Dear Friends,

Being wise takes perspective, experience, and help. The problem that seems to keep us in the cycle of repeated mistakes begins with not seeking help. The failure of younger less experienced people to seek counsel and confirmation from elders is accepted practice. Consequently, people who have the most perspective and experience are often not prepared or available to give wise counsel.  In our current culture, younger people don’t seek advice and older people don’t expect or prepare to give advice.

In our youth-obsessed culture, the new, the latest and the youngest face are always preferred. Ageism is a real issue that people find in every aspect of society.

The negative impact of ageism on churches and our culture is profound and devastating. It robs the young of needed counsel and the elders of a reason to grow, develop and invest.

Someone once said those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Someone else said, “the one thing we learn from history is that nobody ever learns from history.”

Sadly, these both appear to be true.

This was not so much the case in Jesus’s culture. Honoring and listening to the wise older people in your family or community was commanded and expected. As with other stable and healthy societies; listening to your elders was central to survival.

Please consider how we can learn to be counter-cultural in the area of listening to and honoring our elders as we study this week.

Can’t wait to see you.

Joe

 

Preparing For Sunday, December 29, 2019 – “Listen to your Elders”

Please read the following scriptures and consider the questions.

 

2 Chronicles 10:6-8  Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?” 7  They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be kind to this people and please them and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8  But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him.

 

What changes would you need to make if you realized that younger people would seek and depend on your Godly wisdom for survival?

 

 

How would that change your prayer life?

 

 

How would that change your behavior and priorities?

 

 

Describe an experience where an older more experienced person gave you wise advice you wish you would have heeded.

 

 

Share an experience where you actively sought wise counsel from an older more experienced man or woman.

 

 

Is the following verse true in our culture? Why our why not?

Proverbs 16:31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

 

Why does the bible elevate health and wisdom and not youth and beauty?

 

 

What kind of man was Simeon?

Luke 2:25-35 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27  And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28  then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29  “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30  For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31  Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32  A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel.” 33  And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. 34  And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed– 35  and a sword will pierce even your own soul–to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

 

 

What kind of prophetess was Anna?

Luke 2:36-38 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

 

 

What do they give to Joseph and Mary as they speak to them?

 

 

Why do you think Luke chose both a man and a woman to confirm God’s work?

 

 

How should you view of aging change as you move into a new year?

Luke 2:40 The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.