When kids come to our house, the first thing they do even before greeting us is to ask: What’s the password for the Wi-Fi? They anxiously await for that information , and then they get it they smile hypnotized by their cell phones till it's time to leave. Meanwhile we remain there with them like a picture hanging on the wall.
While the older folks would say that the young are mistaken for not showing any interest in connecting to their world, the young would say that the older folks are mistaken for not showing any interest in connecting to theirs. But the truth is that to maintain an intergenerational conversation is a challenge for all generations.
The older adults learned to deal with one at the time and that seems the correct to them, but the younger learned to deal with several at once and that is what is right to them. The secret however, like in any form of communication, is to put oneself in the place of the other. Therefore is not about saying what one wishes but ensuring that the other is understanding what is being said, without forgetting that the older were once young.
In reality, like a healthy family where there is space for all, including the grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren, we must learn to walk through this generational alley. Knowing that our walk will be as pleasant and happy as our capacity to focus beyond our own generational things to the things of the other generations.
If we are going to follow Jesus, we cannot remain like a picture hanging on the wall, but we must intentionally seek to interact with all generations in our surroundings, even if it means to leave our comfort zone to try new and different things. Let us know the Wi-Fi password and even use TikTok to connect to all.
- What are the needs of the youth and the needs of the elderly?
- How to improve the communication between the youth and the elderly?
(The care of the flock, 1 Peter 5:5-9 / The duties
toward others, 1 Timothy 5:1-4)
In the Day by Dall call to mission addresses this as well . We need to Raise and Nurture every Generation. This is the true calling as every generation has something to offer. It is the current generation that will take our button. Thank you very much ( Muito Abrigado)
ReplyDeleteIf we engage with the younger generation becoming role models to them they will be ready to take the baton even further.
DeleteThank you for this lesson. Blessings
ReplyDeleteYou are welcomed! My pleasure!
DeleteThe National Study of Youth and Religion
ReplyDelete(NSYR) observes that young people turn out a lot like their parents
in many ways, including faith or lack thereof. And not the other way round!
Yes, and if the younger generation sees in the older one understanding, forgiveness, and cooperation they will replicate that.
DeleteIf the younger generation would see in us our beliefs in action, that is not only words but living examples, they will start believing.
ReplyDeleteThe younger generation are more interested in cellphones. But older people are interested in people face to face. We have the difference tastes and experience. We need to find a way of connecting.
ReplyDeleteYes the older like physical communities, the young like virtual communtites. Therefore the older need to make an effort to engage with the virtual world and the young with the physical one.
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