Learning from older people

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breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
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Australia
#1
I'm sure there are Scriptures concerning this but I can't think of any right now...

I find that when I encounter people older than myself, especially those in the Lord I get encouraged with Gods mercy, patience and grace toward us when they mention things about how they used to think and things they did when they were younger. Seeing how much our Father has built them up to the image of Christ.

It gives me hope and encourages me that God doesn't give up on us even though others might or we may even feel to give up on ourselves. It teaches me to learn to have patience with others and understanding because our encounter with any one individual is only one dot in time and for us to judge swiftly is real cop out..in other words, we don't know how or what the individual is going to grow up into. A pure example is myself, ten years ago if you met me I was a young, brash excessively drinking pot head and look what the Lord has done!

Now I will finish with a disclaimer, I'm not saying us youth can't get anything right, or youth us an excuse for sin or wrong thinking nor do I think you have to grow older in order to gain wisdom. I have met many older people who are quite foolish.
Anyway, it's just an encouragement mainly :)
 
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LaurenTM

Guest
#2
neat thread

let me just say...I wish I had listened better when I was younger

you know, the Bible is chock full of stories of people whose lives are written of from start to finish...maybe our best lessons are right in those pages?

I pray for wisdom to take note and learn...because real life lessons can be very hard and hurt...so wisdom and the desire to listen...however someone wants to express it

a heart that sits still and listens for God's voice before running off in all directions

ok..I'm rambling so I'll stop :)

and yeah...there are definitely scriptures!
 

Tinkerbell725

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2014
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Philippines Age 40
#3
God is constantly at work in our lives. Always reaching out to us until we respond. Sometimes we ignore Him completely, sometimes we listen for a while but then forget everything and sometimes there are turning points in our lives when we are too overwhelmed we become desperate for Him. God never gives up on us because we are too vulnerable and we don't have a shepherd.
 

mar09

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2014
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#4
breno,
i just had a break from what i was doing and reading a little on cc, but yes, this is a neat thread. hope more ppl post here w/o being disagreeable, but helpful.. and forgiving.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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#5
I always take every opportunity to listen from older people I enjoy talking with them maybe it's because I am attracted to the wisdom that comes with age and the experience the have in life but as much as it benefits me they seem to be the ones who are happy of my listening.

Not very many young people take the time to listen to old folks they see their stories as boring and don't really care what advice is given to them, I am grateful to have a heart that is willing to listen and to learn from my elders
 
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ladylynn

Guest
#6
I'm sure there are Scriptures concerning this but I can't think of any right now...

I find that when I encounter people older than myself, especially those in the Lord I get encouraged with Gods mercy, patience and grace toward us when they mention things about how they used to think and things they did when they were younger. Seeing how much our Father has built them up to the image of Christ.

It gives me hope and encourages me that God doesn't give up on us even though others might or we may even feel to give up on ourselves. It teaches me to learn to have patience with others and understanding because our encounter with any one individual is only one dot in time and for us to judge swiftly is real cop out..in other words, we don't know how or what the individual is going to grow up into. A pure example is myself, ten years ago if you met me I was a young, brash excessively drinking pot head and look what the Lord has done!

Now I will finish with a disclaimer, I'm not saying us youth can't get anything right, or youth us an excuse for sin or wrong thinking nor do I think you have to grow older in order to gain wisdom. I have met many older people who are quite foolish.
Anyway, it's just an encouragement mainly :)


Good post Breno! It sure does "give hope and is encouraging that God doesn't give up on us even though others might or we may even feel to give up on ourselves" Sooo very much agree with you brother! It helps us have patience with others. So often we don't get to hear the "rest of the story" So yes, judging swiftly is a real cop out. Writing people off is a terrible habit many have engaged in as a life time habit. Jesus never writes anyone off. What a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, your posts do reflect your loving attitude to others here I've seen it and have very much appreciated you here on the forums brother!! God bless you! lynn
 
Mar 23, 2016
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#7
Here's what I've observed over the decades of my life:

In our teens, we (for the most part) are obnoxious and foolish. I look back and can see that God kept a hedge of protection around me because He knew I was His child (even though I did not). I was born again at a tender age, entered my rebellious teen years, and came back to the Lord when I was 18 (together with my then-boyfriend who I married at age 20 when it was pointed out to us that our living together while unmarried was not according to Scripture).

In our 20s, we are still maturing mentally, emotionally, and socially. A lot of growth takes place in those areas as we find our way through the maze of life. I had my children when I was in my mid-20s (3 by the time I was 27). So my life was busy and full.

In our 30s, we reach maturity and we establish ourselves as productive members of society. We build upon our mental, emotional, and social structure. We start or continue to raise our children. Train them up to be better than we were/are. We also start to gain some wisdom which helps us in making the decisions needed in order to flourish as a family.

In our 40s, we start to build upon the wisdom we gained in our 30s. Our decisions are based upon experiential awareness and comprehension. Taking care of the kiddies is not so physically exhausting, but because our children may be teens (or pre-teen depending on when we started having them), there are different challenges to face as we help them mature and grow. Some kids leave home right at 18 and they've got to be prepared to make proper decisions in some tough situations. And it falls on the parents to train their teens to be able to make those decisions.

In our 50s, we have our knowledge, experience, wisdom. We look at ourselves and wonder where did the years go! Hopefully we've kept ourselves in decent shape because the old bod is not the same as it used to be!!! Not going to go into detail … just sayin'

I'll have to tell you about the 60s later because I'm just starting this journey/adventure.


I think one of the best things we can do for our teens is teach them the Proverbs. Proverbs is full of wonderful knowledge and insight. Helps ground our children and train them to go to Father. Teaches wisdom. I think those "older people who are quite foolish" probably never were trained properly from Scripture. Really too bad because there's nothing better than having love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith, temperance in life. So much better than the foolishness resulting from a lifetime of turning from God.

Anyway, this is just my subjective experience. Hope it helps …
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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#8
It is said that wisdom and maturity both come in time it also said that faith and trust in God come from experience. I have met elderly people who bear both the qualities and I always enjoy talking with them though I rarely get to but if I was able to be with them and speak with them all the time I cannot even begin to imagine how much I would learn and grow both as a person and as a Christian.
 
Mar 23, 2016
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#9
1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption

If we want wisdom, we've got to stick with God's plan. Stay close to the Lord Jesus Christ ... abide in Him.
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
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#10
I think this thread is full of wisdom. There is great wisdom to gain from both, those of age in the natural but especially those of age in His saving grace. My grandfather died at 93 and my grandmother is 96 and still living. She has taught me so much, especially as a Jew that survived WW II. I have learned much in the natural from her. Every time I see her she tells me how I need to plan for my future she never expected to grow this old. Every night before bed she tells G-d she loves Him but is not ready to yet. He keeps her alive... She does not know she is right, she is not ready because she refuses to believe Y-shua is Messiah. She does not know how right she is she is not ready to meat G-d but to her she is just saying I do not want to die. There is much to be learned from that. Paul says 2 Corn.5:4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Paul was just ready, yes he said if I die I gain and if I go home I gain (Mae paraphrase). The point is it is so sad she sees no gain because she does not know Y-shua as much as she thinks she knows G-d.


What I have gleamed from my grandparents’ epically because of their age, but that does not match what I have gained from my closest friends. One who has been saved for over 40 years and second closest who has been saved for over 30. Age does not bring you wisdom, I know a lot of old fools (naturally) only G-d brings/gives wisdom.

I love breno785au how you described 10 years ago vs today. There are so many growing pains in the Lord, but thank Him we grow and we are new creatures in Y-shua and the old is passed away. Somethings go quickly, some years, but by His grace and mercy are renewed every morning!!
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#12
We always benefit from the experience of others in the Body of Christ when we pay attention. Not all older folks are to be trusted to be wise in the Word and Way, though it is safe to consider the testimony of all who are in Christ, the young included.

A secret, maybe not, we learn so much from others. I learn from young folks always, and it gives me great pride (of our Fadther) to see the wisdom in so many here, especially many of the younger folks.

When I was first in Christ the person who named himslef elder, as a title that is, in my worship group designated me as being demon possessed because I brought up the fact that Jesus Christ was a Jew.

My response to this person was simple; "If I be demon possessed, it is certain I would be the last to know. It is certain that if anyone here has the gift to discern a demon in me or in anyone, that person is also gifted in casting that demon out, for our God is not a God of confusion." All mouths were silent, and many dropped open, but no one said a word.

Needless to say, I was not welcomed in that congregation again.

Sometimes a word of truth shared will weed out the goats, and at times the sheep, for their good or for their detriment.

God bless all who are in Jesus Chrsit.........amen

PS.....I almost forgot. The point in my testimony is that not always the elders (strict meaning) are wiser than the rest. Granted they should be respected for their age and experience, but they are not alway scorrect.....always be sure of an oldefr person before conferring wisdom upon them...
 

beta

Senior Member
Aug 8, 2016
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#13
I have enjoyed reading these posts....no arguments, no name-calling.
You are all an encouragement and inspiration to me at my age.
God bless you all !
 

breno785au

Senior Member
Jul 23, 2013
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#14
I have enjoyed reading these posts....no arguments, no name-calling.
You are all an encouragement and inspiration to me at my age.
God bless you all !
If you want peace and tranquillity, come to my threads lol but there aren't many of them... And the speak your mind thread.
 

beta

Senior Member
Aug 8, 2016
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#15
If you want peace and tranquillity, come to my threads lol but there aren't many of them... And the speak your mind thread.
Thank you friend ! but I also want Justice, whithout which we can not have peace, so I guess I will still be active on the 'battlefield lol.
 
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wwjd_kilden

Guest
#16
Hmm. We can learn from their experiences yes, but I wouldn't say that age = wisdom.

I know a few "characters", that is, people of 60-70 who believe they are always right and thus everyone else must be wrong (even if they are outnumbered :p ). ... and they will go off in a huff if they cannot win the argument by having everyone else agree with them or give up on the conversation altogether.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#17
PRO. 8:11.
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

PRO. 1:5.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

2:7.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

10-11-12.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

1COR. 1:24.
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God.

REV. 4:4.
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders
sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
 
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Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
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#18
just as we believe that we can learn from the elderly and the young are known to disregard the elders words because their old it can also be turned in reverse. I have known certain elderly people on here who even when everyone else knew they were in the wrong and behaving foolishly and I pm them to speak to them in person as to not bring any more drama into the situation was refuted and my words were completely disregarded because I was far younger than them and they had apparently been saved for man many more years than I.

While it's true that age doesn't always equal wisdom or maturity normally the general thinking is that they have those qualities and with good reason. However I also think it takes wisdom to learn from babes as well, no matter how old we get or how mature we become in Christ there always more to learn and you would be astounded by what you can learn from a babe:)
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
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#19
Who has said that learning from the experience of others is saying they are inherently wise? We always learn from experience, negative or positive, it is a lesson to be heeded. When it is forgotten, nothinghas been learned.

We are to respect the hoary head, but this by no means is saying the hoary head is gifted above others. I still rise when an elderly person comes into my presence; lately many are younger than I........
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#20
A few more relevant verses...

Prov. 1:8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching;

Prov. 2:1-2 My son, if you will receive my words, and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; (the next few are relevant too)

Titus 2:4, 6 ...so that they may encourage the young women... / Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;