“Intergenerational Relationships”

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

BIBLE READING: Titus 2.2-6; Ephesians 6.4; 2 Timothy 1.5; 3.14-15; 1 Timothy 5.3-8; Acts 16.1-3

God’s design is for us to find strength from the faith of other believers. This point is obvious. However, I have observed that many have a narrow focus when it comes to these relationships. Are there people my age at the church? Does it have children? Are there people who share my interests? These factors can certainly impact our lives of faith. But to only think of the church from a social standpoint can be detrimental. Our peers often lack the perspective necessary to help us make wise choices.

Consider Rehoboam (1 Kings 12). When he became king, he sought counsel from older men, but rejected it in favor of his peer’s advice (1 Kings 12.6-11). His kingdom soon divided found itself on the brink of war (1Kings 12.16-17). Like him, our peers might make sense to us, but they lack life experience. Conversely, consider the religious leaders in Jesus’ day. They were so entrenched in their collective thinking they were unable and unwilling to consider the truth about Jesus (consider John 7.45-52). We too must be careful not to fix our opinions or dismiss the clarity of those different than us.

To balance these challenges, the scriptures reveal the import and obligation to have intergenerational relationships. The older must teach the younger (Titus 2.2-6) – why? Through life experience and faith, they have learned how to control their passions, rightly apply God’s word, and behave properly in the roles God has assigned. This command implies intentional effort to reach out to the younger and lead them in the ways of faith. This was the saving grace of my faith. In my foolish years, older men reached out, saying pointed and/or encouraging words that brought conviction and direction my peers didn’t have. In fact, many of my peers were doing the same dumb things as me! You may not be able to do something seen as “great”, but perhaps you are the one who grounds the faith of someone that will (consider 2 Timothy 1.5; 3.15).

Conversely, the younger can also teach the older. Paul encouraged Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4.12). The younger often have clarity, zeal and enthusiasm that the older have lost through the years. “Become like children” Jesus would say (Matthew 18.3). Children aren’t just the future—they are a model of innocence and trust. They speak plainly and often without pretense. We must learn to become like them in our thinking. We must learn to release control of so many things and trust God with the things we cannot control.

When faithfully practiced, we all benefit from intergenerational relationships. The church becomes vibrant and grounded because we learn to appreciate the value we all bring. This is the root of humility: understanding my role is to serve the body with my gifts and appreciating what every joint supplies (1 Corinthians 12.12-27; Ephesians 4.16). Developing intergenerational relationships is work that we all can do and will strengthen the body today and for years to come.

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