I have nothing against college or youth groups. In fact, I’ve heard many great things from such programs. As like-minded youth gather to hear the scriptures taught by a church leader, they are encouraged as they feel their issues are being addressed, edified by their peers whom they see as going through similar circumstances, and thankful just knowing that they have others of the same age with whom they can talk. But as you know, although these groups can be beneficial, you can only learn so much from your peers. It’s takes someone older and wiser to impart life lessons that you would not otherwise acquire from those of the same age.

 
Needless to say, we live in an extremely intentional culture. Companies strategically employ a certain number of non-whites to reach a quota. The fashion industry implicitly, or perhaps explicitly, tells us how we ought to dress. So thousands, if not millions, of women flock to stores to intentionally purchase their black spandex and knee high boots while men spend an exuberant amount of money on name brand skinny jeans and tight t-shirts. Liquor stores and abortions clinics are intentionally placed in certain neighborhoods while the names of predominant African-American leaders are used as street names primarily, or at least it seems, in low-income areas.

We are intentional. There’s no doubt about that. But really the issue is in how you express intentionality, as well as its ramifications. For example, what are the benefits of certain intentional actions? What are the downfalls? Is there explicit or implicit biblical warrant for it? Do you even need to consult the Bible? Of course these questions are limited in scope, but so are some forms of intentionality. Case and point: college and youth groups.

Now, before you pull out the stones and seek to banish me from ever posting again, please allow me to be clear. I have nothing against college or youth groups. In fact, I’ve heard many great things from such programs. As likeminded youth gather to hear the scriptures taught by a church leader, they are encouraged as they feel their issues are being addressed, edified by their peers whom they see as going through similar circumstances, and thankful just knowing that they have others of the same age with whom they can talk. But as you know, although these groups can be beneficial, you can only learn so much from your peers. It’s takes someone older and wiser to impart life lessons that you would not otherwise acquire from those of the same age.

Not only is this generally true but it is also biblically true. In instructing Titus, Paul wrote:

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled (Titus 2:1-5, ESV).

Paul exhorts both older men and women to instruct younger men and women. And although Paul highlights some areas of instruction, don’t overlook what he is doing—he is being intentional. Paul’s intentionality, at least in this instance, is not horizontal (i.e., same age and maturity), but vertical (i.e., those older and more mature in the faith). He isn’t concerned with a coterie of same-aged youth gathering to talk about their experiences, but with establishing relationships whereby older

and more mature men and women can instruct younger ones. One goal behind this exhortation is to have God’s people grow in the faith.

Are you this intentional in your church? Just as you may have been strategic about setting up college and youth groups, have you also arranged inter-generational groups? Have you assigned or made arrangements for older men and women to instruct younger ones? Or do you expect that to happen naturally? If we’re going to be intentional one way (i.e., horizontal), it seems only right, in light of Paul’s exhortation, that we become intentional the other way (i.e., vertical). It’s possible. It may take some work, but if you are able to establish this biblical precedent, the benefits, I’m sure, will be astronomical!

Leon Brown is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and currently serves as Assistant Pastor at New City Fellowship in Fredericksburg, VA. He holds MDiv and MA degrees from WTS California and is presently pursuing doctoral studies in OT and the Ancient Near East.