OceanSide church of Christ

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INTERACTIONS WITH VARIOUS AGE GROUPS

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    All of us have been born.  All of us will die.  In between these two dates is what we call life.

 

B.      Life is usually measured by age.

1.      Children (ages 1-12)

2.      Youth (ages 13-25)

3.      Middle (ages 26-64)

4.      Elderly (ages 65+)

 

C.     All of us come into contact with people who fall into these various categories. 

1.      In this lesson, we want to discuss “how” we are to interact with these various age groups.

2.      We will note two main things that need to be shown to each one of these groups.

 

I.                   CHILDREN (Ages 1-12)

 

A.    Children are a very precious group of individuals. 

1.      They were special to Jesus (19:14).

 

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 

2.      Children are weak.

Children are dependent.

Children are extremely impressionable.

Children are creative.

Children are quick learners.

Children trust their care givers.

 

B.      There are two important actions that need to be taken in the lives of children.

1.      First, we need to be FIRM when interacting with children.

a.      NOTE:  Being firm does not involve being mean to children.

b.      Definition:  strict, uncompromising

c.       Why:  Proverbs 22:15

 

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child…

 

1)      Children test limits.

Children take the path of least resistance.

Children learn to manipulate at a young age.

Children are very open to the environment which is also teaching them.

2)      Eli had not restrained his sons (I Sam. 3:13), and David was not stern with Adonijah (I Kings 1:6).  Both of these men reaped negative consequences because they refused to be firm with their children.

2.      Second, we need to be KIND.

a.      Verses:

1)      Proverbs 15:4

 

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life…

2)      Proverbs 16:21

 

The wise in heart shall be called prudent:  and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

 

3)      Ecclesiastes 10:12

 

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious…

 

b.      Screaming is not kind.

Cursing is not kind.

Calling our children names is not kind.

Blowing our stack is not kind.

3.      NOTE:  Sternness coupled with kindness will create a learning environment that will cause our children to respect us, learn from us, and grow into responsible youths.

 

II.                YOUTH (Ages 13-25)

 

A.    The years that one is a youth are some of the most difficult.

1.      They have knowledge, but not enough.

They long to be independent.

They can be risk-takers.

They do not want others telling them what to do.

They have to make some of the most important decisions of their lives.

2.      Some parents try to be friends with their children in youth rather than remaining the parent.

 

B.      There are two important actions that need to be taken in the lives of our youth.

1.      First, parents must continue to be instructive.

a.      Verses:

1)      Proverbs 22:6

 

Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

2)      Ephesians 6:4

 

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:  but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

b.      Young people may think they know everything, but they do not.

1)      They may have some book knowledge, but they do not have wisdom and experience.

2)      They need training in many areas:  finances, relationships, work ethics, problem-solving, morality, and spiritual things.

2.      Second, those who deal with youth must manifest the quality of patience.

a.      Patience is simply the ability to endure with another person.

b.      Youth will rebel.

Youth will act out of impulse.

Youth will get it wrong several times.

Youth will not always give it their best.

c.       The Bible stresses patience with such words as longsuffering, forbearance, endurance and patience (See Eph. 4:2).

 

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.

 

III.             MIDDLE AGE (Ages 26-65)

 

A.    The middle years of life are usually the most productive years of life.

1.      These individuals have good minds.

2.      These individuals still possess a lot of strength and vitality.

3.      These individuals have a desire to succeed.

4.      These individuals are not tied to all of the traditions of the past.

5.      These individuals will still take calculated risks

 

B.      There are two actions we can take with those who are in middle age.

1.      First, we must manifest expectancy in their lives.

a.      Expectancy involves a level of expectation to which they are held accountable.

b.      They have knowledge.

They have fortitude.

They have talents.

They have creativity.

c.       They should be expected to use all of these things in all areas of their lives.

d.      Listen to the names of some Bible greats who were used during the time when they were of middle age:  Joseph, Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego, Daniel, the apostles, Timothy, Titus, and Jesus.

e.       Question:  Did Paul have any expectations of Timothy?  Read the books of I and II Timothy and you will be amazed at what he expected of that young man (I Tim. 1:3; II Tim. 4:2).

2.      Second, we need to be honest with those in their middle ages.

a.      We only have a few years of great productivity in this life.  In order for individuals to get the most out of this time of life, we must be honest with them.

b.      Honest when mistakes are made.

Honest when in sin.

Honest when going astray.

Honest when effort is lacking.

Honest when doing a good job.

c.       Ephesians 4:25

 

Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor:  for we are members one of another.

 

IV.             THE ELDERLY (Ages 65+)

 

A.    In our society, the elderly are not as appreciated as they once were. 

1.      These are the ones who have built the things upon which the younger now stand.

2.      They are the ones with wisdom and vast experience.

3.      They are often eager to share their wisdom with those who are younger.

4.      In many places, they are the backbone of the church, the workers and supporters.

 

B.      There are two ways we should behave toward those who are older.

1.      We should be respectful.

a.      Verses:

1)      Leviticus 19:14

 

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man…

2)      I Timothy 5:1a

 

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father…

 

b.      Speak appropriately to them.

Listen to what they have to say.

Do not make fun of them.

Continue to use them in the work.

Don’t push them to the side.

2.      We should be compassionate toward them.

a.      The elderly are not as sharp as they use to be.

The elderly are not as strong as they use to be.

The elderly take a little more time than they used to.

The elderly may not remember as well.

They elderly will repeat some things.

b.      We need to suffer with them.  One day, we will be in this group of people.  We will want individuals to suffer long with us.

c.       I Peter 3:8

 

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    In the body of Christ, relationships are of great importance.

 

B.      In those relationships, we must learn how to treat each other.

1.      Children:  firmness and kindness

2.      Youth:  instruction and patience

3.      Middle age:  expectancy and honesty

4.      Old Age:  respect and compassion

 

C.     The reality is that these and other characteristics flow through all of our relationships.

 

D.    When relationships are strong, the church will prosper.  When relationships break down, the church begins to decline.

 

E.      The crowning jewel in all of our relationships should be love (Col. 3:14).

 

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.