Paul indicated to Titus that certain duties are to be enjoined upon those who are older. They are to teach the younger people by word and deed (Titus 2:2-5) Notice:
(2)
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in the faith, in charity,
in patience. (3) The aged women, likewise, that they in behavior as becometh
holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
(4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their own husbands,
to love their children, (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good,
obedient, to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
It seems that there are
some factors which are preventing these commanded activities from being
fulfilled. For instance, in a culture which is infatuated with youth, it is
harder and harder to find any men or women who consider themselves as "aged". In
past generations, those in their 40's and 30's (to say nothing of those in their
60's and 50's) would have regarded themselves as obligated by these duties.
Today, folks are insulted if you hint that they have attained to an age where
they ought to take these commands as personal responsibility. Maybe some of us
need to "wake up" and realize that we aren't "spring chickens" any more! There
is clearly a job here that the older, wiser and more mature Christians need to
be doing.
But, there is another
factor which also influences this situation. There's a disturbing trend in which
people isolate themselves from others who are not in their age group. The
younger ones exclude the older ones, and vice versa. Certain ones only like to
associate with others in their own "circle". They prefer to exclusively interact
with those of their "clique". It especially seems that some of the younger ones
never seek to engage those who are older. When this happens, many good and
helpful relationships are never allowed to develop. We do not mean to imply that
this is done intentionally. But, in so much as such situations do exist, young
folks are missing out on an important influence that God desires for them to
have.
Let the "aged" ones realize who they are, and let them take their God-given responsibilities seriously. Let the younger ones realize the importance of a strong, positive relationship with those who are older.
— Greg Gwin