The Study Watchtower, "Article 35", Week of November 1-7, 2021, We Value Our Elder Brothers, Answers.

The Study Watchtower, "Article 35", November 1-7, 2021, We Value Our Elder Brothers, Answers.

1, 2. a) According to Proverbs 16:31, how should we view older brothers?

We must see them as diamonds, they are a valuable treasure that we must take care of. In the word of God it says that his older brothers' gray hair is like a crown. It is easy for all of us not to realize the true value of what they have before their eyes.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The older brothers are very valuable in the congregation since, because of their age, they have lived a lot and have a lot of experience. They are like a diamond that cannot be seen with the naked eye. For example: In a state park in Arkansas (United States), you can find diamonds on the ground, only they are rough, uncut, that's why some do not realize it. Just like the elderly we have them with the naked eye but we do not realize the value they have.

We must see them as a true treasure. The bible compares his gray hair as proverbs says to a crown. If it is in the way of Jehovah and if we meditate carefully we may not realize the value that they have, how is it done in the comparison in the first paragraph of an Arkansas state park in (United States) where it says that there may be diamonds On the ground, they may be visible to the naked eye, but since they are not carved, they are not polished, so someone may pass by them and do not even realize the value they have before their eyes, the same can happen with our brothers.

b) What questions will we answer in this article?

We will answer the following questions: Why does Jehovah think that older brothers are a treasure? What place does he give them in his organization? And what can we do to benefit the most from your example?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In this article we will learn to value our older brothers, but first for that we will have to answer three questions in this article which will be: why does Jehovah think that older brothers are a treasure? What place does he give them in his organization? ? And what can we do to benefit the most from your example?

Questions: Why does Jehovah think that older brothers are a treasure? What place does he give them in his organization? And what can we do to benefit the most from your example?

WHY JEHOVAH THINKS OLDER BROTHERS ARE A TREASURE

ILLUSTRATION:

An older brother is with several children in the Kingdom Hall, talking with them and looking at some pictures they have made.

Older brothers are valuable to Jehovah and to his servants. (See paragraph 3).

3. According to Psalm 92: 12-15, why does Jehovah value older brothers?

Because he knows well what kind of people they are and appreciates their beautiful qualities. He is happy to see that the older brothers pass on to the young people a lot of wisdom, which they have acquired through the years of service in the congregation.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Older brothers are highly valued by Jehovah because they are a great support in the congregation. They with their wisdom and their years of experience, help and transmit their wisdom to the youngest. Jehovah also values ​​his endurance. Although they have had problems in their life or in the congregation, they were always strong.

Because he knows well what kind of people they are and appreciates their beautiful qualities. He is happy to see the wisdom they have gained from their years of faithful service passed on to young people. Jehovah also values ​​their endurance, he has seen the strong faith that they have and that they have been increasing since they began in their youth and he knows that their hope is more alive than when they knew the truth. That is why, as Psalm 92 says, they are planted in the house of Jehovah, that is to say that they are something firm and that they flourish and even in their old age they continue to prosper, so Jehovah continues to value them very much.

4. What can encourage older siblings?

Jehovah remembers the works that older brothers have done in the past. They have enthusiastically supported the preaching work, and that makes Jehovah happy. They have also endured trials, some very painful, they have upheld the righteous standards of the Bible. Jehovah loves them very much for their loyalty, and he promises that "he will not abandon his loyal ones."

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Older siblings can be encouraged, because all the important responsibilities they have done, to all the people they have trained and helped. It will not be in vain because Jehovah assures that: “Even when you turn gray, I will continue to support you.” So older brothers should not think that because of their age they are no longer important in Jehovah's organization. Because if they are very important and Jehovah knows it.

As Hebrews 6:10 says. Jehovah is not unjust and he does not forget the work they have done. That is why they should be encouraged as they remember works that have been done in the past, such as enthusiastically supporting the preaching work, enduring trials, upholding the righteous standards of the Bible, caring for important responsibilities and training others, keeping up with the organization. of Jehovah, to support and encourage those in full-time service. There are so many reasons why our brothers can be encouraged by all that they have done.

AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION

5. What should older siblings remember?

They must remember that they are very valuable and have a lot to offer. They also know that due to age they no longer have the same strength they had before, but they have a lot of experience that they can continue to use it in many ways.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

That despite their age, they can help a lot in the congregation. Because they have a lot of experience that they have accumulated through the years in the congregation. And Jehovah can continue to use them in many ways.

Which is true, that perhaps they no longer have the same energy as when they were young. But they have experience that they have accumulated over the years in Jehovah's service, and he can continue to use it in various ways.

6, 7. What are some examples from the Bible of elderly servants of God who were blessed for their loyalty?

One of the examples we see in the Bible is of Moses, who was in his 80s when he became a prophet and leader of the nation of Israel. We also see the case of Daniel, who probably in his 90s was still serving as Jehovah's prophet.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

There are many faithful servants of advanced age who are not so well known. For example, the Bible speaks very little of “a righteous and devout man named Simeon,” but Jehovah knew him well and gave him the honor of seeing little Jesus and saying a prophecy about him and his mother.

They are reminded of the case of Moses who was 80 years old when he became a prophet and leader of Israel. Daniel was probably 90 years old and still serving as Jehovah's prophet. It also seems that the apostle John was over 90 years old when he wrote the book of the Apocalypse by inspiration. Simeon who is also described in the book of Luke 2, which says that he had the privilege of seeing Jesus little, like a child and saying a prophecy about him and his mother. 84-year-old Anna is named in the bible as someone who was always in the temple. These are clear examples of how Jehovah viewed older people.

ILLUSTRATION:

Lois Didur working at the Ukraine branch.

Sister Didur, now in her 80s, continues to serve Jehovah faithfully. (See paragraph 8.)

8, 9. What valuable contribution do widowed sisters continue to make?

There are many older brothers who are examples in the congregation. But the widowed sisters are also a good example, although they go a little more unnoticed when they become widowed, but they are still very valuable to Jehovah. They contributed the support they gave their husbands over the years and that they continue to serve him loyally.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Let's look at the experience of Sister Lois Didur. When she was only 21 years old, she began serving as a special pioneer in Canada. Afterward, she and her husband, John, spent many years in circuit work. When she was 58 years old, they were invited to serve in Ukraine. They accepted the invitation, and John was made a member of the Branch Committee. He died seven years later, and Lois decided to stay on her assignment. How do we see what a valuable contribution the widowed sisters continue to make? They, despite being widowed, continue to firmly believe in Jehovah. And Jehovah is grateful for the support they gave their husbands over the years like Sister Lois Didur, who at 81, continues to serve Jehovah faithfully at Bethel in Ukraine, and everyone loves her very much.

As an example we have here Sister Lois de Didur, who at only 21 years old has already started serving as a special pioneer in Canada. Then with her husband they spent many years in the work of the circuit, then they were in Bethel more than 20 years and when the sister was 58 years old they were invited along with her husband to serve in Ukraine. The husband was appointed to the branch committee, seven years later he passed away. But the sister decided to stay in her assignment, now she is 81 years old and continues to serve Jehovah faithfully at Bethel in Ukraine and everyone loves her very much even though she is now alone, and we can see there a photograph of her at Bethel in Ukraine, faithfully following his service and in the background you can see a painting where it is undoubtedly the husband, that painting is a souvenir of when they were married.

10. What can we learn from Tony's good example?

That despite everything that happened to one, he continues to serve and faithfully believe in Jehovah. And that at 98 years old, he has no intention of taking it easy. He continues to do his best to serve Jehovah and support his congregation.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

There is no doubt that older siblings are a great spiritual treasure. For example: Tony was baptized in Pennsylvania at the age of 20. Shortly thereafter, he refused to do military service and spent two and a half years in jail. He and his wife, Hilda, raised their two children in the truth. Tony was the presiding overseer of three congregations (now the coordinator of the body of elders). In addition, he led meetings and taught Bible classes in a state prison. Despite everything that happened, he believes in Jehovah and serves him faithfully. Now he is an older brother at 98 years old, and he has no intention of taking it easy. Keep doing your best to serve Jehovah.

He was baptized in 1942 when he was 20 years old, he refused to do military service and for that reason he spent two and a half years in jail. He was coordinator of the body of elders in 3 congregations, circuit assembly overseer. He ran meetings and taught the bible in a state prison and at 98 years old he continues to do his best in the nursing home where he lives.

11. How can we show that we honor siblings who live in nursing homes or who can no longer leave their home?

If possible, congregation elders can help them preach and attend or listen to meetings. We can show our interest by visiting them or talking to them via video call.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It is important that we especially take into account those who live far from the congregation. Some may not find it easy to talk about themselves or it may not seem appropriate to do so. But it will do us a lot of good to take the time to ask them about the joys they have experienced in Jehovah's organization.

Well as far as possible the elders can help them preach and attend the meetings or listen to them, from these places it is also important to visit them to talk to them by video call. We must ensure that we do not overlook them. And remember with them about the joys they have experienced in Jehovah's organization, that is, they should not be forgotten.

12. What can we discover in our own congregation?

We may discover that we have older siblings who are excellent examples of faithfulness. That despite the trials they had to undergo, they never mistrusted Jehovah and were very faithful to him. Faithful older siblings deserve to be valued.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In our own congregation we can see the faithfulness that some of our older brothers have. For example: A sister from the United States named Harriette served Jehovah faithfully for decades in her congregation. So he went to live with his daughter. The brothers in her new congregation took the time to get to know her. She shared encouraging experiences with preaching in the 1920s when she learned the truth. In fact, in 1933, he twice spent a week in jail. While she was in prison, her husband, who was not a Witness, supported her and took care of her three young children.

That there we have real treasures but if we take time to get to know them. Here is the case of Sister Harriette after she went to live with her daughter, the brothers from her new congregation took the time to get to know her. And they realized they had a treasure, she told them encouraging experiences of preaching in the 1920s when she learned the truth. She was going to preach from house to house. and mentions that on two occasions she spent a week in jail, in her preaching bag she always carried a toothbrush, just in case they arrested her, she was already prepared for that, she even says that on occasions when she was imprisoned, her husband did not She was a witness, supported her and took care of her three children, without a doubt this type of example from our brothers encourages us a lot.

13. What have we learned about the place of older brothers in Jehovah's organization?

Older brothers occupy a very important place in Jehovah's organization. We must see them as a source of wisdom and take advantage of their experience. They are like a diamond that cannot be seen with the naked eye but is very valuable.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We learn from older brothers that their word is like deep waters. And his source of wisdom is a gushing stream. If we take the time to get to know them well, our faith will be strengthened and we will learn more than we thought.

Who have an important place in Jehovah's organization. They have witnessed how Jehovah has showered many blessings on their organization and on them as well. We must see them as a source of wisdom and take advantage of their experience.

LET'S BENEFIT TO THE MAXIMUM OF THE EXAMPLE OF THE OLDER

ILLUSTRATION:

Elijah talking to Elisha. Series of images: Ways to benefit from the experience of the elderly. 1. A married couple listens to an older brother in a nursing home. 2. Several brothers and sisters at the home of an older sister looking with her at a photo album and a gramophone. 3. A young brother and an older brother preaching together.

Just as Elisha benefited from being with Elijah, we can benefit from the experiences shared by those who have served Jehovah for many years. (See paragraphs 14 and 15).

14. What advice does Deuteronomy 32: 7 give to young people?

We can ask the older brothers about the past generations of our congregation, he could wisely tell us about their experiences. It is true that perhaps they no longer see as before, they walk more slowly and their voice is more muffled. But they have made "a good name" for themselves before Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The older siblings despite the difficulties they have such as walking slower and their voice more muffled. They are still young at heart and have made “a good name” before Jehovah. They could also help us with the questions we have, they would answer us with their experience and wisdom.

We must take the initiative and talk to the older brothers. Their physical health may not be the same as before, but they have made a good name for themselves before Jehovah. And he values ​​them, gives them honor, we must be like Elisha who learned a lot from Elijah.

15. What could we ask the older siblings?

If we want to ask something to one of our older brothers, let's try to ask them wisely. For example, we might ask: “When you were young, what convinced you that you had found the truth?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As we know, older brothers have a lot of experience in the congregation, and we may be curious to ask you some questions. For example: What experiences have brought you closer to Jehovah? "What has helped you to continue serving Jehovah happily?"

For example, you might ask when you were young, What experiences have brought you closer to Jehovah? "What has helped you continue to serve Jehovah happily?"

16. When a young man talks to an older brother, why are both of them excited?

As the young man talks to his older brother, they get to know each other more. And the young man will be convinced that Jehovah cares for his faithful servants, and the older one will feel loved and will enjoy recounting his experiences with Jehovah in his life.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Why is it that when a young man talks to an older brother, the two of them come out excited? This is because when they talk, the two get to know each other little by little, the older brother will tell his experiences and his wisdoms to the young man and he will remain convinced that Jehovah loves and cares for all his faithful servants. And the older brother will feel loved to be listened to and to see the young man helped with his experience.

The young man will be convinced of how Jehovah has cared for his servants, in this case the older brother, he will feel dearly appreciated and will enjoy everything he will remember, how he has seen Jehovah's hand in his life, so both of them leave encouraged.

17. Why can we say that older siblings get more beautiful with each passing year?

Jehovah is not referring to physical beauty, he is referring to the loyalty of his loyal servants. He sees each year that passes more beautiful to all his servants who serve them faithfully. Because they have let the spirit of God mold and refine them.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The older brothers look more beautiful, each year that passes because they are faithful, they let the spirit of God mold and refine them. Only people who know older siblings will see that they are a valuable treasure that is not seen with the naked eye but is close to us.

Because over the years they have allowed the spirit of God to mold and refine them, that is the reason that the more we get to know them we will see them as a valuable treasure in the congregation.

18. What will we see in the next article?

As we saw in this article we talked about Valuing our older brothers. In the next article we will see about how to value the strength of young people.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the next article, we'll see how seniors can show that they value the young people in the congregation. As we have already seen, older brothers are very important in the congregation, and in the next article we will see how young people are valuable in the congregation.

What we will see is how the elders can show that they consider the young people of the congregation valuable, so it will be seen from a totally different point of view.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why does Jehovah think that older brothers are a treasure?

Because over the years the older brothers have allowed the spirit of God to mold and refine them. The more we get to know our dear older siblings and learn from them, the more we will see them as a valuable treasure.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because they, despite the tests they have undergone, believe in Jehovah faithfully. And they also share their wisdom with young people, and that is why we can learn a lot from them.

Because he knows them very well and appreciates their beautiful qualities, he feels happy every time they see young people pass on the wisdom they have acquired, he values ​​their endurance and appreciates the faith they have shown in him.

What place do older brothers have in the congregation?

They have an important place in the congregation. They have seen how Jehovah has showered many blessings on their organization and on them as well. They also had to learn from their own mistakes. They are very experienced, so let's see them as a source of wisdom.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

They occupy a very important place. Because they know the congregation much more than others, because of the years they faithfully dedicate to Jehovah. If we take the time to get to know them well, our faith will be strengthened and we will learn more than we thought.

Although they do not have the same energies as in their youth, they are still used in many ways. We saw the case of Moses, Daniel, the Apostle John, who, being very old, had an important place in Jehovah's organization. And today there are many brothers who, despite being widowers or living in nursing homes, continue to serve to the fullest according to their circumstances.

How do young people benefit if they make an effort to get to know their older siblings?

The younger will be even more convinced that Jehovah cares for his faithful servants, and the older will feel loved and enjoy sharing how he has seen Jehovah's hand in his life.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It is true that perhaps they no longer see as before, they walk more slowly and their voice is more muffled. But they are still young at heart and have made “a good name” before Jehovah. But the older brothers have a lot of wisdom to give to the younger ones, they could benefit from this wisdom to learn more about the congregation.

In the case of the youngest, you will be more convinced that Jehovah knows how to take care of his faithful servants. How these older brothers will see brothers who over the years have allowed the spirit of Jehovah to mold and refer them. That is why they come to be considered as a treasure.