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Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Wednesday, August 10, 2022
The apostles and the elders met to discuss this matter (Acts 15:6).
The October 1, 1988, Watchtower said: “The elders will recognize that Christ can direct by holy spirit the mind of any elder in the body of elders to supply the necessary biblical principle to deal with any situation or make any important decision. (Acts 15:7-15) No elder monopolizes the spirit within the body [of elders].” If an elder respects his peers, he will not always try to be the first to give his opinion at elder meetings. He will not dominate the conversation or believe that he is always right. On the contrary, he will say what he thinks with humility and modesty, and will listen carefully to others. Above all, he will be willing to discuss biblical principles and follow the guidance of the “faithful and wise slave” (Matt. 24:45-47). When elders treat matters with love and respect, God's holy spirit is with them and helps them make the right decisions (Jas. 3:17, 18). w20.08 27 paras. 5, 6
How can we show that we respect single siblings?
How can we show that we respect the feelings and circumstances of single siblings? We must remember that some Christians are single by personal choice. Others would like to get married, but have not found the right person. Others may have been widowed. Whatever the case, we should not ask them why they are not married or offer help finding a partner. Sure, some may ask us for help. But, if not, before we offer, let's think about how we would make them feel (1 Thess. 4:11; 1 Tim. 5:13). Let's see what some of them have said.
How could we inadvertently discourage singles?
A single circuit overseer who handles his assignment very well finds that being single has many advantages. But he says that he sometimes gets discouraged when brothers ask him why he hasn't married, even if they mean well. A single brother serving at a branch relates: “Sometimes I get the feeling that some brothers feel sorry for single people, as if being single is a burden and not a gift.”
A single sister serving at Bethel explains: “Some brothers assume that all single people want to get married or that they see every social gathering as an opportunity to find a partner. On one occasion, I was sent to do a job in another part of the country and I arrived one night when there was a meeting. The sister I was going to stay with told me that there were two brothers my age in her congregation. She assured me that she wasn't trying to find me a boyfriend, but as soon as we entered the Kingdom Hall she grabbed me and she led me to where the two brothers were to introduce me to them. How embarrassing the three of us are!"
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