Community Church of the Verdes
October 8, 2019
A Godly Retirement: Part II – Chapters 3&4 of the book:
“An Uncommon Guide to Retirement” by Jeff Haanen
Facilitator: Michael Northrup
- Introduction: Recap of Chapters 1&2 (pages 1-52)
A. A Counter-Cultural Retirement
B. The ‘One Thing’ of Psalm 27 and Luke 10
C. Opportunity to ‘Redeem the Time’ and ‘Fulfill One’s Destiny’ - Chapter Three: “Calling”
A. A Biblical view of calling, referencing Mark 12:30-31 on page 55 B.
B. Four myths surrounding one’s ‘calling’
C. The world says to always ‘do what you love’ – is that Biblically accurate?
D. Os Guiness definition of calling on page 59
E. Romans 8:28-30 (Page 48, 53 of ‘Defined” by Kendrick and Kendrick)
F. Discussion: What would living out the ‘highest calling’ look like in the Verdes? - Fulling Our Calling:
A. Should age be an obstacle? Biblical examples on page 66
B. Ephesians 4:1 – Living a life ‘worthy of the calling’
C. I Peter 1-5: five times, different verses, Peter refers to what the believer is called to
D. Discussion: what do the verses mean which say we are to ‘walk worthy’ of the calling, of the Lord, of God, of the Word? - Chapter Four: “Work”
A. Two dangers with the culture’s view of retirement: idleness and pleasure (page 83)
B. Overcoming various challenges (page 85)
C. How does one determine what Christian ‘work’ or ‘service’ to do during these years? - Conclusions:
A. How do we overcome the temptations to ‘give in’ to the worldly view of retirement?
B. The importance of the church community, fellowship and friendships
C. Preview of next week, Chapters 5-6: use of our time, dealing with our health issues
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Supplemental Teachings to Accompany Session II of “An Uncommon Guide to Retirement”
1. What the Christian is called to: repentance – Matthew 9:13, to purity, holiness – II Timothy 1:9, I Thessalonians 4:7, I Corinthians 7:34, to be like Christ – Romans 8:30, to fellowship – I Corinthians 1:9-10, into His kingdom and glory – I Thessalonians 2:12
2. What is the believer to ‘walk worthy’ of (‘Axios’ – on par with what compared to, equal to the standard): Ephesians 4:1, Philippians 1:27, Colossians 1:10, I Thessalonians 2:12 – to live lives which mirror God, the Word, Christ and the calling (which is Christ-like) – all fits with Ephesians 5:1, that we are called to imitate God, Christ
3. How does one grow toward that maturity? Parable of the Sower, Colossians 3:1-3, what is lacking in the Americanized version of Christianity is Genuine Discipleship – Example of Daniel 3 and the type of trust in God and His Word that is necessary for followers
4. Example of Anna at age 84 in Luke 2:36-38; Enormous lessons to be learned from three verses in the Bible concerning this prophetess Anna. What did others say about Anna and her life of ‘retirement’? Who are the individuals who get to participate in the work of God? (shepherds, Ananias, Simeon, Anna)
5. Retirement Strategies and the ‘Pursuit of Happiness’:
A. Man’s way vs. God’s way
B. Purpose of Sabbath, Vacations and Sabbaticals (God looks on the heart, Proverbs 14:14)
C. Purpose of the Gift of the Promised Land
D. Two Hebrew words in the Old Testament for ‘blessed’, ‘happy’
E. Two Greek words in the New Testament for ‘blessed’, ‘happy’
F. God’s straightforward message for man to be happy, peaceful, blessed
G. John 13:1-20
H. Philippians 2:1-8
I. Rabbinic method of teaching: words and example
J. I John 2:5 (ought is must, sense of obligation)
K. Romans 1:1-5, 16:25-27
L. To participate in the ‘purpose of the ages’ requires adherence to Romans 5-8
M. The higher standard of life as a believer in the Body of Christ
N. “One Anothering” in the Epistles (John 17:20-23)
O. Ephesians 4:15 – 5:2, sins of commission, sins of omission, higher standards
6. “Why Sit We Here Until We Die?”
A. Historical background of II Kings 7
B. The three choices facing the four lepers
C. Application for us in 2019