Linda Rohs
What is different about your life in your 60’s
when compared to life in your 20’s and
30’s? What things do you value now that
you didn’t value then? What troubles you
now that did not trouble you then?
What bothers or frightens you about your
future? What is your vision for your
remaining days?
What do you long to offer to those following
after you? What things threaten your ability
to offer this?
Society puts people out to pasture once
they get “older”
Newer is better…style over substance…fast-
paced world
Lack of true sages seeking to invest in next
generation
The younger generation is pretty cynical &
arrogant
The generations frequently misunderstand
one another
What will I do with my life? What is it
that I really want in exchange for my
life’s labors?
What parts of me and my life need
correction?
Around what person or conviction will
I organize my life?
How do I prioritize the demands being
made on my life? What do I say “yes” to and
what do I need to say “no” to?
How far can I go in fulfilling my sense of
purpose?
Who are the people with whom I know I
walk through life?
What does my spiritual life look like? Do I
even have time for one?
Why am I not a better person?
Why don’t I feel as grown-up or solid as I
should be by this point?
Why do some people seem to be doing
better than I? Why am I often disappointed
in myself and others? Why are limitations
beginning to outnumber options?
What can I do to make a greater
contribution to my generation? Is there still
time to do what I have always wanted to do?
How many years are left? Why is time moving
so fast?
Why is my body becoming unreliable?
How do I deal with my failures and successes?
How can my spouse and I reinvigorate our
relationship now that the children are gone?
Who are these young people who want to
replace me?
What do I do with my doubts and fears? Will we
have enough money for the retirement years if
there are health problems and economic
downturns?
When do I stop doing the things that have always
defined me?
Why do I feel ignored by a large part of the younger
population?
Why am I curious about who is listed in the
obituary column of the papers, how they died, and
what kinds of lives they lived?
Who will be around when I die? What will it be like
to say good-bye to my spouse with whom I have
partnered for so many years of life?
Are the things I have believed in capable of taking
me to the end? Is there really life after death?
What do I regret? What have I done that will outlive
me?
Does anyone realize, or even care, who I
once was? Is my story important to anyone?
How much of my life can I still control?
Is there anything I can still contribute?
Am I ready to face death? How will I die?
Will I be missed?
Is God really there for me? What is heaven
really like?
Acts 9:26-31 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he
tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of
him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But
Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles.
He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the
Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in
Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of
Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about
freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of
the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian
Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers
learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and
sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church
throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time
of peace.
Acts 7:58b; 8:1-3
Acts 9:20-31
Paul was:
Zealous, passionate, full of energy, &
made lots of things happen (for better or
worse)
Not taken seriously by other leaders, &
needed an older advocate to stand with
him & speak up for him
In need of direction
Acts 13-21
Tremendous fruitfulness – 1st, 2nd, 3rd missionary
journeys; many came to Christ; many new
churches started
Tremendous challenges – sharp disagreement
with his mentor; co-laborers failed him; times of
searching and wondering what God was up to;
arrested…beaten near death on MULTIPLE
occasions…imprisoned; constantly dealing with
issues in the churches he started
All of this & he wasn’t even
married…didn’t have children to parent!
The older generation must emotionally
express what they see & have
experienced.
2 Timothy 1:2-4 2 To Timothy, my dear
son: 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my
forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as
night and day I constantly remember you in
my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to
see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
The older generation still needs care &
partnership.
2 Timothy 1:15 You know that everyone in the
province of Asia has deserted me, including
Phygelus and Hermogenes…
2 Timothy 4:16 At my first defense, no one came
to my support, but everyone deserted me.
2 Timothy 1:16-18 16 May the Lord show mercy
to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often
refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he
searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May
the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord
on that day! You know very well in how many ways
he helped me in Ephesus.
The older generation must help us major on
the majors.
2 Timothy 2:1… 1 You then, my son, be strong
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things
you have heard me say in the presence of many
witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be
qualified to teach others.
2 Timothy 2:14… 14 Keep reminding them of
these things. Warn them before God against
quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only
ruins those who listen.
2 Timothy 2:22… 22 Flee the evil desires of
youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and
peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of
a pure heart.
The older generation must openly live &
evaluate their life before the next
generation.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 6 For I am already being
poured out like a drink offering, and the time has
come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good
fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
8 Now there is in store for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will award to me on that day--and not only to me,
but also to all who have longed for his appearing . .
. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is
helpful to me in my ministry . . . When you come,
bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and
my scrolls, especially the parchments.
We have the privilege of having a few like
this in our midst…
◦ Don’t overlook them, but ask for their input
◦ Don’t buy into the lie that you are not needed
anymore
We ALL have the privilege & opportunity to
intentionally become people who have lived
well