1 Timothy 5:1-2
Verses 1-2 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
For a church family to be truly loving, isn’t just about loving the younger age groups. Those who are in the middle ages of life are also very valuable to the church and are often the ones serving in the various positions around the building and therefore seem to noticed and loved. But we can’t forget to love those who have led the church through days gone by. The seniors of the body of believers are a vital part of the congregation and while honored may not receive the love we should be giving them.
We mentioned the other day how we as adults need to learn and use the names of the younger people to show they matter but shouldn’t it go the other way too? Of course, we shouldn’t be telling the children to call the seniors by their first names with no respect but the children need to be learning who the adults are and that they are a special part of the Church family.
Sadly the church has followed society in dividing the generations. Where families used to worship together in the sanctuary, many churches now send the children out for their own activities. We may even unintentionally find ourselves conversing with our own age groups instead of getting to know others we could learn from or guide from our own experiences.
The older generations can find themselves in a new and different part of life as they watch the years fly by and things change all around them. They see so much that has changed over the years and may even feel like they are being passed by as things change. Some can’t even get out to make it to church which can make the church family feel even more distant.
Paul was reminding Timothy, who was of a younger generation, how important it is to make sure we are aware of those in our church who may become ignored or forgotten. Timothy’s mentor knew from personal experience if people aren’t intentional about how we are treating those in our community, it is easy to only focus on those close to us in age and status. When we learn to look to those older than us for the wisdom God has given them through the years, we will find we have so much we can learn and some of those things will keep us from making the same mistakes former generations have made and along the way, we will show the world what it means to be a part of the family of God.
Making It Personal
How intentional are you about making conversation with those older than you? What have you learned from an older believer? Who from the older people in the church can you show love to?
Making It Personal Kids
Do you know many of the people in church who are older than you? Do you ever talk to them? How can you show them love?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the gift of older brothers and sisters in the faith. Help us learn from them and not push them away. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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