New and Old

Let’s talk about old and new. Make a list under each adjective of things that are better “old” or better “new”. Then explain why you chose these things.

OLD

NEW

Now generalize. In what kind of situations is the “old” best? In what kinds of situations is the “new” best? Are you a person who tends to love what is old (like antiques) or do you tend to love what is new (like a new house or the latest fashion)?

Think about friendship. What is good about old friends? What is good about new friends? Are you good at keeping old friends? Are you good at making new friends? Explain.

Consider this proverb: someone who is crazy does this – they do the same old things over and over but expect a new result! In what area of your life do you find yourself in this situation – doing the same old things over and over but hoping for a new result? How does it work out?

We have a saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Why would it be hard for an old dog to learn new tricks? What makes it easier for a young dog? Do you know people (old or young) who are “old” in their thinking – they don’t or won’t learn new things? Why are they that way? Do you know people (old or young) who are “young” in their thinking – they are learning and teachable? Why are they that way?

This is a lesson Jesus taught about new and old:

“People don’t sew a patch of new cloth on old clothes. If they do, the new piece will pull away from the old. That will make the tear worse. People don’t pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the wine will burst the skins. Then the wine and the wineskins will both be destroyed. No, everyone pours new wine into new wineskins.” Mark 2:21-22

Think of an example – when mixing the old with the new doesn’t work. Can you think of an example of a situation where mixing the old and the new does work well?