Watchtower Study, Week of November 1-7, 2021, Appreciate Our Elder Brothers, Answers Underlined.

Watchtower Study, November 1-7, 2021, Cherish Our Elder Brothers, Answers Underlined.

1, 2. a) According to Proverbs 16:31, how should we view older brothers? b) What questions will we answer in this article?

In a state park in Arkansas (United States), diamonds can be found on the ground. Although the diamonds are visible to the naked eye, as they are raw, uncut, many visitors may pass by and not realize the true value of what they have before their eyes.

Our faithful older brothers are like those diamonds - a precious treasure. God's Word compares your gray hair to a crown (read Proverbs 16:31; 20:29). But it is easy that we do not realize the value they have. Young people who appreciate older siblings get more than just a literal treasure. In this article, we will answer these three questions: 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?

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?

Older brothers are highly valued by Jehovah. He knows well what kind of people they are and appreciates their beautiful qualities. He is happy to see the wisdom they have learned from their years of faithful service passed on to young men (Job 12:12; Prov. 1: 1-4). He also highly values ​​their endurance (Mal. 3:16). Although they have had problems in their life, they have always demonstrated strong faith in Jehovah. Now their hope is more alive than when they learned the truth. And Jehovah loves them because they keep talking about his name “even in their old age” (Read Psalm 92: 12-15).

4. What can encourage older siblings?

If you are getting older, you can be sure that Jehovah remembers the works he has done in the past. --Heb. 6:10. He has enthusiastically supported the preaching work, and that makes Heavenly Father happy. He has endured trials — some very painful — upheld the righteous standards of the Bible, held important responsibilities, and trained others. He has done his best to keep up with Jehovah's organization, which is going full speed ahead. In addition, he has supported and encouraged those who are in full-time service. Jehovah loves him very much for his loyalty, and he promises that “he will not abandon his loyal ones” (Psalm 37:28). He also assures him: "Even when you get gray, I will continue to support you" (Isa. 46: 4). So do not think that because of your age you are no longer important in Jehovah's organization. Yes it is!

AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN JEHOVAH'S ORGANIZATION

5. What should older siblings remember?

Older siblings have a lot to offer. Although they may not have the strength they had before, they have all the experience they have accumulated over the years. Jehovah can continue to use them in many ways, as we will see in the following examples from the past and today.

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

In the Bible we find examples of faithful people who continued to serve Jehovah in their old age. One of them is Moses, who was in his 80s when he became a prophet and leader of the nation of Israel. Another case is that of Daniel, who probably in his 90s was still serving as Jehovah's prophet. And apparently the apostle John was also past 90 when he wrote the book of Revelation by inspiration.

Many other faithful servants were not as well known, and may be easily overlooked by people. But Jehovah did notice them and rewarded them for their loyalty. 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 (Luke 2:22, 25-35). Consider also the prophetess Anna. She was an 84-year-old widow who was "always in the temple." Jehovah rewarded her for her faithfulness by also allowing her to see little Jesus. Without a doubt, Simeon and Anna were valuable to Jehovah (Luke 2: 36-38).

ILLUSTRATION:

Lois Didur working in 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?

In our day, many older brothers are a great example for the younger ones. 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. Later, they served Bethel in Canada for more than 20 years. When she was 58 years old, they were invited to serve in Ukraine. What would they do? Would they think they were too old to move to another country? 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. Now 81, she continues to serve Jehovah faithfully at Bethel in Ukraine, and is loved by everyone.

Some sisters, like Lois, may go a little less noticeable when they are widowed, but they are still very valuable to Jehovah. He greatly values ​​the support they gave their husbands over the years and that they continue to serve him loyally (1 Tim. 5: 3). They are also a great source of encouragement for young people.

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

There are many elderly siblings who live in nursing homes or nursing homes, and they too are a spiritual treasure. That is the case with a brother named Tony. He was baptized in Pennsylvania (United States) in August 1942 at the age of 20. A short time later, 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. Over the years, Tony was the presiding overseer of three congregations (now the coordinator of the body of elders) and was also a circuit assembly overseer. In addition, he led meetings and taught Bible classes in a state prison. At 98, he has no intention of taking it easy. He continues to do his best to serve Jehovah and support his congregation.

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

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. It is important that we especially take into account those who live far from the congregation. We must ensure that we do not overlook them. 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 and to listen to what they tell us.

12. What can we discover in our own congregation?

We may be surprised to find that in our own congregation we have older brothers who are excellent examples of faithfulness. A sister from the United States named Harriette served Jehovah faithfully for decades in her New Jersey congregation. So he went to live with his daughter. The brothers in her new congregation took the time to get to know her and discovered a treasure. She shared encouraging experiences with preaching in the 1920s when she learned the truth. Back then, she always carried a toothbrush when she went to preach, in case she was arrested. In fact, in 1933, he twice spent a week in jail. While she was imprisoned, her husband — who was not a Witness — supported her and took care of her three young children. Definitely,

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

Our older brothers have an important place in Jehovah's organization. They have seen how Jehovah has showered many blessings on their organization and on them as well. They have learned valuable lessons from their own mistakes. So let's see them as a source of wisdom and draw on their experience (Prov. 18: 4). If we take the time to get to know them well, our faith will be strengthened and we will learn more than we thought.

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

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?

Let's take the initiative and talk to older brothers (read Deuteronomy 32: 7). 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” for themselves before Jehovah. --Eccl. 7: 1, footnote. Let us remember why Jehovah values ​​them and continue to honor them. Let's be like Elisha, who on the last day he spent with Elijah insisted on staying with him. He said to him three times: "I will not leave you" (2 Kings 2: 2, 4, 6).

15. What could we ask the older siblings?

Let's show older brothers that we really care by asking prudent questions (Prov. 1: 5; 20: 5). For example, we could ask them: “When you were young, 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? " (1 Tim. 6: 6-8). Then, let's listen to what they tell us.

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

When a young man talks to an older brother, the two of them are encouraged (Rom. 1:12). The young man will be even more convinced that Jehovah cares for his faithful servants, and the older one will feel loved and enjoy sharing how he has seen Jehovah's hand in his life.

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

Generally, physical beauty disappears with age. But with each passing year, Jehovah sees his loyal servants more beautiful. --1 Thess. 1: 2, 3. Why? Because over the years they 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.

18. What will we see in the next article?

Now, the congregation is not only strengthened when the young value the elders, but also when the elders value the young. In the next article, we'll see how seniors can show that they value the young people in the congregation.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why does Jehovah think that older brothers are a treasure?

What place do older brothers have in the congregation?

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