In preparation for the immediate super-aging society, this study solves the task of spiritual growth in the faith of elderly believers in the church, and presents Christian spiritual education for the elderly to restore vitality to their enervated rel...
In preparation for the immediate super-aging society, this study solves the task of spiritual growth in the faith of elderly believers in the church, and presents Christian spiritual education for the elderly to restore vitality to their enervated religious life and realize the life value in old age.
To this purpose, this writer first examines the causes of population aging, the accelerating aging phenomenon, and the rapidly changing population structure, the characteristics and desires of biological physical changes in the elderly due to aging, the role and spirituality of the elderly in the Bible, and Christian spirituality. The history of education and the current status of Christian spiritual education for the elderly in Korean churches were studied. Finally in the rapidly developing AI information-oriented period of the current society, which is about to enter a super-aging society, a new Christian education for the elderly was studied by using theological approach, musical (praise) approach, and information technological approach for Christian spiritual education of the elderly in the super-aging society.
This study analyzed and studied numerous data, focusing on previous research literature and academic journals, regarding Christian spiritual education for the elderly in a super-aging society, and found that there was a need to re-establish the elderly education in church-affiliated senior colleges, which had been implemented by most Korean churches up to today. Against the background of this strong demand, we used Christian spiritual education as a foundation to conduct research on the new Christian spiritual education of the
elderly in the context of a super-aging society and the period of AI information.
The results of this study are summarized as follows.
First, as a result of general research on the elderly in a super-aging society and christian research, in general terms, the elderly refers to ‘older people’ or people whose physical, psychological, and social functions have declined due to age. In terms of Christianity, the category of understanding of the elderly was expanded by making it known that the elderly were ‘people with white hair, long
beards, and virtue’, symbols of dignity and wisdom, and were peoples who taught the next generations the law of God and achieved spiritual maturity.
Second, as a result of research on the overall Christian spiritual education of the elderly, this study established Christian spirituality in a relationship with the Trinity God and made the elderly form correct relationships with other peoples in the created world through education on the basic doctrines, thought, and practices of Christianity. This writer set the standard for faith in old age so that the elderly could be restored as a human being who reveals the image of God.
Third, as a result of research on new Christian spiritual education for the elderly in a super-aging society, this writer proposes training centered on Bible study, prayer, and fellowship as theological education for the elderly, helping the spiritual recovery and faith-growth of the elderly. As for musical (praise) education for the elderly, it was proposed to carry out music education with the elderly inside and outside the church, and to select songs with themes of releasing emotions in old age, reflecting on life, and spiritual health in order to save the souls of the elderly in the community.
Information technological education for the elderly strengthens the use of computers and smartphones, and especially proposes education on the use of smartphones to increase the probability of attendance at worship through the elderly’s skillful use of Zoom, to narrow the gap between generations, thereby to unite the church.
This study would like to make the following suggestions for follow-up research.
First, this study redefined the existing church-affiliated senior college education and dealt with new Christian spiritual education for the elderly in a super-aging society. However, it is difficult to generalize on a national scale this type of elderly education without considering the absence of senior colleges or insufficient operating conditions due to regional characteristics. Taking this into consideration, follow-up research appropriate to regional characteristics should be conducted.
Second, since this study presented a specific educational program for new Christian spiritual education for the elderly in a super-aging society, there are limitations in generalizing it to all the elderly across the country so follow-up research is needed to develop a program fit for local characteristics.
Lastly, in order to strengthen the digital capabilities of the elderly, a new Christian spiritual education for the elderly in a super-aging society was proposed: education on the use of smartphones. However, this writer hopes that further follow-up research will be conducted to address the unfortunate issue of not addressing the training of experts required for this education.