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Tennis legends Venus Williams, 44, and Leylah Fernandez, 22, have sparked attention for their deep friendship despite their age difference. Their bond—rooted in mutual respect, encouragement, and joy in the game—shows the beauty of intergenerational relationships. In a culture that often isolates people by age, their connection is a reminder that friendship is strengthened, not hindered, by diversity of years and perspective.
Surprisingly, it’s not just in tennis. Intergenerational friendships like these show up in churches, classrooms, and workplaces. Yet in a society that thrives on separation, categorizing the young from the old, youth groups on one side of the church, and senior fellowships on the other, the gift of these relationships is often overlooked. I missed it, too. Until the day I met my spiritual mentor.
I wasn’t looking for her, but she spoke to me. It was as if she understood exactly where I was and where I’d been, and yet, she showed empathy and kindness. Over the last year, our relationship has grown leaps and bounds. I’m grateful for her constant presence, grace, and outpouring into my life. But more than anything, I’m thankful for the way she encourages me in Christ. The way she opened my eyes to the value of intergenerational relationships.
This raises an important question: In a world that often separates the young from the old, how can the Church model friendships that bridge generations—reflecting the body of Christ where every age has a place and purpose?
God’s Design for Intergenerational Life
From the beginning of time (Genesis 1), Scripture affirms that we weren’t created to do life in isolation. Human bodies were never meant to be alone. In a study where individuals were placed in a room with nothing to do other than press a button and shock themselves, most chose to shock themselves. How long were they in the room? 15 minutes. It’s crazy how uncomfortable we are with silence and true aloneness. But my point is this: the value of multiple generations living, working, and worshiping together helps ease our discomfort.
In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, we see a high calling on parents and grandparents to pass on God’s commands to children in daily life. This parallels Proverbs 22:6: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (NIV). While children will grow up to make their own decisions, intergenerational relationships and friendships can greatly influence how they choose to live their lives in young adulthood.
Similarly, Psalm 145:5 declares, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” (NIV). This passage reminds us that when the early church embodied these characteristics, great growth and blessing resulted. Young Timothy was mentored by Paul (2 Timothy 1:5-7), older widows served alongside younger believers (1 Timothy 5:1–10), and everyone came together in unity.
Acts 2:43-47 even describes this fellowship as life-changing: “A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. With one accord, they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Berean Standard Bible).
The biblical vision of friendship is clear: God’s people are meant to learn from one another, grow together, encourage one another, and remind each other of Christ’s faithfulness—across every stage of life.