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Reflections on Old Age with Billy Graham Essay

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An important sector of society is older adults and their various contributions to future generations. Billy Graham’s book Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well sheds light on the various attributes of growing old and about life in general. An important idea he expresses is the influence older adults have on society as well as their ability to leave a spiritual legacy which is far more important than material inheritances. I also believe that older adults are essential to society and that Graham’s opinions are in tune with society and are useful to readers of all ages. Graham also discusses two major themes of adult development: retirement and primary aging. His book can be used to help professionals working with older adults in a …show more content…

He notes, peer pressure has always been around and that “the older generation should be looking for ways to encourage the younger because they are constantly bombarded with wrong teaching, poor examples and pressure tactics” (Graham, 2011, p. 115). Influencing the younger generations is important but Graham emphasizes that the older generation needs to stay true to themselves and to their faith, that in the end their authenticity will open the door to impacting younger generations. Billy Graham (2011) considers this “a privilege” for the older generation and shows that the Bible teaches older generations to pass on their knowledge to those who are younger (pp.116-117). Lastly, he calls those in older and late adulthood to be all that God has called them to be and remember even their attitudes and the way they chose to live out their later years makes an impression on the younger generation. “Leaving a legacy” is another significant idea in Billy Graham’s book (Graham, 2011, 118). It highlights the importance of a life well lived as well as its impact. He discusses that although the intensity and times of influence on one’s children and grandchildren diminishes with age that is not a reason to stop, because the older generation still has an impact. He writes, “…the greatest legacy you can pass on to your children and grandchildren is not your money or other material things…The greatest legacy you can pass on to them is your character and

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