by Marti Fischer

Scripture:
1 Corinthians 12:12–27
Romans 12:4–5

What’s the Question?

The Bible never describes the church as generations existing side by side but living separately. Scripture gives us a different picture. One body. Many parts. One Spirit. One life flowing through all of us.

Paul tells us plainly that the body cannot function when its parts withdraw from one another. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” and the older cannot say to the younger, “You don’t belong here.” In Christ, we are not divided by age, culture, or preference. We are joined together by God Himself.

So the question before us today is not whether the generations should connect. The question is: why aren’t we?

What Is Preventing Cross-Generational Relationships?

If we are honest, it is not doctrine that holds us back. It is fear, comfort, and assumptions.

Some of us believe we no longer have much to offer younger generations. Others assume Millennials and Gen Z are uninterested in faith or unwilling to listen. Some fear saying the wrong thing, being misunderstood, or being rejected. And many of us have grown comfortable staying within our own age groups, where life feels familiar and safe.

We have also accepted the idea of “generation gaps” as if they are unavoidable. We talk about differences as obstacles instead of opportunities. And in doing so, we quietly support separation rather than living out the truth that we belong to one another.

Paul’s teaching leaves little room for that mindset. He tells us that every part of the body is necessary. Not optional. Not replaceable. Necessary.

The Cost of Distance

Distance may feel safe, but it comes at a cost.

When we stay disconnected, younger people who do not attend church for a multiple of reasons are left to learn about faith from culture, social media, or broken experiences with church. They may know about God, but never see faith lived out across decades. And we, in turn, miss the chance to be sharpened, encouraged, and renewed by their questions and passion. The body suffers when parts refuse proximity.

Growth does not happen from a distance. Discipleship does not happen in theory. It happens through shared life. Through listening. Through walking with one another over time.

A Call to Legacy Relationships

Romans reminds us that “each member belongs to all the others.” Belonging implies responsibility.

Legacy relationships are not about fixing younger generations. They are about faithfulness. They are about showing up. They are about walking one-on-one with someone who may not think like us, vote like us, or worship like us, but who belongs to the same body.

Legacy is built when older believers offer wisdom, steady faith, and when younger believers offer honesty, fresh perspective, and questions that stretch us all. This kind of relationship requires humility. It requires patience. And it requires intentionality.

The Question We Must Answer

So here is the question we cannot avoid:

Are we willing to stop supporting perceived generational gaps and start building legacy relationships instead?

If we truly believe we are one body in Christ, then disengagement is not neutral. It is disobedience.

If we do not enter into the lives of Millennials and Gen Z, who will teach them the Word of God? Who will walk with them through doubt? Who will introduce them to Jesus in personal, lived-out ways?

If not us, who?
If not now, when?