Intergenerational Approaches for Passing on the Faith with All Ages

As we continue to move into the 21^st century the church should consider implementing intergenerational approaches that build upon the Biblical references confirming children’s roles in the church.  Jesus’ commanded to bring the little children to Him as He taught to an intergenerational crowd (Matthew 19: 13-15, Mark 10: 13-15, and Luke 18: 15-17) and His use of a child as a teaching tool that all must “become like little children” (Matthew 18: 1-6, Mark 9:33-37, and Luke 10:21).  In addition, within the New Testament 12-year-old Jesus taught the elders in the synagogue and Timothy with his older spiritual mentor Paul. 

Look around at school events, community sports and recreational programs where children are separated by age-level while parents are working or engaging in adult projects.  Church events and committees can be added to this separation of the ages.  The Father created us to be in relationships with other humans.  We are always changing and growing; therefore, everything is interconnected.

James White (1988) in the book “Intergenerational Religious Education” outlines four patterns in planning intergenerational religion education.

1.      In-common experiences brings people of different ages together to do something in a similar manner at the same time (e.g., doing a project, participate in common event, game),

2.      Parallel ministry experiences separates persons by age to work in the same activity simultaneously.

3.      Contribute occasions when each group shares what has been learned or created previously (e.g., different groups work on parts of a worship service, skit), and

4.      Interactive-sharing sends persons into interpersonal exchanges of their thoughts, feelings, or actions in order to get another generations perspective.  This pattern is the most difficult to facilitate but it gives the greatest benefits toward increasing understanding between the generations.

It is suggested that each ministry group or committee find ways to involve at least one additional generation to ten percent of the activities planned for the upcoming year.  Some of the activities that your Christian Education team can implement are the following:

A.    Youth included on team;

B.     Special announcements represented by  youth, middle and mature ages;

C.      Special event quizzes  for all ages ( e.g., MLK, Black History, Resurrection);

D.    Participant in special events (e.g., MLK prayer breakfast,  MLK program, Black History program);

E.     Special project in conjunction with display team (e.g., youth wrote essays “Faith of Our Fathers” for Father’s Day display); and

F.      Requesting each choir to same song (i.e., Lift Every Voice and Sing – February 2015).

Remember that the lack of intergenerational contact will lead each generation to see itself as a separate subculture rather than an integral part of an entire church community a point-of-view that often leads to conflict and competition rather than cooperation as Jesus taught.  Therefore, if your church opts to use one or more of White’s intergenerational patterns toward faith building it will ensure you are during the will of God.

Reference:  White, J. (1988).  Intergenerational religious education.  Birmingham, AL:  Religious Education Press.

Literacy an early start to learning

When one turns on the television, listen to the radio, or use other social media outlets one major story is the importance of reading to children from birth that are better predictors of their school success.  Starting to read at this infancy state is good; however, children should be read and spoken to in the womb.  This will help them to become good readers, increase cognitive and language skills that are learned before entering kindergarten school age.  The United States Department of Education (1999) stated, “more than 4 in 10 preschoolers, 5 in 10 toddlers, and 6 in 10 babies are not read to regularly” (p. 3).  Therefore, children need to grow up in environments (e.g., homes, communities, early childhood education programs) that offer frequent interactions with books and printed materials promote engaging conversations with adults and peers expose them to rich content knowledge.

Yes, reading is important because in today’s economy, the consequences of not being able to read by the end of third grade extend beyond his school because dropouts face lifelong barriers to success.  Remember children hear from adults to distinguish sounds and words and learn new vocabulary while encouraging their oral language development.  Here are some books that can be check-out of the local library or purchased a bookstore from infancy to age eight.

1.      The very hungry caterpillar (0-2 years),

2.      Good night moon (0-2 years),

3.      Pat the bunny (0-2 years),

4.      Please, baby, please (0-2 years),

5.      I smell … (0-2 years),

6.      Once upon a potty:  Girl (0-2 years),

7.      Peekaboo, blueberry (0-2 years),

8.      Dancing feet! (0-2 years),

9.      Birdsong (0-2 years),

10.  Blanket (0-2 years),

11.  Pete the cat (3-5 years),

12.  Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? (3-5 years),

13.  If you give a mouse a cookie (3-5 years),

14.  Corduroy (3-5 years),

15.  The snowy day (3-5 years),

16.  Rhyming dust bunnies (3-5 years),

17.  The napping house (3-5 years),

18.  Caps for sale (3-5 years),

19.  From head to toe (3-5 years),

20.  Llama llama red pajama (3-5 years),

21.  The twits (6-8 years,

22.  Mr. Brown can moo!  Can you! (6-8 years),

23.  Five on a treasure island (6-8 years),

24.  The mystery of the silver spider (6-8 years),

25.  Knuffle bunny:  A cautionary tale (6-8 years),

26.  A wrinkle in time (6-8 years),

27.  Ramona and her father (6-8 years),

28.  The tale of Despereaux (6-8 years),

29.  Don’t let the pigeon stay up late (6-8 years), and

30.  Charlotte’s web (6-8 years).

Keep in mind that only one-third of America’s fourth-graders are reading proficiently.  Children who are not reading on grade level by this point will only fall farther behind their peers, and they are at much higher risk of dropping out of high school. It has been projected that two-thirds of jobs in the United States workforce soon requiring some level of postsecondary education. 

Source:  U.S. Department of Education (1999).  Start early, finish strong:  How to help every child become a reader.  Washington, DC:  Author.

Back-to-Bible-Study-Bash Celebrating God's Word

As the summer season is upon us many churches designated the month of July to suspend the weekly Bible study activities giving families time to travel and enjoy local, state, national or international attractions.  Before, the selected vacation month ends it will be time to plan an event to motivate current faithful attendees, new church members, and community people seeking knowledge of God’s WORD for their day-to-day life living for HIM.

The Christian Education ministry will spearhead the team in conjunction with those who facilitate Bible study classes (e.g., Tuesday noonday Bible study, Tuesday 18-40 Bible study, Wednesday Adult and Youth Bible study).  Therefore, the planning team members will plan the Back-to-Bible-Study Bash keeping in mind the purpose is to “study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 – KJV).  Bible study assists one to know what God would approve.  As one continues to study the WORD having some knowledge of the Scriptures to mediate on and consider how to apply the WORD to one’s day-to-day life.

Helpful tips as the team start planning, implementing and evaluating for the next one. 

1.      Set date for the Back-to-Bible-Study Bash, 

2.      All facilitators must review, select curricula with needed materials, plan 5 minutes or less overview of fun-filled Spiritual activities that will be presented to peek participants curiosity and set up a give-a-way table on content to be taught,

3.      Two-weeks prior to the event date/time advertise so everyone gets excited about studying God’s WORD (e.g., church bulletin, local newspaper, radio announcement, create door hangers/flyers, post on social media – like Facebook, church website, hype person to announce each Sunday for personal invitation),

4.      Talk with culinary ministry to provide light refreshments at conclusion of Back-to-Bible-Study Bash,

5.      A week prior review the format and person’s responsible for tasks (e.g., devotion with leaders, facilitators input, pastor or associate minister comments on Bible Study starting back, closing by Christian Education ministry servant leader).  After dismissed, attendees will participated in repast and visit specific Bible Study event they will attend for more in-depth information the facilitator want done prior to official date, and 

6.      The planning team needs to meet no later than one week after the Back-to-Bible-Study Bash to evaluate what went well and changes to implement for next year.

From all this planning for the Back-to-Bible-Study Bash remember the key is assisting attendees to read, comprehend and implement day-to-day living in the WORD so others see Christ in them.  So when one is having valley moments and experiences look toward the Scriptures for the answer and continued humility when having mountain top experiences that God is with you throughout it all.  Yearning to hear God’s voice – read His word.  In need of life directions – read His word.  Longing to be loved – read His word.  Through reading His word it will reveal truths, direct your path, comfort and fulfill you.  Note the answers you seek, the intimacy you long for is all there.