If you’ve spent more than five minutes around a group of thirteen-year-olds lately, you’ve probably felt it: that sudden, icy wave of "cringe." You try to use their slang, or maybe you just try too hard to be "relevant," and suddenly, you’re the human equivalent of a "How do you do, fellow kids?" meme.
But here’s the thing, beneath the Skibidi Toilets and the bewildering TikTok trends, Gen Alpha (those born between 2010 and 2025) is actually the most spiritually hungry generation we’ve seen in decades. They are looking for something real, something that lasts, and something that, quite literally, gives life some flavor.
That’s why everyone in the Disciple Maker community is talking about "Salty Discipleship."
Our CEO, Dr. Adam Grill, has been championing this approach for years. He argues that the reason we struggle to reach the next generation isn’t a lack of flashy lights or better social media graphics. It’s a lack of "salt."
As Adam often says, "Jesus didn't call us to be the honey of the earth, sweet and sticky and cloying. He called us to be the salt. Salt preserves, it flavors, and most importantly, it makes people thirsty for the Living Water."
In this post, we’re going to dive into what it means to live out Matthew 5:13 in 2026, and how you can use the Jesus model of discipleship to reach Gen Alpha without losing your dignity (or being called "mid").
The Biblical Foundation: What Does it Mean to be "Salty"?
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells us:
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
For a long time, we interpreted "saltiness" as being a moral compass. And while that’s part of it, Dr. Adam Grill points out three specific functions of salt that are crucial for reaching Gen Alpha today:
- Preservation: In the ancient world, salt was the only way to keep meat from rotting. In a culture that often feels like it's decaying into isolation and anxiety, a "salty" disciple preserves hope and community.
- Flavor: Salt brings out the best in whatever it touches. Our faith shouldn't make life dull; it should make it more vibrant, more purposeful, and more joyful.
- Thirst: Have you ever eaten a handful of pretzels and not wanted a glass of water? Salty disciples live in a way that makes the people around them thirsty for what they have, the peace of Christ.
Gen Alpha: The Most "Online" (And Lonely) Generation
By 2026, Gen Alpha has become the first generation to be entirely "iPad native." They don’t remember a world without AI, and they’ve been marketed to since they were in diapers. Because of this, they have a world-class "BS detector."
They can spot a "staged" church program from a mile away. They don’t want a polished performance; they want a person.
Research shows that nearly 40% of Gen Alpha explicitly says they want a mentor or an older guide to talk to. They aren't looking for a "cool" youth pastor; they are looking for a genuine Christian mentor. They want someone who is "salty", someone whose life is distinct, authentic, and rooted in something deeper than the latest viral trend.
How to Reach Them Without Being Cringe
So, how do we actually do this? How do we take the "Salty Discipleship" model and apply it to a twelve-year-old who spends six hours a day on Roblox?
1. Authenticity Over Production
Don't try to use their slang. Seriously, don't do it. Instead, focus on being what Dr. Adam Grill calls "aggressively authentic." Admit when you don’t have all the answers. Share your own struggles. Gen Alpha values vulnerability far more than perfection. When you are real, you are "salty." You stand out against the filtered, airbrushed world of social media.
2. Radical Relational Presence
Discipleship isn't a 45-minute lecture in a windowless classroom. It’s life-on-life. If you want to reach Gen Alpha, you have to be willing to "mix in," just like salt mixes into dough. This means showing up at their games, sitting with them at lunch, or even, yes, learning a little bit about their favorite digital worlds.
The Disciple Maker app was designed specifically for this. It’s not just a library of content; it’s a tool for connection. You can share a lesson with a student, and they can work through it on their own time (even offline!), and then you meet up to talk about it. It bridges the gap between their digital world and your physical mentorship.
3. Give Them a Seat at the Table
Gen Alpha doesn't want to be "the church of tomorrow." They want to be the church of now. "Salty" discipleship involves empowering them to lead. Don't just teach them the Bible; show them how to teach others.
In our beginner’s guide to one-to-one discipleship, we emphasize that the goal is always multiplication. When you disciple a member of Gen Alpha, you aren't just helping them grow; you are training a future disciple-maker.
Why Tracking Matters (Wait, Isn't That Corporate?)
One of the most common questions Adam gets is: "Does tracking spiritual progress take the 'soul' out of it?"
His answer is always a resounding "No."
Tracking isn't about checking boxes; it's about stewardship. If you were coaching a basketball team, you’d keep track of who is improving and who needs extra help. Why should discipleship be any different?
For Gen Alpha, who are used to seeing their progress in games and apps, seeing their spiritual growth "mapped out" can actually be incredibly encouraging. The Disciple Maker app allows you to track discipleship progress so that no one falls through the cracks. It ensures that the "salt" is actually being applied where it's needed most.
The Jesus Model: Simple, Not Easy
At Disciple Maker, we believe in the "No Seminary Degree Required" model. Jesus didn't pick the most educated religious elites of his day. He picked fishermen and tax collectors. He took them on the road, ate meals with them, and showed them how to live.
That is "Salty Discipleship." It’s simple. It’s relational. And it’s exactly what Gen Alpha is looking for.
If you want to start making an impact, you don't need a massive budget or a TikTok-famous youth brand. You just need a Bible, a willing heart, and perhaps a few tools to help you stay organized.
As you walk with the next generation, remember the words of Dr. Adam Grill: "The world is already plenty dark. You don't need to be more light until you first learn how to be salt. Be distinctive. Be flavorful. Be real."
Ready to Start?
Whether you're a parent, a youth leader, or just someone who cares about the next generation, you have a role to play. Don't let the fear of being "cringe" stop you from being "salty."
- Download the Disciple Maker App: Available on Google Play and the Apple Store, it’s built to help you lead Bible studies and track progress with ease.
- Join the Community: We are a global family of believers committed to the Great Commission.
- Support the Mission: We rely on donations to keep our resources accessible to leaders in every corner of the globe.
Let’s stop worrying about being "cool" and start focusing on being "salty." Gen Alpha is waiting.
