Hello brothers and sisters;
Why do we struggle with younger adults? Why do we struggle with elderly men and women? It's more of a strain when we have this problem in the church.
I'm far from a master at this but I've listened to both sides and these are the points that stood out.
Christian elderly men and women develop an authoritative attitude and become so set with their standards that there is no room to listen to new thoughts and ideas from younger adults.
Christian young adults, most of those in their late teens up to 39 years old are excited at the new ideas in Christian development that work, but get shut off by elderly who are not open to change, therefore, this frustrates young adults.
When I was in my early 30s I began to go beyond knowing God exists. So I thought I understood. But as I took the next step I actually started having a relationship with Jesus and slowly this began to open my eyes.
Then I began to understand, one day at a time, not just my elderly but young adults as well.
1 Timothy 4:12, Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
I had to learn the hard way that once kids become adults, I needed let go of my adult authority, still approaching young adults as kids, and begin to respect that they're growing up.
1 Timothy 5:1-2, Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1 Timothy 5:17, 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
I was always taught to respect my elders, but as a young Christian I wasn't loving them. Does this make sense? I was slow in maturing and didn't understand the mental and physical changes an elderly develops later in life and the one strong hold they still have are the traditional foundations that have always worked in their upbringing.
I know many of you are parents, grandparents and some never had children. Please share.
What are your thoughts?
Why do we struggle with younger adults? Why do we struggle with elderly men and women? It's more of a strain when we have this problem in the church.
I'm far from a master at this but I've listened to both sides and these are the points that stood out.
Christian elderly men and women develop an authoritative attitude and become so set with their standards that there is no room to listen to new thoughts and ideas from younger adults.
Christian young adults, most of those in their late teens up to 39 years old are excited at the new ideas in Christian development that work, but get shut off by elderly who are not open to change, therefore, this frustrates young adults.
When I was in my early 30s I began to go beyond knowing God exists. So I thought I understood. But as I took the next step I actually started having a relationship with Jesus and slowly this began to open my eyes.
Then I began to understand, one day at a time, not just my elderly but young adults as well.
1 Timothy 4:12, Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
I had to learn the hard way that once kids become adults, I needed let go of my adult authority, still approaching young adults as kids, and begin to respect that they're growing up.
1 Timothy 5:1-2, Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1 Timothy 5:17, 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
I was always taught to respect my elders, but as a young Christian I wasn't loving them. Does this make sense? I was slow in maturing and didn't understand the mental and physical changes an elderly develops later in life and the one strong hold they still have are the traditional foundations that have always worked in their upbringing.
I know many of you are parents, grandparents and some never had children. Please share.
What are your thoughts?