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 1Â Â Good News / Bad News 15
Chapter 2Â Â The Purpose of the Aging Process 21
Chapter 3Â Â Some People in the Bible and How They Aged 27
Chapter 4Â Â What Is Happening to My Body? 37
Part Two—Aging Role Models—Good and Bad
Chapter 5Â Â Making Hard Choices: Paul, Abraham, Moses 49
Chapter 6Â Â Overcoming Obstacles: Joseph, Sarah, Daniel 57
Chapter 7Â Â Praying Always: Samuel and Anna 65
Chapter 8Â Â Snared by Worldliness: Noah and Demas 71
Chapter 9Â Â Snared by Sex: David and Solomon 81
Chapter 10Â Â Pride Goes Before a Fall: Miriam and Uzziah 93
Chapter 11Â Â Rejecting Wise Counsel: Joash and Amaziah 101
Part Three—Dangers to Watch and Choices to Make
Chapter 12Â Â Taking It a Bit Too Easy 113
Chapter 13Â Â Living for Pleasure 123
Chapter 14  “The Cup Is Half Empty” Syndrome 131
Chapter 15Â Â Breakdown in Relationships 139
Chapter 16Â Â Botox and Facelift Choices 149
Chapter 17Â Â Walking with the Lord 157
Chapter 18Â Â Maintaining Accountability 165
Chapter 19Â Â Setting Specific Goals 171
Chapter 20Â Â Choosing and Evaluating Activities 179
Part Four—Drawing on God’s Grace
Chapter 21Â Â Dealing with Loss, Healing, and Disease 189
Chapter 22  “When My Trophies at Last I Lay Down” 199