Better Together: How Intergenerational Discipleship Changes All of Us

On the last Sunday of the month, our church meets in smaller groups called Tables. At these tables, we read Scripture, confess our sins and remind one another of God’s forgiveness, break bread, and participate in a spiritual practice and conversation. I love Table Sundays because our table brings six generations together to read, pray, and celebrate what God is doing in each of our lives. We carry the hard together and celebrate the victories. I am better because of them.

This is just one example of what intergenerational discipleship can look like—where people from multiple generations intentionally invest in each other’s lives and grow with one another as the body of Christ. When we gather like this, each person is present, equally valued, mutually invested, and participating in the holistic formation of one another.

It is a sacred experience. Hearing the prayer requests of the children in our group or hearing them read Scripture over the group is sacred. But I think what impresses me the most is that when someone shares, all of us are invested. Imagine sharing your heart and having the entire group, young and old, say, “We are here for you.” You probably feel seen, known, and supported.

Better Together: Intergenerational Discipleship

A recent Barna study highlighted how younger generations are more likely to say they aren’t in a small group because they don’t think they would fit in, are intimidated, fear getting hurt, and worry people would not like them.[1] This is a reminder that we can’t assume that certain age groups would rather stick together. There is an opportunity here for bringing generations together for the purpose of belonging and growth.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus invited people of all ages and stages to come together. We see this when He welcomes and blesses the children. We see this when He miraculously feeds the multitudes. Jesus is showing us that we are better together.

Hearing from different voices, experiencing a multitude of questions, wondering together through Scripture: it all points back to how we are each meeting with Jesus and sharing that with one another.

What are the places and spaces where generations can grow together in your context?

As we take notice of Jesus’ invitation to be and grow together, we may begin to see where our church communities already gather all together and how we might be more intentional to engage across generational lines.

What are the places and spaces where generations can grow together in your context? Our church’s approach to Tables was not originally designed to be an intergenerational ministry, but it is a space where generations are already coming together. We noticed this rhythm in our church and our specific group became a place of intentional investment across generations.

Wonder Is an Invitation to Gather

When you are captivated by something, what is the next thing you want to do? For me, when I am in awe of something that has happened or I have caught a glimpse of God’s goodness, I want to tell someone and have them witness what God is doing. When we experience wonder, we naturally want to share it. Wonder is an invitation to bring people together.

Think about the wonder of God throughout Scripture: where the lost are found, miracles occur, and God dwells with His people. We want to share these stories with one another and contemplate what these stories tell us about who God is. Wonder is when our hearts are tipped up to God in awe—marveling at the spectacular world He made, the unique souls He formed, and the story He’s weaving for us through history and His Word.

Where are you sensing an invitation to experience wonder and then share that with someone? How can you make space for wonder to bring people together, regardless of age?

Scripture & Prayer Together

God’s story brings us together and that is because it is our story too! Reading Scripture together and meditating on it is a practice that we see throughout the Old and New Testaments, and it is done with multiple generations involved. Unfortunately, this has become less of a focus in churches today.

While age-specific groups may be reading and exploring God’s story together, we are missing the formational moments of reading Scripture in the larger community. Just because someone is younger or older, does not mean that they have more or less to contribute. Where could you bring multiple generations together to read Scripture and pray?

If your church gathers all ages together for even a brief time, consider having different voices reading Scripture aloud in your service. A call-and-response reading of Scripture invites more participation and allows multiple generations to fully participate. A practice that our church has done with all ages is leading an imaginative prayer where we hear a story from Scripture and imagine ourselves in the story. Then we share our experiences aloud and what we noticed in the story. It was through this experience that many in our community noticed something new in the story of God.

Another way to connect together is through pairing different generations as prayer partners. Having someone in your congregation partner with a family to pray over the course of the school year is a simple way to incorporate connection across generations and to build belonging. By providing this opportunity, you are building in places for people to be known in the family of God.

Intergenerational Discipleship: Listen & Share Together

Our own stories of God’s transforming grace need to be shared, and it is important for us to provide the time and space for story. I can still remember hearing a testimonial of God’s saving grace. It was when I was visiting a church in college. They had a designated time in their service to share stories of God’s work in people’s lives.

That was a brand-new concept to me, but it left an impression. That day, I got to hear about God’s steadfast love from an 83-year-old woman, a 20-something new father, and a 10-year-old girl. What a beautiful picture of the family of God! Where can you make room for storytelling with all ages engaged?

Another idea for gathering together to share stories and build connection is through the sharing of a meal. Church potluck, anyone? One way you could organize a meal with all generations is having everyone sit at a table that corresponds with their birthday month. Then provide ice breaker questions to make the time together fun and engaging!

Where might you consider bringing generations together in your context? Where can you share stories of God and pray for one another? May today be just the start of dreaming for your church and the ways God will move to bring all generations together!

[1] “Empowering Older Adults: Building Intergenerational Connections in the Church.” Barna Group, 21 Feb. 2025, www.barna.com/research/intergenerational-connections/?utm