In David’s pilgrimage song, it is written: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1). The word “rejoiced” here refers to the joy that people receive in the presence of the LORD. This joy is the strength of the worshipers’ lives (Leviticus 23:40; Nehemiah 8:10). With united action, they praise the name of the LORD, seek the peace that God grants, walk together and bless one another (Psalm 122:6-9).

        At the worship service on the first day of the Lunar New Year this year, many brothers and sisters entered the worship hall joyfully, supporting the seniors and bringing along the young. Before visiting relatives and friends for New Year gatherings, we first returned to God’s house to worship. This is like the better portion that Mary chose (Luke 10:42). That day, everyone received red packets with a Bible verse, encouraging one another in unity and praying for new grace. After the worship service, we joyfully greeted one another and conversed freely, sharing warm fellowship.

        At that moment, God let me meet a couple for whom I had conducted premarital counseling and officiated their wedding. They happily introduced to me the family members beside them, including their elderly parents, their retired brothers and sisters, as well as their children who were preparing to enter university or who had just graduated and begun their careers. Although their ages and the number of years they had attended the church differed, they had all come to faith and received baptism in the NPAC family. This not only confirms God’s promise: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31), but also demonstrates that church life is a channel through which family members receive the blessings of faith.

        The World Health Organization points out that the causes of illness and even death are not merely the lack of food, but also the lack of human connection in life. When people experience loneliness and anxiety due to the absence of these connections, physical illness and ultimately death may result. Human connection promotes both psychological and physical health, and the intergenerational fellowship in the church likewise brings us the blessing of “passing on faith and offering guidance and support.” God commands us to keep His words in our hearts and diligently teach them to our children, passing on His decrees and His holy word to next generations so that even those yet to be born may also know them (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Psalm 78:5-6). In the New Testament, Paul also pointed out that Timothy possessed a sincere faith because of the influence of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). This shows the importance of family members “living out and passing on the faith.”

       There is a saying that goes: “If today you are not a Sunday school student, then you should be a Sunday school teacher.” The meaning behind this is that intergenerational fellowship produces the fruit of mutual learning and growth. Not only does it allow faith to be passed on, it also provides guidance and support. Dear brothers and sisters, “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29). Whether we are young or old, each of us possesses either the vitality and strength of youth or the precious wisdom gained through life. If we can respect and affirm one another, we will enjoy the goodness of intergenerational church life, enabling both ourselves and others to experience the grace and blessings of faith.