Gen Alpha and The Church

We are currently leading Generation Alpha in our churches. They are the youngest and most digitally native generation in history. Born from 2010 to 2024, these kids have never known a world without iPads, YouTube, or Alexa. As children’s ministry leaders, how do we disciple a generation that’s growing up with more access to entertainment and information than any before them?

Here are some of their common traits and a few ideas to help you connect with Gen Alpha kids in meaningful ways:

DIGITAL NATIVES

Gen Alpha, for better or worse, is being influenced and shaped by screens. They are the first generation to be surrounded by technology from the start. Although it can create challenging problems for kids, it doesn’t mean we have to find ways to compete with technology. We can use it positively along with our regular lessons and activities. Visual storytelling, interactive videos, Bible apps, and other creative digital tools can help bring God’s Word to life. Think about using tech as part of ministry time. Short videos, interactive lessons, and games that involve Bible stories are all good ways to connect with these plugged-in kids. However, these tools should be used as a portion of what you do with children and not in place of personal connection with them. No digital resource should be a substitute for personal discipleship. 

MEANINGFUL CONNECTION

This generation is connected through social media, chat features in games, and apps, but they desire to be personally known. Many are navigating mental health issues, overstimulation because of the sheer amount of incoming information at home and at school, and questions about their identity and faith at younger ages. What they need from church is more personal and purposeful relationships. Create environments and activities that encourage kids to build friendships with one another and with their small group leaders. Gen Alpha wants people to really see them, know them, and hear them. As leaders, we need to make sure we are actively listening to what kids have to say and remembering it.

DIFFERENT LEARNING STYLES

Attention spans are shorter today as kids rapidly scroll from one thing to the next. It’s a serious problem, and we can be part of the solution. Although kids readily engage with trivial and meaningless content that decreases attention, they are still very curious. Gen Alpha prefers hands-on, experience-based learning. Object lessons, role-playing Bible stories, and craft projects linked to Scripture tend to be more impactful for them than traditional teaching styles. Look for ways to add activities that involve multiple senses, like science experiments that emphasize biblical truths or skits that reinforce your lessons.

PURPOSE

Kids today care about big issues at a younger age than previous generations. The desire to take care of God’s creation, extend kindness and acceptance toward all people, and think about social justice causes are common concerns. While Gen Alpha may not use those exact words, they want to make a difference in their world. As leaders, we can teach kids from an early age to focus on their godly purpose and have an active faith that serves others. Include a focus on mission projects in your ministry. Whether it’s collecting items for a local shelter, volunteering for community projects with their parents, or writing letters of encouragement to missionaries, we can help kids understand that faith is active and focused on serving others. Setting a genuine example of what it means to be a follower of Christ is the most important thing they can share with people in their world.

PARTNER WITH PARENTS

Leading Gen Alpha means partnering with their parents, who are primarily Millennials. This generation of parents can be skeptical of institutions like churches. At the same time, they feel the importance of investing in their kids’ spiritual and emotional health. Be sure to share information with parents consistently and often. Utilize their common means of communication like texts, social media posts, and QR codes. Look for ways to encourage their participation as the primary spiritual leaders in their families by providing relevant tools for discipling their children at home. 

Gen Alpha is full of new ideas and unique ways of doing things that we haven’t thought of before. We don’t know what their future holds, but it will likely be much different than we can imagine. As leaders, we get to help lay a spiritual foundation for the youngest generation that will equip them to live according to God’s truth as they grow up and spread God’s love to others. Pray that as you meet the needs of Gen Alpha kids in meaningful ways that connect with their common traits, the seeds you plant today will grow into lives fully reliant on the Lord.