WORD ASSOCIATION:

The Elderly

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The Bible talks about children, about youth, and about the elderly.

 

B.   There are several elderly individuals mentioned in God’s Word.

1.    Jacob was 147 when he blessed his sons.

2.    Eli (98 years old, 1 Sam. 4:15)

3.    Barzillai (80 years old, 2 Sam. 19:32)

4.    Jehoiada (2 Chron. 24:15).

5.    Simeon

6.    Anna the prophetess who was probably over 100 years old when she saw the baby Jesus.

7.    Paul, the aged (Phile. (9)

 

C.   I have entitled this lesson:  “Word Association:  The Elderly.” 

1.    We will look at several words that revolve around elderly individuals. 

2.    When I brainstormed for this lesson, seventeen (17) words came to mind.

3.    We will only be looking at five of these.

 

I.             WISDOM

 

A.   Wisdom is a conglomeration of numerous elements that manifests itself in various ways:  how a person lives, the type of decisions one makes, and the counsel he gives to others.

1.    Knowledge is one element of wisdom.

a.    Proverbs 10:14

 

Wise men lay up knowledge…

 

b.    Proverbs 29:11b

 

…and when a wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

 

2.    Knowledge isn’t found solely in books.

a.    Parents provide knowledge.

b.    Observation leads one to knowledge.

c.    Experimentation gives knowledge.

d.    Mentors impart knowledge.

e.    Mistakes reveal knowledge.

f.     Common sense is a source of knowledge.

g.    God’s Word is the ultimate source of knowledge.

 

B.   The elderly have lived many more years than those who are young.  They have had a lot more time to acquire knowledge. 

 

C.   NOTE:  If some young people would take the time to listen and learn from older individuals, they might be surprised by the wisdom of the elderly in many different areas of life.

 

 

 

II.           EXPERIENCE

 

A.   Experience is obtained through experiences.

 

B.   Book knowledge often gives one a framework, but experience is meat on the bones.

1.    You will not know what it is like to raise children till you raise children.

2.    You will not know about managing finances until you have finances.

3.    You will not know about teaching until you have been in the classroom.

4.    What is it like to have your motives questioned?

What is it like to be called names?

What is it like to have friends immediately quit being friends?

What is it like to be fired with only a couple of weeks of pay?

What is it like to have your family under verbal attack?

What is it like to have evil people determining your fate?

 

C.   Experience teaches us.

Experience prepares us for more experiences.

Experience hardens the emotional man.

Experience strengthens one’s faith.

 

D.   Romans 5:3-4

 

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.

 

E.   Paul, the aged, was a man of many experiences.

1.    2 Corinthians 11:23

 

Are they ministers of Christ?  (I speak as a foot,) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

 

2.    In verses 24-28, he lists 22 things he had experienced as a minister of the gospel of Christ.  From stripes to the care of the churches, Paul had been in almost every bad situation one could experience.

 

F.    Elderly individuals have been through the experiences, especially the struggles, of life.

1.    Family:  child rearing, arguments, rejection, providing, sickness, education/training, discipline, children leaving home, children coming back home, in-laws, moving

2.    Health:  appointments, medications, tests, surgeries, infections, memory, aches and pains, ER visits, problems with vital organs, accidents, parts of the body wearing out

3.    Losses:  friends, family, freedom, funds, fun

4.    Finances:  minimal funds, a place to live, taxes, debt, savings

 

III.         RESPECT

 

A.   If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches respect for the elderly.

1.    Leviticus 19:32

 

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man…

 

 

2.    Exodus 20:12

 

Honour thy father and thy mother:  that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

 

3.    1 Timothy 5:1

 

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father…

 

B.   50 and 60 years ago, young people did not treat the elderly the way some treat them today.

1.    They would listen to their advice which came from experience.

2.    They would not ignore traditional values:  acknowledging their presence, proper addresses, courtesy, youth making sacrifices for those who are older.

3.    They would not talk inappropriately toward them:  talking over them, cursing them, interrupting them, giving them time to express themselves.

4.    They would not assume they are incapable. 

5.    They would not fail to offer assistance when it was needed:  holding doors, offering them a seat, carrying heavy items.

 

C.   In the end, respect is something that a person either gives another or withholds from another.  Thus, it is a conscious decision one makes to be disrespectful, especially when it is habitual in nature.

 

IV.         EXAMPLE

 

A.   Elderly individuals ought to be prime examples for young people.

1.    An example of faithfulness

2.    An example in attitudes

3.    An example in communication

4.    An example of a kind spirit

5.    An example of diligence

6.    An example of patience

7.    An example of forgiveness

8.    An example of self-control

9.    An example of contentment

10. An example of humility

 

B.   Paul set himself up as an example to others on numerous occasions.

1.    1 Corinthians 4:16

 

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

 

2.    1 Corinthians 11:1

 

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

 

3.    Philippians 4:9

 

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do:  and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

4.    2 Thessalonians 3:7

 

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us:  for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.

 

C.   Important points about being an example:

1.    The Bible commands us to be examples to others (1 Tim. 4:12).

2.    We should all choose to be and focus on being a good example to others.

3.    We are an example to others regardless.  If not a good one, then a bad one.

4.    We will give an account for the example we set for others.

 

V.           SWEET/KIND

 

A.   One of the most pleasant things in the entire world is a sweet/kind elderly individual.

 

B.   The world, life, and trials have not embittered them.

1.    They are joyful.

2.    They are adaptable.

3.    They are kind.

4.    They do not complain.

5.    They are selfless.

6.    They are patient.

7.    They are wise, firm, consistent, loving counselors.

 

C.   Proverbs 31:26

 

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Four of the five things mentioned in this lesson concerning those who are elderly are positive in nature:  wisdom, experience, an example, and sweet.

 

B.   These are the kinds of things that demand respect from those who are younger.

 

C.   We want to continue to exhort all those who are older to grow old gracefully. 

 

D.   Too, we want the elderly to remember that their lives still mean something. 

1.    God has called them to a high calling.

2.    Proverbs 16:31

 

The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.