It is discouraging how disrespectful our society has become and how these attitudes have invaded the church. It is obvious (or, maybe I should say, “It should be obvious”) that those who are younger ought to show a healthy amount of respect to those who are older. But, just in case it’s not obvious, God commanded Christians to do it.
In 1 Timothy 5:1-2 are these instructions, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger as sisters, with all purity.” Think about those words—respect them and treat them as a father and a mother. Similar words are found in 1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.”
Consider these instructions given in the Old Testament: “You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God” (Lev. 19:32). Parents and teachers, it is time for us to impress on the young a proper respect for those who are older.