There are many phases of a person’s life, therefore our teaching should adjust to the audience at hand. Our preaching is for all ages, but in the smaller setting we should not ignore any particular age group. We do not know exactly where they are with Christ. We must listen respectfully so we can be open to the Spirit’s wisdom with each phase of life.

I must tell a story of the 80 year old lady who began attending a church my husband pastored. She always had a smile on her face. She helped out at the food bank if someone gave her a ride. She loved coming to church. We assumed, by what we saw on the outside, that she was a Christian. 

One day, she came up to Randy and I after the service and asked, what does it take to become what you said in your sermon? How do I ask Jesus into my heart, because I don’t think I have ever done that? At first, we were surprised, but Randy took her to his office and led this lovely 80 year old to Christ. She immediately wanted to be baptized. She was the very next Sunday saying, “I don’t have much time to fiddle around with this!” Lesson learned. Don’t assume.

We also have to be extra patience with our older members of God’s family who do profess to be Christians but can’t seem to find their purpose as older members. They do seem to get a little cranky at leaders and find fault with what the “young” are doing but I think it’s because they have lost their own sense of worth since turning over the reins to someone else. 

Remember Newton’s law? A body in motion stays in motion, but a body at rest stays at rest. I might be silly, but I think a body at rest seems to think of more critical things to say because they no longer are in motion. Something or someone put them at rest. We need to put that mind back in motion in a positive way.

Paul gives this advice to Timothy…

“Don’t be harsh or impatient with an older man. Talk to him as you would your own father, and to the younger men as your brothers. Reverently honor an older woman as you would your mother, and the younger women as sisters.” 
1Timothy 5, Msg

Don’t criticize older people as a way to get back at them, instead think about their phase of life, be patient and minister in ways that help them realize their place and purpose in God’s family. Put them back in motion! You will have less critical people if you love and cherish everyone. We all have a tendency to look over the heads of the older to reach young families for God and that is important, too. But realize that the heads that are being looked over, could be “grandparent” mentors to those families without extended family nearby. What a blessing that could be!

Dear Heavenly Father, We have all gone through times of overlooking and assuming. Forgive us. Help us to see all ages as You see them. Give us discerning, patient hearts and minds with wisdom to know what to be, say or do that pleases You and is helpful to others. In Jesus Name, Amen