Watchtower Study, Elders, Keep Imitating the Apostle Paul, Week May 30 to June 5, 2022, Comments and Practical Responses.

Watchtower Study, Elders, Keep on Imitating the Apostle Paul, May 30-June 5, 2022, Comments and Responses.

1, 2. How can Paul's example help older men in our day?

Because like them Paul was an imperfect human being, who had a constant struggle to do only good, and although he had to go through many difficulties he never gave up, then if the elders imitate him they will be able to serve Jehovah with joy regardless of the difficulties. obstacles.

3. What will we talk about in this article, and what will we learn?

We will talk about 4 challenges that elders face, such as balancing preaching with other responsibilities, being loving pastors, dealing with their own imperfection and coping with the imperfections of others, and we will also learn how Paul faced each one of them. these challenges and how elders can imitate their example.

BALANCING PREACHING WITH OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

4. Why might it be difficult for elders to be examples in preaching?

Because aside from this they have many more responsibilities, like running the Midweek Meeting or leading the Bible study, they also have to take care of other assignments or talks, spend time training others, and besides there are some elders who help with the construction or maintenance of rooms.

5. What example did Paul set in preaching?

An excellent example, because he came to see the ministry as one of the most important things in his life, that is why he preached publicly and from house to house, and what is more, he took advantage of any opportunity to give testimony, not even being under arrest caused him to stop preaching.

6. How did Paul train other brothers?

For example, he invited others to preach with him. We know that he invited Juan Marcos on his first missionary tour and Timothy on his second, and he did everything possible to teach them to be excellent pastors and very skilled teachers.

ILLUSTRATION:

Leaving his workplace on a construction site, a brother offers a tract to a colleague.

Imitate Paul by seizing every opportunity to preach. (See paragraph 7). *

7. How can elders follow Paul's advice found at Ephesians 6:14, 15?

You can follow this advice if you take advantage of any opportunity to witness, for example, when you are out shopping or at work, or if you are helping with a construction project you can witness to your neighbors, and when you preach you can take advantage of that time to train the youngest.

8. Sometimes, what will an elder need to do?

Sometimes it will be necessary for you to say no, in order to maintain balance, because perhaps if you decide to take on another responsibility, you may begin to neglect more important things, such as family worship, preaching more, or teaching your children to preach.

BE A CARING SHEPHERD

9. Considering how busy the elderly are, what challenge do they face?

The challenge is to have the necessary time to help the brothers of your congregation, because because we live in the last days, we all go through many problems, for the same reason that we all need encouragement and support so as not to deviate from the right path.

ILLUSTRATION:

An old man talks affectionately with a young brother who is sitting alone in the Kingdom Hall.

Praise the brothers and strengthen them. (See paragraphs 10 and 12). 

In the photograph we can see a brother following Pablo's advice, since he is leaving his job and when he meets a colleague, he hands him a treaty and gives him testimony, which teaches us that in a very simple way, if we are Always prepared, we can give testimony anywhere.

10. According to 1 Thessalonians 2:7, how did Paul treat his brothers?

According to this text, Paul treated his brothers like a mother, with much love and affection, and always confirmed Jehovah's love for them, he also treated them as friends and spent time with them.

11. Why was Paul counseling his fellow Christians?

He advised them because he was really interested in them and wanted them to avoid problems, that is why he did everything possible to make his advice easy to understand, and that did not stop there because he made sure to know how others received this advice, as in the case of the Corinthians.

12. What can elders do to strengthen their brothers?

You can dedicate more time to them, and for this, for example, they can arrive earlier to the meetings to encourage others, they also have to use the Bible, always communicating with them and congratulating them for every effort they make.

DEALING WITH YOUR OWN WEAKNESSES

13. What effect can his own weaknesses have on an elder?

An elder may be discouraged by his own weaknesses if he focuses too much on his limitations, or others may downplay his shortcomings and think they don't have to make changes and that they are fine.

14. According to Philippians 4:13, how did humility help Paul cope with his weaknesses?

Humility helped her to see that she could not overcome her weaknesses alone, but that she needed Jehovah's help, and thus, little by little, she was able to overcome them, to the point of becoming a loving, compassionate, and humble shepherd, although of course she knew that she could not. to be perfect but he always strove to improve his personality and lean on Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION:

An elder gives advice in the Kingdom Hall library to an upset brother.

Keep striving to overcome your own weaknesses. (See paragraphs 14 and 15). *

15. How can an old man see his weaknesses with balance?

For example, you can do a self-examination with the help of the Bible, and if you find that you need to change some aspects of your life, you should make the necessary changes, only then will Jehovah be able to help you be happy and fulfill your work.

OVERCOME THE IMPERFECTIONS OF OTHERS

16. What can happen if the elders only look at the mistakes of the brothers?

If you only look at the mistakes of those around you, you could end up being very harsh or very critical, which would undoubtedly end up giving Satan a lot of pleasure, which is exactly what he wants.

17. How did Paul view the brothers?

He always saw them positively, and this does not mean that he did not see the mistakes of others, but something important that is mentioned is that he distinguished very well between a bad action and a bad person, so since he always loved the brothers he focused on the good in them.

18. What do we learn from the way Paul helped Euodia and Syntyche? (Philippians 4:1-3).

He did not criticize them during, but he focused on the good of them and on the beautiful history they had within the people of God, so as he saw them in a positive way he helped them make peace, from this we learn that we should never try harshly to our brothers for their mistakes but rather let's focus on all the good things about them and on all the time they have been loyal to Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION:

An elder looks at a young brother who is texting instead of cleaning the Kingdom Hall.

Do your best not to be critical of siblings. (See paragraph 19). 

19. (a) What can the elders do to see the brothers in a positive light? 

They should look at all the virtues that the brothers have and never look only at the mistakes they can make, but rather they have to focus on the fact that those around them love Jehovah and do everything to serve him, so if he has made a mistake can definitely improve.

b) What do you learn from the photo of the old man who is cleaning the Kingdom Hall?

In the photo we can see a young man who should be collaborating with the cleaning of the room, but he is very entertained on his cell phone, this older brother when he sees him is only observing him and perhaps he understands that it is not because this young man is a bad servant of God, but he's young and inexperienced and can make mistakes or get distracted easily.

KEEP IMITATING PAUL

20. What can elders do to continue learning from Paul's example?

Well, they should continue to study Paul's example in depth, they can use the index of the Watch Tower publications, there look for the entry Paul and then examples for the elders, finally they could ask themselves: "How does the example of Paul help me to continue doing my work as an old man with joy?».

21. Of what can the elderly be sure?

You can be sure that Jehovah highly values ​​and appreciates your work, because as Hebrews 6:10 says, he does not forget all the love that we have shown for his work.

WHAT WILL HELP ELDERLY ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES?

Balance preaching with other responsibilities.

It will be very important that you always remember that the most important thing will always be the preaching, you must also take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way in your daily life to bear witness to the truth, and sometimes you must learn to say no if you want to be balanced.

Be loving shepherds.

They must follow the example of Paul, because in this way they will learn to treat their brothers with love and affection, they must always be looking for ways to praise them and thus strengthen their faith, they must also ensure that their advice is firm but easy to understand.

Overcome the imperfections of others.

You must follow once again the example of Pablo, who always saw others positively, and this does not mean that he did not see the mistakes they made, but something important that was mentioned is that he distinguished very well between a bad action and a bad person, so since he loved the brothers he always focused on the good in them.