Why Multigenerational Relationships Matter to Christians

Cultivating intergenerational relationships among believers offers us greater wisdom and insight while also helping us paint a realistic picture of eternity.

They’re all over social media: videos depicting how different generations deal with canceled meetings, how they approach their work when sick or how they act in ZOOM meetings. And we’ll admit, we’ve definitely watched more than a few ourselves—and laughed.

Yet while pointing out the differences between different generations can be fun, as Christians, we recognize that the church is made up of people of many different generations and walks of life. So, clearly, there’s some benefit to multigenerational relationships (besides laughing at hysterical videos). Let’s take a closer look at why it’s important for believers to develop multigenerational relationships.

Multigenerational relationships offer us greater wisdom and insight.

By walking alongside other believers who are maybe older than us or had different experiences than us, we can all benefit from each other. All of our experiences are valuable and the things we’ve learned about authentically walking in faith, loving others, trusting God, serving and more are all priceless lessons we can all benefit from. Wisdom isn’t necessarily based on age, but there are definite benefits of being in relationship with people who have walked similar paths to the one you’re currently on. They can offer reassurance and insight, remind you of what’s most important and share how God provided for and guided them in similar circumstances.

Scripture expects multigenerational relationships.

If you start reading about the early church, you’ll quickly recognize that it wasn’t comprised of people from one generation, age group or social class. Instead, people of all ages, races and backgrounds found themselves suddenly worshiping together as a family united about their shared belief and hope in Jesus Christ. The church is God’s chosen instrument through which to share the gospel to the world. It is the “city on a hill,” and our churches and our relationships should reflect the different generations that make up the Body of Christ and help the world see the new and different way Jesus has called us to live.

Multigenerational relationships help us to recognize and celebrate God’s power.

One of the most beautiful things about intergenerational church and multigenerational relationships is that they give us a large stage to see how God is at work in the lives of his people. It can be easy to discount older or younger believers, but if we are in relationship with people who are older and younger than us, we get to see the power of God at work in their daily lives, from defeating sin to what he’s teaching them. Seeing, hearing and learning from each other not only edifies us, it encourages us and strengthens our faith.

Multigenerational relationships give us opportunities to be mentored and to mentor.

Being in relationship with people outside of our generation allows us to learn from and grow in godliness through the wisdom of mentors, but also provides us opportunities to be mentors. Mentorship is nothing more than walking beside someone on their faith journey and sharing what God has taught you. There is beauty in both being a mentor and being mentored—and we need both.

Multigenerational relationships give us a better perspective on the Body of Christ as well as heaven.

Scripture doesn’t explain all the details of heaven or eternity, but we do know that people of every tribe, language and nation will be there as well as believers from all the ages. So, to put it simply, heaven and eternity are multigenerational. So when we cultivate multigenerational relationships with other believers or work to nurture intergenerational churches, we’re actually giving ourselves a realistic glimpse of what eternity will be like and living a little “heaven on earth.”