#257 – Bridging the Gap: Reaching the Meta-Modern Generation with Gospel Hope

#257 – Bridging the Gap: Reaching the Meta-Modern Generation with Gospel Hope

From Into the Harvest by Into the Harvest

January 29, 2026 · 56 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how to reach the Meta-Modern Generation with gospel hope amidst skepticism and uncertainty.

Want to help your church find focus in its disciple-making efforts? We've created an 8-part resource called Discipleship 101 to help. Learn more at https://www.intotheharvest.org/discipleship-101/ Need a simple framework to help you make disciples like Jesus? Check out The Pathway Series to learn more: https://www.intotheharvest.org/pathway Shop ► https://www.intotheharvest.org/shop/ Instagram ► instagram.com/intotheharvest Facebook ► facebook.com/intotheharvest Newsletter ► https://www.intotheharvest.org/newsletter What happens when truth feels slippery, hope feels distant, and the next generation is caught in the middle? In this episode of Into the Harvest, John sits down with Joel Woodard, author of In Pursuit of a Better World, and Ethan Zimmerman, a disciple-maker working with first responders. Together, they unpack what it means to bring the gospel into a culture shaped by skepticism, uncertainty, and longing for authenticity—the Meta-Modern Generation. Joel shares the “Islands” analogy he uses in the book to describe the fragmented ways people experience life and identity today—and why we need new maps if we want to bring people to Jesus. Ethan reflects on how the book…

People in this episode

Host: John

Guests: Joel Woodard, Ethan Zimmerman

Topics covered

  • disciple-making
  • gospel hope
  • Meta-Modern Generation
  • cultural engagement
  • spiritual disconnection
  • authenticity

Keywords

  • disciple-making
  • gospel
  • Meta-Modern Generation
  • cultural skepticism
  • hope
  • identity
  • trauma
  • spirituality

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: In Pursuit of a Better World

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