BRIDGING THE GENERATION GAP
Sunday 22 June 2025
Ephesians 2:11-16
LET’S PRAY
THE GAP
PART 1
Multi-generational:
What does this really mean?
Multi-generational:
People from different generations in vital meaningful relationships with one another.
Is your family always easy?
Generational difference is good, generations should be allowed to be different.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
So, like, if you’re all about Jesus and not living a trashy life, you won’t be judged or anything. It’s all about staying in the zone of good vibes and embracing the Spirit, ya know?
Romans 8:1–2
GEN Z BIBLE
NIV
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
1 Kings 12:8
NIV
We need to bridge the generation gap.
BUILDING THE BRIDGE
PART 2
The answer to the generation gap is found in the core message of Jesus.
The generation gap its root is a sin problem.
How are we failing to love one another?
The generation gap is created by the sin of pride.
We are pretty good at deceiving ourselves.
How then does Jesus help with this pride?
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:11–16
NIV
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ephesians 2:11–16
NIV
As with all good lies, it had a lot of truth in it.
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
Deuteronomy 9:6
NIV
It is incredibly hard to like someone who thinks they are superior to you.
It is us.
Where is your pride and prejudice?
The message of Jesus is:
you are not better.
Do you accept that without God’s help you are a bad person?
“I’m not a bad person” = PRIDE
The message of Jesus should dissolve any pride we have.
We need to hear the Gospel again and again.
What happens when we get this vertical attitude correct?
YOU
OTHERS
OTHERS
GOD
Our restoration is cross-shaped
His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Ephesians 2:11–16
NIV
The unity between believers objectively exists.
WALKING OVER THE BRIDGE
PART 3
How should this message affect our relationship between generations?
Humility is the bridge across the generation gap.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
Ephesians 6:1–3
NIV
Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:32
NIV
Respect for the older generations is respect for God.
Make the choice to cultivate relationships with those who have gone before you.
ACTION
After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.
2 Corinthians 12:14
NIV
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Titus 2:3–5
NIV
You do not need a special call or authorisation for this.
Am I fulfilling my responsibility to love the younger generations?
I fear that we are as a community are falling short in our love for our children.
Are we just virtue signaling?
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18
NIV
I fear that we are as a community are falling short in our love for our children.
It takes a village to raise a child.
African Proverb
It takes a village to raise a child.
African Proverb
church
Make the choice to pour yourselves into the next generations.
ACTION
RESPONSE