December 2016 A Monthly Newsletter of First Baptist Church
Senior Adult Sunday and our associational Senior Adult Revival will quickly be upon us. Sometimes it seems this Sunday and the events of the week are lost in the hectic schedule of events surrounding the end of school, graduations, and preparations for Mother’s Day. We want to affirm and encourage our senior adults to greater Christian maturity and ministry. Our church is blessed to have so many who have served the Lord faithfully for many years! I lead a men’s Bible study on Thursday mornings that has been a reliable source of blessing for me over the past several years. A few weeks ago, we were studying Titus 2.this study, we read: Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance (Titus 2:2). As we spoke about the high standard Paul set for the older men under Titus’ authority in Crete, we discussed the need for older men to set an example for holiness and sound doctrine in the church. One of the men in the group who has only recently been saved asked, “If this is true and we are to set an example and teach the younger men, why are all of our Sunday school classes specific to a certain age span?” What a great question! When we look at the Titus 2:2 passage referenced above, the implication is clear. The older men and women are to be serious about setting an example and teaching others that they might grow in Christian maturity. For this to occur we need to remove a few barri-
ers. I would like to identify a few and make Sunday school class once a month simply to some suggestions for removing them. encourage and be encouraged by them? Older Comfort: We might as well admit it; we like to woman, why not begin to pray and look for a be comfortable. We like to sit in the same young lady who is bringing her family to place each Sunday, surround ourselves with church alone. Commit yourself to sit near her the same people, and for things to generally and look for ways to connect. Ask her for her go according to plan. We do not generally like children’s names, pray for them daily, and for things to change or to upset our estab- acknowledge their birthdays with a card. You lished routine.is one of the main barriers to would be amazed at how the Lord would bless developing cross generational relationships in this selfless ministry. the church. We want to sit with the people like us, and we want to engage in conversations that are comfortable. This is not the way of Christ, nor should it be the goal of our church experience. We are to be the servant of all. Our fellowship times on Sunday and Wednesday evenings ought to be a celebration of discomfort for some of us! We should seek out those we do not know and sit with them, seeking to engage and cultivate meaningful relationships. We ought to do it for the glory of Christ! Fear: How many times have you seen a young mother struggling with her children at church? You wanted to help and encourage her, but something held you back. Maybe you have observed someone younger in the faith truly seeking the Lord? You wanted to encourage them to press forward and to compliment them on their progress, but you remained silent? Why? We have irrational fear that somehow these things will be misconstrued or wrongly received. Our fear of rejection overwhelms us and we neglect the ministry of encouragement. Older Christian, why not attend a younger
Spiritual Immaturity: We could dress it many ways, but this is the real problem. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others, Philippians 2:4. If I am unwilling to be made uncomfortable for the sake of Christ and His church or I let fear hinder my willingness to encourage and engage, I am being selfish and disobedient. We do not wait for our children to come to us for instruction. We show our maturity and love by instructing and disciplining them for their own good. The young adult sitting two pews in front of you with their family may not know they need your love, encouragement, and example. Don’t let that stop you. Be obedient to the Word of God and reach out for the sake of Christ and for the building up of His Body, the Church.