SEVEN ESSENTIALS WORKSHOP & SELF STUDY COURSE
God’s purposes for His people do not change at the age of retirement.
Our culture says we're finished, we're retired, we're over the hill. But I don't believe that we're here as Christians to make a greater difference for Christ. Throughout our remaining years. We want to use all that God has poured into our lives and leave a legacy that will strengthen the work of Christ for generations to come. That's the vision of Finishing Well Ministries.
As followers of Christ, we are called to keep growing spiritually, to keep being conformed to the image of Christ, to keep building the church, to keep sharing the Gospel, to keep on being ambassadors for Christ, to keep using our giftedness, and to keep on making disciples in every one of our retirement years. Mobilizing seniors throughout their retirement years is our purpose.
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To encourage this biblical mindset in retirement is the purpose of this study. FWM has developed this video series/workbook to focus on SEVEN (7) areas of life that will help us live well and finish well. It is particularly designed with retired and aging people in mind; however, it can be a great resource for the younger generations looking for ways to encourage parents and grandparents.. We believe God has an incredible mission for us as we age. The workbook follows the video series. The two are designed for personal use or small group use.
SIMPLY WATCH EACH VIDEO, THEN WORK THROUGH THE WORKBOOK.
Use it in a Sunday School group, a home group, or a Bible study group.
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If you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to CONTACT US
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PREFER A DVD OF THE SEVEN ESSENTIALS VIDEO SERIES? CONTACT US.
DVD NOW AVAILABLE!
INTRODUCTION VIDEOS
Note: These two short videos are great "setup" videos for the SEVEN ESSENTIALS for FINISHING WELL Study. Consider watching/showing these to your group as you prepare for the study.
Are Older People Marginalized in Today's Society?
God’s assignment for older people is that they would continually model and continually tell the generations that follow them about God’s faithfulness. That is the assignment for every parent, every grandparent, every great-grandparent, and every great-great-grandparent. That is the legacy that aging saints ought to be passing on to their descendants.
95 Million People Over Age 65 in the US
By 2060, the U.S. will have nearly 95 million citizens over 65, marking a significant increase in the aging population, a phenomenon referred to as the "graying tsunami." This demographic shift, also observed globally, is due to declining birth rates. This trend raises concerns about the financial burden on Medicare and Medicaid, compounded by a workforce shortage as fewer young people enter the job market. Dr. Hal Habecker views this as an opportunity for the church to engage, suggesting that ministries focused on "finishing well" are uniquely positioned to address these challenges.
LESSONS VIDEO GALLERY
Note: Video Transcripts are available HERE.
INTRODUCTION: The SEVEN ESSENTIALS
We discover that God's plan and purposes for his people don't change at the age of retirement. Think about this. As followers of Christ, we're called to keep growing spiritually, to keep being conformed to the image of Jesus.
ESSENTIAL TWO: We will CONNECT
Nothing exists by itself. Consider the basic building block of the universe – the atom. In every atom, particles are all connected. Each atom is its own universe of connected elements. God has created the world to be connected.
ESSENTIAL FOUR: We will INVEST in future generations
God calls us to invest our lives into each other and even more so in the generations that follow us (Psalm 71.17,18). And the fourth essential in the series is the importance of investing in the generations following us, beginning with our families. ​​​
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ESSENTIAL SIX: We will PLAN AHEAD
Thinking ahead and planning for the end of our lives is important to living well. Telling your story doesn’t have to wait until you’re gone. I encourage you to tell your stories now. Write them down, shoot a video.
ESSENTIAL ONE: We will GROW
The first essential toward working to finish well. “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4.23). Growth comes from the heart. How is your heart growing? How are you growing? Does this ever stop?
ESSENTIAL THREE: We will CARE/LOVE
Our model for CARING for others and LOVING them is our Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s look at His life first and reflect on the depth of His love and care for us. Following each Scripture, summarize in your own words the depths of His love and care.
ESSENTIAL FIVE: We will BE AVAILABLE
God calls us to serve others, develop our own gifts, and strive to develop a sense of mission and work at this season of life. We will be available as God calls us to serve others, build our own gifts, and strive to develop a sense of mission and work at this season of life.
ESSENTIAL SEVEN: We will ANTICIPATE HEAVEN
An essential part of one’s “Plan for the End” is the anticipation for heaven and eternal life with Christ. The apostle Paul didn’t need any urging to talk about the joys of anticipating heaven. I believe Paul looked forward to heaven every day of his life.
WORKBOOK LINKS
WAIT! Before you PURCHASE the workbook, please provide us your contact information, HERE
OTHER RESOURCES
What the Bible Says About Growing Older:
The Exciting Potential for This Season of Life
by Dr. Hal Habecker (Author)
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“You never fish in the same river twice.” The river is always changing. That’s true of life as well. Each day is different from the day before. We ourselves are different. Therefore, God keeps giving us opportunities to grow. Because this is true, let’s consider some important biblical principles about aging.
AGING WITH PURPOSE - SEVEN ESSENTIALS FOR FINISHING WELL
by Dr. Hal Habecker (Author) with Philip Rawley
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“You never fish in the same river twice.” The river is always changing. That’s true of life as well. Each day is different from the day before. We ourselves are different. Therefore, God keeps giving us opportunities to grow. Because this is true, let’s consider some important biblical principles about aging.
A Ministry founded by Wes Wick
"Ted" addresses tensions early retirees can face in both secular and church cultures. Donated and produced by Wes and Judy Wick's youngest son, Jeremy, this was his very first explainer video. And while this clip helps explain YES!, it also helped Jeremy launch his video-making career. An intergenerational win-win!
YES! provides resources and opportunities for senior adults to SERVE. Learn more here.