Why Is it Beneficial to Understand Next Gen Slang?
Middle school teacher Philip Lindsay went viral on TikTok explaining Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang, including phrases such as “rizz,” “delulu,” and “skibidi,” which are spoken among teens today.
Lindsay, a special education teacher and content creator, has created videos on his TikTok account that explain the meaning of next-generation slang and have helped parents connect with their children. His account has over half a million followers.
In a recent interview with Fox 32 Chicago, Philip shared how learning what the young people are saying is a good opportunity to connect with them.
"I think a big piece of it that's allowed me to connect with them so well is not writing off the fact that they have these weird and sometimes absurd words and some of the memes that the words come from are there's a reason we call it brain rot, but you can either choose to write it off and say, 'Oh, the world is doomed, we're in trouble,'" said Lindsay.
"Or you can embrace it a little bit and dig below the surface. And when you do that, you actually find that most of these kids are not like, ‘I just love Brain Rot.’ They're using it ironically, and it's a little of their humor. And it allows you to have a foot into some more meaningful conversations and connecting on deeper levels."
He’s not wrong in saying this because it’s true. Understanding what others are saying helps cultivate better relationships with them because it shows that you show interest in not just what they say, but in those who say it. Generally speaking, we grow in all our relationships with the people in our lives when we spend time with them, but also when we talk to them. Although small talk is good, it should be the starting point for a deeper conversation; otherwise, you're always going to be at the tip of the iceberg.
As Christians, we are called to love both God and our neighbor as part of the two greatest commandments of the Bible (Matthew 22:37-40). Therefore, the same type of action is needed to grow in both types of relationships through time and conversation. We know God speaks to us through His Word, and we speak through Him in prayer. The more we do so, the stronger our relationship with Him will be. When it comes to building relationships with people, especially young people, it is important to understand where they’re at so that we can better disciple them because we’re able to foster connections with them.
That being said, Christians should ask the following question: How can we discipline the next generation if we no longer speak the language of their hearts?
Awareness Builds Connection and Discernment
The first thing we should do is have an awareness of what’s going on today. Although we will not always understand or catch up with the ever-changing trends of society, having an understanding of what the next generation is speaking is good to know, especially if you’re a parent with children. How would you know the nature of their conversation if you don’t know the language? This can begin through doing research online in understanding what these words mean, or even asking young people themselves for a more direct response. For parents, this is also a good way to show your children that you care about them and want to be involved in their lives, although at the same time, I also know that young people, especially teenagers, want to distance themselves from their parents at times because they desire their own space.
For Christians, having increased awareness is good because it can help build discernment, understanding whether something is right or good, or ultimately, if it honors God or not. Remember, we live in a sinful world where deception and evil are everywhere. Young people especially fall into this trap because they are more prone to follow what the world says, starting with their peers. Peer pressure is real, and it's easy for them to feel rejected or get made fun of if they are picked on for not knowing whatever is trending– whether it’s the current slang, music, shows, movies, and so forth.
Discipling the next generation not only brings awareness but it also helps us be able to understand where young people are at in our lives. If you’re a parent, would you not be aware of what your child is up to in their life? This is not to say that one shouldn’t become overcontrolling or too sheltered, because that is also another extreme. To reiterate, it is about knowing what they’re learning, listening or watching.
Becoming All Things to All People without Losing Sight of the Truth
“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews, I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law, I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some,” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Writing to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul explained how he made himself forgo his own traditions for the sake of reaching people of various backgrounds with the Gospel. This, however, does not mean compromising biblical truth for the sake of saving the lost. Many preachers err in becoming seeker-sensitive to the extent that they attempt to make the church more entertainment-friendly because they think that’s how people will come to Christ. But that is not what the apostle is saying here. For instance, he sought common ground with the people of Athens when he addressed their devotion to their pagan gods (Acts 17). Although he had an awareness of their culture, he ultimately pointed them back to God after observing their idols of worship, including a shrine with the inscription: “To the unknown god” (v. 23). Again, he managed to become “all things to all people that by all means I might save some.” He understood where they were coming from without having to water down the preaching of the Gospel.
Passing Down Faith That Saves
Ultimately, the preaching of the Gospel prevails as God supernaturally works in the heart, also faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of Christ (Romans 10:17)
Although understanding modern lingo of the day is important, ultimately preaching the Gospel is how we will reach the next generation, as it is the message for all generations. We must preach the Good News as God supernaturally works in the hearts of those who hear it. He brings the dead to life and changes their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36). The end result is a life that now desires God after previously rebelling against Him. Praise God for sending His Son, Jesus Christ, who “once and for all” made a sacrifice for our sins so that we would be reconciled to God the Father.
It is also important to discipline the next generation in the way of the Lord so that they would not depart from it when they’re older. Now, although this Scripture is not a full guarantee, it is still essential to pass down the faith to subsequent generations. It is important to teach our children and our children’s children the way of the Lord, for there is no other name by which they can be saved (Acts 4:12). Parents are to get back to instilling family worship in the home so that their children will understand why they believe what they believe. Plus, this also helps bond families as they worship the Lord together.
I understand that reaching the next generation can be challenging but be encouraged that “nothing is impossible with God” (Matthew 19:26). No life is far beyond saving for Him and no soul is a hopeless case. We serve a mighty God and He is still in the saving business today. Let us then be motivated to share the Good News whenever the opportunity arises.
Photo Credit: ©Getty/FrankRamspott
Originally published August 14, 2025.
