Scriptures speak of the three generations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
by Larry Kreider
More than forty years ago, this scripture came alive to me: “…the young and the old together” (Jeremiah 31:13b). God has called us as generations to honor one another as we honor God and together expand His Kingdom. Acts 2:17 tell us, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams.”
Younger generations leading the way
The Lord has used the younger generations again and again to lead the way in new moves of God. For example, the Jesus movement in the USA was started by the younger generation in the late 1960s. Chuck Smith and a few others from the older generation were there to help them—the young and the old together.
Remember what King Ahab (representing the older generation) did when Israel was surrounded by a huge army? He listened to the prophet and sent the younger generation into battle. They experienced great victory! This is explained in 1 Kings 20:13-15.
Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and announced, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.’” “But who will do this?” asked Ahab. The prophet replied, “This is what the Lord says: ‘The junior officers under the provincial commanders will do it.’” “And who will start the battle?” he asked. The prophet answered, “You will.” So Ahab summoned the 232 junior officers under the provincial commanders. Then he assembled the rest of the Israelites, seven thousand in all.
Israel destroyed their enemies as they allowed the younger generation to lead the way. The older generation got things started and the younger accomplished the victory. Both generations were needed: the young and the old together!
When King Saul released the young boy David to fight Goliath, he did not force him to use his armor. Then when David killed Goliath, the armies of Israel followed him into the fray. They won a great victory. All generations were needed: the young and the old together!
I have experienced two moves of God in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in my lifetime. Both of them were led by young people. The first was an overflow from the Jesus movement in the late 1960s, the 1970s, and the early 1980s. Youth-led Bible studies sprang up all over our county. Then in the late 1990s through the early 2000s, TBS (Tuesday Night Bible Study) started in our county. Over one thousand youth and young adults met every Tuesday night, led by young men and women who were sold out to the Lord. Multiplied thousands of lives were changed by the Lord during this season of time.
Amazing Difference
I noticed an amazing difference in these two revival eras. The young leaders of the first move of God had very few spiritual fathers and mothers. However, during the second, there were many more spiritual fathers and mothers involved. I believe the second move of God had a greater impact due to the spiritual fathers and mothers who were willing to serve these young leaders. At the same time, there was a sense of humility among the young leaders. They were open and receptive to what the older generation had to offer. The result is thousands and thousands of believers who are faithfully serving in churches, ministries, and businesses all over our region, along with a whole host of missionaries who have been sent to the nations.
Malachi 4:1 states, “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” The older generation needs to walk in humility and release the younger generation, and the younger generation needs to walk in humility and honor and receive wisdom from the older generation. Every generation needs to make disciples after the pattern of Jesus.
Acts 2:17 seems to focus on two generations experiencing God pouring out his spirit on all flesh: sons and daughters prophesying, and old men dreaming dreams. But remember, all generations are sons and daughters of fathers and mothers.
The in-between generation
We sometimes miss the middle generation. Thirty-two times the scriptures speak of the three generations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Isaac generation is the in-between generation, and sometimes this generation is not sure how they fit in. By the way, if some people think you are old, and others think you are young, you are probably in the Isaac generation (the in-between generation). But I have good news for you! I have found this can be our most productive season!
If you are in the Isaac generation, you are in an amazing season of life! It is called convergence. I learned this years ago from J. Bobby Clinton, author of The Making of a Leader. Convergence occurs when our potential is maximized. God moves us into a role that matches our gifts, draws from our experience, fits our temperament, recognizes our spiritual maturity, and leads into our destiny. It occurs when we are running at our full potential and making our greatest contribution.
My 50s and 60s were my most fulfilling years! I experienced convergence. We may try many things in life, but eventually we know what God has called us to do. We find our sweet spot. In this stage, we experience great joy and fulfillment.
Peter 5:5 says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Humility is like a jacket that we choose to put on. Walking in humility means submitting to those who might see things differently than we do. James 4:6 tells us, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” Jesus said, “Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old” (Matthew 13:52). Both old and new, the younger and older, are treasures in the Kingdom.
Are you an older generation?
If you are an older believer, honor and release the younger generation and speak grace to them. If you are a younger believer, receive grace and take advice from the older generation. All of us, in every generation, are to help others grow in Christ as we fulfill the Lord’s mandate to make disciples. Each generation needs to be discipling others.
Regardless of the generation you find yourself in, we are called to honor and encourage and learn from each other: the young, the old and those in-between—together!
The next generation needs you to be a spiritual mentor!
You are meant to be a mentor. You probably have more “friends” than ever—once you tally up all your social networking connections. But virtual relationships alone can’t meet the next generation’s desperate need for spiritually mature women and men to mentor younger believers to be faithful servants of Christ.
The Cry for Spiritual Fathers and Mothers, written by seasoned disciple and Christian leadership trainer, Larry Kreider, will give you the proven biblical keys you need to become a godly mentor. Discover why spiritual mother- and fatherhood is every believer’s calling, and find out how to nurture a spiritual family that expands the kingdom of God.
