The Bible and Retirement

A Biblical Rationale for Discussing Retirement

• I. All of our time is important to God.
  • Ephesians 5: 16
  • Psalm 139: 16
  • Psalm 90: 12

• II. God takes our work seriously.
  • Genesis 2 cultural mandate
  • Exodus 20 4^th commandment

• III. God calls us to be good stewards of our time, treasure, and talents.
  • Matthew 25
  • Colossians 3: 23

• IV. Our lives are always to bring glory to God.
  • 1 Corinthians 10: 31
  • Matthew 5: 16
  • Psalm 34: 3

• V. Idleness is condemned in the Old Testament and disciplined in the New Testament.
  • Proverbs 6
  • II Thessalonians 3: 6f

• VI. The believer’s charge is to invest not indulge.
  • Galatians 5: 13
  • Philippians 3: 12-14
  • Hebrews 12: 1, 2
  • 1 Corinthians 15: 58

• VII. Grace frees us from fear and equips us to be fruitful.
  • Matthew 6: 25f
  • John 15
  • Ephesians 2: 10

U-PICK RETIREMENT QUESTIONS

1. What has been a significant surprise that you have experienced in retirement?
2. What is something you fear(ed) as you approach(ed) retirement.
3. What advice would you give someone nearing retirement?
4. What has God taught you so far in your retirement season?
5. Respond to the following: “Retirement is an opportunity to do all the things on our bucket list–as long as the money allows!”
6. What is the hardest part of retirement?
7. People often find their identity in their careers.  What challenge does that create as retirement becomes a reality?
8. When you “retired,” how many more years did you expect to live?
9. What are some of the difficulties often experienced in the retirement years? (medical, financial, housing, loss of loved ones, immobility, loneliness, downsizing, etc.)
10. What difference does the gospel make to the retired?
11. Can the retired still be useful to God? How so?