Understanding Generational Differences {Part 1}

Have you ever considered how each generation stands apart from others based on its age and unique experiences?

Think about it for a moment. What major political, social, or pop-culture movement has impacted your life? What experience do you share with those in your peer group? Was it the day JFK was shot? Or when the Challenger crashed? Do you remember OJ Simpson’s highway chase? Or seeing the news report as 9/11 was unfolding?  These events, traumatic as some of them may be, shaped your life and bond you with others in your generation.

Understanding Our Generational Differences {Part 1}

Maybe it’s not so much a national event that depicts your generational experience but rather the social norms and entertainment that marked your early adulthood. Do you remember the first rotary phone or first portable phone? How about a black-and-white television compared to a flat screen TV? What about when gas was less than a $1 a gallon and milk was no more than $2? The world around us is ever-changing, along with social norms, technology, and life-altering events.

While we can’t help but be shaped by what we’ve experienced, but those differences sometimes cause divides between us instead of bringing us together.

In addition to our own experiences, we’re also under the influence of the generation that comes before us. Our parents, teachers, coaches, and pastors all speak their values into our lives. Understanding these values, which are a by-product of experiences, can actually lead to healthier relationships through removing the barriers for connection.

When we understand each other, we’ll be more like to reach toward one another. 

So what would it look like to really understand the experiences we each come from and how our values shape the way we choose to do life?

Imagine how appreciating one another’s unique perspective could be a bridge-builder toward deeper relationships.

Imagine the impact on your role as a leader in working towards growing a stronger team, especially if you need to bring together each member’s individuality to function together as a whole.Impact Together: Biblical Mentoring Simplified

Understanding the different generations is key in building a community that functions well together — whether at home or work or ministry. But you don’t have to spend hours doing the research for yourself. I’ve already done it for you! 

Impact Together: Biblical Mentoring Simplified is packed with information about the different generations, including:

  • specific examples of core experiences
  • the types of core values of each generation
  • cultural prevalent messages
  • preferred communication styles of each generation
  • a close look at the various myths we believe about the generations

The Impact Mentoring Online Training Course, built upon Impact Together, brings to life the information on generational differences with a short but comprehensive video presentations.

 

Impact Mentoring Online Training Course

Wouldn’t you agree that if we want to know how to best reach into the heart of the next generation, then understanding how they think and feel is critical? And as leaders, wouldn’t it be equally important to understand those who have come before us, so that we can reach toward them and invite them to still walk with us on this journey?

Let’s be bridge-builders between the generations together, for the sake of mentoring, ministry, and godly impact.

But let’s not just focus on our cultural differences. Let’s dive into Scripture to unpack a framework for the way God wants us to interact. Join me for part 2, where I’ll walk us through Romans 12 as a step-by-step framework for connecting in light of our generational differences.

If you’d like to bring this topic front and center in your ministry, let’s begin the conversation here.

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