Watchtower Study, Week of October 11-17, 2021, Strengthen Our Faith in the Creator, Answers Underlined.

Watchtower Study, Oct 11-17, 2021, Strengthen Our Faith in the Creator, Answers Underlined.

1. What do you know about the Creator?

Did you grow up in a family that was one of Jehovah's Witnesses? In that case, you probably learned about Jehovah from a very young age. He learned that he is the Creator, that he has beautiful qualities, and that he wants human beings to live on Earth made a paradise (Gen. 1: 1; Acts 17: 24-27).

2. What do some people think of those who have faith in a Creator?

Now, many people do not believe that God exists or that He created all things. They believe that life arose by chance and then slowly evolved from "simple" living beings to more complex ones. Some of these people have higher education. They may say that science has proven the Bible wrong and that only the ignorant, the uneducated, and the naive have faith in a Creator.

3. Why is it important for each of you to strengthen your faith?

What effect will the opinions of some influential people have on us? Will they make us doubt that Jehovah is our loving Creator? It will largely depend on why we believe that. Is it because that's what they told us to believe? Or is it because we have taken the time to analyze the evidence for ourselves? (1 Cor. 3: 12-15). No matter how many years we have been serving Jehovah, we all need to continue to strengthen our faith. If we do, we will not be fooled by the "false and empty philosophies and reasoning" of those who teach that what the Bible says is a lie (Col. 2: 8; Heb. 11: 6). To help us, in this article we will look at why many people do not have faith in a Creator, how we can strengthen our faith in Jehovah, our Creator, and how to keep our faith strong.

WHY MANY PEOPLE HAVE NO FAITH IN A CREATOR

4. According to Hebrews 11: 1, on what is true faith based?

Some people think that having faith means believing in something without any proof. But, according to the Bible, that is not faith (read Hebrews 11: 1). The Bible explains that faith in invisible realities, such as Jehovah, Jesus, and the heavenly Kingdom, is based on convincing evidence (Heb. 11: 3). A biochemist who became a Witness says, "Our faith is not blind, nor does it overlook the discoveries of science."

5. Why do many people believe that God did not create all living things?

So if there is compelling evidence for the existence of a Creator, why do many people believe that God did not create all living things? Because some have simply never analyzed the evidence themselves. Robert, who is now a Jehovah's Witness, says: “Since creation was never discussed in school, I assumed it was not true. It was not until I was 22 years old that I spoke with Jehovah's Witnesses, and they showed me the logical and convincing arguments that the Bible gives in favor of creation. " * (See box “An Important Message for Parents”).

An important message for parents

ILLUSTRATION

A father discusses with his son the brochure “The origin of life. Five questions worthy of analysis ”.

Parents, make an effort to know what your children are taught at school. What can you do if you find that you are being taught some things that go against what the Bible says? Use our publications to help you think about the compelling evidence we found in it. And be careful about sending your children to college, where many make fun of those who believe in God.

6. Why do some people deny the existence of a Creator?

Some people deny the existence of a Creator because they say they only believe in what they can see. But the truth is that they do believe in things they cannot see. For example, they believe in gravity because they have proof that it is real. The kind of faith mentioned in the Bible is also based on proof "that there are unseen realities" (Heb. 11: 1). Of course, examining such evidence takes time and effort, and many people are unwilling to do so. That is why they conclude that God does not exist.

7. How do we know that not all highly educated people deny that God created the universe?

After examining the evidence, some scientists have become convinced that God created the universe. * Like Robert, mentioned in paragraph 5, some may have simply assumed that there is no Creator because there is no talk of creation in universities. But many scientists have come to know and love Jehovah. Just as they did, we all need to strengthen our faith in God, no matter what education we have received. No one can do it for us.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH IN THE CREATOR

8, 9. a) What question will we analyze now? b) How will studying creation help us?

How can we strengthen our faith in the Creator? Let's look at four ways.

Let's study creation. By carefully observing animals, plants, and stars, we will strengthen our faith in the Creator (Ps. 19: 1; Isa. 40:26). The more we study these things, the more convinced we will be that Jehovah is the Creator. Articles that explain some details of creation often appear in our posts. Although they seem a bit difficult to understand, let's make the effort to read them and learn what we can. And let's not forget that on our website, jw.org, we can rewatch the beautiful creation videos that were presented at the last regional assemblies.

10. Give an example that shows that there is a Creator (Romans 1:20).

When we study creation, let's look at what it teaches us about our Creator (read Romans 1:20). For example, the Sun not only provides the light and heat necessary for life on Earth, but it also emits ultraviolet rays, which are harmful. How are we humans protected from them? Earth has a layer of gas called ozone, which acts as a shield that prevents harmful radiation from reaching us. When the intensity of ultraviolet rays increases, the amount of ozone also increases. Isn't it logical to believe that behind all this there is an intelligent and loving Creator?

11. Where will we find facts about creation that will strengthen our faith? (See the box “Tools That Strengthen Our Faith”).

If we search for information in the Watch Tower Publications Index and on jw.org, we will find many facts about creation that will strengthen our faith. Perhaps we could start with the articles and videos in the “Did Someone Design It?” Section, which are short and explain some amazing details about animals and plants. They also include examples of how scientists have tried to mimic what they see in nature.

 Tools that strengthen our faith

ILLUSTRATION

A young man studies facts about creation using his tablet, the book "Is There a Creator Who Cares About Us?" and the brochures "Is Life the Work of a Creator?" and “The origin of life. Five questions worthy of analysis ”. Series of images: 1. DNA. 2. An ant. 3. Planets of the solar system.

Brochures:

The origin of life. Five questions worthy of analysis

Is life the work of a Creator?

Books:

Is there a Creator who cares about us?

Journals:

"Is There a Creator?" Special issue of Awake! September 2006

Videos:

The wonders of creation reveal the glory of God

Sections:

"Coincidence or design?", Section of Awake!

"Did someone design it?" Section of jw.org

12. What things should we look for when we study the Bible?

Let's study the Bible. The biochemist mentioned in paragraph 4 at first had no faith in a Creator, but over time he changed his mind. He says: “My faith is not based solely on my studies of science. It is also based on a careful analysis of the Bible. We may already know well what the Bible teaches. Still, we need to continue studying it to strengthen our faith in the Creator (Josh. 1: 8; Ps. 119: 97). Let's look at the accuracy with which he presents historical events, his prophecies and his internal harmony. This will strengthen our faith that a wise and loving Creator made us and inspired the Bible (2 Tim. 3:14; 2 Pet. 1:21). *

13. Name an example that shows the wisdom of God's Word.

When we study God's Word, let us notice how practical his advice is. For example, the Bible warned long ago that loving money hurts us and causes “great pain” (1 Tim. 6: 9, 10; Prov. 28:20; Matt. 6:24). Is that warning still valid? Yes of course. Let's see what the book The Epidemic of Narcissism says: “On average, materialists are less happy and more depressed. Even people who only aspire to have more money suffer from poorer mental health; they also claim to have a greater number of health problems ”. Clearly, the Bible's warning not to love money is very timely. Do other biblical principles come to mind that have helped us? The more we value the counsel of the Bible, the more we trust the eternal wisdom offered by our loving Creator (James 1: 5). As a result, we will be happier (Isa. 48:17, 18).

14. What will we learn about Jehovah by studying the Bible?

Let's study with the right goal: to get to know Jehovah better. --John 17: 3. As we study the Bible, we will discover the qualities of Jehovah, the same qualities that are reflected in creation. Knowing them well will help us to be convinced that Jehovah is a real person. --Ex. 34: 6, 7; Ps. 145: 8, 9. As we get to know Jehovah better, we will have more faith in him, love him more, and become his best friends.

15. How will talking to others about our faith in God help us?

Let's talk to other people about our faith in God. This will strengthen our own faith. But what if someone to whom we preach asks us a question about the existence of God that we do not know how to answer? Let's search our publications for a Bible-based answer and then show it to the person (1 Pet. 3:15). We can also ask a more experienced brother to help us. Whether the person accepts what the Bible says or not, it will do us good to have investigated the subject, as our faith will grow stronger. As a result, we will not be affected by the false claims of so-called sages and intellectuals who deny the existence of a Creator.

KEEP OUR FAITH STRONG

16. What can happen if we don't continue to strengthen and nurture our faith?

Regardless of how long we have been serving Jehovah, we need to continue to strengthen and nurture our faith in him. Why? Because if we don't, it will weaken. Remember that faith is based on evidence of unseen realities. And what is not seen is easily forgotten. This is why Paul called lack of faith "the sin that easily entangles us" (Heb. 12: 1). So what can we do to keep our faith strong? (2 Thess. 1: 3).

17. What will help us keep our faith strong?

First, let us very often ask Jehovah to give us his holy spirit. Why? Because faith is a quality that we cultivate with the help of the holy spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23). Without their help, we cannot strengthen or nurture our faith in the Creator. Let us keep asking Jehovah for his spirit, and he will give it to us (Luke 11:13). We can say, "Give us more faith" (Luke 17: 5).

18. According to Psalm 1: 2, 3, what great honor do we have?

Also, let's study God's Word regularly (read Psalm 1: 2, 3). When that psalm was written, few Israelites had a complete copy of God's Law. But kings and priests could get copies. And, every seven years, "the men, women, children, and foreign residents" of Israel had to come together to hear God's Law read (Deut. 31: 10-12). In the days of Jesus, few people had the scrolls of Scripture, and most of these were in the synagogues. On the other hand, today almost everyone has the whole Bible or a part of it. How can we show that we value this very special honor?

19. What do we have to do to keep our faith strong?

We can show that we value the honor of having God's Word by reading it regularly. We cannot afford to leave personal study to chance, for when we feel like we have time. By following a regular study schedule, we will keep our faith strong.

20. What must we be determined to do?

Unlike the "intellectuals and wise men" of this world, we have a solid faith based on the Word of God (Matt. 11:25, 26). By studying this sacred work, we know why the world is going from bad to worse and what Jehovah will do about it. So let us be determined to strengthen our faith and help as many people as possible to have faith in our Creator (1 Tim. 2: 3, 4). And let us continue to look forward to the day when all who live on earth praise Jehovah and speak the words of Revelation 4:11: “Jehovah our God, you deserve to receive the glory, [...] because you you created all things ”.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What is faith and what is it not?

Faith is a beautiful quality, a virtue that those who believe in Jehovah have, faith is also blindly believing in something.

True faith involves much more than just indulging in emotion or having a vague belief in God. It is also believing something without relying on evidence or facts. Nor is it enough to just believe in God, since the Bible indicates that even "demons believe and shudder"

Faith is not believing that life arose by chance and then slowly evolved from “simple” living beings to more complex ones. There are people who say that science has shown the Bible to be wrong and that only the ignorant, the uneducated, and the naive have faith in a Creator.

In what ways can we strengthen our faith in the Creator?

First, let us very often ask Jehovah to help us keep our faith and not relapse, because faith is a quality that we cultivate with the help of the holy spirit.

How can we keep our faith strong?

Reading God's Word regularly. So we can also help as many people as possible to have faith in our Creator.