A Grandfather’s Perspective on Changing Values

As a grandfather, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of faith, values, and beliefs over the decades. My faith has been a cornerstone in my life, providing me with guidance, comfort, and a deep sense of purpose. My grandchildren are pretty young at the moment. So to clarify about my observations, well lets just say, I’m watching how different ages and generations navigate their faith – maybe some practice and preparation for when my grandkids hit their more formative, opinion building, faith developing years? But as I reflect on the different generations, I realize that while the core of our beliefs remains the same, the ways in which we prioritize and live out those beliefs can look quite different. Is that OK? Let’s take a look.

One thing I’ve noticed is that younger Christians seem to have a heightened focus on social justice and inclusivity. These values aren’t new, but they are certainly being emphasized in ways I hadn’t seen before nor anticipated. My generation grew up with a strong focus on traditional doctrines, church practices, and personal holiness. We were taught to prioritize the Bible’s teachings as unwavering truths that guided our lives. That structure gave us a clear path forward, and we often felt that changes to it might lead to compromise.

For the current young people and other generations, however, their faith seems to be more outward-facing. They are deeply concerned with how Christianity can address the broader challenges of today’s world—poverty, racial injustice, and the dignity of all people, regardless of background or lifestyle. These are not lesser issues than the ones my generation faced, but they do require a shift in thinking. They see their faith as a tool for improving the world, and they’re more willing to question long-held traditions if it means they can better serve others. Is that wrong?

I’ll admit – I struggle with this shift. One thing is whether these generations’ values are too focused on the here and now and not enough on eternity? When I was growing up, much of the emphasis was on personal salvation and the afterlife. We wanted to make sure we were living righteously/Christ-like and according to God’s commands so that when our time came, we would be welcomed into heaven. I think that’s still a big focus for me as a grandfather. Sometimes, I wonder if that focus has been lost among younger believers. Maybe there should be a balance or blending of the two?

I try each year to have a theme or focus scripture to guide me and my spiritual growth in that year. Two years ago, I myself placed a large emphasis on Matthew 25:40. When I think about this article’s topic in relationship to this scripture, it appears current generations aren’t abandoning faith—they’re expanding it. They’re taking the core truths of Christianity and applying them to a world that looks very different from the one I grew up in. And in some ways, they’re living out the Gospel in ways that challenge me to grow and change right now. Let’s remember that Jesus spent much of his ministry among the poor, the outcast, and the marginalized. The next generations’ focus on inclusivity echoes the teachings of Christ, who called us to love our neighbors, even those who are different from us. Not just the teachings, but Christ’s actual example!

Back to these generational differences, one thought in moving forward together is that we learn to listen more than speak when discussing faith with the next generations. If I’m honest, maybe I’m a little envious sometimes as they seem to have more passion for living out their beliefs than I do. Isn’t this being courageous as we’re also commanded to do? Even if it doesn’t always align with the way I was taught, it would seem to me they are not dismissing tradition but are finding new ways to express the same timeless truths.

In the end, I believe that while the expression of faith may evolve, the foundation remains the same. And that’s probably the best way to look at it. My hope as a grandfather is that we actually learn from one another—me sharing the wisdom I’ve gained from a lifetime of faith, and them showing me new ways to live out that faith in today’s world. After all, isn’t that what legacy is all about? It’s not about preserving things exactly as they were but ensuring that the heart of what we believe carries forward.

Don Schin has extensive global experience in Asia with Fortune 500 companies. He now owns a franchise broker and consulting company. Don is a seasoned professional speaker and writer, authoring the book, “Can you Relate?” Don is active in his community where his time is devoted to men’s groups, local churches, and non-profit boards including recent past chair of the Bethesda Mission, the largest rescue mission in Harrisburg, PA. He also served as the chaplain for an AA baseball team through BaseballChapel.org,And today serves as a Hockey International Ministries chaplain to the Calder cup champion Hershey Bears AHL hockey team. Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, of 46 years. They have two grown children and seven grandchildren. 

Image by sohail sattar from Pixabay