We Are Society, pt. 5—Bridging Generations

Cross-Generational. We treasure the added value that each generation contributes to one another. We willingly set aside personal preference to make room for all ages to engage in faith in diverse expression and accept our responsibility to carry our faith forward.

Given our generational differences, how do we embody the cross-generational vision that Jesus has for His church?

Psalm 78 NLT
O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, 2 for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—3 stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. 4 We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. 5 For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Acts 2:17-18 NIV
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

“The Old dream dreams, the Young see visions. Together, they turn visions into reality, under the guiding hand of God.” — Billy Graham

 1 Timothy 5:1-2 NIV
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

If a church is cross-generational it is not a church at all—It is a , or a collection of ministries.

How do we overcome our differences?

• Honor the of God in each other
• Acknowledge that we are more than we are .

1 John 2:12-14 CEV
Children, I am writing you, because your sins have been forgiven in the name of Christ. 13 Parents, I am writing you, because you have known the one who was there from the beginning. Young people, I am writing you, because you have defeated the evil one.14 Children, I am writing you, because you have known the Father. Parents, I am writing you, because you have known the one who was there from the beginning. Young people, I am writing you, because you are strong. God’s message is firm in your hearts, and you have defeated the evil one.

Q: Why did we call it cross-generational, instead of multi-generational?
A: While separate spaces are effective teaching and building age/stage-based friendships, side-by-side spaces are needed for mature spiritual .

A Cross-Generational Jesus Follower….

1. Values the and of other ages and life-stages.

Titus 2 1-11 NLT
As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. 3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good.4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. 6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching… 15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them.

“Let the young be trained by the experience of the aged, and let the vigor of youth be the strength of the elders.” —Charles Spurgeon

Question for Reflection—
How can I intentionally contribute to, and receive from, people of other generations in my family, friend groups, and faith community?

2. Is with the .

Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

It is the God-given responsibility of the generation to reach down to the .

“We must recall that the Church is always “one generation away from extinction.” —George Carey

Question for Reflection—
Reflecting on people of other ages or life stages, what makes me most uncomfortable about them? What is God inviting me to do in that tension?

3. with God’s Spirit to create an eternal .

Deuteronomy 4:19 NIV
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

“The church is most potent when it harnesses the energy of the youth with the wisdom of the aged. This partnership in the Gospel is not just useful, but essential.” —Timothy Keller

“We need the strong backs and fresh ideas of the young, and we need the wisdom and experience of the old. It’s not one or the other that will carry the day.” —Elizabeth Elliott

Spiritual formation happens you, but it is not you.

Answer Key: not, ministry; image; alike ,different; information, formation; perspective, contribution; comfortable, uncomfortable; older, younger; Partners, legacy; in, for