Watchtower Study, Week of June 7-13, 2021, Faithfully Follow in His Footsteps, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, June 7-13, 2021, Faithfully Follow in His Footsteps, Underlined Answers.

1, 2. What example helps us understand the words of 1 Peter 2:21?

Let's imagine that we are hiking with a group through a dangerous area covered with snow. We are accompanied by an expert guide who marks the path with his footprints on the snow. Suddenly, we stopped seeing it, but we were not scared. The whole group follows in the footsteps of the guide as best as possible.

In a way, true Christians are walking through a dangerous area: this wicked world. Fortunately, Jehovah has given us a perfect guide — his Son, Jesus Christ — to “faithfully follow in his footsteps” (1 Pet. 2:21). According to a biblical reference work, Peter was comparing Jesus to a guide. Just as a hiker can follow the path marked by his guide, we can follow the steps that Jesus marked us. Now what are those steps? Why should we follow them? And how can we do it?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS?

3. What does it mean to follow in someone's footsteps?

What does it mean to follow in someone's footsteps? In the Bible, the words walk and feet sometimes refer to what someone does throughout their life (Gen. 6: 9; Prov. 4:26). The example of a person can be compared to the steps they take or the footprints they leave when they walk. So following in someone's footsteps means following their example or imitating them.

4. What does it mean to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

So what does it mean to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? In short, follow their example. In the thematic text, the apostle Peter specifically mentioned the good example that Jesus set for us by enduring suffering. But there are many other things about Jesus that we can imitate (1 Pet. 2: 18-25). In reality, everything he did and said throughout his life is an example for us.

5. Explain why we can all follow the perfect example of Jesus even though we are imperfect.

But can we imperfect human beings follow the example of Jesus? Yes of course. Consider that Peter did not say to follow in the footsteps of Jesus "perfectly", but "faithfully." If we follow in his footsteps carefully, doing all we can within our means, we will be applying the apostle John's advice to “keep walking” just as Jesus did (1 John 2: 6).

WHY SHOULD WE FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS?

6, 7. Why, if we follow in Jesus' footsteps, will we draw closer to Jehovah?

By following in the footsteps of Jesus, we will draw closer to Jehovah. Why? First of all, because Jesus left us an extraordinary example of what it means to live in a way that pleases God (John 8:29). So if we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Jehovah will be happy. Furthermore, we are assured that our heavenly Father will reach out to those who strive to be his friends (James 4: 8).

Second, Jesus imitated his Father perfectly. That is why he was able to say, "He who has seen me has seen the Father also" (John 14: 9). We imitate Jehovah when we imitate Jesus' qualities and treatment of others; for example, the tenderness with which he treated a leper, the empathy with which he showed a woman who had a distressing illness, and the compassion with which he treated those who had lost a loved one (Mark 1:40, 41; 5: 25-34; John 11: 33-35). The more we strive to be like Jehovah, the closer we are to him.

8. Explain why following in the footsteps of Jesus will help us "overcome the world."

If we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we will not be distracted by this wicked world. His last night on earth, Jesus was able to say, "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). What he meant is that he refused to allow this world to influence his goals and the way he thinks and acts. He strove never to lose sight of why he had come to earth - to sanctify Jehovah's name. What will we do? There are many things that could distract us. But if we focus on doing Jehovah's will, as Jesus did, we too will “overcome the world” (1 John 5: 5).

9. What must we do to avoid straying from the path that leads to eternal life?

If we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we will have eternal life. When a rich young man asked Jesus what he had to do to get eternal life, he replied, "Come and be my follower" (Matt. 19: 16-21). To some Jews who did not believe that he was the Christ, Jesus said: “My sheep... Follow me. I give you eternal life ”(John 10: 24-29). And to Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin who wanted to know what Jesus taught, he told that those who showed faith in him would get eternal life (John 3:16). We show faith in Jesus when we apply what he taught by his words and by his example. If we do, we will not stray from the path that leads to eternal life (Matt. 7:14).

HOW CAN WE FOLLOW IN JESUS ​​FOOTSTEPS FAITHFULLY?

10. What must we do to get to know Jesus better? (John 17: 3).

In order to follow in the footsteps of Jesus faithfully, we must first come to know him (read John 17: 3). Getting to know Jesus is an ongoing process. We have to get to know him better and better, that is, learn about his qualities, his way of thinking and his standards. Whether we have been in the truth for a long time or a short time, we should all continue to strive to come to know Jehovah and his Son.

11. What do the four Gospels contain?

Jehovah loves us so much that, to help us know his Son, he made the four Gospels included in his Word. These are historical accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus. They tell us what he said, did and felt. These four books help us think carefully about his example (Heb. 12: 3). So to speak, in them we see the footsteps of Jesus. By analyzing the Gospels, we can come to know him better and better and thus faithfully follow in his footsteps.

12. How can we benefit the most from the Gospels?

It is not enough to read the Gospels to get the most out of them. We need to take time to study them carefully and ponder what we read (compare Joshua 1: 8). Let's look at two suggestions that can help us ponder and apply what we read in the Gospels.

13. How can we bring the Gospel accounts to life?

First, bring the Gospel accounts to life. Let's use our imagination to see, hear and feel what was happening at that moment. It may help us to search for information in the publications provided by Jehovah's organization. Let's analyze the context of the passage we are studying. Let's look for information about the people, the places and what happened before and after what we are reading. If it is a story that appears in other Gospels, let's compare them and perhaps we will find interesting details that one writer includes but another does not.

14, 15. What do we have to do to apply the Gospel accounts?

Second, apply the Gospel accounts (John 13:17). After carefully studying a Gospel account, let us ask ourselves: “What does this account teach me? How can I use it to help others? Let's think of someone in particular whom you could help; then, when the time is right, let us gently and lovingly tell him the lesson we have learned.

Let's look at an example of how to put these two suggestions into practice. We will analyze the story of the poor widow that Jesus observed in the temple.

THE POOR WIDOW IN THE TEMPLE

16. Describe the scene recounted in Mark 12:41.

Bring the story to life (read Mark 12:41). Let's visualize the scene. It is Nisan 11, AD 33. There is less than a week left until Jesus' death, and he has spent much of the day teaching in the temple. The religious leaders who oppose him have been testing him. Some have questioned his authority and others have tried to corner him by asking questions to ensnare him (Mark 11: 27-33; 12: 13-34). Then Jesus goes to another part of the temple, possibly to the area known as the courtyard of the women. You can see the treasure chests along the courtyard walls. You sit down and start watching people pitch in. See many rich people toss a lot of coins. Perhaps he is close enough to hear the clatter of the coins falling into the coffers.

17. What did the poor widow mentioned in Mark 12:42 do?

(Read Mark 12:42). Soon after, Jesus notices a poor woman, "a needy widow" (Luke 21: 2). Life is not easy for her; almost certainly the money will not even reach him to live. Even so, he approaches one of the coffers and, trying not to attract attention, drops two small coins, which may barely make a sound when they fall. But Jesus does know what he just dropped: two leptons, the least valuable coin of that time. That was not even enough to buy a sparrow, which was among the cheapest birds sold for food.

18. According to Mark 12:43, 44, what did Jesus say about the widow's contribution?

(Read Mark 12:43, 44). Jesus is very impressed by what this widow does. So she calls her disciples, makes them notice her, and says, "This poor widow has thrown more into the treasury than everyone else." He then explains to them: “All of them [especially the rich] give what is left over; but she, who is so poor, threw everything, everything she had to live on ”. By tossing in her last coin that day, this faithful woman showed her confidence in Jehovah's care. --Psalm 26: 3.

ILLUSTRATION

Like Jesus, let us congratulate others for giving their best to Jehovah. (See paragraphs 19-20). *

19. What important lesson can we learn from what Jesus said about the poor widow?

Apply the story. Let us ask ourselves: "What can I learn from what Jesus said about the poor widow?" Let's think about it. Without a doubt, he would have liked to give more to Jehovah. Still, he did everything he could; gave Jehovah the best. And Jesus knew that what she contributed was of great value to his Father. This teaches us an important lesson: that Jehovah is pleased that we give him our best, that we serve him with all our hearts and with all our souls. —Matt. 22:37; Col. 3:23. It makes him happy that we do all we can. And that includes the amount of time and energy we put into worshiping him, for example, when we preach and when we go to meetings.

20. How can we apply what we have learned from the widow's account? Give an example.

How can we apply what we have learned from the widow's account? Consider certain brothers and sisters who would do well to remind them that Jehovah is happy with what they do. For example, do we know of an older sister who feels guilty or worthless because she can no longer do as much preaching as she used to because of her ailments? Or do we know of a brother who has a chronic and painful illness and is discouraged by not being able to go to all the meetings? We can help them by saying a few words of encouragement (Eph. 4:29). Let us tell them the moving lesson we have learned from the story of the poor widow. What we tell them will remind them that Jehovah is happy if we do all we can. --Prov. 15:23; 1 Thess. 5:11. When we congratulate others for giving Jehovah the best of themselves - even if it seems like a small thing -,

21. What are you determined to do?

We are very grateful that in the Gospels there are so many details about the life of Jesus so that we can faithfully follow in his footsteps. Wouldn't it be a good idea to undertake a personal or family study project on the Gospels? To get the most out of such a project, we have to bring the stories to life and apply them. On the other hand, in addition to imitating what Jesus did, it is very important that we listen to what he said. In the next article, we will discuss what we can learn from what Jesus said when he was hanging on the tree.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What does it mean to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

In short, it is to imitate his example, everything he left us as a model of endurance under suffering, because everything he did in his life is an example for each one of us. 

Why should we follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

 We must follow in the footsteps of Jesus to be able to get closer to Jehovah, if we follow in his steps Jehovah will be very happy, and thus we will have the security, that he will approach us as James 4: 8 says and we will be his friends.

How can we get the most out of studying the gospels?

First, we must bring the Gospel accounts to life using our imaginations. Second: apply the Gospel accounts, asking ourselves what they teach us and how we can help others.