Explain your beliefs (5 mins.) Role-play. ijwfq article 50. Topic: What are the funerals of Jehovah's Witnesses like? (th lesson 17).
Setting: The publisher is at work during a break when a coworker, whom he knows is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, approaches him with a question. The conversation arose from the recent death of a member of the publisher's family. The coworker, moved by the situation, asks what funerals are like for Jehovah's Witnesses.
Assistant: Hi [name], how are you? I heard a relative died.
Publisher: Hello, [name]. Yes, unfortunately, a family member died in a car accident.
Assistant: I'm so sorry I couldn't attend, even though I would have liked to, because I've always wondered what Jehovah's Witness funerals are like. Can you explain what they're like to me?
Publisher: Of course. Our funerals are based on biblical teachings and are an opportunity to comfort the loved ones of the deceased.
It's normal to be sad when someone we love dies. The Bible teaches us that it's natural to feel pain and sadness in times like this. In fact, Jesus' disciples also mourned the death of their loved ones.
Assistant: Right? Can you give me an example?
Publisher: Yes, of course. In John 11:33-35, it is said that Jesus was deeply moved when he saw Mary weeping over the death of her brother Lazarus. This shows that Jesus understood the pain and sadness they felt. Therefore, for us, a funeral is not a festive occasion. As I mentioned, we see it as an opportunity to show empathy.
Assistant: I understand. And how are the funerals themselves conducted? No rituals?
Publisher: The dead do not feel or suffer. Therefore, regardless of our ethnic or cultural background, we avoid all customs or practices based on the belief that the dead remain conscious and can influence our lives, as this is not what the Bible teaches.
For example, we don't make offerings to the dead, nor do we speak to them or ask for favors, and we don't participate in widowhood rites or expensive celebrations or anniversaries in honor of the dead, as our God commands us in His Word. The Bible, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, says:
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what relationship do righteousness have with wickedness? Or what do light and darkness have in common? 15 Moreover, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what do a believer and an unbeliever have in common? 16 And what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. Just as God said, ‘I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ 17 ‘Therefore come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord, ‘and stop touching the unclean thing,’ and I will receive you.’”
Our funerals are usually simple. Nothing is done to impress others, or to show off, not even financially. Nor do we impose our beliefs about funerals on others. Instead, we follow the principle given in Romans 14:12: “Each one shall give account of himself to God.”
Now, if the opportunity arises, we try to explain our beliefs in a cordial and respectful manner, as I am doing with you now.
Assistant: Yes, you're right. Do they give a talk based on the Bible?
Publisher: Yes. There may be a talk explaining what the Bible says about death and the promise of resurrection. During the funeral, we may recall the good qualities of the deceased and perhaps highlight what we learn from their example of faithfulness. A song based on the Bible may also be sung, and the service may end with a comforting prayer.
Assistant: Thank you for the excellent explanation of what Jehovah's Witness funerals are like. You couldn't have explained it better.
Comments
Post a Comment