Intergenerational living and learning is the historical norm. But in the past 200 years, we’ve gotten very segregated by age. Classrooms are same-age. Kids move away from mom and dad to young cities. Our seniors move into senior communities. We’re so segregated, it’s no wonder we have trouble incorporating our children into Sunday church services and intergenerational Bible study at home.
But there are so many benefits to living and learning side-by-side with those whose age is nothing like ours. Some of the sweetest relationships, life lessons, and growth come from someone very much older or younger than ourselves.
And there is hope.
I’m fortunate enough to be in an intergenerational church good at doing life together. But even so, there’s been challenges. I always want my kids to feel valued and needed in church services and Bible studies. I want them to be seen as an integral part. And aren’t they? I mean, if we’re not pioneering this legacy, church stops when our generation dies off.
Our kids (aka: budding theologians, aka: up-and-coming spiritual powerhouses) are of utmost importance.
And so is incorporating them into the “grown-up” stuff asap.
Benefits of Multi-age Learning
Bible study is all about learning. Small schools and homeschoolers already know the benefits of multi-age learning. It’s something so many others don’t get to experience.
Multi-age classrooms, where students of different ages are grouped together in one classroom, provide several benefits:
- Individualized instruction: Multi-age classrooms allow for more individualized instruction. Kids can be moved around: moved up in areas they excel or spend time refreshing or practicing a concept longer with other students working on those same things. This can be especially helpful for students who need additional support or who are academically advanced.
- Improved social skills: Multi-age learning can provide opportunities for people to develop social skills with those of different ages. They learn to work together, communicate effectively, and develop empathy and understanding for others different than themselves.
- Enhanced mentoring: The older ones can serve as mentors for the younger ones, providing guidance and support. This can help younger children feel more comfortable and improve their academic and social skills.
- Encouraged collaboration: Multi-age learning encourages closer collaboration. When different ages work together, they learn from each other and develop a deeper understanding through different perspectives.
Expanding to Intergenerational Bible Studies and Church Services
When you extend multi-age learning to intergenerational Sunday church services and Bible studies, you get big benefits as well:
- Unity: Intergenerational Bible study and church services help to create a sense of unity among the different generations in a church community. It provides a platform for all generations to come together, share their faith, and learn from each other.
- Shared learning: Intergenerational Bible study provides an opportunity for people of different ages to share their interpretations and insights on the Bible. This leads to a deeper understanding of scripture and a wider perspective of faith.
- Role modeling: Older and wiser members of the church community can serve as role models for younger members. By seeing how older generations practice their faith, younger members can learn and develop their own faith journey more quickly and confidently.
- Strengthening family bonds: Intergenerational Bible studies and church services can help to strengthen family bonds by providing a space for families to worship together. This helps to foster a sense of shared values and beliefs among family members.
- Encouraging mentorship: Intergenerational services encourages mentorship opportunities between older and younger members of the community. This helps build a sense of community and create a support system for younger members.
- Encouraging participation: Intergenerational Bible studies and church services help encourage participation among younger members of the church community. By providing a space to share their ideas and perspectives, younger members feel more invested in the church community.
But how do you do it? How do you incorporate your child into the Sunday service and the “adult” Bible studies?
Look no further.
How to Incorporate Your Kids in Intergenerational Bible Study
Sunday services have some easy parts for kids: the music and singing, the prayer, and we sit at round tables for two discussion breakouts during the service. Sometimes I have to advocate for my daughter to be included in the conversations. Sometimes I do a lot of prompting. For the adults and for my daughter.
I created some Sermon Notes sheets she fills out during the sermon help stay engaged. I’ve also created a checklist of 12 ways to incorporate your child into any adult Bible study.
My daughter just turned 8. She joined our weekly Bible study (5 generations attend!) and asked for a grown-up Bible—with no pictures. She excitedly brought this Bible with all her highlighters to the study. But the adults didn’t really engage her—or maybe know how. Advocating isn’t a one-and-done. She’s more eager to be a part of the study than most of the adults seem to have her. And isn’t that a shame? Especially because she’s the sweetest, most timid, well-behaved girl I know (excluding yours, of course).
But. Our study is restructuring. And while doing so, I’m advocating for her once again. Why? Because it is important. And for all those huge benefits. And because I’m raising a spiritual powerhouse in a post-Christian era. She better get all she can at home and from the Christian adults all around her. It’s worth fighting for. Especially with (and even for) those adults who have forgotten how.
I’ll let you know how it goes, fellow Pioneer!
Intergenerational Bible Study: Our Gift to Help
Until then, grab our Sermon Notes sheets and Bible Study checklist. And incorporate your kiddos!
If you like this post, check out our post on children’s spiritual growth and get our printable Spiritual Growth charts and awards!