The Future of Lifelong Learning in the Church
The Church has always been a place where people grow in faith together. From the earliest gatherings around God’s Word and fellowship to Sunday school classes, small groups, and Bible studies, believers have shared truth, built wisdom, and nurtured discipleship across generations. But today, as the world around us rethinks education, development, and growth, the Church is being invited to ask a deeper question.
What could lifelong learning become by 2035? And how might a faith community like yours reimagine what it means to cultivate knowledge, wisdom, and discipleship together at every stage of life?
The signals are clear. People are living longer, switching vocations more often, and facing new challenges in every season of adulthood. Spiritual formation can no longer be limited to childhood classes or new member workshops. There is a growing hunger among believers of all ages to keep learning, not just about theology but about how to live wisely, lead well, and follow Christ in the complexities of a changing world.
Younger generations expect access to flexible, digital, and personal learning. Older generations seek purpose in their later years and often want to share their insights through mentoring and storytelling. Between them lies a spectrum of adults juggling careers, families, and questions about calling, meaning, and growth. Churches recognizing this opportunity are shifting from education as a program to learning as a culture.
By 2035, churches might function more like learning communities. Instead of just offering age-graded small groups, they could provide ongoing pathways for spiritual growth, rooted in practice and shaped by life's seasons. Small groups might evolve into mentoring circles. Bible studies could integrate digital tools, personalized journeys, or immersive experiences that bring Scripture to life. Preaching might connect more intentionally with weekly learning modules reinforcing truth through action.
This kind of learning will not be passive. It will be communal. Discipleship will shift from information transfer toward transformation through shared reflection, practice, and service. Technology will support this shift by enhancing relationships rather than replacing wise guides and trusted friends.
Cultivating a Preferred Future of Lifelong Learning in the Church
As churches prepare for 2035, leaders must anticipate barriers such as institutional resistance, generational dynamics, and resource constraints. Proactively addressing these challenges today through planning and strategic flexibility will position churches as resilient, lifelong learning communities in the future.
Churches can also explore emerging signals and trends by experimenting with intergenerational mentoring, adaptive digital tools, and collaborative partnerships. This foresight-driven approach helps congregations gather valuable insights, build momentum, and gradually transform their learning environments to thrive amidst ongoing change.
Yet, foresight alone is not enough; practical steps are essential. Leadership teams must intentionally develop structures that support spiritual formation at every stage of life. Volunteers will need content delivery, relational learning, and spiritual guidance training. Church culture must shift, valuing learning as a lifelong calling rather than a temporary phase.
We are not just talking about the curriculum. We are cultivating imagination. A church embracing lifelong learning becomes a place where every generation has something to give and receive, no one ages out of discipleship, questions are welcomed, and growth is expected.
To explore further how generations may increasingly interact, consider Mauro Guillén’s book The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society, which challenges traditional generational labels by emphasizing lifelong adaptability, continuous learning, and intergenerational collaboration. (Watch video below: Mauro Guillén | The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society)
This vision is not merely futuristic but a faithful return to our essential identity. The Church has always thrived when it became a place where people learn to live like Christ, not merely believe in the right things. Such a community will stand out in a world of noise, distraction, and confusion.
Three Scenarios for 2035
Baseline: What if churches continue offering the same programs and small groups, but struggle to engage lifelong spiritual needs, missing opportunities to connect with the growing population of "perennials" who seek continuous learning?
Collapse: What happens if discipleship becomes so fragmented that spiritually curious people, particularly adaptable "perennials," increasingly turn to online influencers and external sources, bypassing local churches altogether?
Transformation: What could emerge if local churches intentionally embraced perennialism, becoming vibrant, intergenerational ecosystems where digital tools, mentoring, and lifelong spiritual formation seamlessly integrate into everyday life, empowering believers of all ages to flourish?
Keep exploring the signals, trends, and drivers shaping the future. Take the next step by engaging your ministry team in a conversation about what this future could mean for your context through Incite Futures Labs from Forbes Strategies. We help leaders anticipate change, navigate complexity, and build their preferred future. Let’s collaborate!
