Growing Older, Growing Wiser
Learn what the Bible says about the challenges and pitfalls of growing older. Discover God’s purposes in the aging process and the unique opportunities that are available for believers in their later years. “There are about 3,000 people mentioned by name in the Bible. Of those 3,000, we only have enough information to evaluate the lives of about 100 of them. Of those 100, only about one-third of them finished well. Of those who failed, most failed in the last half of their lives.” –Howard Hendricks ————— For the past 25 years, Karen Y. Davis has been teaching women’s Bible studies and speaking at conferences and retreats. She has written inductive studies for most of the books of the Bible. She has also written for Christian periodicals and for an educational division of the CBS network. She is the wife of a college professor, and a loving mother and grandmother. Here’s What People Are Saying! “Just had to let you know that I did a series of lessons from your wonderful book for my Sunday School class. What a response the lessons got! Many expressed how the book made them re-evaluate their walk with the Lord and how they want to spend the rest of their lives. Your discussion questions brought out various opinions. It was a great series and everyone really enjoyed it and said it was needed.” – Carol Hudson Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida “I’m enjoying Growing Older, Growing Wiser! The print size is perfect . . . I don’t need glasses to read it. I truly appreciate the personal applications as well as theinteresting Bible characters to think about in relation to aging.” – Rhonda Kember Morgan Hill, California “Karen, we do so much appreciate your new book! You’ve hit some issues that need addressing among the saints. We’ll be ordering several more copies to pass along to others who need to read such encouraging things.” – Bill Gustafson Waynesboro, Georgia |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part One—The Aging Process
Chapter 1 Good News / Bad News 15
Chapter 2 The Purpose of the Aging Process 21
Chapter 3 Some People in the Bible and How They Aged 27
Chapter 4 What Is Happening to My Body? 37
Part Two—Aging Role Models—Good and Bad
Chapter 5 Making Hard Choices: Paul, Abraham, Moses 49
Chapter 6 Overcoming Obstacles: Joseph, Sarah, Daniel 57
Chapter 7 Praying Always: Samuel and Anna 65
Chapter 8 Snared by Worldliness: Noah and Demas 71
Chapter 9 Snared by Sex: David and Solomon 81
Chapter 10 Pride Goes Before a Fall: Miriam and Uzziah 93
Chapter 11 Rejecting Wise Counsel: Joash and Amaziah 101
Part Three—Dangers to Watch and Choices to Make
Chapter 12 Taking It a Bit Too Easy 113
Chapter 13 Living for Pleasure 123
Chapter 14 “The Cup Is Half Empty” Syndrome 131
Chapter 15 Breakdown in Relationships 139
Chapter 16 Botox and Facelift Choices 149
Chapter 17 Walking with the Lord 157
Chapter 18 Maintaining Accountability 165
Chapter 19 Setting Specific Goals 171
Chapter 20 Choosing and Evaluating Activities 179
Part Four—Drawing on God’s Grace
Chapter 21 Dealing with Loss, Healing, and Disease 189
Chapter 22 “When My Trophies at Last I Lay Down” 199