Watchtower Study, Week of November 29-December 5, 2021, When a Loved One Leaves Jehovah, Answers Underlined.

Watchtower Study, November 29-December 5, 2021, When a Loved One Leaves Jehovah, Answers Underlined.

1. When a person is expelled, how can their relatives feel?

When a person is expelled from the congregation, family members can be left heartbroken. A sister named Hilda * says: “My husband died faithful after 41 years of marriage, and I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to me. But when my son left the congregation and also his wife and children, the pain was much worse. "

ILLUSTRATION:

A father leaves home with a suitcase. The mother hugs her two children, who are crying.

Jehovah understands how painful it is when a loved one stops serving him. (See paragraphs 2 and 3.) *

2, 3. According to Psalm 78:40, 41, How does Jehovah feel when his servants leave him?

Consider how much it must have hurt Jehovah when many angels, who were part of his family, turned their backs on him (Jude 6). And can we imagine how hurt he felt when he saw his beloved people, the Israelites, rebel against him over and over again? (Read Psalm 78:40, 41). If someone you love leaves Jehovah, you can be sure that our loving heavenly Father is hurt too. He understands what you are suffering and will show compassion by giving you the encouragement and support you need.

In this article, we will see what to do to receive Jehovah's help when a loved one is expelled. And we will also talk about how to help the brothers of the congregation who are in this situation. But first let's look at a negative way of thinking that we should avoid.

DO NOT BLAME

4. How do many parents feel when a child leaves Jehovah?

When a loved child leaves Jehovah, many parents wonder what else they could have done to help him continue in the truth. After their son was expelled, a brother named Luke acknowledged: “I thought it was my fault. He even had nightmares. Sometimes I cried and my heart ached ”. A sister named Elizabeth, who was in the same situation, kept thinking: “Where did I fail as a mother? I felt like I hadn't done enough to instill the truth in my son. "

5. If a person leaves Jehovah, who is responsible?

We must remember that Jehovah has given all of us the freedom to make our own decisions. So everyone can choose whether to obey him or not. Some young people were not raised in ideal circumstances, but they decided to serve Jehovah and have remained faithful. Others had parents who did their best to raise them according to biblical principles, but when they grew up they left Jehovah. Ultimately, each one must decide whether to serve Jehovah or not (Josh. 24:15). So parents, if your child leaves Jehovah, resist the tendency to blame yourself.

6. How can a young person feel when one of his parents leaves God?

Sometimes it is the parent who abandons the truth and perhaps even the family (Ps. 27:10). This can be devastating for children who see their parents as an example. Esther recounts how she felt when her father was expelled: “I often cried because I realized that it was not that I had drifted little by little from the truth, but that I had made a conscious decision to leave Jehovah. I love my father very much. So when he was expelled, I spent all my time worrying about his well-being. They even gave me panic attacks ”.

7. How does Jehovah feel about young people who have disfellowshiped parents?

Young people, if one of your parents has been expelled, we share your pain. And do not doubt that Jehovah is also very aware of how they feel. He loves them and is happy that they continue to serve him loyally. And we — his brothers and sisters — feel the same way. Also remember that you are not responsible for the decisions of your parents. As we have seen, Jehovah has given us the freedom to decide whether we will serve him. And each baptized and dedicated servant of God "will bear his own burden of responsibility" (Gal. 6: 5).

8. What can faithful family members do while waiting for their loved one to return to Jehovah? (See also the box “Jehovah Wants Me To Return”).

When someone you love leaves the truth, it is natural for you to cling to the hope that one day you will return to Jehovah. What can you do in the meantime? Keep taking care of your own spiritual health. In this way, you will set a good example for other members of your family and perhaps even the expelled. Also, that will give you the strength to endure pain and sadness. Let's look at some things you can do to stay spiritually strong.

Jehovah wants me to return

ILLUSTRATION:

A loving shepherd carries a little sheep in his arms.

A mother says: “The words of Isaiah 55: 7 describe what I want my son to do: 'Let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, return to our God, for he will generously forgive him.' If you have left Jehovah, the sooner you return, the happier you will be. The world situation makes it clear that Armageddon is fast approaching and that it can come at any moment. Also, life in this system is short and uncertain. None of us know if he will be alive tomorrow (James 4:13, 14).

The brochure Jehovah Wants You To Return * says: “Jehovah will guide you on the way back. He will help you cope with worries, heal hurt feelings, and gain the relief of a clear conscience. When you do, you will most likely want to serve Jehovah again with the congregation. ”- 1 Pet. 2:25.

HOW TO STAY STRONG IN THE SPIRITUAL SENSE

9. What will help you maintain strong faith? (See also the box “Texts to encourage you if a loved one has left Jehovah.”)

Maintain a good spiritual routine. It is very important that you continue to strengthen your friendship with Jehovah and that of your family. How can you do it? One thing that will help you maintain strong faith is to regularly read and ponder God's Word, as well as attending meetings. Consider the example of Joanna. His father and sister left the truth. She recounts: “When I read about some biblical characters like Abigail, Esther, Job, Joseph and Jesus, I feel great peace. His examples fill my heart and mind with positive thoughts that ease my pain. Our JW Broadcasting songs also cheer me up a lot. "

Texts to encourage you if a loved one has left Jehovah

Psalm 30:10

Psalm 34: 4, 6, 18, 19

Psalm 39:12

Psalm 61: 1, 2

Psalm 94: 17-19

Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 4: 6, 7

10. According to Psalm 32: 6-8, what can we do if we feel very distressed?

Open your heart to Jehovah. When you feel very distressed, do not stop praying to Him. Ask our loving God to help you see the situation as he sees it and to make you insightful and show you the way to go (read Psalm 32: 6-8). Of course, it may be very painful for you to tell him how you feel. But Jehovah understands this perfectly. He loves you very much and invites you to pour out your heart to him (Ex. 34: 6; Ps. 62: 7, 8).

11. According to Hebrews 12:11, why should we trust the discipline that Jehovah gives out of love? (See also the box “The Expulsion Is A Token Of Jehovah's Love.”)

Support the decision of the elders. Expulsion is a loving measure that Jehovah has established for the good of all, including the person who has sinned. --Read Hebrews 12:11. Some may say that the elders were wrong to expel you, but remember that these people will surely avoid mentioning negative details about the expelled. The truth is that we do not have all the data. So it is best to trust that the elders who served on the judicial committee did their best to follow biblical principles and judge “for Jehovah” (2 Chron. 19: 6).

Expulsion is a token of Jehovah's love

Let's look at four ways expulsion reflects God's love.

1. Love prompts elders to do whatever they can to help those who have sinned. A Christian is only expelled if these two things happen: he has committed a serious sin and he is unrepentant (Heb. 12: 7, 9-11).

2. Expulsion protects the congregation. Whoever sins and does not repent is like a person who has a very contagious virus and who must be quarantined to protect others (1 Cor. 5: 6, 7, 11-13).

3. Expulsion can help the sinner to repent. Many expelled men regained their senses and eventually returned to Jehovah. --Luke 15: 11-24.

4. When a repentant sinner returns, there is happiness in heaven and the congregation welcomes him with open arms (Luke 15: 7).

12. How have some benefited from supporting Jehovah's discipline?

If you support the elders' decision to expel your relative, it may help you return to Jehovah. Elizabeth, mentioned in paragraph 4, acknowledges: “It was very hard to completely cut off the relationship with our son, who was already an adult. But when he returned to Jehovah, he admitted that he deserved expulsion. And later he said that he had learned many valuable lessons. That made me appreciate Jehovah's discipline. " Her husband, named Mark, adds: “Years later, our son told me that he had decided to come back in part because we had done exactly what we needed to do. I am very grateful that Jehovah helped us to be obedient. "

13. What can help you cope with pain?

Talk to understanding friends. Spend time with mature Christians who can help you maintain a positive attitude (Prov. 12:25; 17:17). Joanna, mentioned in paragraph 9, comments: “The truth is that I felt very lonely. But it helped me a lot talking with trusted friends ”. Now, what can you do if a brother says something to you that makes you feel worse?

14. Why should we continue to support each other and generously forgive each other?

Be patient with siblings. Realistically, we cannot expect everyone to always say the ideal words to us (James 3: 2). We are all imperfect, so don't be surprised if some don't know what to say or even accidentally say something hurtful to you. Remember the apostle Paul's advice: “Keep supporting one another and forgiving generously even if someone has a reason to complain about another” (Col. 3:13). A sister who has a relative who was expelled explains: "Jehovah has helped me to forgive the brothers who tried to do the right thing but failed because of imperfection." Now let's look at what the congregation can do to help faithful family members.

THE CONGREGATION CAN HELP

15. How can we help the family members of someone who was recently expelled?

Let us treat faithful family members with kindness and affection. A sister named Miriam admits that she was a little scared to go to the meetings after her brother was expelled. He confesses: “I was afraid of what others would say. But there were very good friends who were also sad and said nothing negative about my brother. Thanks to them, I did not feel alone ”. Another sister recalls: “When our son was expelled, dear brothers came to comfort us. Some acknowledged that they did not know what to say. They cried with me or wrote me a few words. What they did helped me a lot ”.

16. How can the congregation continue to support faithful family members?

Let's continue supporting faithful family members. They need our love and encouragement now more than ever (Heb. 10:24, 25). At times, some relatives of the expelled have noticed that certain siblings have stopped talking to them, as if they too were expelled. Let's never do that! Young people who have expelled parents especially need our encouragement and praise. A sister named María tells what happened to her when her husband was expelled and left his family: “Some of my friends came to my house, cooked something and helped me study with my children. They felt my pain and cried with me. And they also defended me when some people spread false rumors about me. They encouraged me very much ”(Rom. 12:13, 15).

ILLUSTRATION:

The mother and her children welcome two elderly people who have come to visit them.

The congregation can lovingly support the faithful family members of a disfellowshipped person. (See paragraph 17) *

17. What can the elderly do to comfort those who are suffering?

Elders, take every opportunity to strengthen faithful family members. You especially have a responsibility to comfort brothers and sisters with loved ones who have left Jehovah. --1 Thess. 5:14. Take the initiative and encourage them before and after the meetings. Visit them and pray for them. You can also preach with them or from time to time invite them to your family worship. Spiritual shepherds should show Jehovah's suffering sheep the compassion, love, and attention they need. --1 Thess. 2: 7, 8.

DON'T LOSE HOPE AND KEEP TRUSTING JEHOVAH

18. According to 2 Peter 3: 9, what does Jehovah want those who have stopped serving him to do?

Jehovah “does not desire that any be destroyed, but that all should come to repent” (Read 2 Peter 3: 9). Even if a person commits a serious sin, his life is still very precious to God. Remember that Jehovah paid a very high price for each of us - the life of his beloved Son. With love, God tries to help those who have left him to return to him. And hope they decide to do so, as we can learn from Jesus' parable of the lost son (Luke 15: 11-32). Many who have left the truth have since returned to their loving heavenly Father, and the congregation has welcomed them with open arms. Elizabeth, whom we mentioned earlier, was very happy when her son was readmitted. She says: "I am very grateful for all those who encouraged us not to lose hope."

19. Why can we continue to trust in Jehovah?

We can always trust Jehovah. He will never tell us to do something that hurts us. He is a generous and compassionate Father who has deep love for all who love and adore him. Let us be sure that Jehovah will not abandon us in the most difficult moments. --Heb. 13: 5, 6. Mark, mentioned in paragraph 12, says: “Jehovah never abandoned us. He is always by our side when we go through difficult times ”. God will continue to give us “power that is beyond normal” (2 Cor. 4: 7). Yes, we can keep faith and hope even when a loved one leaves Jehovah.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE FOLLOWING TEXTS?

Psalm 78:40, 41

Psalm 32: 6-8

Hebrews 12:11