STEWARDSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

                     Customizing Teaching Styles Based on Life Stages

 

            Last week my discussion was focused on the keys to effective discipleship[1] where I discussed creating a safe space for relationships to form and having organic conversation. This week, let’s talk about customizing teaching styles for difference individuals. I’ll start with talking about individuals’ life stages.

            Too often, and I am as guilty of this as anyone, there’s a “one size fits all” lesson. We’re explaining what we need to explain, asking what we need to ask, and we assume everyone is going to understand it in the same way. But, of course, first, we all learn differently, and more importantly, each of us has learned differently over time. When we were very young, we probably learned differently then we are learning right now. We grow and change; our lives grow and change; how we learn grows and changes; and how we respond grows and changes.

            So customizing our stewardship and discipleship approach to life stages probably makes a lot of sense. Life stages can be basically broken down as:

1.    Child – this teaching needs to be age appropriate. Children learn well with someone modeling for them and participating with them, often parents.

2.    Teen – this is the time when teens are learning concepts of adulting and consciously applying biblical principles (those things they saw modeled while they were growing up).

3.    Young Adult – there are two sub-categories to this one. Young adults cannot all be lumped together.

a.    Gen Z (to age 25) – reach them where they’re at

b.    Millennial (age 26-44) – they want to make an impact on the world. Help them figure out how to do that.

4.    Adult – there are sub-categories to this one as well

a.    Gen X (age 44-59) – these are the people who like in-person communication

b.    Boomer (age 60-78) – more formal interactions work here. This is a broad range of age, so this sub-category also expands into the senior category. I am at the lower end of the boomer, and I approach things differently than those persons 18 years older than me.

5.    Senior – the Silent generation are those age 79-99. They value relationships.

            So if you read through these breakdowns, you’ll see that the formal letter you send out at stewardship time may only work for one small segment. You’ll need more than a letter! Relying on what’s happened and worked in the past is only going to work for another small segment. Moving toward the future is important! Talking about the need for money only may not communicate well to the group that wants to make an impact on the world. Stories matter!

            For stewardship, you’ll want to figure out your message (which is different from “we need money to pay our bills”), and the multiple ways you plan to communicate it.

            For discipleship, you’ll want to figure out how disciples are discipled and how they grow, and determine the multiple ways you plan to communicate and learn and disciple.

            Next week we’ll continue this conversation about customization.

 

            If you wish more information on this, or would like to discuss stewardship and its relationship with discipleship, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com. I’d be happy to help.

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[1] Stewardship Education that Builds Disciples, Furlong, Jessica and Dick, Don (Christian Stewardship Network), https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com.