07/12/2026
One of the most, if not the single most common dispute type I've ever seen in both church and workplace environments is that of generational friction.
Essentially, Baby Boomers, Gen X and the first half of the Millennial generation most often clash with the second half of the Millennials, Gen Z, and the growing Gen Alpha, over various topics, ranging from clothing and music choices, to vacation time conflict, to disagreements surrounding bigger life decisions e.g. marriage and housing.
Not to say that this is the only kind of generational disputing that goes on; peers of all ages butt heads every day, but this is the most common.
These disputes are certainly understandable, but it's a shame that biblical wisdom is often lost on us in these moments.
Generational experience should not be underestimated and is endorsed many times in God's Word. The importance of passing wisdom on over time is clear: Deuteronomy 6:7: "You shall teach (God's commands) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (NKJV). Psalm 145:4: "One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts" (NKJV). This is dealt with in even more detail in Proverbs 3 and 4.
On the other hand, there is space for correction from any one of us to another, despite any age difference. Paul reminds Timothy, a young man at the time, to demonstrate godly professionalism no matter how he might be perceived by the elderly around him: 1 Timothy 4:12: "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (NKJV). There may come a time when someone who is older than we are is wrong about something and needs correcting. No shame, it happens! But in that moment, the number itself is not important, or at least, it is not the most important thing. What is important is that, whatever our age, we receive correction with humility. It doesn't get more blunt than this: Proverbs 12:1: "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid" (NKJV). π
Differences in perspective are natural the further apart the generations are, but peace can be achieved with grace, a humble heart which is willing to learn and grow, and mutual understanding.