Faith, Fun and the Future: Reaching the Next Generation Digitally

When I tell people I spent 20 years in broadcast TV before moving into resourcing children’s ministry with RaiseUpFaith, I usually get a surprised look. But here’s the thing—both worlds are all about storytelling. What I learned in television was how powerful high-quality media can be. It can draw people in, spark imagination, and even shift perspectives.

And now, in children’s ministry, I see that same potential.

We have an incredible opportunity—and responsibility—to help shape the faith of the next generation. Children’s ministry isn’t childcare; it’s frontline discipleship of the future leaders of the church. But in a world saturated with screens, digital voices, and short attention spans, the way we connect must evolve.

Culture is Already Discipling Kids—Are We?

Whether we like it or not, technology is here to stay, and it’s shaping how children view themselves, others, and even God. Barna research tells us that most children form their view of God by age five. They’re forming deep spiritual impressions before many can even read. Meanwhile, culture is already working hard to disciple them.

That’s why it’s critical we ask: are we being just as intentional?

As human beings, the way we communicate has always been shaped by our culture. Jesus was a particular person, in a particular place, at a particular time, and he taught using the things around Him—sheep, vines, crop growth—because they made sense to His audience and helped them connect with what he was saying.

In the same way, we are a particular people, in a particular place, at a particular time. Friends, none of this is an accident! You have been chosen—on purpose—to minister to the kids in your care, so it’s really important to understand the cultural landscape we're in and how technology is changing the way children learn and engage.

We need to meet children where they are—with media-rich, relational, and engaging discipleship tools that speak their language and draw them into God’s bigger story.

Understanding the Generations We Serve

Dr Alexis Abramson, an expert in what are known as ‘generational cohorts’, says we define generations because 'when you are born affects your attitudes, your perceptions, your values, your behaviours.'

So, let’s think about who we’re ministering to.

Most parents in our ministries are Millennials. They are digital residents—they’ve grown up with the internet, they expect tech to be part of everyday life, and they make decisions collaboratively with their kids. For them, church isn’t a weekly obligation—it’s part of a community rhythm that flexes with family life.

Next is Gen Z, the younger adults and new parents. They are curious, visual, and rediscovering faith in fresh ways, prioritising authenticity. A report by the Bible Society states that 18- to 24-year-olds are now the second most likely age group to attend church regularly. What might this mean for ministry? I’d suggest it means we can expect family discipleship to grow in the next ten years!

What about the kids we serve? They’re Gen Alpha—born into a digital world, they’re growing up fully immersed in digital life. For them, screens are not just tools for communication or work—they're play spaces, learning zones, and story worlds. An iPad isn’t just a device; it’s a toy box, a classroom, and sometimes even a church. Their world is hybrid—real and virtual experiences blend seamlessly. They engage with stories through animation, games, and interactive media.

And hot on their heels is Gen Beta—the babies just being born. With AI, VR, and AR becoming standard in education, their experience of the world—and of faith—will be even more hybrid and immersive.

So, what does that mean for us?

It means we need to rethink how we connect, teach, and disciple. If we want to engage the next generation, using media and technology to help teach the Bible is no longer optional.

Why Video Matters More Than Ever

According to Ofcom’s 2023 study, watching video is the top digital activity for children aged 3 to 15. They’re not just watching for fun—they're learning, questioning, and forming opinions through video content. For Gen Alpha, video often feels more trustworthy than word-of-mouth.

When talking with my 14-year-old recently, he surprised me by saying that if he’d lived in Jesus’ time, he might’ve struggled to believe in the miracles because there weren’t any videos or photos—just people’s word. That really opened my eyes to how deeply video shapes their perception and trust.

Using media in ministry isn’t a cheat—it’s an essential communication tool. High-quality video can explain complex faith concepts quickly, engage a range of learning styles, and help children connect emotionally with God’s story.

But it’s not about pressing play and walking away. Video should spark curiosity and open up space for questions. Why? Because it’s through questions that relationships grow.

Did you know that, in the Gospels, Jesus asked 307 questions but directly answered only three? Asking questions wasn’t just part of Jesus’ teaching—it was central to His way of building relationships.

Using video can be a powerful way to ignite curiosity, a springboard for meaningful discussions and shared wonder. One of my favourite moments in kids' ministry is when children ask questions I’ve never considered before, and we explore the possible answers together. It shows them—and reminds us—that we’re all on a learning journey with Jesus.

It’s in the conversations that discipleship happens.  There’s value in teaching Bible stories and memory verses to build a faith foundation, but if we want our kids to fall in love with Jesus, we need to introduce them to him.

Discipleship Beyond Sundays

Here’s the reality: this child-led, flexible generation of parents is far less hung up on the tradition of going to church every Sunday. Many families in your ministry might only show up once a month. If discipleship is only happening on Sundays, we’re missing out.

Deuteronomy 6 reminds us that faith should be woven into everyday life—when we sit, walk, lie down, and get up. That means breakfast tables, school runs, and bedtime routines. Technology can help us be present in those moments, equipping parents to lead their children in faith-filled conversations all week long.

We’ve talked about how Gen Alpha lives hybrid lives—physical and digital, seamlessly interwoven. But the truth is, we all do now. We shop in store and online, we meet friends in person and on FaceTime. The way we live, learn, and relate is already hybrid.

A recent report by Scripture Union reveals that today’s young people view their online and in-person worlds not as separate, but as integrated and overlapping.

Digital is not less. It’s just different. And that matters for ministry. It demonstrates the value of missional activity being hybrid, and it has big implications for how we think about church.

What if we stopped talking about 'going to church' and started talking about 'gathering as church'?

It’s a subtle shift—but a powerful one. It redefines church as something we live, not just something we attend. And in children’s ministry, this small shift in thinking can lead to a much bigger one—from a church-centred model to a family-empowered model. It becomes less about families bringing their children to church to be discipled, and more about equipping parents to disciple their kids at home—with the church walking alongside them.

Tech can help us make that shift. Parents don’t need to be Bible scholars. They just need simple tools and encouragement. A short video, a guided question, or a devotional in their inbox can open the door to a meaningful faith moment at home.

And because millennial parents value community, our church buildings become the spaces where that in-person community thrives. But the spiritual formation? That’s happening all week long—in conversations, in routines, in the real moments of everyday life.

And yes, we need to use tech in church, too. Not as a gimmick—but to meet expectations and communicate in ways that feel natural to our kids. But let’s do it wisely.

I heard a story recently of a church that wanted to engage their few children better during services. So, they planned to give out iPads with interactive Bible stories. It sounds innovative, but here’s the problem—those kids would be learning in isolation. No relationships, no community, no shared wonder. It sent a subtle message: 'You’re not really part of this. You’re just tagging along with the grownups.'

That’s not what Jesus modelled. He didn’t ask children to wait until they were old enough—he welcomed them as disciples in the here and now.

At RaiseUpFaith, we believe the future of children’s ministry is one in which we use tech ethically and wisely, in a way that fosters belonging.

We use it to enhance—not replace—relational discipleship. We use it to spark wonder, encourage curiosity, and support meaningful conversations. And we integrate it with live teaching, hands-on activities, and personal connection.

Because here’s the truth: you are not here by accident. You are called, chosen, and placed in this moment, for this generation. And if we’re intentional, creative, and courageous, we can help shape a generation that knows and loves Jesus—not just in theory, but in real, everyday relationship.