Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“I and my household will serve the Lord” (JOSH. 24:15).
1. To be truly happy, what must we do, and why? (Isaiah 48:17, 18)
Our heavenly Father loves us very much and wants us to enjoy life now and in the future (Eccl. 3:12, 13). He created us with some impressive abilities. But he didn't give us the ability to govern ourselves or to decide what is right and wrong (Eccl. 8:9; Jer. 10:23). He knows that for us to be truly happy we must serve and obey Him. (read Isaiah 48:17, 18).
2. What does Satan want us to believe, and how has Jehovah responded to that lie?
2 Satan wants us to believe that we can be happy without Jehovah, that we can govern ourselves. (Gen. 3:4, 5). To answer that lie, Jehovah has allowed humans to govern themselves for a time. And the truth is that the poor results of human governance are evident. On the other hand, the Bible contains countless examples of men and women who were happy serving Jehovah, and the happiest of all was Jesus Christ. First, we'll look at some reasons why he chose to serve Jehovah. Then, we'll explore why our heavenly Father deserves our worship. And finally, we'll recall some of the reasons that led us to make the decision to serve Jehovah.
WHY JESUS CHOSE TO SERVE JEHOVAH
3. What did Satan offer Jesus, and what decision did Jesus make?
3 When he was on Earth, Jesus had to choose who he wanted to serve. Shortly after he was baptized, Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for a single act of worship. But Jesus answered him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” (Matt. 4:8-10). Why did Jesus make that decision? Let's look at some reasons.
4, 5. What are some reasons why Jesus chose to serve Jehovah?
4 The main reason why Jesus chose to serve his Father, Jehovah, is because he loves him with all his heart and unconditionally. (Juan 14:31). Furthermore, Jesus serves Jehovah because he knows that it is the right thing to do. (John 8:28, 29; Rev. 4:11). Know that Jehovah is the one who gave us life, that he is very generous and that we can trust him. (Sal. 33:4; 36:9; Sant. 1:17). Jehovah had always told him the truth, and everything Jesus had had had been given to him by his Father. (John 1:14). On the contrary, Satan has brought death to humanity and is a liar full of envy and selfishness (John 8:44). Jesus knows Jehovah well and also Satan, so it never occurred to him to be like Satan and rebel against Jehovah. (Phil. 2:5-8).
5 Another reason why Jesus decided to serve Jehovah is because he had in mind all the good things that would be achieved through his loyalty. (Heb. 12:2). He knew that if he remained faithful, he would sanctify his Father's name and make possible the end of all the suffering caused by the Devil.
WHY JEHOVAH DESERVES TO BE WORSHIPPED
6, 7. Why don't many people serve Jehovah? Why does Jehovah deserve our worship?
6 Today, many people don't serve Jehovah because they don't know him. They haven't learned about his beautiful qualities and all he does for them. Such was the case with the people to whom the apostle Paul preached in Athens (Acts 17:19, 20, 30, 34).
7 Paul explained to them that the true God “gives all people life, breath, and everything.” He also told them that “through him we have life, movement, and existence.” He also explained that “from one man he created all human nations.” So, since He is our Creator, He is the only one who deserves our worship. (Num. 17:25, 26, 28).
8. What would Jehovah never do?
8 As the Creator and Sovereign of the universe, if Jehovah wanted, he could force people to serve him. But he would never do that! Rather, he wants as many people as possible to enjoy his friendship forever. (1 Tim. 2:3, 4) That's why he has left us countless proofs of his existence and his great love for us. For that same reason, Jehovah empowers us to teach others about the great things he will do for mankind and how he will accomplish them. (Matt. 10:11-13; 28:19, 20) He also organizes us into congregations and ensures that we have overseers who will care for us lovingly. (Acts 20:28)
9. How does Jehovah demonstrate his love?
9 Jehovah demonstrates his great love by the way he treats those who do not want to believe that he exists. Throughout history, millions of people have chosen to live by their own standards. But because Jehovah is so good, he has given them everything they need to live and enjoy life. (Matt. 5:44, 45; Acts 14:16, 17) Thanks to him, they can start families, have children, make friends, and see the rewards of their hard work. (Ps. 127:3; Eccl. 2:24) There is no doubt: our heavenly Father loves all human beings. (Ex. 34:6) Now let’s look at some of the reasons why we have chosen to serve Jehovah and how he blesses us.
WHY WE CHOOSE TO SERVE JEHOVAH
10. (a) What is the main reason we serve Jehovah? (Matthew 22:37) b) How has Jehovah’s patience helped you? (Psalm 103:13, 14)
10 Like Jesus, the main reason we serve God is because we love him with all our hearts. (see Matthew 22:37). The more we know Jehovah, the more we are drawn to his beautiful qualities. For example, he is very patient with us. When the Israelites disobeyed him, he pleaded with them: “Please turn from your evil ways.” (Jer. 18:11) Jehovah remembers that we are dust. (Read Psalm 103:13, 14.) When you meditate on Jehovah’s patience and other qualities, don’t you feel compelled to serve him forever?
11. What are some reasons why we choose to serve our heavenly Father?
11 Another reason that motivates us to serve Jehovah is that we know it is the right thing to do. (Matt. 4:10). Furthermore, we remember the good results our loyalty to God produces: we help sanctify Jehovah's name, we prove Satan a liar, and we bring joy to our Father's heart. And if we choose to serve Jehovah today, we have the hope of serving him for all eternity. (Juan 17:3).
12, 13. What do we learn from Jane and Pam's experience?
12 From a young age, we can develop a deep love for Jehovah, a love that endures over the years. Consider the example of two sisters named Jane and Pam. They were 11 and 10 years old, respectively, when they began studying the Bible. Although their parents refused to accept a Bible study, they were allowed to associate with the Witnesses on the condition that they continued to attend the family's weekend religious services. Jane says, “What the Witnesses taught me about the Bible helped me withstand peer pressure and avoid falling into drugs or sexual immorality.”
In their teens, they both became publishers. Years later, they became pioneers while also caring for their aging parents. Reflecting on her experience, Jane explains, “I learned firsthand that Jehovah never fails to care for his friends, for 2 Timothy 2:19 says that he ‘knows those who belong to him.’” Without a doubt, Jehovah cares for those who choose to love and serve him.
14. How can we defend Jehovah's name? (See also the images.)
14 We want to help Jehovah's name be completely cleared. Consider this example. You have a close friend who is kind, generous, and understanding. One day you hear someone say that your friend is cruel and a liar. What would you do? Wouldn't you defend him? Similarly, when we hear someone telling lies against Jehovah, our reaction is to tell the truth and defend him with all our might. (Sal. 34:1; Is. 43:10). Our words and actions show that we want to serve Jehovah with all our soul.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. A woman sees a group of apostates protesting outside a regional assembly. 2. Next, the woman speaks with a couple preaching from a cart.
Will you defend Jehovah’s name? (See paragraph 14.)
15. What blessings did the apostle Paul experience after changing his life goals? (Philippians 3:7, 8)
15 We are willing to change our goals in life to please Jehovah and to do more in our service to him. An example of this is the apostle Paul, who willingly gave up being a prominent figure in his community to follow Christ and serve Jehovah. (Gal. 1:14) Thanks to that, he had a happy life and received the opportunity to rule with Christ in heaven. Paul never regretted his decision to serve Jehovah, and neither will we. (which Philippians 3:7, 8).
16. What does Julia's experience teach us? (See also the images.)
16 If we focus on serving Jehovah, we can have a life full of blessings now and in the future. Let's consider the experience of a sister named Julia. As a child, she sang in her church choir. Julia's talent caught the attention of someone who sang opera professionally, so he offered to give her lessons. Soon, she became famous and sang in prestigious concert halls. While attending a renowned music school, a classmate told her about God and explained that His name is Jehovah. Soon after, Julia began studying the Bible twice a week. Eventually, she decided to focus her life on serving Jehovah instead of continuing her career in music. That decision wasn't easy. She says: “Many people told me I was wasting my talent, but I wanted to use my life to serve Jehovah.” What does Julia think about her decision now, more than 30 years later? She says, “I am happy, and I am confident that Jehovah will fulfill all the desires of my heart in the future.” (Ps. 145:16)
ILLUSTRATION
Images that represent Julia's decision. 1. She is singing on a stage in front of a crowd. 2. She is singing with her husband at a meeting at the Kingdom Hall.
There is no better life than focusing on serving Jehovah! (See paragraph 16.)
KEEP SERVING JEHOVAH
17. What does it mean for God's servants to live in the end times? And what about those who are not yet servants?
17 We are very close to the end of this system. The apostle Paul wrote: “For in a very little while, ‘he who is coming will arrive and will not delay’” (Heb. 10:37). What does that imply? On the one hand, there is less and less time left for people to decide to serve Jehovah. (1 Cor. 7:29). And if we have already chosen to serve God, we know that although we will have to face some trials, it will only be for a “very short time.”
18. What do Jehovah and Jesus want us to do?
18 Jesus encouraged people to be his disciples and to follow him constantly (Matt. 16:24). So, if we have been serving Jehovah for many years, let us not give up. It's true that we must strive to continue serving him, and that isn't always easy. But aren't we still able to enjoy many joys and blessings by serving Jehovah? (Ps. 35:27)
19. What do we learn from Gene’s experience?
19 Some people believe that serving Jehovah requires too many sacrifices. If you're young, do you think you'll be missing out if you choose to serve God? A young man named Gene recounts: “I thought Witnesses had a lot of restrictions. I felt like many of the young men I grew up with could enjoy going to parties, dating girls, or playing violent video games, while I had to go to meetings and go out preaching.” How did that way of thinking affect Gene? He says: “I began to lead a double life, and for a while I enjoyed it. But deep down, I wasn't happy. So I began to remember the Bible truths I had been overlooking and meditate on the benefits of applying them in my life. Then I decided to serve Jehovah with all my heart. I feel that from that moment on, Jehovah has answered all my prayers.”
20. What are we determined to do?
20 A psalmist sang to Jehovah: “Happy is the man whom you choose and bring to you to live in your courtyards.” (Ps. 65:4) Like Joshua, let us say with complete conviction: “My household and I, we will serve the Lord.” (Jos. 24:15).
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Why did Jesus choose to serve Jehovah?
The main reason Jesus chose to serve his Father, Jehovah, is because he loves him with all his heart and unconditionally.
Why does Jehovah deserve to be worshipped?
The apostle Paul explained that the true God “gives all people life, breath, and all things.” He further said that “through him we have life, movement, and existence.” He also explained that “from one man he created all human nations.” So, since he is our Creator, he is the only one worthy of our worship.
Why do you choose to serve Jehovah?
Like Jesus, the main reason we serve God is because we love him with all our hearts. Another reason that motivates us to serve Jehovah is that we know it is the right thing to do. Furthermore, we remember the good results our loyalty to God produces: we help sanctify Jehovah's name, we prove Satan a liar, and we bring joy to our Father's heart.
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