As a kid, it seems dad knows everything and can do anything. In the teen years, the reality that dad doesn’t know everything begins to register with the child and by the late teens he wonders if dad knows anything about anything. In his twenties, an adult child appreciates dad’s availability to talk about career choices and marriage. And in his thirties, the young man realizes his dad actually knows a lot about life.

Just as fathers and sons can drift apart, older and younger generations can experience disconnect as well. Unless there is a mutual need or a life event that requires them to come together, a generation will isolate itself from the other. Isolation is the devil’s goal.

“Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How would you advise me to answer these people?” They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him. – 1Kings 12:4, 6-8. The good news is that Rehoboam at least sought the advice of the generation before him. But then he rejected their advice in favor of counsel from his generation. Read 12:9-19 to see how well that turned out for the king. The older generation had wisdom and offered good counsel. The younger generation had a limited perspective and gave bad counsel. Rehoboam’s decision was based on his relationship with the younger men. There is generational isolation today in the Church. Many churches have a traditional service that is typically for the older crowd and a contemporary service for the younger folks. The result is little intergenerational connection and a breakdown in intergenerational relationships. This is not healthy for the church or for society as a whole. It takes intentionality to nurture intergenerational relationships.

Intergenerational relationships exist between different age generations in family, church and communities. Benefits include improved well-being for both younger and older people, reduced social isolation, improved relational health for older adults, and opportunities for mentorship and skill-sharing for younger adults.

Tips to be intentional about Intergenerational Relationships:

• Schedule regular one-on-one time with each child;
• Register HERE for this month’s father-daughter BEING THERE weekend;
• Schedule annual intergenerational dinners and events in the church;
• Seek out a younger man and an older gentleman to meet with regularly.

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and for being a Father across the generations – “Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” I confess I was disrespectful to the dad that raised me and created a 15-year period of isolation in my life. Forgive me. I want to be intentional in nurturing healthy relationship with my kids early and often. I also want them to see me seeking out men that can help me walk a straighter path as the man, husband and father You expect me to be. That is the dad You call me to be, and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father is intentional in building intergenerational relationships.