A faith-based retirement community, where other residents and staff members often have strong faith, allows you to surround yourself with other people who are also on a walk with God. While everyone is at a different point in their journey, interacting and supporting one another strengthens everyone's experience.
Talking with your neighbors about your walk with God could strengthen your conviction. Neighbors with a stronger connection to God serve as role models for your journey. You might find inspiration in their stories and learn new ways to deepen your faith.
Meeting others who are in the early stages of their walk with God gives you the chance to share your faith with others. Serving as a mentor to others lets you put your faith into action and reflect on your experiences to this point. It may also help you clarify how you want to grow as a Christian.
When you move to a retirement community, you leave behind the time-consuming responsibilities of homeownership. A smaller home is much faster to tidy up, and many communities offer housekeeping services to help. Eating meals in the restaurant-style dining room saves you time on meal prep. This maintenance-free lifestyle opens up more space in your daily routine to worship.
It's helpful to create a morning devotional practice to start off your day with a spiritual tone. Find a rhythm throughout the day that includes activities that help you grow your faith. This might include reading your Bible, praying, listening to worship music and journaling.
Senior communities offer multiple activities throughout the day. Many of those activities focus on faith when you choose a community under the Bethesda Senior Living Community umbrella. Examples include Bible study and screening religious movies.
Even activities that aren't directly related to God provide an opportunity to expand your faith. For instance, if you attend a spa day or craft activity, you can chat with the other residents around you about God, your favorite scripture or your personal testimony. A group walk or activities that take place outdoors allow you to reflect on your relationship with God and the beauty he creates.
Many senior communities provide on-site spiritual resources for residents. Examples include chaplain services and worship services. Some communities plan nondenominational activities, while others offer options for specific religions. Explore the choices your community offers and use them regularly to support your walk with God. For instance, you might worship with your neighbors during the weekly religious services and meet with the community chaplain regularly for spiritual guidance.
Another common retirement community service that could help is provided transportation. If your senior community doesn't offer religious services that meet your needs, find out if you can use the community's transportation to get to a nearby church. This is particularly helpful for residents who no longer drive or don't have access to a personal vehicle.
Another benefit of living in a retirement community is having access to special interest groups just for residents. Check within your community for Bible study groups, book clubs and other faith-focused small groups you can join. If you don't find an existing group that fits your needs, consider creating a spiritual book club or another group based on the type of fellowship you want.
These groups have a specific purpose, such as diving deeper into scripture with a Bible study group. However, they also foster relationships with other people who value their faith and connection to God. Nurturing those types of friendships supports you in your walk and can help you stay motivated if you feel yourself straying.
Volunteering your time is an effective way to grow stronger in your faith. It helps you live out your beliefs and model your life after Jesus. You may find volunteer opportunities within your retirement community. Some communities encourage volunteerism and help coordinate group volunteering opportunities.
If you don't find any existing options available, gather a group of your neighbors and find a local cause you can support together. Going to a nonprofit organization's location to support their efforts gives you a change of scenery, but many charities have options you can do from home. For instance, you might gather a group of your neighbors to put together informational packets for a favorite organization.
