Intergenerational Friendships: We Need Each Other

Why do knowledge of the generations and quilting bees matter?

Because people matter. And God’s design for how people live and interact with one another matters.

Getting a Handle on God’s Design

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. ² Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. ³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, ⁴ and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. ⁶ Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. ⁷ Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, ⁸ and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Titus 2:1-8 (Emphasis added)

The Context

So, what’s behind this passage? A quick look at chapter 1 reveals that Paul is giving instruction to Titus (verse 4), Titus is in Crete (verse 5), and that Paul has given Titus a job to do (verse 5). We also know that Crete is a wicked, fouled up place (verses 12 & 13).

The Passage

Now when we read Titus 2:1-8, we can make the connection. Titus is residing in a messed-up place, and Paul’s plan for Christ-like influence on that society rest on the development of church leaders.

Look again at Chapter 2. It tells us exactly how Titus was to go about carrying out Paul’s plan. He was to appoint elders and train them to be examples for the people. And WHO was Titus to teach? The older men (2:2), the older women (2:3), and the younger men (2:6) in the faith.

But isn’t a group missing?

What about the young women? Verses 3-5 tell us that the younger women were to be taught by older, godly women. This was not the job of Titus or the elders.

Paul’s Message

WE NEED EACH OTHER!

The way to grow in godly character is in relationship – older and younger.

Intergenerational friendships are critical. It’s here in this place that we work out life’s kinks, tackle our weaknesses, gain insight into some of our toughest questions, and share the simple day-to-day – all the while growing to look more and more like our Savior.

And lest we are tempted to sit back and think all the work belongs to the OLDER women, let’s remember that all of us are older than someone else. Yes, we are all “older,” and we are all “younger” than someone we know.

It’s a relationship built on give and take and the sharing of life.

Perhaps it’s time we take God’s design to heart and step up to —

…LISTEN TO

…LIFT

…LOVE

…LEARN FROM, and

…LEAD one another.