Growing Old Gracefully

Growing Old Gracefully“Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living.” ECCLESIASTES 12:1 (NLT)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3) Our teeth tend to fall out (verse 3)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3) Our teeth tend to fall out (verse 3) Our senses tend to fail (verse 4)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3) Our teeth tend to fall out (verse 3) Our senses tend to fail (verse 4) Our courage tends to falter (verse 5)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3) Our teeth tend to fall out (verse 3) Our senses tend to fail (verse 4) Our courage tends to falter (verse 5) Our hair tends to fall out (verse 5)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3) Our teeth tend to fall out (verse 3) Our senses tend to fail (verse 4) Our courage tends to falter (verse 5) Our hair tends to fall out (verse 5)

Our sexual desire tends to fade (verse 5)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our mind tends to fail (verse 2) Our hands tend to fumble (verse 3) Our teeth tend to fall out (verse 3) Our senses tend to fail (verse 4) Our courage tends to falter (verse 5) Our hair tends to fall out (verse 5) Our sexual desire tends to fade (verse 5)

Our vital organs tend to fail (verse 6)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our hair tends to fall out (verse 5) Our sexual desire tends to fade (verse 5) Our vital organs tend to fail (verse 6) Our independence diminishes

“ … when you were young, you were able to do as you liked and go wherever you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will direct you and take you where you don't want to go." JOHN 21:18 (NLT)

What makes growing old difficultECCLESIASTES 12

Our hair tends to fall out (verse 5) Our sexual desire tends to fade (verse 5) Our vital organs tend to fail (verse 6) Our independence diminishes Our faith is challenged

“And now, in my old age, don't set me aside [, O LORD]. Don't abandon me when my strength is failing.” PSALM 71:9 (NLT)

Growing Old Gracefully

Growing Old Gracefully1.Refuse to idealize the past

“Don’t always be asking, ‘Where are the good old days?’ Wise folks don’t ask questions like that.”

ECCLESIASTES 7:10 (MES)

Growing Old Gracefully1.Refuse to idealize the past

2.Recognize the strengths you have

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to those who have lived many years.”

JOB 12:12 (NLT)

Growing Old Gracefully1.Refuse to idealize the past

2.Recognize the strengths you have

“ … the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” PROVERBS 20:29 (NLT)

Growing Old Gracefully1.Refuse to idealize the past2.Recognize the strengths you have

3.Remember to keep growing and serving

“[The godly] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is … my Rock.’” PSALM 92:14-15 (NIV)

Growing Old Gracefully1. Refuse to idealize the past2. Recognize the strengths you have3. Remember to keep growing and serving

4. Reach for the hope Jesus Christ offers

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.” ISAIAH 46:4 (NIV)

Growing Old Gracefully1. Refuse to idealize the past2. Recognize the strengths you have3. Remember to keep growing and serving

4. Reach for the hope Jesus Christ offers

“Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I'll have even more.”

PHILIPPIANS 1:21 (GWT)

Growing Old Gracefully1. Refuse to idealize the past2. Recognize the strengths you have3. Remember to keep growing and serving4. Reach for the hope Jesus Christ offers “Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old … Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young.”

ECCLESIASTES 12:1, 6 (NLT)