From one generation to the next

Insights from Acts 9 and Acts 15

During the event, we learned that the choices of one generation impact the next. We explored Scriptures like Acts 9:1-31 and Acts 15:36 - Acts 16:5, discovering how bravery, courage, and obedience were required for the Great Commission to reach new people and new generations. One story that specifically stands out is Acts 15, where Timothy was from the town where Stephen was stoned, and Stephen was the first believer to be persecuted and executed for their faith.

Our program included sessions of prayer and scripture, during which we worked through sections in Acts to discover how the disciples modeled a life of intergenerational friendship and mission. We also engaged in discussions about intergenerational friendship, had a friendship experience at Newport Beach, and explored the challenging topic of collaborative leadership in today's church. The second day included sessions on intergenerational mutuality, communication, and collaboration, culminating in our final commitment, communion, and commissioning to a collaborative intergenerational friendship. It was two days filled with learning, friendship, collaboration, and a lot of unscripted, genuine connection. A moment that I will forever cherish took place after our commissioning service, with 100 leaders greeting one another in faith. This is where I saw a glimpse of God's intended purpose for his church – One diverse body connected and working together to see heaven come to earth.

Nurturing Intergenerational Friendships and Mission

One of the biggest lessons and takeaways from this gathering was that it requires a specific posture to engage in intergenerational friendships and mission. We see in 1 Timothy 4:12 that Paul encourages Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth, but to set an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. It is in this posture, this attitude, that we find the confidence and security in God that enables us to live an example to our fellow believers with humility, honor, and grace.

As the next generation, we are called to take up the responsibility of living a life worth imitating for the next generation. Not only this, but we should extend beyond ourselves to the generation before and after us if we want to see the Great Commission fulfilled in the world around us. Acts 2:17 reminds us that God encouraged the disciples, saying, 'I will pour out my Spirit on all people during the last days. Your sons shall prophesy, young men will see visions, and old men will dream dreams.' This is just one of many examples confirming that God's plan has always been for his church to be built from one generation to the next, with generations working together, not in isolation.

We are called to commit to this. There is no denying that God builds his church using those who have made themselves available, humble, teachable, and willing to see His reign on this earth. But the beauty is that we are not called to do this alone. We are called to build bridges, to extend ourselves and our ministries, and to see the gospel reach the ends of the Earth.

Fearless Bridge-Building in God's Kingdom

The Lausanne Generations Conversation has shown me the value of intergenerational friendships. As the next generation, it is our responsibility to engage and initiate these friendships that stretch beyond our borders and comfort zones. As stated in 1 Timothy 4:12, we should not let anyone, even ourselves, use our age as something that disqualifies us. Rather, our way of living and leading should be something that we share with the believers around us. The global church needs a next generation that will fearlessly and faithfully build bridges, not walls – a generation that engages despite our differences and disagreements. All this, to see this one thing: God's Kingdom, His great Commission to His people, reaching the ends of the earth.