4 Valuable Reasons to Embrace Multi-Generational Community
Share
Whenever a crime takes place in an area with many people, the officer gets different witnesses to share what they saw. Each witness might have the same basis of the story, but each person has a different perspective to share. In the same way, as believers, when we surround ourselves with diverse generations, we can have a similar goal but come at it from different angles.
The enemy loves to use differences as dividers, but the Holy Spirit uses them as unifiers. From the beginning, God created variety. He made each kind of animal, every unique and exotic plant, the puffy clouds, the stars in the sky, all of the planets, the tiniest grain of sand and the vast universe.
When I sit in groups with many ages, it is a diverse range of perspectives. Yes, we might pick on each other for our quirks and weaknesses, but we love one another. When one person is strong in a certain area, the other can aid in his strength. For example, the young person can help the older navigate technology. When the older friend can assist in teaching budgeting skills or home repair.
We may have grown up with different toys. We might use various slang terms. We may even have diverse values. However, what holds us together as the family of God is Jesus Himself. When we are tempted to think we have nothing in common with someone from another generation, may we be reminded of the common thread that is Christ.
We were all dead in our sins, but Jesus made us alive again. Are we selfishly desiring our musical preferences in church? Are we placing blame or judgment on an age demographic? Are we causing separations by placing others in a category far away from ourselves? Jesus is the glue that holds us together. When we understand the love of God, we desire to share that with others.
Many times, the church itself can live out generational unity poorly. We put each other in boxes based on if someone is traditional or contemporary. We label as too outdated or too forward-thinking. The fact that groups of people might be different, but God and His word stays the same, is comforting.
For people who do not like change, different generations can be challenging. However, do not let the age gaps prevent genuine community. Spend time with people who are in a variety of seasons of life. Listen to those who are older. Be encouraged by the faith of those who are younger. Consider being a part of a small group or a ministry when you will be intentional about learning from different generations. At the end of the day, we are all people created in the image of the Lord.
More from this author
What Does It Mean to Seek Refuge with God?
How to Actively Pray for Afghanistan
The Beauty of Choosing Bravery
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Deagreez
