Nancy Parker Brummett - The Hope of Glory: A Devotional Guide for Older Adults

THE HOPE OF GLORY BY NANCY PARKER BRUMMETT

Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

2333 Barton Oaks Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27614

ISBN 9781938499326

Copyright 2014 by Nancy Parker Brummett

Cover photo illustration copyright 2014 by Thomas Brummett

Author photo copyright. 2011 by Francesca McConnell

Interior design by Rhonda Dragomir of Dream Shapers

Available in print from your local bookstore, online, or from the publisher at: www.lighthousepublishingofthecarolinas.com

For more information on this book and the author visit:

www.nancyparkerbrummett.com

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Commercial interests: No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any meanselectronic, photocopy, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by the United States of America copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION . NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Brummett, Nancy Parker.

The Hope of Glory/ Nancy Parker Brummett

Printed in the United States of America

Dedicated to all the courageous, faithful older adults I have been blessed to know.

NPB

Growing old may not always be easy, but it can be a joyful journey if we choose to live out our faith in spite of our circumstances. Nancy Parker Brummetts The Hope of Glory is a great resource for older adults and those who love and care for them. With themes that are relevant to aging, each chapters scripture, meditation, prayer and reflection questions will help older adults keep their eyes focused on God as they continue the journey through aging.

Missy Buchanan, Speaker and Author of My Story, My Song with Robin Roberts and Lucimarian Roberts, Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body , and other books on aging and faith.

Nancy has done an outstanding job in compiling these precious lessons for older adults. They are excellent not only for a beginner, but also for seasoned teachers, as well as chaplains to use when ministering to residents in our communities care centers. We at Crossroads Ministries will be utilizing this book for years to come.

Kay Owen-Larson, Founder and President Crossroads Ministries USA, Inc.

The Hope of Glory what a wonderful resource for sharing Gods Word to our elderly! Nancy has blended Scripture, prayer, and meditations into an easy-to-use devotional that is inspiring and relevant to our seniors time of life.

Rex Bishop Assisted Living Chaplain

The Hope of Glory is a devotional guide with 57 lessons for individuals over 65 and those leading weekly devotional hours for older adults in retirement homes, assisted living residences, nursing homes, senior centers, or Sunday school classes. The elderly in our society too often suffer from hopelessness, loneliness, and long days separated from the people they love and the communities in which they lived and worked. The Hope of Glory will give them eternal hope as it communicates the Gospel message and reminds them of who they are in Gods eyes: not old and useless, but men and women created in His image who still have a life to live, a story to tell, and a future of eternal glory!

For Individual Devotions

If you are an older adult who would like to use The Hope of Glory for your daily devotions, simply work through the lessons at your own pace. Remember to turn to the back for lessons relevant to special holidays. It may help you remember your spiritual journey if you answer lesson questions in a personal journal.

For Group Devotions

To begin a class, visit a care facility near you and meet with the Executive Director and/or Activities Director. Allow them to review The Hope of Glory and receive their permission to go ahead. (Or meet with your pastor if you are offering the class in the church.) They will also help you advertise the class, determine the best time and place to meet, and gather attendees.

The Hope of Glory was field tested with groups of residents in assisted living facilities. Each lesson is designed to include group interaction and discussion and should take about one hour or less. Class length may vary depending on how long it takes to assemble, the number in the group, individual participation, and the number of hymns chosen.

Guidelines for Group Facilitators

Even if you have never led a Bible study or devotional hour before, The Hope of Glory will make it easy for you. Your willingness and heart to serve are the most important factors. Each lesson will guide you step-by-step as you read the lesson to the group. Make sure you speak loudly enough for everyone to hear. You may use the lessons in the order they appear in the book or skip around at will. (Select the five holiday lessons in the back as needed.)

You will notice that each numbered lesson has a title, or theme, a Key Verse (write this on a board in the meeting room if possible), and an Opening Prayer. The Introduction to each lesson elaborates on the theme for that class and stimulates the initial discussion period. Be willing to wait for responses to the questions. If you dont get responses to the questions as asked, try restating them in a slightly different way. As you become comfortable with the group, ask quieter individuals what they are thinking. If necessary, gently ask group members who dominate the discussions to allow others a turn to share.

The Scriptures and Quotes are also related to the theme for each lesson. (All Scripture verses are from the New International Version of the Bible, unless otherwise noted.) As you read these verses and quotes, pause after each one. If you are familiar with the verse, you might add some context from the Bible. Each entry can be a starting point for additional discussion and teaching if you choose, but this is optional and isnt necessary with each entry. Let the Holy Spirit lead the discussion! Some residents may want to bring their Bibles and look up verses as you go. Of course this is good, just allow for the extra time it will take.

The Meditation section of each lesson presents the themes Biblical meaning and suggests a behavioral or attitude change as we all grow in Christ. It will frequently present the Gospel message as well, so be sensitive to group members who may want to pray privately after class to accept Jesus as their Savior for the first time. Nothing that happens is more important than that!

Each Meditation will be followed by a second series of questions for discussion, A Thought to Share, and a Suggestion for the Week. Then the real fun begins as you introduce one or more hymns for the group to sing together. It is wonderful if you have a pianist and hymnbooks for the class, but it is not necessary. Handing out copies of the words in lieu of hymnbooks increases participation. (Some attendees will want to take the words with them at the end of class.)