Martin Smith: My letter to Gen Z

Is it just me, or is this the most talked about generation of young people ever?

I’m not sure any generation have been labelled or branded so heavily, nor such expectation placed on your shoulders. In some ways, it’s a big responsibility to be heralded for bringing global spiritual renewal, especially when you might feel so lost inside.

It must feel like every previous generation is shouting with desperation: “Save us, please!”

As a Gen Xer, a dad, grandad and follower of Jesus, I wanted to write you a letter. Maybe the one I wished I’d received when I was a teenager. I don’t want this to be just more online ‘noise’ but deeply personal, written to each of you.

Firstly, I have to start with my own children. Words will never come close to expressing the depth of my love for you. 

Elle - Pure and holy, the voice of freedom

Noah - A man of sorrow and laughter, prophet

Indi - Faithful warrior, loyal friend

Levi - Tender heart and healing hands

Ruby - A gateway to heaven, joy personified

Mary - The wisdom of Esther, consistent.

These words will speak to others, I’m sure, but predominantly, they are for you, my own flesh and blood. All six of you are Gen Z, and my prayer is that you will be giants of faith as you lead your own children, and the next generations to come.

I picked Psalm 27 for you all. Print it out and stick it on your mirror, your fridge or use it as a screen saver.  

“The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.”

Worship well

Matthew 22:17 says: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

If there is one thing in your life that you can learn to do, do this. Worship. Worship the Lord with your whole life, your whole heart and your whole strength. If we are always in constant awe and wonder of who God is and what he is doing in our lives, we can never grow weary. Yes, we may get tired, disappointed and sad along the way, but our hearts will never weary.

Before I got married, someone told me: “When you have your own children, the best thing you can teach them is to worship the Lord. Then everything else will work out.” It may seem over simplistic, but I believe it to be true. Seek first the kingdom of God, and not the ‘empires’ of this world. Everything good in our lives comes from him. All the blessings, all the grace. 

It’s a big responsibility to be heralded for bringing global spiritual renewal

Commit to consciously lifting your eyes to heaven every day and saying: “Thank you.” Then spend the whole day saying “thank you” a thousand more times. A grateful heart is a humble heart and therefore a happy soul. Have no idols before God; nothing in the way. 

You are the most self-centred generation in history, but if you can break free of that ungodly indulgence, you will change the world. I pray that you would be passionate for only one thing - to be abandoned in praise to the King of kings. 

This scripture from Matthew is Jesus quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 from 1,000 years before. The people of God have always had this command as the bedrock of their lives. So, this is not a new thing for Gen Z. You haven’t discovered a new style of worship - but you are literally joining with all the angels, and all the generations gone before and yet to come, in giving God the glory above any other.

This is not transactional but relational. It’s about falling in love. It’s easy to tell someone we love how much we love them. It’s from this foundation that you then build in disciplines and practices that support this love.

I adore my wife. But it’s no good just telling her that every day, if we don’t hang out together or if I don’t get to know the things she loves. It is the same with God. We need to learn and study what he loves (and despises) so we can be the generation who lift our hands “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Only then will you know true freedom.

Own a Bible

John 8:32 says: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Own a real Bible with paper and printed text. One you can hold in your hands. Digital devices are brilliant, but they will constantly distract you from a life of devotion to the Lord. I have learnt this the hard way. I can’t immerse myself in the word of God when I’m getting notifications about an Amazon delivery!

It might sound a bit religious, but holy scripture is the only thing in our life that’s true - so honour it with your time and your whole heart. Try and read it every day. I have often struggled to be a ‘reader’ but the discipline of starting the day with a God story is like drinking living water.

A grateful heart is a humble heart and therefore a happy soul

Don’t rely on your phone to bring you strength and direction. Most of it is a version of the truth or, even worse, a version of a lie. Tether yourself to this ancient book that supernaturally speaks to our hearts even today.

If you are to worship God “in spirit and truth”, you need an accurate view of who Jesus is. Everyone is an online theologian now, but you will only begin to discern God’s truth when you read God’s word.

The great thing about having a physical Bible is that you can actually take it to church. This practice has been abandoned by many of my generation sadly, but you guys can restore this tradition. It’s always good to have the sword of the spirit by your side. 

Read more of Martin Smith’s advice to the next generation on his Instagram page