Your neighbor may not realize it, but they need you. They may be one of many in our culture afflicted by the
epidemic of loneliness.
We were not created to be alone — God created us to interact with others (see Genesis 2:18). Unfortunately, interpersonal interaction is not increasing, but loneliness is. We all recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic was, among other things, the devil’s despicable strategy to divide and isolate us. Many people may have recovered from the virus, but they have not recovered from its aftermath of separation and isolation.
A recent Gallup poll shows that the number of people who claim to feel lonely is rising. In January 2023, 17% of those surveyed by Gallup reported feeling lonely “a lot of the day yesterday.” By August and September 2024, that number had risen to 20%.
Last year, the Surgeon General felt so strongly that loneliness was affecting our society that he published a health advisory. His report stated that loneliness “can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.” Tobacco use is one of the worst things we can do to our bodies, and anything as harmful as that must be taken seriously.
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
The American Bible Society recently published their final State of the Bible study for 2024, focusing on loneliness. We rely on screens for work, communication, entertainment, and news. While we might be acquainted with many people, our society loses genuine connection when we choose a screen over a live person. How often have you been in a public place filled with people, only to see most of them looking at electronic devices instead of at each other?
It’s like choosing candy over a home-cooked meal: fast, but not satisfying.
Young men and women are increasingly avoiding dating. A survey conducted by the Survey Center on American Life found that only 56% of Gen Z adults — and 54% of Gen Z men — said they were involved in a romantic relationship during their teenage years. This marks a significant decline from previous generations, where teenage dating was much more common.
More than three-quarters of Baby Boomers (78%) and Generation Xers (76%) report having had a boyfriend or girlfriend as teenagers.
Loneliness and disconnection also make our youth susceptible to the lies of the transgender craze, believing this new group will accept them and satisfy their need for belonging. A recent CDC survey of youth at risk found that 3.3% of high school students identify as transgender. Though this number may seem small, it represents thousands of young people convinced they should be someone other than who God created them to be.
The American Bible Society's State of the Bible report also found that more than one-third of Gen Z females are highly lonely.
I recently read a story about a young woman welcomed by LGBTQ activists at her school, who then decided to take puberty-blocking drugs. The result was greater confusion from the drugs’ effects. When she decided to leave that path, she was summarily rejected by her former “friends.” Into this darkness, a true friend shared the gospel of Jesus, which changed everything. The acceptance, love, and hope that come with a relationship with a living Savior filled the emptiness in her soul.
This next generation is hungry — even desperate — for real connection. You may remember when the church served as a social focal point in its community. Many from our parents’ and grandparents’ generations met their future spouses at church picnics and events. But as church attendance has declined, so has the sense of community it fostered.
The State of the Bible research found that those who attend church weekly and engage with Scripture report the lowest levels of loneliness compared to other groups.
A Call to Action
The Lord God designed human beings for Himself and for each other. Love is who God is (1 John 4:8). It’s no wonder we are endlessly hungry without Him. The love of God, in the form of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is best shared friend to friend, life to life, face to face.
January is often a letdown after the Christmas holiday, making it an ideal time to ramp up youth and young adult events during colder weather and restricted activities. Encourage your core teams to invite their friends and acquaintances to church services and events. Activate your adults to reach out — whether by phone, visiting neighbors, or hosting home Bible studies, book clubs, or other gatherings. Emphasize personal interactions, and watch your church become engaged and energized.
January is also the perfect time to plan events for February and March, when those who are unattached may feel the ache of isolation even more deeply. While not everyone is lonely, someone is. After all, it’s all about the one.
My prayer is that you and your church will find and engage with those who are lonely, helping them find friends among the local church and, more importantly, the Friend who will never leave them — the Lord Jesus Christ!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer
We were not created to be alone — God created us to interact with others (see Genesis 2:18). Unfortunately, interpersonal interaction is not increasing, but loneliness is. We all recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic was, among other things, the devil’s despicable strategy to divide and isolate us. Many people may have recovered from the virus, but they have not recovered from its aftermath of separation and isolation.
A recent Gallup poll shows that the number of people who claim to feel lonely is rising. In January 2023, 17% of those surveyed by Gallup reported feeling lonely “a lot of the day yesterday.” By August and September 2024, that number had risen to 20%.
Last year, the Surgeon General felt so strongly that loneliness was affecting our society that he published a health advisory. His report stated that loneliness “can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.” Tobacco use is one of the worst things we can do to our bodies, and anything as harmful as that must be taken seriously.
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation
The American Bible Society recently published their final State of the Bible study for 2024, focusing on loneliness. We rely on screens for work, communication, entertainment, and news. While we might be acquainted with many people, our society loses genuine connection when we choose a screen over a live person. How often have you been in a public place filled with people, only to see most of them looking at electronic devices instead of at each other?
It’s like choosing candy over a home-cooked meal: fast, but not satisfying.
Young men and women are increasingly avoiding dating. A survey conducted by the Survey Center on American Life found that only 56% of Gen Z adults — and 54% of Gen Z men — said they were involved in a romantic relationship during their teenage years. This marks a significant decline from previous generations, where teenage dating was much more common.
More than three-quarters of Baby Boomers (78%) and Generation Xers (76%) report having had a boyfriend or girlfriend as teenagers.
Loneliness and disconnection also make our youth susceptible to the lies of the transgender craze, believing this new group will accept them and satisfy their need for belonging. A recent CDC survey of youth at risk found that 3.3% of high school students identify as transgender. Though this number may seem small, it represents thousands of young people convinced they should be someone other than who God created them to be.
The American Bible Society's State of the Bible report also found that more than one-third of Gen Z females are highly lonely.
I recently read a story about a young woman welcomed by LGBTQ activists at her school, who then decided to take puberty-blocking drugs. The result was greater confusion from the drugs’ effects. When she decided to leave that path, she was summarily rejected by her former “friends.” Into this darkness, a true friend shared the gospel of Jesus, which changed everything. The acceptance, love, and hope that come with a relationship with a living Savior filled the emptiness in her soul.
This next generation is hungry — even desperate — for real connection. You may remember when the church served as a social focal point in its community. Many from our parents’ and grandparents’ generations met their future spouses at church picnics and events. But as church attendance has declined, so has the sense of community it fostered.
The State of the Bible research found that those who attend church weekly and engage with Scripture report the lowest levels of loneliness compared to other groups.
A Call to Action
The Lord God designed human beings for Himself and for each other. Love is who God is (1 John 4:8). It’s no wonder we are endlessly hungry without Him. The love of God, in the form of the gospel of Jesus Christ, is best shared friend to friend, life to life, face to face.
January is often a letdown after the Christmas holiday, making it an ideal time to ramp up youth and young adult events during colder weather and restricted activities. Encourage your core teams to invite their friends and acquaintances to church services and events. Activate your adults to reach out — whether by phone, visiting neighbors, or hosting home Bible studies, book clubs, or other gatherings. Emphasize personal interactions, and watch your church become engaged and energized.
January is also the perfect time to plan events for February and March, when those who are unattached may feel the ache of isolation even more deeply. While not everyone is lonely, someone is. After all, it’s all about the one.
My prayer is that you and your church will find and engage with those who are lonely, helping them find friends among the local church and, more importantly, the Friend who will never leave them — the Lord Jesus Christ!
Yours for the Harvest,
Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder & General Overseer