Watchtower Study, Let us value our older brothers, Week of November 1-7, 2021, Comments and Practical Answers.

Watchtower Study, Cherish Our Elder Brothers, November 1-7, 2021, Comments and Responses.

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

Our dear older brothers are "a valuable treasure" that we have in the congregations. Gray hair brings honor to him or, as this proverb says, "gray hair is a crown of beauty, because it has remained on the path of justice." So we love and appreciate them very much.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It is interesting that insight when he speaks of the crown of beauty says that a life dedicated to the service of Jehovah is pleasing in the eyes of God and deserves the respect of other human beings that is why it is compared to a beautiful crown.

It is very interesting what they mention in the first paragraph of the Arkansas State park in the United States that there are diamonds that are in the rough are apparently available to the naked eye but people do not perceive it they do not realize because visually they do not have the appearance of what that everyone knows as a diamond so they do not recognize the true value, so he mentions that the older brothers are similar to these diamonds because visually it may seem of little value but the reality is that they have a lot of value.

What makes our older brothers valuable is not in itself having a birthday, but as the proverb that we have read says, doing it on the path of justice as if each year that will pass they will add one more carat to their value.

b) What questions will we answer in this article?

The questions are: why does Jehovah think 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?

OPTIONAL ANSWER

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?

WHY JEHOVAH THINKS OLDER BROTHERS ARE A TREASURE

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

Jehovah loves and values ​​our older brothers because they serve them faithfully. As this psalm says "the righteous will flourish like a palm tree" "they will flourish in the courtyards of God" because they have much to offer: since they continue to speak of Jehovah "even in their old age." They also transmit to young people their beautiful qualities and the wisdom they have acquired over the years. So our older siblings "prosper" rather than decline.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Of course, it is natural that when one lives many years, especially if it has been within Jehovah's organization, he has gone through many trials and many difficulties and all that has been enriching the person, so Jehovah sees it, he knows that the elderly the elderly can transmit that wisdom these experiences to the youngest and that is why they consider them very valuable.

Also as the text says in verse 14 Jehovah says that despite his old age he continues to prosper they remain strong full of life there we see that no matter their age there they are still an example they are spiritual brothers but not only that there in verse 15 he says They continue to proclaim that Jehovah is righteous and despite their limited strength they continue to speak about Jehovah to people.

Jehovah also values ​​them, not for how many years they have served him, but rather that those years count their strong faith, their living hope continues in that spirit with that desire to work for Jehovah, that is what Jehovah values.

And also the endurance that they demonstrated throughout their lives as Malachi 3:16 mentions is proof that they fear Jehovah that they fear unpleasant they have that healthy fear and that is why they demonstrate this endurance that is so valuable.

It is interesting that the psalm compares them with a palm tree because here we are talking about date palms that are known not only for their beauty and their exquisite fruits but also because they can be productive even after 100 years, so it is an excellent comparison because our older brothers continue to bear fruit despite their age.

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).

4. What can encourage older siblings?

They can be encouraged by what Psalm 37:28 says, where Jehovah promises that "he will not abandon his loyal ones." Also in Isaiah 46: 4 Jehovah tells them that: "Even when they are covered with gray hair, he will continue to support them." So, older Christians can be sure that they are of value in the organization, because Jehovah remembers the shadows they have made such as: preaching, enduring painful trials, training others, caring for responsibilities and supporting those who serve long full.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Undoubtedly the promise of Hebrews 6:10 because it is very encouraging and consoling because it says that God is not unjust and therefore he will not forget his works or the love they showed and in the paragraph a lot of those are listed works that are those that Jehovah will not forget.

In the Hebrew text, knowing that Jehovah does not forget what we have done is very encouraging because sometimes we ourselves may think that we have done very little and what happens is that we have forgotten little things that we have done but that Jehovah does remember them, in order to To illustrate it, sometimes we have met a brother or sister to whom we gave a gift a long time ago and he tells us you remember this and it turns out that we have forgotten but the brother received him with so much affection and has valued it so much that he has kept it for many years so in the same way, although sometimes we have done little things that we forget, Jehovah remembers them forever.

The word of Isaiah 46: 4 is also extremely encouraging when Jehovah says that when you get old because Jehovah is still the same and assures that I will take you, sustain you and save you, without a doubt that Jehovah, because he fulfills this promise with his servants when they grow older .

The paragraph also says that they have done their best to keep up with Jehovah's organization even though it is going fast, so he has always kept up with the updates and is continuing with this today. change that has occurred now that technology is used more they continue to preach by letter over the phone that is, they are a great example for us. 

AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION

5. What should older siblings remember?

They must remember that they are useful to Jehovah, and because they are so experienced, he can continue to use them in many ways in his organization.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because although it is possible that the passage of the years has made a decrease in what has to do with energy, but the truth is that what has to do with experience has made it have been nourished, it has been enriched by a great baggage of experiences you have to share.

There we see the difference with this world that when the person may lose strength, they are no longer useful but for Jehovah it is not like that, Jehovah has a very important value to him and he continues to use it. 

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

An example was Moses, who was in his 80s when he became a prophet and leader of the nation of Israel. Also, there is Daniel, who was over 90 years old and still serving as Jehovah's prophet. And, the apostle John who was apparently in his 90s when he wrote the book of Revelation. Another "just and devoted" servant was Simeon, Jehovah gave him the honor of seeing little Jesus and saying a prophecy about him and his mother. In addition, the 84-year-old prophesy Ana, who "was always in the temple" giving sacred service, received the reward of seeing little Jesus.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The example of Moses who with about 80 years became a prophet and also led the nation of Israel, this was a huge job to carry so many people forward and Jehovah trusted him and also for example the apostle John what will happen of the 90 wrote for inspiration the book of Revelation something very important in the Bible.

And going back to the case of Moses, it is curious that when he was 40 years old, he was not useful for Jehovah, he was useful at 80.

Similarly, in the case of Daniel, as mentioned in the assembly, not only did the Angel visit him and tell him that it was very valuable for what he had done, but also revealed what was going to happen in the future and he had to put it to writing and record it, so despite his advanced age he was still very useful and Jehovah gave him an assignment.

In paragraph 6 what has been commented on are examples of servants who were well known among their contemporaries, however in paragraph 7 they mention other servants who among their contemporaries as they did not attract attention were not known but nevertheless Jehovah did. He paid attention to them because they were very valuable, as in the case of Simeon, who is described as a righteous and devout man who had the privilege, Jehovah fulfilled the promise he made, thereby demonstrating how valuable he was to him.

And it is also mentioned of the prophetess Hannah with about 84 years of age Jehovah rewarded her for her fidelity by allowing her to see little Jesus.

Yes at these ages for the people of the world people are finished and they file them around until they die but it is not like that with Jehovah he is not ungrateful and thinks that they can still continue to give him something and a lot as in the case that we have seen the Biblical cases, so in the same way we should see our older brothers consider them very valuable as Jehovah sees them and learn from them.

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

Our sisters who supported their husbands for long years and are now widowed are still valuable, loyally serving Jehovah and an encouragement to young people. An example of this is the Lois Didur sorority who dedicated her life to full service to Jehovah from a young age and continued to serve him after she was married. Then when she was 58 years old, they accepted the invitation to serve in another country in Ukraine. And when the husband died, she decided to stay on her assignment. Now 81, she continues to serve Jehovah faithfully at Bethel in Ukraine and is loved by everyone. There is no doubt that your spiritual experience benefits others.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, they are a great support when they had their husbands because they accompanied them they were faithfully in all the facets that her husband perhaps served but they do not stop because her husband has left his assignment or they have died, they are not faithful sisters who continue to work we have the example of Sister Loid her spiritual career was great next to her husband she served as a special pioneer 21 years they were in the circuit work they served in beteles, when she was 58 they were invited to Ukraine her husband had a lot of responsibility she was always there for her side but when he died he continued to serve faithfully.

He does mention that perhaps some of these sisters because when they become widowed now they seem to go into the background or even go very unnoticed, however Jehovah continues to see them even more valuable for their faithfulness and endurance.

ILLUSTRATION:

Lois Didur working in the Ukraine branch.

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

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

Brother Tony served Jehovah from the age of 20. All his life he focused on giving the best, together with his wife he raised his children in the truth, he helped as an elder in various congregations and even served as a circuit overseer. Now that he is 98 years old and living in a nursing home, he continues to do his best to serve Jehovah and support his congregation. His example teaches us that as adults, despite our ailments, we can remain spiritually active and continue to bear whole-soul fruit for Jehovah 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, at 98 years old he is still active if he continues to do his best to give the best to Jehovah and also to support his congregation and it is very nice that despite your age one thinks because I already miss a lot that now it is others' turn but as the paragraph says he has no intention of taking it easy.

And it is striking that this brother Tony was in a nursing home and yet I do not consider that being there it was a place of retreat and that he was going to rest from his spiritual activities even though being in that situation he was very active like that We also have to see that the brothers who are in homes for the elderly or receiving special care should not think that they are already there forgotten if we do not count on them just as Jehovah counts on them.

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

We do it by being sincerely interested in them, so we must visit them or if we cannot, we must speak with them by video call. The elders can also assign some brothers to help them preach, and to the extent possible they should watch for them to attend or listen to the meetings. The important thing is that they feel loved, loved and not that we put them aside or even worse that we ignore them.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, we have to make an effort to find within our congregation who might be in that situation and, as far as possible, to be aware of helping her preach to connect to the meetings, listen to her or visit them or if not possible also by videoconference. We can show you that honor and that interest.

We could also talk with the relatives who are taking care of the older brother and sister and we can ask him that when he is with them to see if he could make a call and thus he is showing the relatives that the older brother and sister are valuable to the congregation and so on. make the effort to talk to them. 

12. What can we discover in our own congregation?

We may discover that we have older siblings who are excellent examples of faithfulness. The example in the paragraph from Sister Harriette, who served Jehovah faithfully for decades, shows us that if we take the time to get to know older siblings better and learn about their "experiences and trials," we may discover that we have "valuable treasures »that deserve to be loved and cherished.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, as he says, it may be that we do not have to go very far to discover in our own congregation that we have older brothers who are excellent examples, authentic treasures that perhaps go unnoticed, it does not attract attention, they do not feel comfortable talking about themselves and that is why we do not know their experience, but there we have great potential to discover.

Here we have the experience of a sister who served for decades in a congregation and then had to move and it is interesting what the brothers of that new congregation did, not because she was very old, they left her in a corner but that They took the time to get to know her and discovered spiritual treasures a great wealth that favored them as well and made the sister feel that she was highly valued.

We see how she told them very encouraging experiences of, for example, preaching in the 1920s when she learned the truth and an interesting detail that she told them was that she always carried a toothbrush when she went to preach in case they arrested her and in fact commented that in Twice she spent a week in jail and even her husband, who was not a witness, had to take care of her children, so the brothers who took time to get to know her discovered that she really is a true treasure from which they could learn a lot.

Another lesson that it teaches us is that if we are new to the congregation that we also take an interest not only in those of our age, those who are close to us but also in the elderly or if someone like in this case someone new to the old congregation comes. advanced that we also ask, we become interested, spend time with her and thus we will discover a spiritual treasure.

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

We have learned that our older brothers have an important place in Jehovah's organization. So all the members of the congregation should take time to know him well, we can learn a lot from his years of experience and wisdom that they have accumulated, if we make an effort to know them our faith will be strengthened.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

And this is because they have lived as Jehovah guides and blesses his people and they have also lived it in their own lives then as Proverbs 18: 4 mentions a source of wisdom and willing to share it.

It is also interesting when he says that they have learned valuable lessons from their own mistakes because there we have an important field because we all make mistakes but we can learn from the mistakes of older brothers who are faithful, it can allow us to avoid mistakes or if we make them how to overcome them and continue faithful to Jehovah.

They have also been able to see how Jehovah has blessed his organization through time, they are living history, these brothers know firsthand what has happened what has happened has happened, they have lived those experiences so they transmit it to the next generation for their spiritual edification. It is invaluable.

So we must not underestimate the positive effect that being able to take advantage of this wealth of experience can have on us, at the end of the paragraph he is telling us that for those of us who may be a little younger that is an investment in the future because as the In the end, we will learn much more than we thought if we dedicate that time to get to know how to draw from that well of wisdom experiences experiences situations that have had to deal with them because all that will enrich us in an extraordinary way. 

LET US BENEFIT TO THE MAXIMUM OF THE EXAMPLE OF THE OLDER

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

This text encourages the young to "ask the older ones and they will inform you." So young people should take the initiative and strive to know the facts of godly devotion that our brothers have shown, this will stimulate them to follow their example and stay in Christian service. They must imitate Elisha who was determined to stay with the aging Elijah and learn from him until the end, that is why three times he told him: "I will not leave you."

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We have read ask your father, ask your elders then what is required perhaps is to take the initiative if we who approach them and talk to them ask about their experiences.

And also thinking about the idea of ​​Ecclesiastes 7: 1, the goal that we all have is to get to make a good name for ourselves before Jehovah, they have already done it and that is why we want to know how their experience of life has done it for us who are behind perhaps with less years we can also achieve a loyalty trajectory.

And we also want to make an effort to see them as Jehovah sees them, to see their entire long journey, their entire faithful career and what they are doing now and remember why Jehovah values ​​them and continues to honor them. 

15. What could we ask the older siblings?

We can ask prudent questions such as: "What convinced you that you had found the truth?", "What experiences have brought you closer to Jehovah?", "What has helped you continue to serve Jehovah happily?" And, of course, we must listen carefully to what they tell us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

These are questions that have to do with their relationship with Jehovah, such as what experience has brought them closer to Jehovah or what has helped them to continue serving Jehovah happily, it is important because the elderly person has a great baggage of experiences in what they have to do with their relationship with Jehovah and that in harmony with what Proverbs 1: 5 says all of us will prove to be wise if we ask and listen and receive instruction from older people in those ways we will strengthen ourselves in our relationship with Jehovah as well.

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).

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

Both are encouraged and strengthened because the young man is convinced that Jehovah cares for his faithful servants, and the older brother will feel loved and will enjoy sharing how he has seen Jehovah's hand in his life.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

On the one hand the young man, because there will be living proof that Jehovah fulfills his promises by experience when the older brother tells how Jehovah has cared for him throughout his life and on the other hand the older brother will feel honored and loved dearly. Also remembering your past experiences will strengthen you for the trials that you are going through in the present and in the future.

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

They are beautiful because of the faithful work they show them to Jehovah, over the years they have allowed the spirit of God to mold and refer them. So "her spiritual beauty grows more each year." 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

On the outside, physically, the beauty is apparently disappearing, but inside Jehovah sees them becoming more beautiful because they strengthen their relationship with Jehovah more and more and allow the holy spirit to mold and refine them, so that is why they are more and more beautiful.

How beautiful the expression of Paul in first to the Thessalonians that reminds us that we must constantly remember the faithful work, the work motivated by love and the endurance that in this case the older brothers have had physically, perhaps they cannot do things that we are doing in favor of the organization but the work they have been doing is of great value that is why it reminds us that although many years have passed they have not allowed the spirit of serving Jehovah to diminish to the contrary. 

18. What will we see in the next article?

In the next article, we'll see how seniors can show that they value the young people in the congregation.

OPTIONAL ANSWER

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 WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why does Jehovah think that older brothers are a treasure?

For Jehovah, the older brothers are “a treasure” because through the years they have served him faithfully and continue to speak of his name “even in their old age.” He appreciates the beautiful qualities they have and is happy to see that they transmit them to young people the wisdom and spiritual knowledge they have acquired from the truth.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

As we saw in the words of Hebrews 6:10, Jehovah greatly values ​​all that these brothers have done over the years to serve him all his beautiful qualities, endure his loyalty and all the sacrifices they have made for him, so he is very proud from them. 

What place do older brothers have in the congregation?

They have an important and essential place in the congregation, as their years of experience and good example are a great source of encouragement to others.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It still has a lot to offer Jehovah can continue to use them so they can feel useful, loved and recognized.

They occupy a very important place within the organization, unlike this system that when they are older and as it puts them on the sidelines, on the other hand, within Jehovah's organization they remain valuable and continue to work hard. 

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

Young people who make an effort to get to know older siblings benefit as they can pass on to them a wealth of spiritual knowledge that they have acquired in the course of life. Also, they will realize that the older brothers have faced different tests for upholding Jehovah's just standards but that they were never alone or abandoned, because “Jehovah was always there to take care of them,” this will encourage us to follow their good example.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It must be borne in mind that young people are full of energy and enthusiasm of fervor but lacking experiences, they can make mistakes, they have to polish themselves, they have to learn and instead being with older brothers who tell them how they have overcome those challenges and how they have been improving Your character and personality will benefit greatly over time, and you will also have the opportunity to grow richer every day.

And our faith is also strengthened by knowing them more because we see how Jehovah takes care of them after so long and it is something that helps us see how he will also support us.