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Scripture Memory Bible Verses for Senior Adults

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Senior Adults & Bible MemorySenior adults have much to offer. They should still very much be involved in ministry, loving and serving God to the end. The problem is, they are not always treated that way nor do they always believe it to be true. Sometimes they feel they should move out of the way for the younger generation to take over. They might question what they can do in their current physical condition. They need to remind themselves of God’s take on their old age. Bible verses that would be good to zero in on, and even encouraged to be memorized, could be those pertaining to their continued usefulness.

Scripture Verses on How God Views Old Age as Valuable

To God, old age is an honorable attainment.

Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. (Prov. 16:31)

The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old. (Prov. 20:29)

Bible Verses to Remind Us that God Still Has Purpose for the Elderly

Think about it. If God no longer has a purpose on this earth for a person, wouldn’t He take them to be with Him? One can only assume God isn’t finished with them yet. He has more for them to accomplish as they continue to yield to Him.

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Ps. 71:18)

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, …. (Eccl. 3:1-8)

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (Ps. 139:16)

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (Phil. 1:21-26)

God Still Wants to Bear Fruit in the Lives of Older Believers

Jesus reminds us that if we abide in Him, we will bear fruit. The qualification for fruit bearing is abiding in Him, not our age bracket. Here’s a verse teachers might use with older believers to remind them of this truth:

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” (Ps. 92:12-15)

Bible Verses on How God Gives Strength & Guidance for Senior Adults to Continue Serving Him

We are not merely talking about physical strength. Most importantly is the inner strength needed to be His light even from a wheel chair, in a nursing home, laying flat in bed, etc.

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. (Ps. 71:9)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Cor. 4:16)

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isa. 46:4 … context: speaking to descendents of Judah but undoubtedly true for His people today)

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. (Ps. 37:25)

Not sure what they can do at their age? Encourage them to ask Him:

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (Ps. 48:14)

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Ps. 90:12)

Perhaps Isaiah 40:30-31 was memorized when they were younger. Now it is time to add verse 29 —

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

God Sustains Senior Adults with His Future Hope

Knowing their time on this earth will soon come to an end, older believers can trust themselves to God knowing that no matter how hard their last days get, He will be with them and make it all worthwhile. These verses can serve as a reminder:

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Ps. 23:6)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:7-8)

God Provides Specific Ways He Might Use Senior Adults

God can use older believers in a number of ways. Two are specifically referenced in Scripture:

1) if grandparents, impact in their grandchildren’s lives (Prov. 17:6)

2) mentoring of younger men and younger women (Titus 2:2-6)

God is Praised When the Elderly Maintain the Right Heart Attitude

How easy it would be to grumble and complain about the hardships of growing old. Yet, even into our senior years, we are to bring glory to Him through our actions, attitudes, and words. None of the verses about being light and salt in this world, about everybody having a part in the Body, etc. have an expiration date. Titus 2:2-3 reminds us of qualities that need to be in older men and women if they are going to have a real impact on others.

young men and women, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. (Ps. 148:12-13)

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Ps. 71:18)

Role of Bible Teachers in Promoting Continued Usefulness of Senior Adults Through Scripture Memory

Bible teachers of senior adult classes can help reinforce their continued usefulness with these Scripture verses, encouraging their students to memorize key Bible verses.

Sure, older students might claim they can’t memorize anymore and it often truly is difficult at this age. Here are some ways teachers can encourage memorization:

  • Stress the value of having these verses memorized. In addition to being good for the soul, it serves an extra purpose in helping to keep their minds sharp.
  • Start with memorizing key phrases in the verse and then build on them as you can.
  • Suggest they do it in conjunction with serving others. For example, they might be able to help in children’s classes to be a listener or help their grandchildren with Scripture memory. If they are in a mentoring or discipleship relationship, they might find it helpful to work together with their partner on memorizing some key passages.
  • Select a Bible verse as a class verse which is repeated on occasion in class, on any print material distributed to them, even included in prayer, and any other way you can think of to provide repetition. In time, the verse will be memorized without thinking of it as “Scripture memory” work.
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22 Replies to “Scripture Memory Bible Verses for Senior Adults”

    • I am so glad you found this article encouraging. Isn’t it wonderful how God in His Word speaks to us at whatever stage of life we are in? And, isn’t it wonderful how God wants to use us to His glory until the day He takes us home with Him? It may look different than it did when we were younger, but there is always purpose for us in Him! Praise God!

    • Good verses not only for middle age people but also for those already old. Moses was 80 when God called him. Older and yet still strong. Joshua and Caleb were older and yet still strong. Very encouraging

      • Yes, Kathy, God’s word not only provides instruction and encouragement for us in our latter years but also examples, like those you shared. They show us that with God, anything is possible, that the verses in this post aren’t mere platitudes to make us feel good.

        • Amen!! Encouragement for us when feel like giving up on taking care of ourself. When we want to give up going to the gym. Or when we begin to feel useless. We can counsel, pray and teach younger people. They need it! And they need Godly examples

          • If we look at our circumstances and how we might feel, we certainly could get to the point of wanting to give up. But, when we look at our Almighty, All-Wise, Good, and Faithful God, who will strengthen and uplift us, we can indeed find encouragement to keep going. — “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isa. 40:29-31) — And, the strength we need to keep going is inward strength. God may not remove the effects of aging but He certainly will help us soar in our spirit which enables us to do a lot more than we might think possible.

  1. I’m a missionary working with the seniors and just found this article very useful and helpful. Thanks for sharing. God bless you.

  2. Your report is very useful. I’m looking for a small book or information for our senior adult ministry. Scriptures that encourage in old age, are funny and brief. Something that we can discuss, meditate on and share.

    • Hello, Fran Giddins. I’m glad you found this post useful. If you go to Effective Senior Adult Ministry page on our main site, you’ll find some Senior Adults resources. Many do not contain the humor you are looking for but some do have brief readings. Perhaps you can bring the humor in through your discussion. I hope that helps.

  3. Thank you so much for this article. It gives me hope and tells me on the right path. I work with the seniors at a hospital near me. I’m hoping I can enrich their lives by memorizing scripture and hopefully sharpen their mind in the process. Main reason is so they can hide HIS word in their hearts for such a time that they may need that scripture in their life.

  4. I stay in a Senior Community Apartment Building. I have asked the manager if my wife and I could start a Bible Study Group. Some of the Bible verses and material I viewed on you Web site will be very helpful. Thank you for your time and effort in providing this information.

  5. Thank you for this resource. It was very encouraging . Filled with gratitude information to encourage my older adult ministry.

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