Good Things to Do When You’re Older

Text: Titus 2:2-3

The previous lesson focused on good things to do when you’re young. What if we are not young anymore? What responsibilities do we have when we are older? This is not just about what we are to do when we are “old” or at the end of our lives. This is a wide range – beginning with being old enough to influence young adults up until the point of death. What does the Bible say about what is good to do when we’re older?

Be a Good Example (Titus 2:2-3)

The previous chapter discussed the qualifications for elders (Titus 1:6-9) – not everyone can serve as an elder; however, everyone can be a positive example through their character and actions
How older men are to set an example (Titus 2:2)
How older women are to set an example (Titus 2:3)

Teach the Young Generation(s) (Titus 2:4-5)

Being a good example is a start, but there is more to do – it is especially true that we need to be teaching our children (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15; Proverbs 1:8)
This is how the church is able to continue from one generation to another (2 Timothy 2:2)
With age comes experience and wisdom (Proverbs 20:29) – this is useful to others

Remind Others of the Truth (2 Peter 1:12-15)

Peter wrote this as he was about to “depart” from this life – not from old age, but persecution (John 21:18-19); since he was not going to be around forever, he needed to remind them of the “present truth” (KJV)
Humans are forgetful – God knew we needed regular reminders (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 Timothy 4:6)
Without reminders, it is easy to “drift away” from the word of God (Hebrews 2:1)

Forgive Others (2 Timothy 4:16)

Paul wrote this when he was near death (2 Timothy 4:6) – like Peter, this was due to persecution; he had “good” reason to be resentful of others; instead he was willing to forgive
People will do things that will cause us to be upset/angry/disappointed/hurt, etc. – we need to be willing to forgive (Ephesians 4:32); not even to let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26); certainly must not carry it with us throughout life

Have Confidence in God’s Promises (2 Timothy 4:7-8, 18)

Paul faithfully served the Lord, so he could confidently look forward to the “crown of righteousness” – he was convinced that the Lord would bring him “safely to His heavenly kingdom“
We should be able to look forward to the Lord’s return with confidence (1 John 2:28) – same for our death; we can have confidence if we are practicing righteousness (1 John 2:29)
Not to have a false hope (Amos 5:18-20; Matthew 7:21-23) – hope of salvation is for those who obey the Lord (Hebrews 5:9)

Be Faithful Until Death (Hebrews 10:35-39)

As we are to have confidence in God’s promises, we must not “throw away [our] confidence” – instead, we must endure until the end (cf. Revelation 2:10)
It is possible for a Christian to turn back from God and be lost (Hebrews 10:38-39; 2:1-3; 1 Corinthians 9:27) – if we serve the Lord throughout life, but turn back from Him in the end, we will be lost (Ezekiel 18:24)
No matter what happens between now and the end of our lives, we must remain faithful

Conclusion