From Generation to Generation

Have you ever shopped for a new car, leaning toward a certain make and model, and suddenly that’s all you seem to see on the road?  It isn’t that more of them appeared overnight—it’s that you’re now aware of what was there all along.

In much the same way, I’ve noticed that when God is speaking to me about a particular subject, it seems to show up everywhere—articles, conversations, and even podcasts. Recently, what has captured my attention is the uniqueness of different generations: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.

At the same time, my husband and I have felt a distinct calling to step more intentionally into mentoring within the church. Titus 2 presents a generational pattern: older men should walk uprightly, be sound in faith, and exhort younger men to wisdom and patience. Older women are instructed to live holy lives, teaching younger women how to honor God in their families and relationships, showing love and respect to their husbands.

As Brett Harris once said, “The beauty of collaboration between older and younger generations is that we combine strength with wisdom—a powerful force for change.” Each generation carries its own experiences, perspectives, and influences. But when energy, passion, and fresh inspiration are combined with wisdom, knowledge, and discernment, we find a partnership that is unstoppable.

Psalm 145:4 (NIV) reminds us: “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” 

In our church, we’ve seen a surge of young people from Generation Z (born 1997-2012). These aren’t casual visitors—they keep returning week after week, hungry for more of God. What stands out most to me is their desire for authenticity. They have grown up in a world of filters, AI, and social media personas curated for likes and follows, but what they crave is truth. Not “my truth” or “your truth,” but the authority of God’s Word actively lived out in the church.

We also see many deconstructing their faith, questioning traditions, and searching for truth. And you know what? God’s Word can withstand every question. What often cannot hold up is our man-made religiosity. So, when the next generation examines the “why” behind how we live, we can either discourage the examination or lean in and walk with them through the transformation that comes when faith becomes their own.

This is why mentoring matters. Gen Z longs to be included and connected. They need a place to ask questions as they grapple with their faith or lack thereof.

How did Jesus mentor his disciples? He walked with them daily, teaching them by word and example, and then empowered them and sent them out. Historical accounts suggest these disciples were likely young men in their late teens and twenties—and yet they sacrificed everything to follow Jesus.

If we give Gen Z a God-sized vision—bold enough to live for and holy enough to die for—they too will rise to take up their cross and follow Him.

Today’s devotional was written by Shelly Stringfellow.