I once had an older woman tell me she doesn't go to church anymore because "...church is for young folks and children. They need that in their youth to set them straight. I'm not in need of it now, and no one needs me there." How my heart broke for that woman! But I know that she is not alone in her thoughts, even if others may not drop out of attending worship as she had done. I would like to encourage the older women. YOU are needed. YOU are vital to the health of the Lord's church. YOU have been given much work to do. This work takes different forms than what you may have done when you had small children at home. God has seen fit to hold older women up as the examples and guides for younger women. Younger women NEED you. They need you to step in and guide them. They need you to be the spiritual mother they may be lacking. Consider one older woman from scripture-Anna. What do we know about Anna from Luke 2:36-38? She was a prophetess. She was advanced in years, 84 years old. She had been married to her husband for seven years until his death. As a widow, she served night and day in the temple, without fail. She was looking for the coming Messiah, because she gave thanks when she heard Simeon's blessing on baby Jesus (Luke 2:21-35). At 84 years old, Anna got up every day and worshiped at the Temple. She had educated herself on the prophecies in the Old Testament. She was ready to rejoice when she learned the Messiah had arrived. AND she "continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38 NASB). Her widowhood was not excuse. Her age was not an excuse. She filled her days with worshiping and praying to the Lord! She was so entrenched in service to Him, that when she witnessed the fulfillment of prophecies she could not keep it to herself. She told others. Are you struggling to be confident about the value God has put in you as an older woman? There is a study guide coming out this month that can help you to find that confidence. "To Be a Handmaid of the Lord" - a Bible Study Guide is designed to walk you through God’s word and find your confidence and true value by the end of the study. Anyone who has been blessed, like Anna, with long years of knowledge and experience in service to the Lord has MUCH to offer to those who do not yet have them. Any one of us can be like her starting where we are right now. If you are alive, you can teach in many ways. It does not have to be in front of a class of 4 and 5-year-old children. It does not have to be in a formal class at all! What are some ways in which an older woman can fulfill the command of Titus 2:3-5? Because have no doubt about it, you may ignore these verses, but you cannot ignore them and be obedient to God (Titus 2:11-15; 1 Jn. 2:4-5). Here is Quick Start Guide to teaching younger women. First things first, keep yourself obedient to God's commands so you are an example to be looked up to. Next, TEACH. Invite soon-to-be married women or young brides over and talk about HOW they love their husbands and children. This is not the agape love that husbands are commanded to have for their wives (Eph. 5:25). It is phileo love-simply being fond of their own husband and children. This verse says wives need to be TAUGHT how to be fond of their spouse and children. SHARE your knowledge and experience. Take them to scripture to show how they must treat other people and consider other people-including their own family members. Encourage these younger women to be "sensible" or "sober". Show them how to budget their money, how to wait to buy those shoes until they have cash in hand, how to plan for the next season's clothing needs now, etc. There's a hundred ways you can show any younger woman how to be more practical so that she too can have the commendation of her husband (Prov. 31:28-30). Maybe invite small groups of young women to your home to learn how to cook, iron, clean, sew, can produce, fold a fitted sheet, or how to make a cleaning schedule. What is YOUR gift? Do you love cooking from scratch? Ask these women to bring ingredients and you will share recipes! Get to know them while helping them. Start a Bible texting chain where you share a scripture that reminds them how to be pure, how to submit, or how to be kind. Write notes of encouragement when you see them doing the right thing, especially in trying moments like disciplining stubborn little ones. Reach out to them so that they can learn how to reach out to you. Begin a study group of “To Be a Handmaid of the Lord” and remind yourself of your value while also showing younger women their true value to God. You get the idea - you KNOW these things. Do not wait for the young ones to realize their own need - they are young and foolish and may need to be told of their need. God equipped you with a life's worth of lessons to share with those who are coming up in the church. He was certain enough of your capability to command you to fill this need. Trust Him enough to do His will in this regard. You will bless many, and you, yourself, will be blessed in the doing. Enjoy! Angela The Diligent Woman PS-Did you grab your free printable? Quick Start Guide