Watchtower Study, Week June 27–July 3, 2022, Set Spiritual Goals We Can Achieve, Answers Underlined.

Watchtower Study, June 27–July 3, 2022, Set Spiritual Goals We Can Achieve, Answers Underlined.

1. What spiritual goals can we set for ourselves?

True Christians love Jehovah very much and want to give him the best quality service possible. But to achieve this we must set spiritual goals , such as developing Christian qualities, acquiring new skills, and finding ways to do things for others. 

2. Why should we set spiritual goals for ourselves and strive to achieve them?

Why should we set spiritual goals for ourselves and strive to achieve them? Mainly because we want to please our loving Father, Jehovah. He is glad that we use our talents and abilities to the fullest in serving him. In addition, we want to continue progressing as Christians so that we can help our brothers more (1 Thess. 4:9, 10). Regardless of how long we have been in the truth, we all have to continue to grow spiritually. Let's see how we can do it.

3. What advice did Paul give Timothy? (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

Timothy was young when the apostle Paul wrote him the first letter bearing his name, but he already had experience as an elder. Even so, Paul encouraged him to continue to progress spiritually (read 1 Timothy 4:12-16). If we look at Paul's words, we will see that he encouraged Timothy to improve in two areas. On the one hand, to develop Christian qualities such as love, faith and chastity. And, on the other, to improve his skills when reading in public, advising and teaching. In this article, we'll look at Timothy's example and see how setting reasonable goals helps us grow spiritually. We will also examine some ways to do more in our service to God.

WE DEVELOP CHRISTIAN QUALITIES

4. According to Philippians 2:19-22, why did Jehovah use Timothy so much?

Why was Timothy so useful to Jehovah? Because he had some outstanding Christian qualities (read Philippians 2: 19-22). From Paul's description of Timothy, we see that he was humble, loyal, hard-working, and trustworthy. He treated the brothers with affection and sincerely cared for them. Because of this, Paul loved him very much and did not hesitate to entrust him with difficult assignments (1 Cor. 4:17). If we develop the qualities that Jehovah likes, we will endear him to him, and he will use us more in the congregation (Ps. 25:9; 138:6).

5. a) How can we know in which aspects of our personality we need to improve? b) What does the young sister in the picture do to show more empathy?

Let's set a specific goal. Let us pray to Jehovah to help us know in which aspects of our personality we need to improve. Let's select one in particular and focus on it. Do we need to show more empathy or increase our desire to help others? Should we be more peaceful or more willing to forgive others? If in doubt, ask a trusted friend how he sees us (Prov. 27:6).

6. How can we reach the goal of developing a quality?

Let us strive to reach our goal. How? Let's start by looking for information about the quality we want to work on. For example, suppose we realize that we need to forgive more. It would be helpful to read about biblical figures who generously forgave others and those who did not, and to ponder their example. Let's think about Jesus. He was willing to forgive people (Luke 7:47, 48). He didn't look at his shortcomings , but instead focused on their potential. However, the Pharisees “thought that others were nothing” (Luke 18:9). After meditating on these examples, let us ask ourselves: “How do I see others? What qualities of them do I look at? If we find it difficult to forgive someone, let's make a list of all the good qualities we see in that person and ask ourselves, “How does Jesus see him? Would he forgive her? A study project like this can help us change the way we think. At first we may find it difficult to forgive someone who has hurt us. But, if we make an effort, we will be able to improve this aspect of our personality.

ILLUSTRATION:

Series of images: 1. A sister puts a card on a board on which she has written the word “empathy” and part of what Matthew 22:39 says. 2. The sister helps an older sister to carry the shopping bag.

Think of a quality you would like to improve on. (See paragraphs 5 and 6).

WE ACQUIRE SKILLS THAT ARE USEFUL

7. In what ways does Jehovah use those skilled in their work today? (Proverbs 22:29).

Another goal we can set for ourselves is to acquire a new skill. Think, for example, of all the brothers who help build branch offices, Assembly Halls, and Kingdom Halls. Many of them learned what they know because they worked with others who had more experience. As seen in the pictures, both men and women are learning what needs to be done to maintain Assembly Halls and Kingdom Halls. In these and other ways, Jehovah, the “King of eternity,” and Jesus, the “King of . . . kings,” use these capable individuals to accomplish great things.​—1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15 ; read Proverbs 22:29). We want to work hard and use our abilities to bring glory to Jehovah, not ourselves (John 8:54).

ILLUSTRATION:

Series of images: 1. A brother teaches two sisters how to change the fluorescent lamps in the Kingdom Hall. 2. The sisters change a lamp together.

Learn how to do maintenance work on your Kingdom Hall. (See paragraph 7). *

8. What will help us decide which skill we want to focus on?

Let's set a specific goal. What skill could we focus on? Talk to the elders in the congregation and perhaps the circuit overseer for suggestions. For example, if they encourage us to get better at speaking or teaching, we might ask them what specific area they think we should work on. Then let's get to work. How?

9. How can we reach the goal of acquiring a skill?

Let us strive to reach our goal. Suppose we want to be better teachers. We can study in depth the booklet Let's Be Better Readers and Teachers. And, before presenting an assignment at the midweek meeting, we could ask another brother with more experience to listen to us and tell us where to improve. If we prepare assignments ahead of time, we will be better teachers and others will see that we are hardworking and reliable (Prov. 21:5; 2 Cor. 8:22).

10. Give an example of what we can do to develop a skill.

What if we want to get better at something we're not naturally good at? Let's not give up! Let's look at the case of a brother named Garry, who had a hard time reading. He remembers that he felt very embarrassed when he had to read in meetings. But he didn't give up; he kept striving to improve. Thanks to the help of other brothers and publications, he now gives talks at meetings , circuit assemblies, and regional assemblies.

11. As in the case of Timothy, what will help us to be prepared to receive more responsibilities?

Did Timothy become a good speaker and an excellent teacher? The Bible doesn't say so, but we do know that he followed Paul's advice. So surely he gradually became more skillful and was better able to fulfill his responsibilities (2 Tim. 3:10). Like Timothy, if we become more skillful, we will be prepared to receive more responsibilities.

FIND WAYS TO DO THINGS FOR OTHERS

12. How have others helped you?

How happy we feel when others help us! For example, if we are hospitalized, how much encourages us to receive the visit of the brothers of the Liaison Committee with the Hospitals or the Group of Visits to Patients. Or, going through a difficult time in our lives, how grateful we are that an elder takes time to listen and comfort us. And, if we need help with a Bible course, how nice it is to have the support of an experienced pioneer who will accompany us and give us suggestions for improvement. Jesus said: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving”(Acts 20:35). All these brothers experience that happiness by helping us. And we too will feel very happy if we do the same. If we have a goal to serve Jehovah more in these or other ways, how can we reach it?

13. When we set ourselves a goal, what should we take into account?

Let's not set goals that are too general. For example, we may think, “I would like to do more in the congregation.” But it may be difficult to know where to start and almost impossible to realize if we have achieved it or not. So it is better to choose a clear and specific goal. We could write it down and even write what we are going to do to get it.

14. Why do we have to be flexible when setting goals?

We must be flexible when setting goals. Why? Because we cannot control everything that happens around us. For example, the apostle Paul had helped form the congregation in Thessalonica, and he probably had a goal of staying there for a while to support those new Christians. But his enemies forced him to flee the city (Acts 17: 1-5, 10). If he had stayed, he would have endangered the congregation. But Paul did not give up. Rather, he adapted to the circumstances and later sent Timothy there to strengthen the faith of the brothers (1 Thess. 3:1-3). How pleased the Thessalonians must have been to see that Timothy was willing to go where needed.

15. Explain with an example what can happen to our goals if circumstances change.

We can learn from Paul's example and what happened to him in Thessalonica. Perhaps we have set a goal for ourselves in our service to Jehovah, but suddenly circumstances change and we can no longer reach it (Eccl. 9:11). What will we do? Let's think of another goal that is within our reach. That's what Ted and Hiedi did. A health problem forced them to leave Bethel. But because they loved Jehovah so much, they quickly looked for other ways to serve him. First they were regular pioneers, then they were appointed special pioneers, and Ted was trained to be a substitute circuit overseer. But then the age limit for being a circuit overseer changed, and Ted and Hiedi realized that they could no longer have that assignment. Although they were a little discouraged at first, they knew that they could serve Jehovah in other ways. Ted says: “We have learned not to focus on just one way to do more for Jehovah.”

16. What lesson does Galatians 6:4 teach us?

We cannot control everything that happens in our lives. So it is important to remember that what makes us valuable to Jehovah is not the assignments we have received. Nor does it help us to look at the assignments that some have and we do not. Hiedi says, “If we compare our lives with others, we will lose our peace” (read Galatians 6:4). Therefore, the best thing we can do is keep looking for ways to serve Jehovah and help others. 

17. What can we do if we want to receive more responsibilities?

By living a simple life and avoiding unnecessary debt, we can make ourselves available for more responsibility. Let's set ourselves goals now that will help us achieve larger long-term goals. For example, if you want to regular pioneer, could you serve for a time as an auxiliary pioneer? Or, if you want to be a ministerial servant, could you spend more time preaching and visiting the elderly and sick in the congregation? All the experience you gain now can open the door to more assignments in the future. Regardless, resolve to do your best in your service to Jehovah.— Rom. 12:11.

18. What does Beverley's example teach us? (See also image).

We are never too old to set goals and achieve them. The example of a 75-year-old sister named Beverley is proof of this. Due to a health problem, she did not walk well. But she really wanted to participate in the Memorial campaign. What she did? She set specific goals for herself, and when she achieved them she felt very happy. Her efforts motivated others to do more in the ministry. It is clear that Jehovah highly values ​​everything the older brothers do despite their limitations.—Ps. 71:17, 18.

ILLUSTRATION:

Choose a specific goal that is within your reach. (See paragraph 18). 

19. What are some spiritual goals we can set for ourselves?

Let's set goals that we can achieve. Let us develop qualities that please Jehovah. Let us acquire skills so that God and his organization can use us more. Let's look for ways to do more things for our brothers. * If we do all this, Jehovah will bless us and, as in the case of Timothy, others will clearly see our progress.​—1 Tim. 4:15.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SET THESE GOALS AND REACH THEM?

Develop a Christian quality.

Let's set a specific goal. Let us pray to Jehovah to help us know in which aspects of our personality we need to improve. Let's select one in particular and focus on it.  Let us strive to reach our goal. For example, suppose we realize that we need to forgive more. It would be helpful to read about biblical figures who generously forgave others and those who did not, and to ponder his example.

Acquire a new skill.

Talk to the elders in the congregation and perhaps the circuit overseer for suggestions. Suppose we want to be better teachers. We can study in depth the booklet Let's Be Better Readers and Teachers. And, before presenting an assignment at the midweek meeting, we could ask another brother with more experience to listen to us and tell us where to improve.

Do more for the brothers.

Let's not set goals that are too general. For example, we may think, “I would like to do more in the congregation.” We must be flexible when setting goals. Why? Because we cannot control everything that happens around us. So it is important to remember that what makes us valuable to Jehovah is not the assignments we have received. Nor does it help us to look at the assignments that some have and we do not.