RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Have you ever been teaching and you lose the kids' attention? They start talking or playing while you are trying to teach the lesson. 

Don't feel bad. It happens to all of us at times.

On our behalf, we are trying to teach Gen Alpha kids and their attention span is down to probably like milliseconds. It only takes a pause or small distraction and they disengage. 

I get it. They have hundreds of messages coming their way each day. It all becomes a blur to them at times...your teaching included. 

So what should you do when you find yourself talking to no one but yourself because all of the kids have disengaged and checked out? 

Don't get discouraged. Here are 10 ways you can get kids' attention back. 

Clap if you can hear me.

Say this in a loud voice. 

"Clap once if you can hear me."

Say it again in a medium voice. 

"Clap once if you can hear me now."

Say it the third time in a whisper. 

"Clap once if you can hear me now."  

By the third clap and whisper the classroom will be quiet for the moment you need to move forward. 

Have a hand signal.

Make up a hand signal and let the kids know when they see you do the hand signal, they should respond with the same hand signal. After a few signals, they should quiet down. 

Play a video attention grabber. 

In my Connect12 curriculum, I have video attention grabbers built into the lesson.  The attention grabbers are used to not only grab the kids' attention, but to also have them repeat the key truth for the lesson. These attention grabbers are highly effective at grabbing the kids' attention back for you. 

Flicker the lights.

Turning the lights on and off will help you get kids' attention back.

Balloon Pop

I often use this and it is very effective. I have 4 balloons up front with me. Any time the kids are not engaged in the lesson with me, I pop a balloon. They know if they have at least one balloon left at the end of class time, everyone will get a small prize.  

Macaroni cheese...time to listen please.

Have kids repeat the "time to listen please" any time you say "macaroni cheese." 

A sound.

Have a sound that the kids respond to. It might be a whistle sound or a bell you ring or a tapping sound. 

Clap in patterns.

You clap once, they respond by clapping once. You clap twice, they respond by clapping twice.  You clap to a beat, they repeat the beat.  

Say "to infinity" and the kids respond by saying "and beyond."  This quote from Toy Story will grab their attention.

Say "crisscross" and the kids respond by saying "applesauce" and sit down with their arms crossed.  This works well with preschoolers.

Your turn. What are some other methods you use to get kids' attention back? Share them in the comment section below. 
 

Everyone (including myself) has been talking about Gen Alpha.  Rightly so, for they are the current generation we are trying to reach. 

But we should also be looking ahead at the next generation that is coming on the scene. 

That generation is Gen Beta. They are kids who will be born this year (2025) through the year 2039.

Let's examine this generation and some of the unique characteristics we need to know in order to effectively connect with them and share the Gospel with them. 

Gen Beta are the children of Young Millennials and Gen Z.  They will be raised by parents who have experienced economic challenges and social issues.  Gen Beta children are likely to be raised with a strong sense of global awareness and a focus on addressing global issues like climate change and social inequality.  

While technology will be a natural part of Gen Beta's lives, their parents will likely strive to balance screen time with outdoor activities and interpersonal interactions, recognizing the potential pitfalls of excessive screen time.

Most of Gen Beta will live well into the 22nd century.  By 2035, they will make up 16% of the global population.

Gen Beta will be shaped by a tech-saturated world.  While Gen Alpha has experienced the rise of smart technology and artificial intelligence, Gen Beta will live with these things fully embedded into their everyday life.  They will grow up in an era characterized by rapid technological progress. Gen Beta will not only adapt to technologies, but will immerse themselves in them from the outset.

Gen Beta is predicted to never use checks or plastic credit cards, with their currency being entirely digital. How they acquire, move, and spend their money will affect the global economy.

Gen Beta will pursue more than 3 career paths and will hold at least 10 jobs in their lifetime.  86% of researchers believe Gen Beta will hold jobs that haven’t even been invented yet.

An urban generation.  Gen Beta is on track to become the most urban generation ever.  While only half of Gen Beta babies are born in cities today, by 2040 58% of Gen Beta will live in cities, surpassing Gen Alpha’s 53% and Gen Z’s 45% at comparable ages. 

Digital toys.  Gen Beta will grow up with online gaming and electronics rather than toys. World Data Lab projects that Gen Beta will spend $113 billion on consumer electronics by 2035.

Gen Beta will live longer than previous generations.  Half of the people surveyed believe cancer will be cured by Gen Beta. 71% predict that Gen Beta will have access to individualized healthcare, based on their DNA.  59% believe that AI will be able to predict and prevent health care issues before symptoms even appear.

They will have constant connectivity. They'll build friendships, learn and work in a space where digital interaction is the norm.

As we navigate ministering to Gen Beta, we will need to learn their needs and show them the love of Christ in our words and actions.

Get ready.  They are coming and we must be prepared. 

Seems like we just started talking about Gen Alpha which are kids born between 2010 and 2025.

Here are some articles I have written about Gen Alpha.

The Values of Gen Alpha

All About Gen Alpha

The Power of Gen Alpha

Now it's time to start talking about the generation that will follow Gen Alpha. 

They will be called Gen Beta and will include kids born between 2025 and 2039. 

The term "Gen Beta" was coined by generational researcher Mark McCrindle.  He identified them as Generation Beta because it follows Generation Alpha in the Greek alphabet, which is used by sociologists to name generations. The name is also meant to follow the scientific naming by using the Greek alphabet.

Gen Beta are the children of younger Millennials and older Gen Zs.  By 2035, they will make up 16% of the global population.  They will be the first generation to experience life solely within the 21st century.

As we look ahead, here are some key things you will want to know about Gen Beta. 

They will merge work and personal life.  This will be challenging because it can lead to an "always on" work schedule.  They won't have to drive to work and "clock in." Work will always be with them via tablets, laptops or even their phone...no matter where they are or what they are doing.

They will embrace innovation.  They love change and differences. 

They will be very environmentally conscious.  They will be prone to activism and will hold their employers and those they do business with to the same standard.

They will thrive with technology.  They will be very tech-savvy people who use smartphones and AI tools to stay connected and on track. They will spend more time on social media than any other generation.  They will take digital nativity to new heights.  

But keep in mind, the omnipresence of digital connectivity could lead to issues of digital dependency, where children struggle to engage with the physical world or form real-life relationships.

Gen Beta will grow up in a society where diversity in gender, sexuality, and lifestyle is not only accepted, but celebrated. 

"Expect Generation Beta to be the most inclusive generation yet, where diversity is not just recognized but inherently valued."   Sociologist Dr. Michael Thompson.

 A major concern of Gen Beta is going to be mental health.  The pressures of an always-on digital culture may lead to increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. The challenge of finding a balance between online interactions and real-world relationships will be crucial. 

“The impact of social media on self-esteem and body image could pose persistent challenges, requiring new approaches to mental health education and intervention. Additionally, the paradox of choice and the overwhelming array of options in every aspect of life—from career paths to entertainment—might lead to decision fatigue and stress."  Dr. Emily Tran

The Beta generation will have a strong desire to always be learning and progressing. They will place an emphasis on their personal development and growth.  Over 80% will be engaged in some form of online learning. 

Those are a few things you need to know about ministering to Gen Beta in the years ahead. 

I want to encourage you to take some time and think through how you can reach and disciple Gen Beta. Now is the time to start planning and developing strategies that will help you reach Gen Beta right where they will be.  Think about the points in this article. How can you connect with Gen Beta?  How can you earn the trust of Gen Beta?  How can you effectively share the Gospel with Gen Beta and disciple them. 

Stay turned for more articles and discussions about Gen Beta in the days to come. 

What are your thoughts about Gen Beta? What are some ways we can reach them?  Share your thoughts, insights, and vision in the comment section below. 

Gen Beta is coming. Now is the time to start preparing. This is the time and we will be the people that God uses to reach Gen Beta.

Gen Alpha children (born 2010 to 2025) are all about online. 

Here's an example. They are leading the way in online shopping. 

Online shoppers are getting younger and younger as this new generation emerges onto the scene.

Censuswide, a research company, recently surveyed over 1,000 parents about this.  22% of parents surveyed said their kids prefer online shopping to other entertainment activities including watching TV.  

Gen Alpha kids are spending an average of 2.48 hours a week shopping online. This is more than tweens (2.16 hours a week) and teens (2.27 hours per week).  

Gen Alpha has early access to cellphones and technology.  This contributes to them being more digitally immersed and able to jump on board more quickly.

Social media is a strong driver of Gen Alpha’s interest in certain products, with around 45% of parents reporting that their kids are easily swayed by online influencers.

Data shows that shopping can also be a social status mechanism for Gen Alpha.  Often they may be driven by their peers to join them on certain platforms where shopping is also taking place.

33% of parents say their kids consider online shopping a fun activity to do with friends—perhaps a natural digital evolution of the mall as the go-to hangout for previous generations. 

Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials hung out at a physical mall as teenagers. Gen Alpha kids hang out at a virtual mall.

Experts say they saw this first with social media and are seeing that grow into gaming and other kid-friendly spaces previously reserved for playing or social interaction. In many ways, this generation has been taught to love e-commerce, and that might be why we see through the data that they’re treating it as a social and entertainment activity rather than a transactional one.

But some parents are concerned about these habits—around 16% of respondents reported that their kids are experiencing an addiction to online shopping, and 20% noted that an age-inappropriate item had been purchased online. But on the flip side, roughly 34% of parents say their kids’ familiarity with online shopping has helped them develop good money-management skills at a young age.

I sat down for an interview at the D6 conference last year.  We talked about reaching and discipling Gen Alpha.  Gen Alpha is the newest generational classification.  

Gen Alpha are kids born between 2010 to 2025.  They are growing up in a world that is far different than our childhoods. Watch this interview for some tips on how to reach and disciple Gen Alpha kids. 

The youngest generation is called Gen Alpha. These are kids who were or will be born between 2010-2024. 

It is important to understand Gen Alpha if we are going to reach them with the Gospel.

Here are some unique findings about Gen Alpha. These are from McCrindle research.

They are being shaped by Millennial parents.

Gen Alpha has been labeled Generation Glass, the Alphas, Upagers, Global Gen and Multi-Modals.

Their characteristics are global, digital, social, mobile and visual.

By 2030 the workforce will be Gen X at 23%, Gen Y at 32%, Gen Z at 34%. and Gen Alpha at 11%.

There are 2,740,000 Gen Alpha babies born globally each week. The top countries of birth are India, China and Nigeria.

Top baby names for Gen Alpha boys are Oliver, Noah and William.  Top baby names for Gen Alpha girls are Charlotte, Ameila and Olivia.

Incoming technology for Gen Alpha:

2010 - Ipads  

2011 - Instagram

2012 - Siri

2013 - 3D Printers

2014 - Google glass

2015 - Apple Watch

2016 - Telsa Powerwall

2017 - Fortnite

2018 - Smart Speakers

2019 - Airpods

2020 - 5G

2021 -  Biometrics

2022 - Autonomous vehicles   

2023 - Quantum computing

2024 - Aerial Ridesharing 

Outgoing Technology Timeline for Gen Alpha:

2010 - Myspace

2011 -  Street directory

2012 - Pagers

2013 - MP3 player

2014 - Blackberry

2015 -  Fax machine

2016 - Landline phone

2017 - CD/DVD

2018 - GPS unit

2019 - Car key ignition

2020 - Textbooks

2021 - Desktop computers

2022 - Credit cards

2023 - Wallet

2024 - Analogue Watch

New Jobs:

2010 - Cybersecurity specialists 

2011 - UX manager

2012 - Drone pilot

2013 - Blackchain Developer

2014 - Data Designer

2015 - Virtual Reality Engineer

2016 - Robotic Mechanics

2017 - Sleep Technician

2018 - Sustainability Officer

2019 - Driveless Train Officer

2020 - Wellbeing Manager

2021- AI Specialists

2022 - Life Simplifier

2023 - Urban Farmer

2024 - Space Tourism Agent

Iconic toys:

Builder Generation - Roller skates

Boomers - Frisbee

Gen X - Rubick's cube

Gen Y - BMX bike

Gen Z - folding scooter

Gen Alpha - Fidget spinner

Music devices:

Builder Generation - record player

Boomers - audio cassette

Gen X - Walkman

Gen Y - iPod

Gen Z - Spotify

Gen Alpha - smart speakers

Leadership styles:

Builder Generation - controlling

Boomers - directing

Gen X - coordinating

Gen Y - guiding

Gen Z - empowering

Gen Alpha - inspiring

Screen Content:

Builder Generation - Cinema

Boomers - TV

Gen X - VCR

Gen Y - Internet

Gen Z  - devices

Gen Alpha - streaming

While we are just getting used to and acclimating to ministering to Gen Alpha, we must being preparing to minister to the generation coming behind Gen Alpha.  

What are they called? Generation Beta and they will be born between 2025 - 2039. 

We are commanded in Psalm 78 to spread the good news to all generations.  Let's keep proclaiming the Gospel to every generation that God brings our way.

There are several labels used to describe today's kids and teens.  The first two are the names that are primarily used.

Gen Z

Gen Alpha

Onliners

The Technos

iGeneration

Generation Glass

Generation Covid

Whatever you call the generations to come, it is our responsibility to pass along the faith to them and help them develop that faith so they can follow Jesus for a lifetime. 

One mistake I think we make at times is this.  We get so focused on the future of the next generation that we forget to pour into them now.  

We must understand that kids are not just the church and disciples of the future, rather they are also the church of now.  

Studies show that when a child gets involved in serving in the church, it will greatly reduce the pull they feel to abandon the faith.  This means we can't wait until kids are older to get them involved in serving. 

They are the church now.  We must look at them as generation now...because they are. 

This past weekend at my home church, we had kids leading in the sound booth and putting the words and videos on screen.  Yes...there were adults in the room who could have done this. But we want the kids leading now.  If we can get them serving now, they will be leading one day as adults.

There were kids serving in other parts of the ministry as well. This is on purpose.  We know we must capture the hearts of the next generation with the Gospel now or it will probably be too late if we wait until they are in their teen years.  We must help them develop a walk with Christ now.  We must help them fall in love with God's Word now.  We must model prayer for them now.  We must hep them read God's Word on a daily basis now.

For far too long we have told kids to sit still and be quiet in church. And then we wonder why they grow up and sit still and are quiet as adults?  It's because we told them to do this when they were kids.

Now is the time.  Now is the time to help Gen Z and Gen Alpha live like they are Generation Now...because they are.  Now is the time to help them see that God has a special plan for their life.  Now is the time to help them start walking in that plan.  

Yes...they are the church of tomorrow.  But they are also the church of now.  Let's lead and invest in them like they are the church of now.  If they walk as the church of now, one day we will look up and they will be leading in the church of the future.  

I remember a story told by D.L. Moody.  Moody was an evangelist in the 1800's.  He led over 1 million people to Jesus.  He returned home one day after speaking at a meeting.  One of his friends asked him how many people came to Christ at the meeting?  He replied, "2 and a half."

His friend said, "Oh, you mean you had 2 adults and 1 child come to Christ?" 

Moody replied, "No...I had 2 children come to Christ and 1 adult.  You see the children who came to Christ have their entire life to live for Jesus and serve Him.  The adult only has half a lifetime to do so."

Amen Mr. Moody.  You got it right.  We must focus on Generation Now!  They are the church of now and the future! 

We hear a lot about Gen Alpha and Gen Z.  While they have some similar characteristics, there is definitely a big difference between the two.

Let's start by defining their age ranges.  

Gen Z are young people born between 1995 - 2009.  

Gen Alpha are children born between 2010 - 2024.  

Gen Z is moving into the workforce while Gen Alpha is moving through their school years. 

In just four years, the oldest of Gen Alpha will be entering college and will outnumber the Baby Boomers.

Mark McCrindle is a social researcher and futurist who coined the term "Generation Alpha."  He is internationally recognized as a leader in tracking emerging issues and researching social trends.  Let's look at some of his findings as we compare Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Gen Z is about Tesla when it comes to cars.  Gen Alpha is about autonomous vehicles.

Gen Z is about scooters.  Gen Alpha is about fidget spinners.

Gen Z is about Spotify.  Gen Alpha is about smart speakers.

Gen Alpha is more digital forward than Gen Z. 

• This means that Gen Alpha will adopt technologies like smartphones and social media even faster than Gen Z.

• 36.0 million Gen Alpha consumers will be internet users this year, exceeding those in the 18-to-24 and 12-to-17 age brackets.
  

There is a generational religious fallout coming. We have been on a slide for several generations and it shows no signs of turning around. 

Here are the church attendance percentages across the generations.

Silent Generation - 58% attend(ed)

Boomers - 57%

Gen X - 52%

Millennials - 45%

Generation Z - 40%

Gen Alpha - TBD

You can see the slide.  What is causing this?  Why is each generation less committed to attending church than the previous generation?

One thing is obvious - each generation is less committed to attending church on a regular basis.  If the pattern continues, Gen Alpha will attend church less than any previous generation.

Gen Alpha kids will not make church a priority.  The biggest cause of this comes from their Millennial parents. Millennial parents aren't making a commitment to attend church.  Their children, the Alphas, will follow in their footsteps and make church even less of a priority.

Gen Alpha is growing up with a "post-Christian" and "post church" culture that is influencing them to have this mindset.  The shift from the secular being more important than the sacred is becoming very evident.

Gen Alpha and Gen Z are spiritually illiterate.  

They do not know what the Bible says about key issues. 

They do not know the basic, foundational beliefs and theology of Christianity.  

This is leading to increasing numbers of Gen Z and Gen Alpha disengaging from the church and in many instances from the faith. 

When asked why they are not attending church on a consistent basis, many will respond by saying it is boring and not relevant to their lives. 

I believe the cause can be found in the following:

Their parents aren't setting a spiritual example and commitment to attending church. 

Unforgettably, among parents who do take their children to church, it is often once every four or five weeks.  Can you imagine a child only attending school once or twice a week? What kind of education would that result in?  The same thing happens in churches every week as kids and families go to church only when it's convenient.

The Fallout: Many Alphas will  grow up with no connection with church at all. As already mentioned, the members of this generation are generally the children of Millennials, the first generation who left "religion" and say they are not coming back.

Today's parents are treating church as optional. They only go to church when there is not a ballgame or the weather is too cold to go to the beach or they have nothing else to do. 

This will result in their children treating church as unnecessary. 

Parents often skip taking their children to church because of other commitments or priorities. When something is important, you make time for it and put it at the top of your priority list.

We are using watered-down curriculum that is not teaching kids doctrine, theology and apologetics.  Curriculum that teaches values like responsibility, cooperation and honesty are okay, but are lacking in preparing today's kids to live for Jesus in a post Christian world.

The Fallout:  The lack of teaching solid, Biblical truth will be exposed as Gen Alpha grows up and only a small percentage has a desire to follow Jesus and live out His truth. Will they be able to defend their faith?  Will they be able to articulate why they believe what they believe?  Will they understand the key doctrines of the faith? What you teach them is a great determining factor in this.

Parents are not stepping up and leading their children spiritually at home.  Gen Alpha kids are more likely to be raised in non-traditional households. Households led by single-parents, co-habiting couples, same-sex and multi-generational households are seeing significant growth. 

It can be frustrating to spend major time and resources for equipping parents to lead their children spiritually and then see them not use those resources.  Finding take home papers in the parking lot can be frustrating. Creating videos and then seeing the number of views can be frustrating.  Sending emails and getting low open rates can be frustrating. Many parents simply do not have the same level of commitment as you do when it comes to discipling their children.

The Fallout:  The days of Christian parents being the primary spiritual influence in their child's life will become smaller.  It's hard to be committed and passionate about something that you treat as optional. 

As we move forward, we must be ready to change and embrace new and different strategies if we are going to effectively reach Gen Alpha kids and families.  

We must be in prayer as we strategize ways to better connect with and reach today's kids and families.

Kidscreen magazine recently released some predictions about the next generation of kids.

Gen Alpha is the newest generation to be identified.  These are children born between 2010 to 2025.  

There are currently more than 2.5 million Gen Alpha Kids being born each week. By 2024, there will be more than 2 billion of them.

They are the children in your ministry.  These are the babies being gently rocked by your nursery volunteers.  These are the toddlers who explore anything that can be grasped in their small hands.  These are the elementary age children who you will find giggling in the hallway at church.  These are the pre-teens who are trying to navigate the newest cultural trends they are surrounded by. 

Let's look at these predictions for a few minutes and identify the effect it will have on this new generation of children.

1. TikTok will rule.   

Google has dominated for many years now.  The answer to any question has been "Google it."  The search for an image has been "Google It."  Google has been the leading platform where people can find basically anything in world. 

But that is changing.  Google may be pushed over with today's kids who are flocked to social platforms that feature short, video clips. In 2022 there was an 125% increase in the number of kids (ages 10 to 18) who watch TikTok for informative information.  40% of Gen Alpha used TikTok in 2022. Kids in Mexico (68%) and Brazil (63%) led the way. 

Let's start out by defining values.  Values are the principles that a generation of people hold dear and that guides their actions and decisions. 

Values are a way of life built by the people and adopted by a generation as their own. They are the principles that guide individuals or groups in their dealings with others and serve as the foundation of their morals.

So what does this mean for Gen Alpha?  

They are born between 2010 and up to the year 2024.  They are the children of Millinneals and Gen Zers.  The oldest are 13-years-old.  

They are the children whom you are trying to reach.  It's important to know what they are about. 

Let's take a look at their values and generational characteristics.

They are critical thinkers who are not afraid to challenge traditional values. 

Gen Alpha is very connected through technology.  They constantly connect with each other online and offline.  Constant communication is the norm.  

Alpha kids are tech-savvy digital natives who will create and master new technologies. They will soon leave their millennial and Gen Z parents behind when it comes to knowledge about technology.

They are interested in social justice issues.  They will strive to improve the world.

Gen Alpha is poised to make a huge impact on the world in the years to come.  They will create new technologies and working models.

Gen Alpha believes in honesty, personal responsibility and innovation. 

They also believe in collaboration and cooperation. These are the two values that drive everything they do.

Goal-oriented.  They like to work towards achieving goals.  They will work diligently to achieve their goals.   

Teamwork.  They know that success comes through teamwork. 

Honesty.  

Authenticity. 

Resilience.

Risk-takers.  Gen Alpha is not afraid to take risks and to make mistakes.  They push themselves towards their dreams and goals...even if it takes mistakes to get there.

Social media. They are mastering social media at an early age.

Intelligence. They are more intelligent than any generation before them.

Gen Alpha kids are the babies in your nursery.  They are the kindergartners in your ministry.  They are the 3rd grade boys who are full of energy and life.  They are the pre-teens who are preparing to move into middle school.  

Are you committed to reach Gen Alpha?  

We know that when it comes to reaching children, the first one their wins.  We must get there first.  There is an all-out battle going on for the heart and soul of Gen Alpha.  

Be committed to knowing the world of Gen Alpha kids.  

Be committed to sharing the Gospel with Gen Alpha kids.

Be committed to equipping Millennial and Gen Z parents with the tools they need to raise their children to love and follow Jesus for a lifetime. 

Psalm 78 clearly states that we are to pass along the faith to the coming generation. 

"He decreed statutes for Jacob
    and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
⁶ so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands." 

Will you join me in the great task of reaching Gen Alpha?

*Do you have a copy of my book "Fertile Soil...see kids' faith grow and flourish for a lifetime?" It's a must read for knowing how to reach Gen Alpha.  You can get it here at this link.

If you want to reach today's kids, then it is important to know the unique facts about their generation.  This will allow you to better understand them and connect with them.

There are currently two generations of kids that you should study and know about.

Gen Z (kids born between 1997 and 2012)

Gen Alpha (kids born between 2013 and 2025)

Let's take a look at some interesting facts about today's kids.

1. They can get the answer to anything in less than a minute. Can anyone say, "Hey, Siri?"

2. They can watch new release movies without ever leaving their house. 

3. You can see all of their baby and childhood pictures online. Facebook and other similar apps are their family photo album.

4. The Alpha generation is the first generation to be born entirely in the 21st century.

5. They will never try to blow the dust out of a video game cartridge.

6. They have never seen a sign in a video store that says "Be Kind...Rewind."

7. Myspace.  Enough said.

8. Not having TV available 24/7.  At midnight, the TV channel would play the national anthem and then go static until the next morning.  Today's kids have entire channels just for them and they are on 24/7.

9. If they miss a show on TV...no worries.  They can watch it anytime they want with on demand programming. Their parents and grandparents didn't have this option.  If you missed a show, then you were out of luck.

10. As they grow up, they will rarely, if ever, write a check to pay for something.  They will use wire transfers, direct deposits, online bill pay, etc.  Going to the physical bank is a rare occasion.

11. Computer keys are used the majority of the time instead of writing things out by hand.

12. They will never have to read a map. Navigation apps on their phones guide them. 

13. The majority will never use a landline phone to receive calls and make calls.

14. They have never sleep on a waterbed. 

15. Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?  Who is Carmen Sandiego?

16. Floppy disks that could only hold a few mb's.

17. The joy of finding a new release movie when you go to Blockbuster. There were none on the shelf, but the manager found you one in the return bin.

18. Today's kids will never know the struggle of having to wait for your Netflix rental to arrive in the mail.

19. Today's kids will never hear the screeching sound when you are trying to connect to the internet.

20. Metal slides and merry-go-rounds at the park.

21. Having to use a pencil to rewind a cassette tape that got off track.

22. TV's that weighed a ton.

23. Rather than playing outside all day, they stay in the house and play video games.

24. They go to Google instead of the library when doing a research project for school.

25. They do not remember a time before the internet.

Your turn. What are some more interesting facts about today's kids?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Gen Z (ages 9 to 24 at the time of this writing) numbers nearly 68 million in the United States. 

Gen Alpha (ages 8 and under at the time of is writing through the year 2025) will be the largest generation in the history of mankind, numbering almost 2 billion worldwide. 

According to research done by the McCrindle company, there are 3 big trends that are making an impact with Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids.  Let's take a look at these game changers.

Community.  Kids are looking for authentic relationships.  They want to feel close to a community of people.  

This can be seen in the way they shop. Six-to-nine-year-olds are 25% more likely than the average person to consider community engagement when making buying decisions.  

More than anything else, today's kids are looking for a community of other children who they can have a close relationship with.  If you want to each today's kids, then you need to create opportunities for them to build relationships at church.  

Having a small group time as part of your service is crucial.  Get kids out of the rows of chairs and into circles of relationships. 6 to 8 kids per group. 

You can have the most amazing children's ministry facilities west of the Mississippi, but that alone will not bring kids back week after week. You can have the most engaging curriculum ever written for children, but without relationships they will not stick around.  

Relationships!  Relationships!  Relationships!  It's the super glue that will keep kids connected to your ministry.  

If you want to impact today's kids, then major on small groups.

Parental trust.  With all the scandals, abuse, violence, shootings, lack of accountability and hypocrisy, when it comes to their children, parents are cautious about trusting businesses, churches, and organizations.

They will not automatically give you their trust. It has to be earned and that takes time. 

Do parents feel safe leaving their children with you at church?  

Do you have a security team?  

Do you make sure there are always two approved volunteers in a room before you open it?

Do you run background checks and have a thorough on-boarding process for new volunteers? 

We know that parents are the greatest influence in their child's life.  That being said, our role as ministry leaders is to build trust with parents.  And that takes time and being intentional.  But it is key if you want to impact today's kids by impacting their parents. 

Today's kids are also generations that have lots of empathy.                   

If you want to impact today's kids, then give them opportunities to serve others.  

Give them an opportunity to go on a family missions trip.  

Give them opportunities to give to those in need.

Share them the impact their giving is having.

Show them how to have love and respect for everyone.

Show them how to speak the truth in love. 

Help them understand that bullying is wrong and has no place in the life of a someone who follows Jesus. 

Teach them to stick up for those who are being put down. 

Want to make a big impact this year in your children's ministry?

1. Give kids the opportunity to be in community. 

2. Earn the trust of parents.

3. Give kids the opportunity serve others.

Gen Alpha is the newest generation to be named.  They are children born between 2011 and 2025.  

Within 4 years, they will outnumber the Baby Boomers, and many of them will live to see the 22nd Century. 

More than 2.5 million Gen Alpha kids are born globally every week. When they have all been born (2025) they will number almost 2 billion- the largest generation in the history of the world.

These are the children you are currently ministering to and the babies coming to your nursery in the next 3 years. 

If you want to connect with them, then it is vital that you know about their world and what they like.  This will give you insight into their culture.  

Recently a company called Beano Brain released a list of the top 50 brands that today's kids and teenagers are connecting with.  Look through this list and think about what these brands are doing to connect with Gen Alpha.  What tips can you pick up?  What are today's kids drawn to?  What are these companies doing well?  What can you learn from these companies?

1. YouTube

2. Netflix

3. McDonalds

4. Amazon

5. Disney

6. Apple

7. Minecraft

8. Nike

9. Nintendo

10. Roblox

11. Tic Toc

12. Lego

13. Google

14. Coca-Cola

15. Harry Potter

16. KFC

17. Addidas

18. Cadbury

19. Starbucks

20. WhatsApp

21. Playstation

22. Among Us

23. Burger King

24. Xbox

25. Smyths

26. Fanta

27. Spotify

28. Haribo

29. Marvel

30. Snapchat

31. Subway

32. Costa

33. Samsung

34. Microsoft

35. Nerf

36. Instagram

37. Sprite

38. Sports Direct

39. Primark

40. Smiggle

41. Game

42. Nando's

43. BBC

44. JD

45. Fifa

46. Times Tables Rockstars

47. Argos

48. Fortnite

49. Star Wars

50. H & M

A few days ago, I released an article about Gen Alpha. They are kids born between 2010 and 2025.  They are the children of the Millennials and Gen Xers.

As with any generation, they have unique characteristics and traits.  

And as with any generation, their parents will be the biggest influence in their life. 

As you speak into the lives of the young parents of Gen Alpha, there are several challenges we need to help them walk through. Parenting is different for each generation.

Gen Alpha will live in a very diverse society.  This will make them more accepting and inclusive.  They will be more open-minded to those who are different than them. Parents must teach their children to love everyone equally while at the same time balancing this with standing for the truth found in God's Word.  Parents must teach their children that there is a difference between approval and acceptance. 

Parents will not have an empty nest as early as before.   The role of parents will span a longer age range - with many of the Gen Alphas likely to be still living at home into their late 20’s.

Gen Alpha kids are being raised in a culture that is immersed in technology and parents will have to guide their children through it.  Social media.  Smartphones.  On demand programming.  Information overload.  These are a few of the things that influence Gen Alpha kids in a major way.  Even before Gen Alpha can talk, they are interacting with smartphones and tablets.  Their pacifiers have not been a rattle, but a smartphone or tablet device. Technology and digital skills are a central part of the Generation Alpha learning experience.

Parents must also monitor screen time (which can lead to screen addiction if not monitored), cyber-bullying and helping find clean, appropriate content to watch and interact with.

Gen Alpha also has the unique status of being born into technology rather than being introduced to it. But they still need help from their parents to safely navigate the many dangers that are waiting for them on the www.

Millennial and Gen X parents have access to a seemingly unlimited amount of advice about parenting their children.  They can find advice on any parenting question with just a click of a Google search.  The next step after that is to have the discernment for which options are viable for their family.

Millennial and Gen X parents want the advice of grandparents.  The role of grandparents in helping parent Gen Alpha kids has increased significantly. 

While parenting approaches may have changed over the decades, one thing remains the same for all parents, even for those raising Gen Alpha kids: to raise them to be adults who love and follow Jesus for a lifetime.

The next generation is rising quickly.  They are becoming known as Gen Alpha. They are kids born between 2010-2025.  

They will significantly add to their ranks in the next 3-4 years.

They are on the way to reaching 2 billion members strong across the world. Every week, 2.5 million new members are born worldwide.  Within four years, they will out number the Baby Boomers. 

They will enjoy a longer life span than previous generations in modern times.  Some of them will live to see the 22nd century.

Like generations before them, they have unique opportunities to change the world that waits before them.  Even at a young age, they are already influencing their parents' decisions through the social media landscape, brand influences and purchasing power.

Here are some interesting observations that will help you understand more about Gen Alpha.  Much of this information comes from Mark McCrindle who is a TEDx speaker, demographer and futurist.  He coined the term "Gen Alpha."

• They are the most technological generation ever. We watched the items below being invented.  For Gen Alpha, they will never remember not having these things.
  

Gen Alpha describes the current generation of children who began being born in the year 2010.  They are the children of the Millennials, and often the younger siblings of Generation Z. There are more than 2.8 million born globally every week.

Here are some recent articles I have written about Gen Alpha.

The Generation to Come

Lead the Next Generation Well 

Generations You Need to Know

One interesting thing to look at are the names that are being given to this generation of children.  

Here are the most popular names for Generation Alpha.

Top 10 girls’ names
1. Charlotte
2. Amelia
3. Olivia
4. Isla
5. Mia
6. Ava
7. Grace
8. Chloe
9. Willow
10. Matilda

Top 10 boys’ names
1. Oliver
2. Noah
3. William
4. Jack
5. Leo
6. Henry
7. Charlie
8. Thomas
9. Lucas
10. Elijah

Let's pray for Gen Alpha kids.  They are being born in unprecedented times.  Pray that they will come to know Jesus and have a growing relationship with Him.  He knows each of them by name and gave His life for them.  And he has placed you in a unique place in time and history so you can be used by God to pass on the faith to the next generation.

This can be especially true when you are trying to give feedback to a high performer who thinks they have it all together. 

But remember - everyone has some room for improvement, within their current set of capabilities or a broader set that will likely come in handy in the future.  Help them formulate a way to continue growing.

Feedback is often affiliated with criticism first and foremost. But it doesn't have to be that way.  If you give feedback with a positive attitude it can turn an unpleasant, uncomfortable meeting into an exciting opportunity to celebrate their wins and then discuss what's next on their leadership journey.

Something else to remember.  Always come prepared.  Do your homework.  Gather data and details that will support your feedback.  But don't spend the majority of the time dwelling on the past.  Instead, focus on what the team member can change or improve in the future. 

Make sure they clearly understand what you have shared with them and any action plans you are formulating with their help.

There are 3 big areas you should discuss with your leaders.

1. The team member's current performance.

2. Their future goals and aspirations.

3. Their next performance step.

Team members must know they can share these points without the fear of repercussions.  If they feel they will be fired for sharing their thoughts about these areas, they will be hesitant to share. 

Make sure you say "Thank you!"  Don't assume they know how well they are doing.  Start the session with positive feedback from how well they are leading.  Advice is more likely to be received when it builds on performance appreciation.   

Your role, as a leader, is to help your team members to continue growing.  Identify development areas, even if there are only a few.  Help your team members find out what is standing in their way, how to remove it or grow past it and what is next and how they will get there.  Identify development areas, even if there are only a few.