How can we apply the principle of listening to elders in our lives? Setting the Scene in Job 32:7 Job 32:7: “I thought, ‘Age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.’” Elihu waits to speak, showing that deference to older believers is a God-honoring posture. Why the Voice of Age Matters • God often hands out wisdom through years of tested faith (Hebrews 13:7) • Elders guard the body from rash choices (Proverbs 19:20) • Their stories anchor younger hearts in God’s faithfulness (Deuteronomy 32:7) Listening in Practical Daily Life • Give older family members uninterrupted time to share experiences • Keep eye contact, reflect back what you heard, jot notes if helpful • Schedule coffee or meal invitations with senior believers • Seek their counsel before shaping major plans • Affirm their voices on church teams, mentoring circles, and ministry decisions Checkpoints from the Rest of Scripture • Proverbs 1:8-9 — parental instruction crowns a life with grace • Titus 2:2-3 — older saints teach what is good; listening completes the cycle • 1 Peter 5:5 — younger disciples clothe themselves with humility toward elders Guardrails and Discernment • Scripture remains the final measuring stick (Acts 17:11) • If counsel veers from clear biblical truth, return to the Word together • Inter-generational accountability keeps wisdom and truth aligned Living it Out Together • Honor elderly voices at home, in the local church, and in society • Treat their words as treasures, not relics • Expect God to deepen communal wisdom when every generation listens and learns |
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