There is a quiet shift happening right now. The next generation isn't looking to just check religious boxes or live out a lifeless, mechanical faith; they're hungry for real authenticity, a true fear of God, and a genuine return to biblical holiness. But with this openness to the Holy Spirit comes an undeniable reality: young leaders are up against a very intense, modern spiritual battle.

In this conversation, Grant sits down with Jennifer Barnett, author and ministry leader at Freedom Prayer, to talk about what it actually looks like to navigate spiritual warfare, anxiety, and identity distortion in today's culture. They break down why tightening personal boundaries isn't about rigid legalism, but about protecting our hard-won intimacy with God. From protecting the imagination to tracing negative scripts back to their original entry points, this discussion offers a refreshing, holistic look at finding real freedom and walking firmly in the light.

• The Shift in Gen Z: Why younger leaders are moving past a "conveyor belt" church experience and stepping into an authentic hunger for holiness and the unseen realm.

• Holiness vs. Legalism: Legalism tries to publicly earn standing; true holiness sets strict boundaries behind the scenes simply to protect a close relationship with Jesus.

• Rooting Out False Identities: How to help young people put their negative scripts into the light, uncover where those lies started, and let God speak the true script over their lives.

• Mental Health & Spiritual Roots: Navigating the complex intersection of clinical mental health struggles and the spiritual warfare happening simultaneously beneath the surface.

Get a free print copy of Jennifer Barnett's book Next Generation Prayer: Helping Youth Overcome Their Struggles — just pay shipping!

Just click on https://oakspress.com/nextup/ to check out. If you want to buy in bulk (as few as two copies can be "bulk") to give this book away, click on https://oakspress.com/nextgenbulk to check out.

MORE RESOURCES:

➡︎ Watch Grant's THINQ talks here: https://thinqmedia.com/speakers/grant-skeldon

➡︎ Create a free THINQ Account and download the THINQ Media app on your smart TV to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at: https://thinqmedia.com/

➡︎ Take our assessment to see how you apply the THINQ Framework to your everyday life: https://thinqmedia.com/assessment/

➡︎ Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom: https://events.thinqmedia.com/

➡︎ Lead a THINQ-guided conversation with your family or small group: https://thinqmedia.com/engage/


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➡︎ Join us at THINQ Summit 2026 in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee: https://events.thinqmedia.com/summit26

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More from the THINQ Podcast Network:

➡︎ Rhythms for Life with Rebekah and Gabe Lyons: https://www.youtube.com/@rebekah_lyons/

➡︎ The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/@InFormedParent/

➡︎ UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons: https://www.youtube.com/@gabe_lyons/

➡︎ NeuroFaith with Curt Thompson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neurofaith-with-curt-thompson-md/id1613240148/

In this episode of Next Up, Grant sits down with pastor Jonny Ardavanis to break down a massive shift happening in ministry: the next generation isn't looking for entertainment they are hungry for truth. Jonny shares his personal journey from wanting to avoid ministry entirely to embracing a rigorous, 10-chapter-a-day Scripture reading plan that radically transformed his life, his walk, and his preaching.

If you are trying to reach, lead, or disciple young adults today, this is a necessary reality check on why topical, seeker-sensitive methods are losing their grip on Gen Z, and why letting the text speak for itself is where the real power lies.

• The Hunger for Depth: Why young adults are moving away from surface-level topical talks and craving real biblical substance.
• Scripture Interprets Scripture: How to move past hobby-horse preaching to understand the Bible as one cohesive story pointing directly to Jesus.
• Ditching the Performance: Dropping the pressure to compete with the world for "cool" and stepping into true, conviction-led biblical authority.
• The Intelligence Gap: Why modern ministry needs to stop underestimating the intelligence of the next generation.

Subscribe to Dial In Ministries: https://www.youtube.com/@dialinministries/

Buy Jonny's new book, Get To Work, here: https://a.co/d/0biyb0jW/

MORE RESOURCES:

➡︎ Watch Grant's THINQ talks here: https://thinqmedia.com/speakers/grant-skeldon

➡︎ Create a free THINQ Account and download the THINQ Media app on your smart TV to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at: https://thinqmedia.com/

➡︎ Take our assessment to see how you apply the THINQ Framework to your everyday life: https://thinqmedia.com/assessment/

➡︎ Attend THINQ events where you can gather with like-minded leaders, ask better questions and have conversations that lead to wisdom: https://events.thinqmedia.com/

➡︎ Lead a THINQ-guided conversation with your family or small group: https://thinqmedia.com/engage/


=================================================================================

➡︎ Join us at THINQ Summit 2026 in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee: https://events.thinqmedia.com/summit26

=================================================================================

More from the THINQ Podcast Network:

➡︎ Rhythms for Life with Rebekah and Gabe Lyons: https://www.youtube.com/@rebekah_lyons/

➡︎ The InFormed Parent with Suzanne Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/@InFormedParent/

➡︎ UnderCurrent with Gabe Lyons: https://www.youtube.com/@gabe_lyons/

➡︎ NeuroFaith with Curt Thompson: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neurofaith-with-curt-thompson-md/id1613240148/