When is the last time you heard someone talk
about Gen Z or millennials and then talked about
great news, what God was doing, how there's change
and hope, and it's dramatic? Well, if you haven't
heard that lately, you need to stick around because
today you're going to hear some really good news.
Thank you for being with us for this edition
of Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram. Chip
serves as our Bible teacher for this global teaching
and discipleship ministry, helping Christians
develop an authentic faith. Today, you'll hear
the remainder of Chip's insightful discussion
with our friend Aaron Pierce. Last time, Aaron
talked about the origin of his ministry, Steiger,
and how they're continuing to reach the global
youth with the gospel. Today, they'll look back
at the impact of Aaron's book, Not Beyond Reach,
and highlight a new tool created specifically
for churches and small groups to reach the young
people in their communities. So if you're ready,
here's the second half of their conversation,
Great News, How You Can Reach Your Next -Gen
Loved Ones. Chip begins by recalling how he and
Aaron first met. I think I was doing a pastor's
conference in Dallas. and I taught on something.
I think it was at Bent Tree, if I remember right.
It was good to great, good to great in God's
eyes. Yeah, you know, one of my most favorite.
People who become more and more like Jesus, they
think great thoughts, and they pray great prayers,
and they take great risks, and all those things
that were near and dear to me, and you came up
afterwards, and we talked a little bit, and then
I forget, shortly after, I found myself on a
podcast with you and your brother, and we're
just talking about things, I just remember thinking,
you know, because I saw your dad on one of those,
and he's got these dreadlocks, you know, down
to the middle of his back. And for those of you
that can't picture in your mind what I'm picturing
in my mind, Aaron's dad is, in the most sanctified
way I can say it, he is crazy. But I mean, he's
like crazy for God. He is radical. If you met
him, you would look at him and go, whoa, where's
this guy coming from? And, well, I'll tell you
what, he's coming from Jesus' heart. And all
of a sudden, I'm listening, like, these guys
are in the thick of it in places that no one
else goes, and they're theologically sound. And
as a result of that, I went to Germany. And,
you know, that's really your center, your headquarters,
and there's a training center there. And so all
your staff came in from all around the world
for about a week. You know, of course, I taught
through Romans 12, you know, because that's the
only chapter I really know. But I taught, this
is what a disciple looks like. And, you know,
as all these young people are coming to Christ,
they need the profile of a disciple and learn
to grow. And I got to see you all pray in ways
that just humbled me and worship with such reckless
abandon and just meet people from all around
the world that have come to Christ through your
ministry and are now leading it. And I realized,
Aaron, God's shown you guys some truth that needs
to really get codified and put in a way that
we can get that to everyone. And that's how we
launched the book, Not Beyond Reach. But that
then led to sort of phase two, where you guys
had a vision because you're working in churches
all across America too. But hey, why don't we
turn this into a... small group video where we
can train churches and pastors how to reach their
own kids and the young people in their cities.
And so that's the story. So good, Chip. I guess
the only thing I would add is in my early days
of ministry, I really felt like you were someone
that was discipling me through the teaching and
the broadcast. And that played a big role in
the foundation that I now stand on. And so I'm
very grateful for that. And I know there are
many other people that are, you know, that you'll
never hear those stories, but that also were
impacted by your teaching. So I just want...
you to be encouraged. And sometimes the fruit
of, of what God calls us to do, we don't get
to see it and hear it. And, and it's always encouraging
to know that God is using the things that we
do so much beyond what we could ever take credit
for. But you've been a huge encouragement in
my life and God has used what you have implanted
in my heart to have a big impact. A lot of the,
what I've taught and what I, how I understand
the word of God has come from things that I've
learned from you. So yeah, it's encouraging and
God. is doing something really powerful. I've
encountered so many pastors, so many parents
and grandparents, so many young adults who are
followers of Jesus that really desire to see
their friends reached. And this resource that
we've been able to produce together has been
such an encouragement and such a tool of hope.
for people. I think more than anything, I think
one of the things that the enemy wants to say
to us, especially the older generation is, you
know, this generation is beyond reach. You might
as well just give up. Might as well just go to
Florida, relax, enjoy yourself and not engage
this next generation. And it's a lie because
this generation is actually quite hungry and
open and we need everyone in the game. And so
I've heard so many stories. transformation. I
had a couple who are friends of mine, older couple
that have young adult children and their son,
their oldest son had walked away from the Lord,
deconstructed, gotten very entangled in political
things and was very hostile to the church. And
it had really broken down their relationship
with their son. And of course, when I would talk
to them, they were filled with just a sense of
regret. Of like, did we do things wrong? What
could we have done different? And my heart just
broke for them. And so then when this book came
out, my friend got it and read it and consumed
it. And he was like, man, that was so good. And
then he and his wife, the thing that they really
were drawn to is to seek God, to pray with a
new level of intensity. And so they just committed.
He and his wife, they were like, we're going
to do this. And so they sought the Lord, kind
of that widow and the judge approach, just sought
the Lord. We need a breakthrough in our son's
life. And they were praying for several weeks
and months for their son. And then one day their
son called and said, hey, have you guys been
praying for me? And then he began to share some
personal things that he was wrestling with. And
the spiritual. kind of bigger questions of life
that that provoked. And it changed their relationship
and in a sense restored it and opened their son
up to the gospel. And they've been walking with
him. And it was really the product of committing
themselves to seek God desperately and then approaching
their son in a different way. The political thing
was always this barrier and they were able to
get around that. and open, restore the relationship
and have those spiritual conversations. And so
that was just one, in that case, it was like
someone really close to me that saw a personal
breakthrough. So there's just countless stories
like that. Well, I have many similar ones and
you really identified coming to God with a sense
of real desperation. I can't do this. I can't
figure it out. I can't break through. Yes, my
heart is broken. My grandson, my nephew, my niece,
my daughter, you know, they grew up in a Christian
home. They've rejected Christ. They don't go
to church anymore. We're on the opposite sides
of all the things in terms of values, politics,
all of it. And I don't know what to do. And that
first stage of seeking God, it's the version
of going into the forest. like your dad did,
and saying, I'm broken. And God is near to the
brokenhearted, and he saves those that are crushed
in spirit. And I have one of my closest, it's
a family member, it's a relative, and they really
walk with God. They're very faithful. They're
a little older, the kind of people that really
care about what's going on in the world, but
they're not evangelists, to say the least. And
as they read the book, they happened to move
into a new neighborhood. And so they went around.
They put lights. They live where there's a lot
of little communities. They put lights on the
golf cart. And they decided, you know, we're
new. And they made a gift for everyone. And they
went around to every single neighbor and knocked
on the door, about like 22 different ones, and
just said, hey, we're going to have a little
party at our house. We just got here. We'd just
love to meet our neighbors. Twenty of the 22
neighbors came. They just had food. They built
a relationship. It was, we're going to meet these
people where they're at. And what that book did
was gave people a clear pathway of how us ordinary,
regular people, possibly with no gift whatsoever
in evangelism, but a heart for people could actually
open the door, build relationships, care about
them, find some common ground. And then as the
spiritual conversations lead to gospel conversations.
This is who Jesus is. And I love what you guys
do. You have a Bible study for non -Christians.
And it's just been so exciting to see how God
has used the book. But now we wanted to go to
the next level because as you go across America
or across churches around the world, it's a lot
of gray hair. And there's almost no young people.
And pastors who care, what do we do? And God
put on your heart, why don't we take? the content
of this book, and why don't we get it in a small
group video format that churches could use here
and all around the world. The whole idea is how
do we make this accessible? And also, I love
the small group concept because I don't believe
we're called to do life alone, and I don't think
we're called to do evangelism alone. We have
this kind of Lone Ranger mindset when it comes
to evangelism. And for a lot of us, that's intimidating
and we don't resonate with that. And we're like,
that's for those weird extroverted people. That's
not me. But when you do it together, when you
live on mission together, it's powerful. Amen.
Right? Because you've got a sense of accountability.
You've got a sense of shared and complementary
gifts coming together. It's the sense of when
I'm strong and you're weak, I can lift up your
arms. And so the idea of doing it in a small
group context I think is probably the most profound
way to do it. And so doing this 10 -week video
series where you really wrestle through the concepts,
but also we give you practical steps of engaging.
One of the things we offer early on that I really
encourage people to do to do is to go and do
a prayer walk in their city. And as a small group,
it's kind of this prayer and observation. And
doing that together as a small group is a powerful
thing. So the small group is designed not only
to be watching a video and discussing it in the
comfort of your living room, but actually to
go and take steps. And as you take those steps,
God begins to do things. You see his power. So
that's the whole idea behind this. It really
gets practical in its application. Well, it's
all digital. You can literally download it, and
then there's the participant's guide that is
really, really well done, by the way, but also
a leader's guide because whether we like it or
not, the small groups kind of rise and fall with
the level of the leadership. I don't mean you've
got to be a great leader. You just need to know
how to facilitate a group. Great small group
leaders aren't people that give all the answers,
control the group. They're people that understand
this is what God wants to do in this group. How
do I create a safe area? How do I ask the right
questions? How do I help those people that want
to talk all the time to share but not too much?
How do I draw out those two people that haven't
said anything in the first half hour? And then
how do I orchestrate this in such a way, cooperating
with the Holy Spirit, that what we ask is not
what are we going to eat afterwards or what teams
are playing? Because that happens in a lot of
small groups. But what they really lead us to
is, so what are we going to do in obedience to
where God has spoken to us and then helps them
take baby steps to do that? And when that happens,
small groups, I mean, amazing things start happening.
Amen. We want to see lost young people come to
know Jesus. We want this culture reach with the
gospel. So this isn't a product. This is a resource
for you to go and utilize it. And that's the
heart's desire behind all of this. That's why
we're partnering with Living on the Edge. And
it's available for free for your small group
right now. And I would also encourage pastors,
go through this with your staff. Yes. We've had
a lot of pastors and church staff go through
it together. It's like you said, it's about leadership
and you can't lead your people to do something
that you or yourself are not doing. So start
with your staff and take it seriously. I've had
so many pastors that have been encouraged by
this because sometimes when you're a pastor,
there's so much work to be done and running the
machine and caring for all the people. And then
to get back to that. frontline work of reaching
those that are far from God, man, it's invigorating
your faith. It's going to bring all sorts of
new illustrations to your sermons. And so I really
encourage you as pastors, start with yourselves
and then bring it to your whole church. Well,
I couldn't affirm that more. I have a heart for
pastors. Being one, and I just know it's a really,
really tough job. And one of the things I say
to them is you just have to get out from behind
the screen. Pastors are to shepherd. And candidly,
life ends up being meetings and in front of a
screen doing all kinds of things. And you got
to be with people. And I would just say to every
pastor, every church leader, you care about young
people. You care about the next generation. I
mean, you see what's happening in the culture,
in the world. Just say to a handful of people,
would you be willing once a week to get with
me? And spend an hour and 90 minutes and go through
a study. And let's just let God speak to us.
And when he puts on our heart what's on his heart,
amazing things happen. And I think this study
that we're so glad and proud and encouraged to
be a part of takes people on a journey. And it's
with one another. You know, because the fact
of the matter is, you know, toward the end, you
guys cover some stuff that's like. Are you kidding
me? I mean, so transgender comes up. LGBTQ comes
up. Politics on the right and on the left come
up. Evolution comes up. How do you handle all
those things and not just shut down the relationships?
What I love is I think you guys model, well,
here's how to do that. Tell me some stories about
how the small group is going and maybe some pastors
or churches that are experiencing God working
as a result of it. What I think is encouraging
to me is that it's gone in every kind of church
context that you can imagine. Big church, small
church, Sunday school classes. Christian education
networks where teachers are using it and then
integrating that with their work. We've seen
it as part of like Christian crisis pregnancy
centers where they're integrating it because
they have the opportunity to share the gospel
with these young girls that are coming with these
pregnancies. We've seen it in Christian colleges,
Christian business professional networks, all
sorts of contexts. And I think that's the beauty
of this is that it allows anyone. to be a missionary
in their sphere of influence. I mean, for me,
what I love about it is like the crisis pregnancy
center. That is something that's very dear to
my heart, but that's not what God has called
me. to be actively leading in terms of ministry.
But the fact that now I know that there are staff
at these crisis pregnancy centers that are learning
how to more relevantly share the gospel with
these young girls who are in the state of crisis
and show them the hope of Jesus, man, it's so
encouraging. So there's been just all the different
expressions of how it's utilized. I think that's
been one of the most encouraging things for me.
And I know one of your values is, let's not reinvent
the wheel. I've been in ministry for now, 40
years. And I go to some place and there's this
group doing something and another group doing
the same thing. And another group comes into
that country and they're doing the same thing.
And they don't help each other. They don't know
each other. And so when we partner, you are doing
things that we'll never be able to do at Living
on the Edge the way that you do them. The average
Living on the Edge listener. is probably not
going to be at the next gay pride parade handing
out water and building relationships. They're
probably not going to do a Bible study with people
far from God to explore who Jesus is. But because
of our partnership with you, we feel like we
get to be a part of that. We don't want to reinvent
the wheel. Now, we want to learn from you because
what you're doing isn't like, oh, only Steiger
can do this. No, absolutely not. It's what Jesus
did. Exactly. And what I saw when I was in Germany
was actually very convicting. I mean, people
were face down as we prayed, crying out to God
for those that didn't know Jesus. When I was
there and you got your different regents from
around the world and said, we're going to spend
some time praying. Oh, okay. Maybe 10, 15 minutes,
whatever. I mean, 35, 45 minutes, an hour later
and people, oh God, oh. God. And people were
praying with such passion and intensity. And
some of them had only been Christians three or
four years. I went away going, God, would you
give me more of their heart? Amen. And if I could
just say one more word of encouragement, God
is raising up a new generation of young missional
leaders. And we're seeing that take shape around
the world, but we're seeing it take shape here
in the U .S. And so, I want you to be encouraged
that as we're resourcing you with these tools
to reach your sons and daughters and those around
you, God is also raising up a generation to go
after your kids. Yes. We're seeing that happen.
And the vision that we believe God's put on our
heart is a thousand burning arrows, young missional
leaders that are going to be sent to fuel these
missions, movements and cities around the world.
And the U .S. is part of that. Just a month and
a half ago, we had 100 young adults from all
over the country come to Austin, Texas, to participate
in basically this intensive training boot camp
that was. 10 days long and took place during
South by Southwest. And it was this intense time
of seeking God, prayer, teaching, and action,
and learning how to share the gospel. And it
was life transformative. And just from that,
there's already six new movements in cities around
the countries led by these young leaders that
are grassroots evangelism movements that are
going after our sons and daughters. We're hearing
stories of parents. praying over their kids,
and then people on our team reaching those kids
and seeing that prayer answered in that way.
And so I just believe this mission is a shared
mission and we're all playing our part. And God
is raising up a generation of Jesus followers
that are going after their peers, their friends.
And I just see something. starting and birthing.
And I'm just praying that God would continue
to move and he would use us in any way he wants.
And he would use all of us collectively in any
way he wants. But I just want to encourage our
listeners that God is moving in this country.
We're seeing something fresh taking shape. Well,
Aaron, the research actually supports what you're
saying. I read an article just recently where
Bible sales are skyrocketing and the people that
are buying them are Gen Z. And can I say something
just off the cuff here? Stop watching so much
of the news. Amen. Okay? Amen. And I don't care
where it's MSNBC or Fox or ABC or NBC. Stop watching
so much of the news. You will have a worldview
of doom and gloom. All you're going to hear each
and every night is who got shot, who got killed,
what the terrible things the Democrats did, what
terrible things the Republicans did. And you're
going to end up sitting around and living in
a fog of negativity. All it does is get you angry
inside, get you discouraged inside, and make
you anxious. And that's not just me talking.
We've got research of the joy factor, the happiness
factor, and the emotions of people who watch
the news or even hear a newscast for five to
ten minutes. And it's unbelievable the negative
impact. Get in your Bible and read that. Preach.
So, that was all unplanned, but that was for
free. And I went off on a rant. Partnering with
you has made a huge difference in our commitment
to reach the next generation, and especially
young adults. I think that's the real key. From
those late teens into the early 20s, that zone
is where people were making up their mind. Yep.
And so in the fall, we are launching a whole
new strategy about reaching directly the next
generation. You guys go where they are physically.
We're going to go where they are digitally. We
have to get God's word to them where they get
their information, Instagram, TikTok. And it's
not in 40 -minute messages. It's in a three -minute
here and a five -minute there. God has brought
an incredible new director of marketing that's
young and has a Bible background. And in the
fall, we're going to be launching tremendous
outreach to the next generation. And by the way,
I really want them to hear from younger communicators
like yourself who have an understanding and a
niche and a way to reach and communicate. to
young adults in a way that I can't. And so we're
really excited about that birthing in the fall.
Any suggestions you would give to those listening
today who are thinking, hey, this is hopeful.
I'm encouraged. I think God's at work. Yeah,
I think it's get in the game. God is moving and
he uses all of us. And he's not looking for super
talented, highly charismatic people. He's looking
for those fully surrendered. offering all that
they have, the five loaves and two fish and saying,
Lord, it's not enough, but I give you all I got.
And so that's my encouragement. Get in the game.
Don't listen to the lies that God can't use you.
He can and he will. And it starts with that desperate
prayer and broken heart. But yeah, get in the
game. And I want to say a word as we close to
maybe those that are midlife and especially those
little beyond midlife. I remember sitting with
your dad. It was an outdoor courtyard in Germany.
There is as much fire in your dad's heart, in
your mom's heart today. I mean, it was like there's
times when you get talking to him, he gets not
just emotional, he gets very declarative. And
it was like, Chip, this is what we've got to
do. And how old is he, by the way? 72. 72. I
knew he was in his 70s. And I just, I thought,
we don't have to lose our passion. And I want
to say to those in your 60s and those in your
70s and beyond, I met a man who reminded me that
it's not how old you are. It's how you think
and where's your heart and your passion. Amen.
And you tell your dad, by God's grace, I want
to be more and more like him. And I want to care
about lost people the way he does. And I want
to be bold and declare because the power is in
the message, not the messenger. Amen. Lord, we
thank you for this time. God, you so care as
your eyes go to and fro throughout the whole
earth, and you see young people that are hurting
and lost, and they've been taught so many things.
They've been so indoctrinated, but none of that
changes their loneliness or their hurt or their
confusion. Almighty, ever -living God, we ask
you, will you please empower us and every single
person listening to our voices right now? to
be broken for those that are lost. Would you
grant us the grace not to judge and criticize
and, Lord, we don't have to compromise the truth
to feel the pain and the hurt behind some of
those actions and some of those values. God,
would you, by your grace, give us your love for
everyone, but especially young people that don't
know you. Would you help us to build the kind
of relationships that would open their heart?
So that you could speak to them about how precious
they are to you. And that your son, the Lord
Jesus, died and paid for their sin and rose from
the dead. And there is new life now. And it can
be forever and ever. That's our prayer. We ask
it boldly and confidently in Jesus' name. Amen.
Amen. This is Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram.
And you've been listening to the encouraging
conclusion of Chip's conversation with Aaron
Pierce from Steiger. Now, if you missed the first
half of their discussion, go back and catch up
at livingontheedge .org or through the Chip Ingram
app. As we close, if this conversation motivated
you or renewed a sense of hope in your heart
about reaching this next generation, think about
partnering with us. Because between now and June
30th, every gift we receive will be doubled for
greater impact. So if you want to join us during
our mid -year match, go to livingontheedge .org
or call us at 888 -333 -6003. And please know
how much we appreciate your support. Well, from
all of us here, I'm Dave Drewy, thanking you
for listening to this edition of Living on the
Edge, and I hope you'll join us again next time.