For All

by Shopify API November 30, 2020

By Gail Marsh

Millennials and Baby Boomers. Young whippersnappers and golden-agers. Young and old.

No matter what terms you use, a wide range of ages within your women’s ministry group is a real blessing! When older and middle-age women, young adults, teens, and girls participate together, everyone enjoys a richer faith experience.

Not so long ago, family units often included three generations all living together under the same roof. Back then, Mom and Grandma taught their daughters and granddaughters the basic skills necessary for success in life. The younger girls’ enthusiasm kept the household energized and filled with hope for the future.

In past decades, most churches routinely included people of all ages within their ministry endeavors as well. By the time theories about “age-appropriate” studies emerged, society had changed. Fewer families lived in multigenerational units. It wasn’t long before churches adopted the idea of segregating ages within their organized ministries. Churches began to tailor their efforts toward specific age groups within their congregations.

Separating age groups and providing activities and Bible studies just for them has its benefits. However, in recent years, churches everywhere have been discovering the blessings of implementing intergenerational ministries—especially for women!

Multigenerational ministry for women is as old as the Bible itself! Just take a look:

Teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. . . . These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good (Titus 2:3–5 NLT).

What are some of the benefits of an intergenerational women’s ministry? Here are just a few:

Older, more experienced women can teach the younger women specific life skills (budgeting, meal planning, and sewing).
Younger women and teens can help older women understand and use new technologies (smartphones, social media, and computers).
Both young and old gain a greater sense of purpose, worth, and satisfaction by sharing skills with each other.
More experienced women can encourage faith development in their younger counterparts as they recall God’s faithfulness to them throughout past stages of life.
Younger women can spark enthusiasm and energy within the group as they share new ideas for the ministry.
Older women can tell about their specific church’s history, valued traditions, and customs so that important local church history is not lost or forgotten.
Both younger and older women learn from the experiences of others and grow to more fully appreciate Christ’s love, forgiveness, and care for all.

Implementing a multigenerational women’s ministry program is well worth your time and effort. Give it a try! You will discover for yourself the blessings that come when Christian women of all ages learn from one another: Christ is in all and for all!