The Detrimental Nature of Age-Segregated Classes
I’m not a big fan of segregating Bible study classes according to ages (was that direct enough for you?). Up to a point, I think they are somewhat acceptable (say, up to the pre-teen years, perhaps), as those who are being taught in those classes are benefiting typically from an adult or team of adults who, due to their experiences and wisdom, can share that wisdom with their pupils (assuming they really are gifted for that task and weren’t guilted into the position). Anyway, here is a quick quote from Archibald Alexander (1772-1851) on the subject of the young missing out on the wisdom of the older (notice I didn’t say “old”, as I am more and more falling into that group, and do not consider myself to be old!). Alexander says:
It is a matter of serious regret that young people are commonly so little disposed to listen to the advice of the aged…But it is greatly to be desired that the lessons of wisdom taught by the experience of one set of men should be made available for the instruction of those who come after them. – Thoughts on Religious Experience
Is it not true that by dividing the church body according to ages, there is created a chasm between the young and aged? Is this a good practice? What benefits derive from this structure? Is segregating the body even perhaps a violation of Scripture? Can the learned effectively impart their wisdom when they are sitting in a Bible study that is structurally designed to remove them from the very ones who could benefit from their maturity and experience?
Thoughts?
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