One of my grandchildren, a member of the Zoomer Generation, described his youth leader as “sick".  I assumed he meant she was ill. To my surprise, in Gen-Z lingo, “sick” means “amazing” or “cool”. This small illustration serves as a reminder of the significant language gap that exists between generations. 

Each new generation establishes its unique vocabulary. However, I didn’t know just how different Gen Z’s language and worldview are from my own Baby Boomer era. I decided to dig deeper into the dynamic world of Gen Z language. Researching the slang differences between the two generations revealed a whole new and expanded list of unfamiliar terms.

Exploring generational differences reminded me of Bible stories in which Jesus spoke using familiar language that resonated with his audience. He demonstrated a profound understanding of his listeners by adapting his language to their specific circumstances. He listened “With Intention,” fully attuned to their needs. The way He spoke allowed Him to connect with people on their level, making conversations more relatable.