John Roberto, a faith formation leader and founder of LifeLong Faith, has said that the intergenerational community is central to lifelong faith formation and ministry. Spiritual life is deepened and nurtured as people of all ages engage in the community’s prayer life, rituals, and blessings together. These shared practices help develop spiritual identity and can create a sense of belonging.
The idea that faith is formed within the intergenerational community is found in scripture. In Deuteronomy 6:7 (CEB), we read the instruction to “recite [God’s words] to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are getting up.” Speaking about who God is and how God is part of our lives is assumed to be an activity all ages to do together!
Similarly, in Joshua 4, after the people have safely crossed the Jordan River, they set up twelve stones as a memorial. Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask their parents, ‘What about these stones?’” They were to tell their children how God acted to save God’s people. Again, an assumption is made that children are present and part of the community. When adults answer children’s questions about the stories and rituals of their community, it is an opportunity for both children and adults to be reminded of who they are and who God is. This is one way faith can be formed intergenerationally!
In the New Testament, we see that people of all ages are part of the faith community. In Luke 2, 12-year-old Jesus is in the temple and interacting with adults. He is both speaking and listening as he interacts with these mentors. In that moment, old and young discuss scripture, ask questions, and share knowledge with each other.
Following an argument about who is the greatest in Mark 10:13–16, Jesus takes a child in his arms and says that God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like children. The implication is that children have something to teach the rest of us!
What are the stories and traditions you want to share with younger generations? What can older people in your congregation learn from younger people who are encountering scripture for the first time? How might you create spaces in your congregation for people of different ages to talk together about faith?
Begin where you are and consider one step you can take to bring generations together!
God, thank you for the unique gifts you give to us at each stage of life. As we share stories, ask questions, and learn together, help us build communities of faith where people of all ages find welcome and belonging. Amen.
Joyce Peachey Lind, Curriculum Editor
Illustration by Shelly Dieterichs
Read more of John Roberto’s work on intergenerational faith formation in his book, LifeLong Faith: Formation for all Ages and Generations, and at www.lifelongfaith.com.