry and is also pursuing a medical career. The episode begins by addressing why relationships were highly requested by Reagan's Instagram followers. They go into the importance of discussing romantic and friendship dynamics separately, offering insights and experiences from their own relationship. Reagan opens with Song of Solomon 8:7, highlighting the unquenchable nature of love. Key points include discussing their young marriage at 18 and the pressures it brought, as well as the misconception of finding perfect love in a human partner versus the eternal and fulfilling love of Jesus.
Manny and Reagan critique cultural narratives around romantic relationships, pointing out the pitfalls of idolizing earthly love over divine love. They use examples from pop culture, such as the tumultuous relationship of celebrities like Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, to illustrate the destructive nature of publicly aired, toxic relationships. The conversation stresses the importance of Christ leading a relationship to prevent chaos and maintain a healthy, God-centered dynamic.In response to audience questions, Reagan and Manny tackle topics like incorporating prayer into a relationship, Christ-centered dating, and approaching forgiveness. Manny emphasizes the value of prayer and its perceived awkwardness in a secular culture, while Reagan provides practical advice on dating with the intention of marriage, setting boundaries to combat temptation, and understanding purity within and outside of marriage.
Transitioning to friendships, Reagan opens up about her challenges in maintaining friendships and the significance of surrounding oneself with friends who also sit at the feet of Jesus. Manny adds a male perspective, stressing the importance of accountability and the pitfalls of adopting a 'not my business' stance with friends. They both agree on the critical role of having friends who are honest and rooted in biblical truth. The episode wraps up with Manny’s prayer, asking for wisdom and strength to maintain relationships that glorify God. They thank all of you for joining and hope to see you next time on the Real Life Theology Podcast. 
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