An Age-Integrated View of Life and Ministry

Paul reminded Timothy of the sincere faith that was in him that first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5). From childhood Timothy knew the Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:14-15). His family had taught him and so had Paul and others. That is the way it is supposed to be - the home doing it's job of teaching God's Word and the body of Christ engaging in the process and supporting the effort.

The church and its households are to interact amongst generations, not always splitting them up. For over 1500 years it was the primary way the people of God worshipped and passed the faith on. Not until the past 70 years or so have things changed. What many consider the norm today is actually abnormal. It wasn’t until the development of the Sunday School did Christian education take an institutionalized form and get taken out of the parents hands. Age-segregated Sunday School was originally meant to reach the unreached, not Christian households. But the church adopted it as the primary method of teaching the faith and one thing led to another until now many think of it as the primary way to educate children, youth and adults around Biblical principles. How far we have drifted!

May we come back to a biblical way of life and ministry, one that is less institutionalized and more organic. Simpler. One where multiple generations interact and households pass the faith on intentionally. One where the body of Christ supports rather than usurps the God-ordained pattern He has shown us. This means that parents will be recognized and equipped as the primary nurturers of their children’s faith, and other godly adults will come alongside and teach and mentor. Where God’s people will be equipped for works of service starting in their own homes.