Learning from the Amish

Learning From the Amish

“Learning From the Amish”

Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 6:14-17

Accompanying Song: “This World Is Not My Home”

Subject: Christian Living

Objective: To demonstrate 1.)traits of Christianity that the Amish practice and 2.) demonstrate that if the Amish can do them, so can we!

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Introduction:

Many of you have lived among the Amish for many years.
Quickly identifiable – horse & buggy, black and plain suits
Known for their quiet demeanor and simple way of life
One thing I have come to learn about the Amish: in the midst of a hectic and busy world, they seem to have found a way to live peaceful lives.
Curious about them, I recently began reading a book about the Amish, The Gentle People: An Inside View of Amish Lifeby Joe Wittmer, Dr. who grew up in Washington, IN
When reading the book I was inspired and read in awe in many ways. I do not want to paint an unfair picture. The Amish people have their faults as we all do. Additionally, I do not want to present this lesson leaving the impression that I agree with all Amish beliefs or even that we should all become more like the Amish. Our ultimate goal is to become like Christ.
Think there are some lessons we can learn from our Amish neighbors that we would do well to take note of (Title Slide)
The purpose of this lesson is two fold:
Point out some good attitudes we could learn from our horse and buggy friends and also…
To show that if the Amish are currently demonstrating that it can be done through their actions, then so can we! (Some people like to poo-poo sermons claiming they are good ideas but impractical in our time!)

Body:

The Amish Are Not Changing
There is something that must be learned, a secret the Amish have…they are not changing.
Since 1690’s their general rules for living have remained essentially the same since that time.
Like God,who does not change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8)
Since Christ does not change, Christianity does not/should not change
Men have tried to make Christianity into many things. World divided and confused if one were to ask an independent bystanders on the street what Christianity is, may get mixed answers
Some believe in Pope; others not
Some follow 10 commandments; others not
Some have women pastors; others forbid
Some build gymnasiums and social halls
Some have huge outreaches to help mass numbers of poor; others do not
Some believe in miraculous happenings today; others do not believe
All speak of peace and unity yet they can’t get along and meet/worship together
So, what is a Christianity? Seems man has changed it, revised it and changed it some more to suit his tastes.
Christianity = a pattern that does not change (Php. 3:17)
(1 Tim. 1:16)
If one follows a pattern over and over again, get the same results each time (wood pattern, recipe, etc.); altering the pattern brings about different results
If the pattern given to Timothy gave believers everlasting life, what happens if he changes the Pattern? Everlasting life is not gained!
(2 Tim. 1:13) That pattern was never to change – Timothy told to “hold fast” to it!
We are not to have anything to do with those who will not follow the pattern (2 These 3:6)
The Amish Vehemently Reject the Outside World
One of the things we must fight so hard is being like the world…in fact may be our biggest struggle!
The Amish may be laden with man-made traditions, which if bound in an attempt to make man more righteous is wrong (Mat. 15:9).
However, something to be said about what they have been able to do – to cling to their traditions, refusing to change them in an attempt to reject the outside world.
Why the Amish dress, live in plain homes, drive a horse and buggy as they do.
Once thought there was some Bible verse they must be misrepresenting – not really so
They want to dress as they do as part of a desire to be as different from the world in every way as possible.
“World”, in the Bible is a word used to describe those who live according to the flesh, their own desires, etc.
Christians ought to be distinct from the world (Phil. 2:15)
(Tit. 2:14 KJV) “special people” (NKJV) =“peculiar people” (KJV)Notjust Amish thatought to be this way – Christians ought to be a peculiar (different people)
(1 Pet. 2:11) We must live in the world, but not be part of it!
Being separate from the world, I have learned is one of the reasons that the Amish have rejected electricity.
I once thought (as many do) that the Amish were “against electricity”; we then see them doing things like using generators or battery-operated devices and think them to be very inconsistent.
It is not that they are “against electricity” but rather that they see where accepting electrical lines into their homes will take them.
Their forefathers must have been true visionaries. In the beginning of the 20th century, when many homes were beginning to have electricity, they rejected it on the grounds that they could see all of the problems that would enter into the home along with the convenience of electricity
Continuous debt
Dependence on the outside world to provide for our needs – reliant on others for our survival
Most of all - allowed the introduction of devices that have brought worldly influence into the home and has blinded millions, leading them astray through television, radio, internet, etc.! Reefusing these modern electric devices has shielded the Amish, by in large, from these devices of Satan to tempt us to d ungodly things!
Nearly everything that makes the Amish appear different – purposely done so; they want nothing to do with the world and will go to the extremes to avoid being like those in the world!
(2 Cor. 6:14-17)We should have no close connections with the world or worldly people in any way shape or form!
Rejection of the outside world is also why it is difficult to become friends with the Amish
Not that they are rude or self-righteous…
…rather that they
The Amish Have a Strong Work-Ethic
We live in a society in love with leisure: sports, vacations, entertainment, lounging in front of the television, etc.
Good Amish use their day wisely and spend a good portion of it working together.
As they do this, they not only provide for their needs but build family relationships and have opportunities to talk about their faith
A “chimney corner” scripture says “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop”
Work is good for the soul
Gen. 1:1-15 God was the first on earth working; worked six days and rested on the seventh. Thus, legitimate work reflects the activity of God. When God finished His work, He surveyed it and called it “very good” (Gen. 1:31); In fact, the Bible tells us in Psa. 19 that God reveals himself to us by His handiwork.
Man was created to work (Gen. 2:15)
God wants us to busy ourselves with good work (Eph.4:28)
The Amish Marry at a Young Age
Note: I am not a proponent of marrying at a young age, at least not now, the way we raise our children today, but consider…
In the past centuries, parents raised their children much differently, children were trained by their parents:
Dad spent the day with the boys, teaching them a trade and how to earn a living, to work
Mom spent the day with the girls, training them and teaching them to be good wives, homemakers, cook, clean, care for children, etc.
Learning these skills (instead of watching television and playing games) allowed young people to mature at a much younger rate
Like the Amish, some have observed that young people in Biblical times married at a much earlier age (approx. 16 yrs. of age – Amish not quite that young)
How was this possible:
Because young people were given responsibilities at home, were expected to contribute to the family unit, at the age of a young adult they had the basic skills and some maturity to raise a family.
The Jews (and other ancients) could observe the human body and see that it was maturing in puberty around the age 16 or so. With that comes urges and desires to be with the opposite sex
Therefore, children were allowed to marry (and were ready for it) at a much younger age than our children are today, because we have kept them mentally immature and irresponsible by not interacting with them and directing their time wisely.
Thus, man’s system is not fair to young people – they then find themselves sexually mature with adult feelings and urges and yet are held back and told not to marry until a much later age. Sexual temptations are strong. The fall of many young people may very well be the result of the system we have put them in.
Thus, keeping the working home structure in tact is an environment that can be made to mature our young people faster, prepare them for adult responsibilities earlier and thus, in past centuries, prepared them, even for marriage at a much younger age than we customarily accept in our culture.
Further, the Amish feel strong shame when sin happens among them.
Americans, by in large, have lost a sense of shame for committing acts against the Lord
Bible no longer respected
Babies born out of wedlock at alarming rates - and no shame!
Caring For Their Own
The Amish Are Not Dependent Upon Social Security, Insurance, Nursing Homes, Etc.
The Amish teach us another valuable lesson in that they care for their own
Should not need home insurance, etc. if Christians save in order to bear one another’s burdens(Gal. 6:2)
Amish save and when, say, a neighbor’s barn is burnt down, they not only pay for the materials, they rebuild it for them!
(Pr. 11:25; Isa. 32:8)Commanded tobe generous
(1 Tim. 5:8) “especially” those of his own house
(Ac. 4:35) Christians took what they had and shared it – as each had need
Caring for our aged parents
Men have grown cold and view parents as a financial and physical burden
Warehouse them in nursing homes
What would you do if nursing homes, social security and Medicaid and Medicare were not available? Answer: you would do what has been done for centuries: you would care for them!
High time we stop making excuses for sending our parents to the nursing homes and finding creative ways to care for them!
(Mk. 7:10-12) Jesus condemns the Pharisees for allowing men to neglect the care of their aging parents if they promised to give the money that would have been used for their care to the temple
(1 Tim. 5:8, 16– v. 8 repeat verse); in context of Christian children caring for their widowed mothers; not let the church be burdened with caring for them – responsibility of parents
Side note: some might scoff and say, “Easier to preach a sermon about it than to practice it.” AMEN! Now let’s work together to figure out how to solve the ways we have gotten off the path God has marked for us! If the Amish can do it, then it is proven it can be done! (Remember there was a time when nursing homes did not exist)
The Amish Practice Discipline
Many today react to discipline in the church in a negative light (one of reasons churches have problems todayGal. 5:9)
Look at discipline as being a meddler in the affairs of another
Think we should not “point fingers”
Think of one who suggests disciplining the unruly as a divisive person
Discipline is a Biblical concept – has always been…
…even in O.T. times (Gen. 17:14)
…still today(2 Thess. 3:14; 1 Tim. 6:3-5)
Just like the Amish have kept sinful temptations out of their homes by refusing electricity to run televisions, computers and radios, church discipline – correcting the unruly, keeps the unsaved out of the congregation and the saved ones in!
Resist Worldly and Materialistic Pursuits
The Amish Reject Formal Schooling Above Eighth Grade
I want to be clear that I am not condemning a higher education.
However, the Amish see no need for higher learning
Reason: Higher learning can make one proud (Jas. 4:6) tells us to be humble
Higher education is often sought to increase incomes, to be able to afford worldly goods
The Amish have resisted the temptation to have all that their English neighbors have – they don’t want to be like us (Heb. 13:5)
(1 Pet. 2:11) The Amish remember, as should we, we are pilgrims on this earth!
Furthering one’s education may be fine, but before doing it, ask yourself honestly what your motives are. Have you been pulled into the pursuit of materialism and worldly goods(Eccl. 2:4-11) or is it merely a thirst for knowledge or a desire to do something with your life that requires a degree in some field? Is it something else. If for the pursuit of the things of this world, then your money and time would be better spent elsewhere. Somehow, living a simple life became shameful in the eyes of the world – we need to reject that concept!
The Amish Refuse to Fight
The Amish have been called unpatriotic for refusing to fight in wars; sissies for being pacifists
Though there are good arguments on both sides of the aisle that lead one to believe military service is permissible and then again that Christians should not fight, the safer avenue of the two is to let those of the world fight their world wars
(Rom. 12:18) We need to live peaceably with men, if at all possible
(Mat. 5:44) “Love your enemies”
(Jn. 18:36) “If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight.”

Conclusion:

One can hardly argue that these are not admirable qualities the Amish possess
If we are truly Christians, we ought to imbibe these same qualities ourselves.

Invitation:

If you would be willing to live the Christian life, it involves, just as our Amish friends (and the Bible) teach us, coming out from the world and being separate, unique from it.
If you are willing to make that commitment, today is your opportunity.

Michel D. MahlerPage 1 of 6