( b ) What will we discuss in this article ?
What lesson can we learn from Isaiah 40 : 26 ?
No one has been able to count all the stars in the universe .
How can we be sure that Jehovah is able to strengthen us ?
And he added : “ You will find refreshment for yourselves .
For my yoke is kindly , and my load is light . ”
The information was presented in such an empathetic and concerned way that I was moved to tears .
I was reminded that the meetings are where I need to be . ”
What did the apostle Paul mean when he wrote : “ When I am weak , then I am powerful ” ?
He sang : “ With your help I can charge against a marauder band ; by God’s power I can scale a wall . ”
Or will we follow the Bible’s wise advice to settle matters quickly ?
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me . ”
“ Finally I confessed my sin to you , ” he wrote , “ and you pardoned the error of my sins . ”
( 4 ) Will there ever be a final Memorial ?
( Read 2 Corinthians 13 : 5 . )
( Read John 3 : 16 ; 17 : 3 . )
( a ) What did Jesus pray for on the night of the first Lord’s Evening Meal ?
( b ) What shows that Jehovah has answered Jesus ’ prayer ?
( Read John 17 : 20 , 21 . )
( Read Ezekiel 37 : 15 - 17 . )
How can we promote unity among God’s people ?
How can we show that we are “ putting up with one another in love ” ?
How do we know that there will be a final Memorial ?
© 2017 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
At Riberalta , Beni , two pioneer couples load literature onto an airplane .
It is provided as part of a worldwide Bible educational work supported by voluntary donations .
To make a donation , please visit www.jw.org .
Unless otherwise indicated , Scripture quotations are from the modern - language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures .
Why does Jehovah expect us to use our valuable things to give back to him ?
How does the organization use the money that is donated today ?
What do we show Jehovah when we support his work ?
( Read 2 Corinthians 8 : 18 - 21 . )
Your donations help our worldwide work ( See paragraphs 14 - 16 )
As a result , we sometimes feel isolated , and we easily forget the scope of Jehovah’s work .
But as soon as we watch the various programs on JW Broadcasting , we remember that we are part of an international brotherhood .
Our dear local brothers and sisters are very excited about JW Broadcasting .
We often hear them say that after watching the monthly programs , they feel close to the members of the Governing Body .
Now they are prouder than ever to be part of God’s organization . ”
( Read Proverbs 11 : 24 , 25 . )
“ Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah ! ” ​ — PS .
Jesus said : “ You must love your neighbor as yourself . ”
A man who loves his wife loves himself , for no man ever hated his own body , but he feeds and cherishes it . ”
How can we avoid becoming lovers of ourselves ?
Paul wrote that people would be “ lovers of money . ”
Some years ago , a pioneer in Ireland spoke to a man about God .
What does the Bible say about riches and poverty ?
He wrote : “ So that I do not become satisfied and deny you and say , ‘ Who is Jehovah ? ’ ”
Jesus said : “ No one can slave for two masters ; for either he will hate the one and love the other , or he will stick to the one and despise the other .
You cannot slave for God and for Riches . ”
She would say , ‘ I have the greatest boss ever ! ’
Now that I too am pioneering , we both work for the same Person , Jehovah . ”
How can we avoid becoming lovers of money ?
It means that they do not love God at all . ”
How can we avoid becoming lovers of pleasures ?
( Read 2 Timothy 3 : 1 - 5 , 13 . )
We also know that love “ does not brag , does not get puffed up . ”
I could see that they cared for me , and that made me want to please them . ”
( Read John 13 : 34 , 35 . )
He cured the blind , the lame , the lepers , and the deaf .
( Read Isaiah 11 : 6 , 7 . )
You can read some of their experiences in the series “ The Bible Changes Lives , ” found on jw.org .
We should let others know that we are Jehovah’s Witnesses .
3 Imitate the Faith and Obedience of Noah , Daniel , and Job
28 Joy ​ — A Quality We Acquire From God
Noah walked with the true God . ” ​ — Gen .
9 , 10 . ( a ) How can we imitate Noah’s faith and obedience ?
( Read Malachi 3 : 17 , 18 . )
( b ) How did Jehovah view Daniel ?
( b ) What can parents today learn from Daniel’s parents ?
( Read Job 1 : 9 , 10 . )
19 , 20 . ( a ) How can we imitate Job’s faith and obedience ?
What will we consider in the next article ?
1 - 3 . ( a ) What will help us to remain faithful to God during these last days ?
( b ) What will we consider in this article ?
( Read Daniel 6 : 7 - 10 . )
( Read Job 31 : 24 - 28 . )
( Read Psalm 11 : 5 ; 26 : 4 . )
So ask yourself , ‘ Do I know Jehovah as well as Noah , Daniel , and Job did ? ’
Noah’s great - grandfather Enoch also “ kept walking with the true God . ”
Jesus said : “ Abraham your father rejoiced greatly at the prospect of seeing my day . ”
It’s hard for me to express the joy we feel . ”
For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit . ”
Jesus said : “ These things I have spoken to you , so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be made full . ”
Published by Jehovah’s Witnesses but now out of print .
( Read 1 Corinthians 2 : 14 - 16 . )
What does the Bible say about spiritually - minded people ?
What can we learn from the example of Jacob ?
What can we learn from the example of Mary ?
( Read Luke 1 : 46 - 55 . )
( Read Isaiah 63 : 9 ; Mark 6 : 34 . )
Rachel , a sister in Brazil , says : “ I loved to follow the world’s fashions .
As a result , I did not dress very modestly .
But learning the truth moved me to make the needed effort to be a spiritual person .
Making changes was not easy , but I became happier and found real purpose in life . ”
So being like Jesus makes us more like Jehovah .
They said : “ We are witnesses of all the things he did . ”
How will having the mind of Christ affect your daily life ?
He says : “ I never did anything wrong , but I was just going through the motions .
I looked spiritually strong , being at all the meetings and serving as an auxiliary pioneer a few times a year .
He says : “ It was as if I knew nothing .
I thought to myself , ‘ If I am going to be my wife’s spiritual head , I have to do something . ’ ”
He says : “ I studied the Bible and studied and studied some more , and the pieces started to fit together .
I got understanding and , most important , developed a close relationship with Jehovah . ”
( 3 ) How can strong spirituality help us in our daily life ?
( b ) What is our goal when we study and meditate ?
( b ) What Bible example can we imitate ?
12 , 13 . ( a ) What will help us to apply Romans 15 : 5 ?
( Read 2 Peter 1 : 5 - 8 . )
How will being spiritually - minded affect our life ?
What are the “ dead works ” that we should avoid ?
Will my decisions help me to set spiritual goals ?
Why do you want to move forward spiritually ?
The apostle Peter urged Christians in the first century : “ Be hospitable to one another . ”
Rise , get baptized . ” ​ — ACTS 22 : 16 .
What do Christian parents want to be sure of before their children get baptized ?
“ FOR months I kept telling Dad and Mom that I wanted to be baptized , and they often talked to me about it .
They wanted to make sure I knew how serious my decision was .
On December 31 , 1934 , the day came for this momentous event in my life . ”
5 , 6 . ( a ) The Bible’s description of Timothy leads us to what conclusion about his baptism ?
( Read Colossians 1 : 9 , 10 . )
He told Jehovah that he was so happy about his little girl’s decision to dedicate her life to Him . ”
( Read 1 Peter 3 : 20 , 21 . )
Why do we not pressure anyone to get baptized ?
What questions will we consider in the next article ?
If you are a parent , you may have asked yourself : ‘ Is my child really ready to get baptized ?
The first question is , “ On the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ , have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will ? ”
What questions will we consider in this article ?
How can we be hospitable at our Christian meetings ?
( Read 3 John 5 - 8 . )
He writes : “ I hesitated initially because we were newly married and living in a small house .
But having students stay with us was truly a joyous experience .
As newlyweds , we were able to see how happy a couple can be when they serve Jehovah and pursue spiritual goals together . ”
Why may those who are new to your congregation need hospitality ?
( Read Luke 10 : 41 , 42 . )
One evening my wife was particularly homesick , and my efforts to help were not working .
Then , about 7 : 30 p.m . , we heard a knock on the door .
There stood a Bible student who brought us three oranges .
She had come to welcome the new missionaries .
We invited her in and gave her a glass of water .
If you feel anxious about having guests , you are not alone .
An elder in Britain admits : “ There can be a measure of nervousness in preparing for guests .
But as with anything in relation to serving Jehovah , the benefits and satisfaction that result far outweigh any anxiety .
I have enjoyed simply sitting down with guests over coffee and talking . ”
Another elder writes : “ Having friends from the congregation to my home helps me to understand them better and gives me time to get to know them , especially how they came into the truth . ”
The wife of one of the instructors really put me at ease .
She said that when she and her husband are serving in the traveling work , their best weeks are those spent staying with a spiritual person who may not have much materially but who has the same focus as they have ​ — serving Jehovah and keeping life simple .
This reminded me of what my mum used to say to us as children : ‘ Better a dish of vegetables where there’s love . ’ ”
( Read Proverbs 25 : 21 , 22 . )
Hosts usually prepare well for their guests ( See paragraph 20 )
The psalmist David asked : “ O Jehovah , who may be a guest in your tent ? ”
It is also important to respect local customs .
Why is it so important to “ be hospitable to one another ” ?
Do not be anxious , for I am your God .
Two brothers offer a tract to a painter on the bridge in front of Kaštilac , a fortress built in the 16th century , near the city of Split
( Read Titus 2 : 11 - 14 . )
( Read 1 Peter 5 : 6 , 7 . )
The elder recalled : “ Graham had a problem with pride .
He was critical of the elders who had been involved in his disfellowshipping .
So for the next few studies , we discussed scriptures on pride and its effects .
Graham began to see himself clearly in the mirror of God’s Word , and he did not like what he saw !
After acknowledging that he had been blinded by a ‘ rafter ’ of pride and that his critical attitude was his problem , he began to change quickly for the better .
He started to attend Christian meetings regularly , to study God’s Word earnestly , and to make daily prayer a habit .
‘ I’ve known the truth for years , ’ he said , ‘ and I’ve even served as a pioneer .
The apostle Peter wrote : “ Shepherd the flock of God under your care , serving as overseers , not under compulsion , but willingly before God ; not for love of dishonest gain , but eagerly ; not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance , but becoming examples to the flock . ”
( b ) What will we consider in the next article ?
How can parents raise their children in the discipline of Jehovah ?
( Read Hebrews 12 : 5 - 11 . )
How does a child develop self - discipline ?
4 , 5 . ( a ) Why is self - discipline an important part of “ the new personality ” ?
How can we become better students of God’s Word ?
One brother wrote : “ I am filled with gratitude for the way my parents raised me .
( b ) How did one family benefit from the parents ’ obedience to Jehovah ?
Some years later , the daughter was reinstated .
( Read 2 Peter 3 : 9 . )
( b ) How can we make the elders ’ work more pleasant for them ?
( Read Hebrews 13 : 7 , 17 . )
They did not berate me or criticize me , but they encouraged me and strengthened me .
After every congregation meeting , no matter how busy they were , at least one of them would ask how I was .
Because of my past , I found it difficult to feel worthy of God’s love .
Time and time again , however , Jehovah has used the congregation and the elders to confirm his love for me .
I pray that I will never let him go . ”
If you turn to doing good , will you not be restored to favor ?
But if you do not turn to doing good , sin is crouching at the door , and its craving is to dominate you ; but will you get the mastery over it ? ”
So let us “ listen to discipline and become wise . ”
People around the world are demanding more freedom .
15 Imitating Jehovah ​ — A God Who Gives Encouragement
“ If the Son sets you free , you will be truly free . ” ​ — JOHN 8 : 36 .
( Read 1 Chronicles 29 : 11 , 12 . )
To enjoy the ‘ good , ’ humankind must trust God and obey him .
If they disobey , they will be left to decide for themselves what is good . . . and what is not good . ”
Like that pilot , Adam and Eve wanted to do things their own way .
He said : “ If you remain in my word , you are really my disciples , and you will know the truth , and the truth will set you free . ”
Why can the freedom that Jesus promised make us “ truly free ” ?
( Read Romans 7 : 21 - 25 . )
( Read Romans 8 : 1 , 2 , 20 , 21 . )
( c ) What questions do we need to answer ?
( Look under INTERVIEWS AND EXPERIENCES > ENDURING TRIALS . )
( Read 2 Corinthians 6 : 1 . )
( Read 1 Peter 2 : 16 . )
All things are lawful , but not all things build up . ”
What example did Noah and his family set for us ?
They lived in a violent and immoral world .
“ Noah did according to all that God had commanded him .
What has Jehovah commanded us to do today ?
( Read Luke 4 : 18 , 19 . )
Now I understood better what James 4 : 8 means : ‘ Draw close to God , and he will draw close to you . ’
I knew I had found what I was looking for , a satisfying purpose in life . ”
A special pioneer couple preach in a remote area near the city of Balykchy
Do not be struck with terror or fear , for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go . ”
( b ) How did Jehovah encourage his Son ?
I will fortify you , yes , I will help you , I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness . ”
Enter into the joy of your master . ”
How did Hezekiah encourage the military chiefs and the people of Judah ?
How did Peter ‘ strengthen his brothers ’ ?
But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out ; and you , once you have returned , strengthen your brothers . ” ​ — Luke 22 : 31 , 32 .
“ Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down , but a good word cheers it up . ”
Whom can we encourage today , and why ?
How can the elders give counsel in an encouraging way ?
Parents , are you training your children to encourage others ?
She also shared with me her own experience with the kind of test I was going through , and I felt less alone . ”
King Solomon wrote : “ A word spoken at the right time ​ — how good it is !
A cheerful glance makes the heart rejoice ; a good report invigorates the bones . ”
For you have made me rejoice , O Jehovah , because of your deeds ; because of the works of your hands I shout joyfully . ”
The apostle Paul promised : “ God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name . ”
You are never too young to set goals .
Proverbs 21 : 5 says : “ The plans of the diligent surely lead to success . ”
The earlier you make plans by setting good goals , the sooner you will have success .
With a university degree in law , I could have earned a lot of money , but I would have had little chance of finding part - time work . ”
17 , 18 . ( a ) What does Jehovah want for young people today ?
I was born in a one - room log cabin in a very small town called Liberty , Indiana , U.S.A .
Later , my mother gave birth to my two younger brothers and my younger sister .
DURING my school years , not much changed .
The town of Liberty was surrounded by small farms , and the basic crop was corn .
She took us to the Baptist church every Sunday .
They wanted me to make the military my career .
This time , however , they invited me to come to a Congregation Book Study , a small meeting for Bible study and discussion that was held in their home .
I told them I would think about it .
I couldn’t believe how much they knew about the Bible !
Years before , when I asked my mother about Jehovah’s Witnesses , she simply said , “ Oh , they worship some old man named Jehovah . ”
But I now felt that my eyes were being opened !
I started pioneering the next year , in 1958 .
Gloria was a jewel then , and she is a jewel today .
Gloria and I got married in February of 1959 .
A dear brother , Simon Kraker , interviewed us .
He told us that Bethel was not accepting married couples at that time .
Most of our jobs paid three dollars a day .
Each week , Gloria did ironing for one family .
I remember one time when we stopped at a gas station .
On the other hand , we had wonderful times with the brothers , and we loved our ministry !
Meanwhile , I started a study with the couple’s daughter and her husband .
Mother and daughter both decided to serve Jehovah and got baptized .
We had dear friends in the white congregation .
The Ku Klux Klan ( KKK ) , an organization that promotes racism and violence , was very active then .
In 1962 , I was invited to attend the Kingdom Ministry School at South Lansing , New York .
However , a telephone company in Pine Bluff had interviewed me for a job .
If they hired me , I would be the first black man to work for that company .
She said , “ Go to school and learn as much as you can , and come back and teach us ! ”
I am so glad that I did not take that job !
Here is how Gloria remembers our time in Pine Bluff : “ I fell in love with the territory !
So we would go in the house - to - house work in the morning and then conduct Bible studies the rest of the day , sometimes until 11 o’clock at night .
While we were pioneering in Pine Bluff , we applied to become special pioneers .
Brother Leon Weaver , now the coordinator of the United States Branch Committee , was appointed to serve as a circuit overseer at the same time .
I was nervous about becoming a circuit overseer .
After I was appointed , Brother Thompson was the first district overseer I served with .
In those days , a circuit overseer received little training .
I remember saying to Gloria , “ Does he really have to leave now ? ”
One time , the KKK held a march in a town we were visiting in Tennessee .
The following month , we began our Bethel service .
Gloria was a jewel when I married her , and she still is
Then in 1999 , I was appointed to be a member of the Governing Body .
Isaiah 32 : 17 says : “ The result of true righteousness will be peace , and the fruitage of true righteousness will be lasting tranquillity and security . ”
Second , we must pray for God’s holy spirit .
If the house is deserving , let the peace you wish it come upon it ; but if it is not deserving , let the peace from you return upon you . ”
So I greeted her in her own tongue .
Taken by surprise , she asked me , ‘ What is the reason for your visit ? ’
I politely told her that I wished to see the High Commissioner .
She telephoned the official , who came out to meet me and greeted me in the local language .
After that , he carefully listened to me as I explained to him the peaceful activities of the Witnesses . ”
“ As for that on the fine soil , these are the ones who . . . bear fruit with endurance . ” ​ — LUKE 8 : 15 .
What will help us to keep bearing fruit with endurance ?
( See opening picture . ) ( b ) What did Jesus say about preaching in his “ home territory ” ?
“ Their faithfulness encourages me to persevere and to be courageous in my own ministry . ”
What three questions will we consider , and why ?
Still , there is no other work I would rather do . ”
Read John 15 : 1 - 5 , 8 .
The preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom .
Read Luke 8 : 5 - 8 , 11 - 15 .
How do we “ bear fruit with endurance ” ?
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God , but not according to accurate knowledge . ”
When we returned , passersby asked , ‘ What happened ?
Why are you determined to “ bear fruit with endurance ” ?
“ My Father is glorified in this , that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples . ” ​ — JOHN 15 : 8 .
( Read John 15 : 1 , 8 . )
Jesus told his apostles : “ My Father is glorified in this , that you keep bearing much fruit . ”
( b ) How do you feel about having the privilege to sanctify God’s name ?
It gives me the desire to keep on preaching . ”
( a ) What reason for preaching is mentioned at John 15 : 9 , 10 ?
How do we show that we want to remain in Christ’s love ?
In the Bible , Noah is described as “ a preacher . ”
( Read 2 Peter 2 : 5 . )
( a ) What reason for preaching is mentioned at Matthew 22 : 39 ?
They need a chance to hear the good news . ”
13 , 14 . ( a ) What gift is mentioned at John 15 : 11 ?
( a ) What gift is mentioned at John 14 : 27 ?
( a ) What gift is mentioned at John 15 : 15 ?
( b ) How could the apostles remain Jesus ’ friends ?
( Read John 15 : 14 - 16 . )
We can be sure that Jehovah answers our prayers for help ( See paragraph 18 )
© 2018 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
The apostle Peter describes Satan the Devil as “ a roaring lion , ” and John calls him a “ serpent ” and a “ dragon . ”
With their help , we can resist our enemy .
Those who believe this lie spend their lives serving “ Riches ” rather than God .
We need to know our enemy , but we do not need to be terrified by him .
If we oppose him , he will flee from us .
What are the pieces of the spiritual armor ?
And my parents and my friends know that they can trust me . ”
But you always get outstanding benefits : You gain confidence , you feel closer to Jehovah , and you earn the respect of those who love you . ”
The belt of truth ( See paragraphs 3 - 5 )
For a while , I lost my confidence and felt depressed . ”
Some of my ‘ friends ’ began taking drugs ; others dropped out of school .
It was sad to see how their lives turned out .
“ I remind myself that I bear Jehovah’s name and that temptation is just Satan’s way of shooting at me .
When I win a struggle , I feel better about myself . ”
The breastplate of righteousness ( See paragraphs 6 - 8 )
Now I’m happy to witness to my peers . ”
Then I’m able to think of what will help them .
When I am prepared , I can talk to them about what will specifically benefit them . ”
I make sure that I’ve read all the material published for young people .
That way I can direct my peers to something in the Bible or on jw.org that will help them . ”
Feet shod in readiness ( See paragraphs 9 - 11 )
What are some of Satan’s “ burning arrows ” ?
Now , though , I prepare for the meetings and try to answer two or three times .
It’s difficult , but I feel much better when I do .
And the brothers and sisters are so encouraging .
I always come away from the meetings knowing that Jehovah loves me . ”
The large shield of faith ( See paragraphs 12 - 14 )
The helmet of salvation ( See paragraphs 15 - 18 )
I’ve found that people respond well when they see that you are passionate about the Bible and are doing your best to help them . ”
The sword of the spirit ( See paragraphs 19 - 20 )
With Jehovah’s help , we can stand firm against him !
( b ) What will we consider in the following article ?
Have you carefully read the recent issues of The Watchtower ?
Well , see if you can answer the following questions :