The Beatitudes Through Gen Z's Eyes

Our creators of the Blessed Are mini-comic series reflect on the Beatitudes and share their experience bringing these timeless teachings to life in a modern context.

Today marks the final Friday essay in our series reflecting on the mini-comic project, Blessed Are, which brings the Beatitudes to life. In this series, we invited Gen Z to collaborate, reimagining these timeless teachings in a way that resonates with their generation. Clapham Group staff members

Emily Fuller

and

Libby Scroggins

, alongside author E.G. Runyan, joined forces to explore modern-day examples that illustrate how the Beatitudes are woven into the fabric of everyday life. This week, instead of hearing from one of us individually, we’re coming together to share our thoughts on the Beatitudes and our experience working on this mini-comic series. We hope it’s been a blessing to you, just as it has been to us!

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1. How did creating this comic help you view the Beatitudes in a new way, and how do you hope your readers will experience them?

   1. E.G. Runyan
      : Before working on this comic series I had always read the Beatitudes with a pleasant “oh how nice” sort of mindset. Post comic release, I now think that my view was overly simplistic. The Beatitudes aren’t only a promise of blessedness for those who follow Christ; they are also an illustration of the gospel. They draw us back to Christ, back to the realization that, apart from Him, we cannot be blessed by these qualities or their rewards. I hope that as others read this comic series that they feel a renewed sense of the blessedness of Christ and are inspired to be salt and light to the rest of the world.

   2. Emily Fuller
      : Participating in the writing of this comic was a timely reminder of how without His grace and strength, the lifestyle of the Sermon on the Mount is just an idea without the means to engage and participate in, let alone succeed. Knowing that the Sermon on the Mount is similar to the Law of the Old Testament - it is meant to reveal the darkness of the human heart, that we may experience a path of joy and freedom while we lay down our lives for His glory.

      I am hopeful that readers have remembered that this path of life is not accomplished in our own strength, but in His - and that our weakness is made perfect by His strength.

   3. Libby Scroggins
      : Creating this comic has been a powerful reminder of how the Gospel touches every moment of our lives. Since the entire storyline unfolds in just about an hour, it’s highlighted for me how often we look for God in the big, life-changing events—like a job transition or moving to a new city—while forgetting that He’s present in the smaller, everyday moments. Whether it’s waiting in line for coffee, getting stuck behind someone on the road, or simply going through the motions of our daily routines, these are the moments where we can choose to walk with Jesus, too.

      

      Photo by Nick Sokolov on Unsplash

      The Beatitudes, in particular, feel like an invitation to experience God not just in the high points, but in the ordinary, often unnoticed places of life. My hope is that our readers, like I was, will be reminded of the beauty in inviting Jesus into these small, daily encounters. Whether it's slipping on shoes, turning on the radio, meeting someone new, or relaxing with a movie, every moment can hold a sense of peace and communion with Him.

      For those seeking a deeper reflection on this, I highly recommend Every Moment Holy—especially the “A Liturgy for Domestic Days” . It has become a special resource for me in noticing God's presence in the quiet, routine parts of life. I hope our comic, and these Friday reflections, can inspire others to find the same joy and freedom in those small, sacred moments.

2. How do the beatitudes provide answers to the societal questions Gen Z experiences?

   1. E.G. Runyan
      : When it comes to social reform, Gen Z has been shown to be the most change-driven generation since the counterculture hippies of the ‘60s. While many of my fellow Gen Zers respond to their troubles with signs in their yards, social media posts, or donations, I think that the Beatitudes offer a recipe for real, genuine change that will make a true difference. The Beatitudes challenge us to become involved in actual people’s lives through personal sacrifice, not through protests or rallies. They challenge us to be more like Christ, and Christ is what our society needs.

      

      Photo by Joseph Pearson on Unsplash

   2. Emily Fuller
      : While so many of those within Gen-Z are hyper-focused on bringing about justice to an unjust world, much of this ideation is futile, focusing on what we can accomplish in our own strength. By focusing on changing and influencing the circumstances around us, empowered by the power of God - we are equipped to bring about meaningful change in a way that transforms our own hearts and minds at the same time. Many of those within Gen-Z have a heart for justice: possibly because of the range of content and world news we are exposed to through social media on a daily basis. The Sermon on the Mount is a beautiful way that we can effect change in a way that empowers us to live out the first and second commandments, loving God and loving others.

   3. Libby Scroggins
      : You’ve likely heard that our generation has been deemed “The Anxious Generation.” We’ve grown up in a world of constant stimulation and where instant gratification is the norm. In my own life, and through my experiences in student ministry, I’ve noticed a recurring theme: we’re unsatisfied. After a busy day, when the noise quiets and I finally sit with my thoughts, I often find myself asking: Did I really connect with anyone today? Did I slow down enough to breathe, to notice the world around me?

      I’m cautious about leaning too heavily into generational stereotypes, but it's hard to ignore that we’re living in an age of rapid change where many of us express feeling unfulfilled. and they aren’t fulfilling. In response, our generation has begun to prioritize holistic health—focusing on balance, outdoor time, therapy, healthy eating, stress management, and breathing exercises. These are good gifts we’ve been given to help us; at the same time, the beatitudes also offer the deeper refreshment we’re looking for. Following Jesus invites us to exchange the weight of hurry, worry, and perfectionism for a life that is light, peaceful, and patient. I don’t say this as a mere platitude; the blessings of the Beatitudes are a promise. Walking with Jesus and experiencing His friendship has brought me a kind of fulfillment that is far deeper than what the world offers. It’s rarely instant gratification, but it’s always faithful and true.

3. How have storytelling and content creation influenced your faith journey?

   1. E.G. Runyan
      : I think that many of us can become so familiar with the stories of the Bible that its full meaning can become lost on us. Storytelling and other similar forms of content are what have really shown me the wonder of the gospel. Lewis referred to this storytelling phenomena as “sneaking past the sleeping dragons” and I believe he’s right. Storytelling and other forms of media have the ability to slip past certain inhibitions that we may not even be aware of by connecting both our mind and heart. I don’t think my faith would be what it is today without stories like Narnia, A Tale of Two Cities, The Princess and Curdie, North & South, and many others.

      

   2. Emily Fuller
      : With God being Creator and the ultimate story-teller, we have much to gain from following in His footsteps by expressing our creativity. Creativity looks different for everyone. It might be in your work as a full-time student, as a young professional, in volunteer work, or as a stay-at-home mother. God desires willing hearts and can use anyone as long as there is willingness of heart to say yes, even if this doesn’t look like being a traditional “creative.” I pray that our readers have been able to see themselves through the pages of this comic, to be inspired to continue saying yes to Jesus in our daily lives and by expressing the beauty of our Creator God through the small moments of life. Together, we can join with the Trinity in creating goodness through the power of He who lives on the inside.

   3. Libby Scroggins
      : My appreciation for good storytelling began when I was 16, sitting with a group of friends on the side of a mountain, listening to our Young Life leader tell a story of Jesus that we had heard a hundred times before. But this time was different. He asked us to close our eyes and imagine the details: the hot sun, the wind blowing sand, and a crowd murmuring in anticipation. A disheveled woman was dragged forward, accused of adultery—a sin punishable by stoning. The scribes and Pharisees demanded Jesus' judgment. But Jesus, unhurried, bent down and began writing in the dust. When He finally spoke, His words cut through the crowd: 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.' One by one, the accusers dropped their stones and walked away, convicted by their own guilt. Alone with the woman, Jesus looked at her with compassion and said, 'Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.'

      It's hard to recreate the weight of that moment in mere words. Sitting in silence and hearing the story come to life, imagining myself in that scene, the Bible I’d grown up reading became vivid and real in my heart. It was as though I was seeing the living Word in a new way. Our God is the perfect author, creating the most beautiful story. Storytelling is a gift we’ve been given to bring the greatest gift to life.

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Thank you for following along with us during this mini-series, we’re thankful for your support and kindness! Tune in next Wednesday for the announcement of Salt and Light Stories’ newest mini-series!