This study is a self-paced study from The Wisdom Years and is appropriate for individuals, small groups, or congregations at any time. Each week includes an introduction, assigned readings, questions for reflection, and additional readings on the subject.
There is no pretending that the later years are lived in the same way that earlier years were. For many, aging means loss of physical abilities, loss of meaningfulness as we retire from life-long careers, loss of dear friends as they die.
Even so, the potential exists for these years to come alive in ways that we have never been alive before. The later years afford us the time to deepen relationships – especially our relationship with our creator God – and to reflect on what the real meaning of life is. Typically, says Joan Chittister, as the physical dimension of life decreases, the spiritual dimension increases. It is a matter of “embracing the blessings of this time and overcoming the burdens of it.”
In The Gift of Years, Chittister looks at 40 aspects of aging and offers a way to see the blessings in each of them, rather than concentrating only on the burdens.
The Gifts of Years is an excellent book to introduce the topic of aging to individuals or congregations. It is non-threatening, easy to read, succinct, and inspiring. Each of the short chapters – three or four pages long – covers a topic that is pertinent to aging and offers wisdom and hope.
Reflection/discussion questions for each chapter of The Gift of Years.
(This list is alphabetical to make it easy to find the chapters. This is not the order in which the chapters appear in the book.)
You will find these files in your download folder.
The Wisdom Years 