The Church and Age Segregation, Part 1

February, 2003

by: Jeff Jones

It is most common in churches (including CBC) to find the Sunday School classes divided up into various age groups (e.g. children, junior and senior high, college, young married, seniors, etc.) and/or, before the sermon in the Main Service is preached, the children are dismissed to other classes. Now, what I'm about to ask may seem a bit radical, but I'll ask it anyway: Is segregating the congregation on the basis of age a Biblical thing to do? I don't ask that question because I think having a college (or whatever) group is sin, but simply to stimulate our thinking concerning the way we do things at our church. In this short article, I will give two points, which challenge age segregation and support all–age inclusion in our meetings.

First, consider the letters to the Ephesians and the Colossians. In these letters, Paul addresses specific age groups; but, what is noteworthy is that he addresses children in particular (cf. Eph 6:1; Col 3:20). When Paul delivered letters to the churches, it was expected that all members of the particular church would gather to hear the letter read (cf. Col 3:16). Paul didn't have a special letter “for kids only,” but it was expected that even the young children would be present in the public gathering. Not only would children hear the particular requirement for them (i.e., to obey their parents), but they would hear the contents of the entire letter as well.

Second, consider the teaching of Titus 2. In this chapter Paul commands Titus to “speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine” and then he proceeds to explain to Titus what those things are. Interestingly, Paul does not bring up heavy theological doctrines, but simply outlines desirable conduct for members of the Church in various age groups (from the old to the young). In particular, older women are to encourage the younger women in various ways (see Tit 2:3-5). This at least means that older women and younger women cannot be completely separate from one another; God commands that there be interaction between them. The same can also be said about older men and younger men (see 1 Tim 5:1).

In light of these texts, we cannot be extreme and say that any age segregation is inherently evil, but on the other hand, we must seriously consider if we as individuals, and as a church, are striving to have interaction with church members of all ages.