“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.” – 1 Timothy 5:1-2
“Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.” – Job 12:12
“But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” – Titus 2:1-5
As much as there is a great and growing need for godly wisdom to bud and flourish in the hearts and minds of boys, girls, young men, young women, young families, and middle aged saints in Christ’s church, there is also great need for the older saints in the body to stand and walk in the wisdom God has granted them, to model and teach young men and women how to carry out their duties with better skill, how to grow in godliness in the home and vocation, thereby carrying out the valuable service of passing the torch to the next generations, strengthening the people of God around them.
It’s true that it’s all too common for older saints in the church to feel like they lack value, that they’re invisible to the rest of the congregation. They feel like their time to be beneficial in their life has passed. Older saints, does this ring true for you? Sometimes it’s true such thoughts can be due to challenges with or decline in physical or cognitive health and mobility that then bring times of wrestling with depression or anxiety. However, it’s likewise all too common that the younger members of the body don’t value and honor the older saints enough, nor look to them for wisdom as they ought. Praise God that He sets the record straight in His Word, providing comfort, clarity, and instruction to the older saints, as well as clarity of duty to the younger saints. Older saints have a vital role in the sound and vibrant church! Thus, God shows you the wonderful design and harmonious function of all generations in the church as you love one another, learn from one another, grow together in unity, service together, and give all glory to Christ.
Here are 6 nuggets of wisdom for older saints to prayerfully consider:
- Embrace this Season- As you age, never forget that you never retire from being of good use to the King for His kingdom purposes. Never forget that Christ gives you value and continues to call you to valuable service in His body. Instead of feeling lost and insignificant, take that to your Lord in prayer and rather be thankful for the years and seasons of life God has given you. Be thankful for how He has shaped you through them. Study and stand on the Word for knowledge and wisdom to guide you in what you then need to be about the business of doing to encourage other older saints, as well as how to instruct the younger generations in the details of their lives.
- Have Clarity in Duty and Service- See how biblical mentorship, intentional discipleship should be understood as a core function of godly relationships between older and younger saints. Therefore, study the qualities that the Apostle Paul taught Titus were important for older men and women to possess and teach respectively:
- Older Men- You’re called to be “sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;” It’s good and wise for you to self-examine your heart and walk according to this list regularly. You older Christian men should be those who are dignified, self-controlled, those who persevere in the faith. You are to know God’s Word and be committed to following it. You are to be loving and patient. In fact, faith, love, and patience are to be strong in your life! Again, we see a distinctive life for these men of God that is quite different from the typical older man of the world. The “Grumpy Old Man” description shouldn’t be true of an older man in Christ’s Church. Selfish, isolated, or distant relational characteristics shouldn’t be true of you either. With these being present in you, how are to counsel young men? You’re to exhort them to be sober-minded. (Titus 2:6)
- Older Women- You’re called to be “reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things”. Take some time to prayerfully examine the way you live. Can your life be characterized as one in which dignity and respect are present? Paul also teaches you that you can’t be a gossip. Rather, control your tongue. You must be one who doesn’t backbite or seeks to ruin reputations of others. Older Christian women cannot be drunkards. Further, you need to grow in knowledge and skill so that you’re able to teach young women what they need to know in how to be godly women, godly wives, and godly mothers. Specifically, you are to “admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”
- Now, older saints, you may be well familiar with these lists and duties and be thinking, “Pastor, my life has been such a roller coaster. Who would want to hear from me?”, or “Pastor, much of my life was so challenging, I don’t really think I have much if anything good in the realm of wisdom to offer. I don’t even know how to teach. How can I really help the younger generations?” First, it’s good to recognize that the fruit of God’s grace in lessons He has taught you may be more present and helpful than you realize. Second, seek out your pastor or elders to help explore such things with you. It may be a good and necessary thing for you to work through some counseling with them, grow in healing and wisdom, and then be in a better position to be of good help to younger saints. Your testimony and witness of divine grace isn’t over yet. The details of what God has taught you in the past, and what He is teaching you now are glorious!
- Persevere in Prayer- As you age, remain all the more faithful in study, worship, fellowship, and “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”. (Ephesians 6:18)
- Be Ready to Share- Instead of withdrawing within yourself, be all the more diligent in testifying of God’s goodness. Bear good witness of the grace and love of Christ and His provision, protection, and preservation of you. Declare His deeds to many people! (Psalm 118:17)
- Be Ready to Care- As you age, be ready and press forward in seeking to be loving and godly in caring for those around you, including those who are aging with or ahead of you, like your spouse, or an elderly parent. (1 Timothy 5:1-8)
- Keep Your Eyes on the Prize- As much as you seek to faithful to live well now, also be prepared to die well as you keep your eyes on Christ and the glory that is to come. (Philippians 3:14)
Younger saints, as Job teaches you in Job 12, wisdom is in the aged, with those who have by grace gained understanding over the years of the Spirit sanctifying them. You need to have interest and be ready and willing to receive that which is taught to you. You younger saints have a vital role as well as you engage, grow, and serve God well now. What, or who, are your “go to” sources for learning how to live in the details of the Christian life? Do you have a mentor or mentors? Seek out godly men and women in the church to invest in you in these areas, among others. Children, are you seeking to learn from your parents and other godly people in the congregation? Remember, you too will be an older saint down the road, should our Lord tarry. Start getting ready for that now so you too can be a blessing to others!
I hope this is helpful food for thought for all of you today. May the multi-generational body of Christ continue to thrive and grow in peace, purity, and unity to the glory of Christ our King!