Considerations Of An Aging Man

Feature 4 – October 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Considerations Of An Aging Man

There is an aging man who, in this case, we will call “Uncle Gerry.” He has found that every stage of life offers ways to encourage spiritual progress and growth. Of course, personal study in Scripture and prayer are a must for drawing closer to our Lord and Savior.

Growth often comes through interaction with other Christians and non-believers. The questions that young people may ask frequently demand further contemplation and study in areas that may not generally be considered during one’s private times in the Bible.

Getting together with others of like faith and sharing the things of Christ can warm the hearts of all in attendance and become a growth experience. Consider the words of Hebrews 10:25 (KJV), which says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together … exhorting one another.” Examining God’s Word with interested non-believers may cause growth as well.

Everyone, even an aging man, must recognize that they need continual spiritual progress and growth. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them” (1 Tim. 4:16).

Gerry’s Experience
Being raised in a Christian home, Gerry was regularly taught the Word. Did he always listen? Come, come now! You know that most young fellows do not always pay attention to the Bible being read and discussed. The thoughts that go through an adolescent mind are too often way off in some other field. Yet, it is amazing what actually does get into the gray matter of a youngster’s head. Do not underestimate the work of the Lord as He causes His Word to rinse the brain clean and a lot of Scriptures to lodge firmly in a youngster’s mind.

Consideration:
Children should be brought under the teaching of the Bible as often as possible. It will help mold their spiritual progress and growth.

In his teens, Gerry started teaching a Sunday school class. Have you any idea the deep questions a 7-year-old can ask? To answer them took some extra study! This resulted in getting more of God’s Word into the filing cabinet of Gerry’s mind.

Consideration:
Young people should be encouraged to prayerfully develop class material for presentation to a group of younger children in a Sunday school setting, daily vacation Bible school (DVBS) or Bible camp. Doing this may actually help the spiritual progress and growth of the teacher, even more than that of the children who were the focus of lesson preparation and delivery.

College was a two-hour drive away from home and these too were formative years. While beginning post-secondary school education in a big city and then starting a job there, Gerry attended a larger congregation. Thankfully, there were elders in that local assembly who encouraged him to share the Word in ministry on subjects that were already being learned and practiced in his life. He greatly appreciated the experience of distributing the gems he had gleaned from the Bible, sharing some of these precious nuggets of truth and application with others. This was done by ministry and at Bible studies. Sharing his understanding of biblical passages with others was not only encouraging, but criticisms and corrections were received as well. These helped Gerry to better understand the Scriptures and hone his communication skills. Now that Uncle Gerry is an older man, he finds it a pleasure to encourage the young to get into their Bibles and share what they have gleaned.

Consideration:
We learn best when the Bible truths are put into words and shared with others. Of course, communicating a thought should only be done when what is being said can be backed up by Scripture – “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Christians should share their Bible knowledge in the company of others who can encourage and/or correct. What a wonderful path this is to spiritual progress and growth.

Teaching children’s clubs and DVBS classes graduated to leading adult home Bible studies and then to question and answer sessions with university students. This demanded more preparation and a greater knowledge of the Scriptures. Gerry found this to be a good test of spiritual character, as young people are very able to spot hypocrisy. Working with these age groups not only demanded a fuller understanding of the Truth but also a life that reflected Christ. Isn’t this a constant for the Christian – live the life that is preached!

Uncle Gerry never expected some of the inquiries that came from the interaction within an adult class or university group. Many of the questions sent him back to the Scriptures and commentaries to find true and meaningful responses. This helped his spiritual progress and growth. It also assisted him to keep in tune with the times, by providing biblical answers that could be lived out within the relevant culture of the day. I am reminded of “the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (1 Chr. 12:32).

Consideration:
What a wonderful way to continue one’s spiritual progress and growth: to work with more advanced age groups. And what a privilege it is to take the things learned and commit them to other faithful persons, who will then “be able to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2).

Uncle Gerry’s getting older but feels he still needs to continue in his spiritual progress and growth. Now he is taking biblical themes or passages and organizing presentations for multiple age groups. Where a lecture format is right for some venues, such as ministry meetings, visual graphics (such as PowerPoint) along with a verbal explanation allow a better absorption of the material and more effective way of retaining the biblical truths presented. He has found that the additional time needed to prepare these presentations has assisted him to better remember the application of the lessons. Gerry trusts that this is true of his audiences as well.

Consideration:
The prayerful work that goes into a lesson can be both heard and visualized, and there is greater opportunity for spiritual progress and growth. It is then easier to remember the passage taught and to live in the good of the Word absorbed, for both the audience and the presenter.

A Challenge
Do you want to see spiritual progress and growth in your life? Unite the concentrated reading of the Bible with personal prayer. Then, from this time with the Lord, prepare and present the lessons of the Scriptures to others. In so doing, the beauties of the Word become more solidified in the mind and heart. This will be reflected in and by a more godly life.

May the Lord help us to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

By G. H. B.