Imitating Christ as Children of Light: Ephesians 5:1–14 and the Spiritual Behavior of Generation Z
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69668/juita.v3i2.238Keywords:
Ephesians 5:1–14, children of light, Generation Z, spiritual formation, imitation of ChristAbstract
Ephesians 5:1–14 contains the New Testament’s only call to become “imitators of God”, yet debates on imitation, the light–darkness contrast and the quotation in 5:14 have rarely been brought to bear on the formation of Generation Z, the largest age group in Indonesia. This study examines how the passage grounds believers’ conduct in their relation to God and Christ and how this grounding can frame the formation of Generation Z. It employs a qualitative exegetical method based on the Greek text (NA28), followed by an analogical theological-hermeneutical application. The passage argues from identity to conduct: believers are beloved children and light in the Lord; Christ’s self-giving love defines their love; holiness rejects greed as idolatry; discernment and moral clarity guide life amid competing claims; and Christ’s promise to shine sustains renewal. The study offers an identity-based framework for formation in families, churches and schools.
Downloads
References
Arnold, C. E. (2010). Ephesians (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Zondervan.
Badan Pusat Statistik. (2021). Hasil sensus penduduk 2020 [Results of the 2020 population census] (Berita Resmi Statistik No. 7/01/Th. XXIV). Badan Pusat Statistik.
Bauer, W., Danker, F. W., Arndt, W. F., & Gingrich, F. W. (2000). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature (3rd ed.). University of Chicago Press.
Bennema, C. (2025). Imitation in early Christianity: Mimesis and religious-ethical formation. Eerdmans.
Borualogo, I. S., Hyland, K., & Jefferies, P. (2023). Expanding the CYRM-R to include domains of spirituality and religiosity for use with children and youth in Indonesia. Cogent Psychology, 10(1), Article 2184115. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2023.2184115
Bowes, W. B. (2024). Order, identity, and the “new self”: Reading Ephesians through social representations theory. Religions, 15(12), Article 1506. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121506
Buenconsejo, J. U., & Datu, J. A. D. (2023). Mere religiosity is not enough! Spirituality strengthens the relations between religiosity and positive youth development. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 33(4), 1304–1319. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12878
Castelli, E. A. (1991). Imitating Paul: A discourse of power. Westminster John Knox Press.
Cornelius, E. M. (2021). Attributes of God in Ephesians: Meaning and relevance. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 77(4), Article 6649. https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i4.6649
Cornelius, E. M. (2022). The attributes of God in Ephesians and Colossians – A comparison. In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi, 56(1), Article 2812. https://doi.org/10.4102/ids.v56i1.2812
Covington, E. (2025). “Sleeper awake, rise from the dead”: Future resurrection and present ethics in Ephesians. Religions, 16(2), Article 198. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020198
De Pelsmacker, P. (2025). Generational cohort theory research: The good, the bad and the ugly. International Journal of Advertising, 44(6), 1148–1170. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2025.2522011
Demeijer, F. A., & Stoffels, H. C. (2019). Social generation as a lens. Fieldwork in Religion, 14(1), 53–69. https://doi.org/10.1558/firn.39500
Dunlow, J. (2021). Digital discipleship: A study of how churches in New York used technology for adult discipleship during the COVID-19 pandemic. Christian Education Journal, 18(3), 458–472. https://doi.org/10.1177/07398913211046364
Dunne, J. A. (2018). Filled with the Spirit: Wine and worship in Levitical light (Ephesians 5.18–21). Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia, 11(4), 407–443. https://doi.org/10.12775/bpth.2018.021
Hamm, M., & Hoeting, K. (2023). #ChristianCheck: TikTok and the construction of Generation Z faith. Journal of Religion, Media and Digital Culture, 12(1), 5–29. https://doi.org/10.1163/21659214-bja10088
Hartog, P. A. (2019). Imitatio Christi and imitatio Dei: High Christology and Ignatius of Antioch’s ethics. Perichoresis, 17(1), 3–21. https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2019-0007
Hidayat, R., Sholihin, M., & Wanto, D. (2020). The hijrah communities and religious superficiality: Ideology and religiosity of the Islamic hijrah communities on social media. Journal of Population and Social Studies, 29, 118–138. https://doi.org/10.25133/jpssv292021.008
Hoehner, H. W. (2002). Ephesians: An exegetical commentary. Baker Academic.
Hunt, J. G. (2019). The digital way: Re-imagining digital discipleship in the age of social media. Journal of Youth and Theology, 18(2), 91–112. https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-01802003
Imelda, L., & Yuono, Y. R. (2024). Peran orang tua dan pemimpin rohani bagi pertumbuhan iman Generasi Z di Gereja Jemaat Kristen Indonesia Mahanaim Blitar [The role of parents and spiritual leaders in the faith growth of Generation Z]. Damai: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Kristen dan Filsafat, 1(4), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.61132/damai.v1i4.179
Landová, T. (2022). What does Generation Z believe? The religiosity and spirituality of contemporary Czech youth in practical-theological reflection. Journal of Youth and Theology, 22(2), 226–250. https://doi.org/10.1163/24055093-bja10041
Lincoln, A. T. (1990). Ephesians (Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 42). Word Books.
Nestle, E., & Aland, K. (Eds.). (2012). Novum Testamentum Graece (28th ed.). Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft.
Porter, S. L. (2019). Will/heart/spirit: Discipleship that forms the Christian character. Christian Education Journal, 16(1), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739891318820334
Pranasoma, R. R. (2021). Signifikansi konseling pastoral sebagai upaya meningkatkan kecerdasan spiritual Generasi Z Kristen [The significance of pastoral counseling for increasing the spiritual intelligence of Christian Generation Z]. ILLUMINATE: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristiani, 4(1), 61–69. https://doi.org/10.54024/illuminate.v4i1.108
Putra, Y. Y., & Susanta, Y. K. (2026). Pauline preaching and the formation of Christian ethics: Reframing homiletics through imitatio Christi. The Expository Times, 137(5), 207–216. https://doi.org/10.1177/00145246261424945
Saragih, Y. M. (2025). Peran strategis guru Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam membentuk karakter Generasi Z di era digital [The strategic role of Christian religious education teachers in shaping the character of Generation Z in the digital era]. MAWAR SARON: Jurnal Pendidikan Kristen dan Gereja, 8(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.62240/msj.v8i1.92
Shin, S. (2023). Covenantal holiness: From imitatio Dei to imitatio Christi. Canon&Culture, 17(1), 95–126. https://doi.org/10.31280/cc.2023.04.17.1.95
Spezzano, D. (2017). “Be imitators of God” (Eph 5:1): Aquinas on charity and satisfaction. Nova et Vetera, 15(2), 615–651. https://doi.org/10.1353/nov.2017.0028
Tangdilintin, A. F. (2025). Integrasi teologi garam dan terang, budaya Tongkonan, dan sosialisasi digital dalam pembinaan Generasi Z di Gereja Toraja [Integrating the theology of salt and light, Tongkonan culture and digital socialisation in forming Generation Z in the Toraja Church]. HARVESTER: Jurnal Teologi dan Kepemimpinan Kristen, 10(2), 146–154. https://doi.org/10.52104/harvester.v10i2.294
Thielman, F. (2010). Ephesians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament). Baker Academic.
Van der Merwe, D. G. (2022). The ‘lived experiences’ of the love of God according to a prayer in the letter of Ephesians. Verbum et Ecclesia, 43(1), Article 2421. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v43i1.2421
Vrey, A. (2019). The body metaphor reinforcing the identity of the in-group in Ephesians. Neotestamentica, 53(2), 375–393. https://doi.org/10.1353/neo.2019.0023
Wallace, D. B. (1996). Greek grammar beyond the basics: An exegetical syntax of the New Testament. Zondervan.
Windsor, L. J. (2018). The formation of gentile Christ-believing identity vis-à-vis Israel in Ephesians and Barnabas. Biblica et Patristica Thoruniensia, 11(4), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.12775/bpth.2018.019
Wróbel, M. S. (2020). The eschatological spirituality of “the sons of light” in Qumran. Verbum Vitae, 37(2), 347–363. https://doi.org/10.31743/vv.7949
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Tabita Kustiati, Sarmen Manullang
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
