I want to tell you the story of Jay, and how it relates to connecting the Digital Generation to Jesus.

Earlier this month Jay bought  a new leaf blower.  He was so eager to try it out.  The problem is that he lives in an apartment with no yard.

So Jay asked if he could use it on our yard. We have lots of leaves that need moving.

Together we mixed up the fuel and read the instructions on how to start the leaf blower.  As I reached to pull the starter cord, Jay moved rapidly away. 

"I'm afraid of it", he cried.

His remark caught me by surprise.  Jay had saved up $150 so he could buy the leaf blower.  That is quite an accomplishment for a 10 year old.

I pulled the cord and the leaf blower roared into life.  Jay put his hands over his ears. "It's too noisy", he exclaimed.

I went inside and got a pair of earmuffs. I put these on, restarted the leaf blower, slung the motor harness over my shoulders and aimed the nozzle at the nearby leaves, sending them scurrying.  Jay followed at a safe distance.

When I reached the back yard I turned the motor off.  "Jay, why don't  you put these earmuffs on and see how loud the leaf blower sounds", I instructed.  When I started up the leaf blower Jay nodded, signalling that the sound was OK.  I slung the harness onto my back and thrust the blower tube into Jay's hand.  He looked apprehensive, but after a few seconds of blasting leaves around Jay started to smile.  Seeing his change in attitude,  I  took the harness off my back and put it on Jay's.  He was grinning from ear to ear as he walked around the yard herding the leaves towards the mulch pile.

Notice how Jay moved from fear to success.  Notice how we confronted his fear.  Notice the need for modelling, for taking small steps.

I've recently started helping people become more effective in connecting millenials to Jesus and each other. This generation thinks differently than previous generations.  The internet has changed the way they access and process information. And that means we need to change the way we try to connet people to Jesus.  

As my multi-generational team has interacted with the Digital Generation we notice again and again four things that they are looking for – four goals that need to shape the way we help them connect to Jesus and each other. 

I've put together our findings in the Digital Generation Toolbox.  It is free and comes along with weekly tips -- all designed to help you develop skills in connecting the digital generation to Jesus and each other.

Is this what you want to focus on next?  We promise to break it down into smaller steps and share how we are modeling it.