How to Bridge Generational Divides
Message Summary:
In Sunday’s message during our Student Life Takeover, Pastor Ken Chapman taught us about the important of being one body across many generations in the Church. God made his family eclectic, different and diverse. He did it on purpose and for a purpose. God has made His children – generation to generation – unique to adapt to the needs and demands of their unique culture. God tailored his children to be a light to world in every generation. But together, we are the body of Christ, called to be the light of the world, a city on the hill.
But we must remember, if we allow it, differences can divide. That’s why we have to be careful to guard our hearts and our minds. We have to be careful to not judge one another, based solely on those differences. If we only see the differences that exist between us, we will miss the beautiful mosaic that God has created within His family. Each person in the body has a part to play. “And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." (1 Cor. 12:21) We need one another. We can see and respect one another’s differences. We don’t have to ignore that they are there, but those differences are not nearly as important as what unites us – Christ.
The body of Christ must lead with love and respect for one another. It is something that we should be able to expect from one another, and something we should be recognized and praised for. If we look at one another and see how much we need one another, and that Christ called us to be one, we will learn to lead with love and respect. We all have a role and responsibility within the body, to God and to one another. Now is the time to unite and be the light of the world! Now is the time to be the body of Christ and let our light come together to shine on the darkness of this world. WE ARE THE CHURCH!
Scriptures:
[Matthew 5:14-15 NKJV] 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
[Isaiah 43:19 NKJV] 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
[1 Corinthians 12:20-25 NKJV] 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that [part] which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
[Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV] 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Discussion Questions:
When can gaps between generations in the Church be a bad thing?
Why do you think Jesus and Paul advocated for us to be “one body and one Spirit?”
Why do we need each other, regardless of the generational differences?
What does it mean to be knit and joined together as a church body?
How do you secure a future for the Church by making room for the next generation?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, ask yourself the following question: Are you doing your part to be an active member of the body of Christ? This church is called to be one body and one Spirit (Eph. 4:4)! That means no matter how different we may appear on the surface – culturally, generationally, economically – it does not matter to the Lord. He has called us to be knit and joined together. That means that we need to reach out to our brothers and sisters in the Lord, link arms together with them in love, and support one another. This week, reach out to someone new, someone who needs to hear you say, “I love you and I am here for you.”