“This means eternal life: that they may come to know you, the only true God” (JOHN 17:3).
1. How do we feel when we see the spiritual progress of a Bible student?
When we see the spiritual progress of a Bible student, we certainly feel great joy. When he attends a meeting for the first time, gives his first comment, begins preaching, or decides to get baptized, we feel immense happiness. But, of course, we recognize that it is Jehovah who helps the person take all those steps, and therefore he deserves all the credit.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When he attends a meeting for the first time, gives his first comment, begins to preach, and decides to be baptized, we are undoubtedly very happy.
We are happy because, in this case, we are Jehovah's co-workers, not through our own merit. As 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, although Paul planted and Apollos watered, it was Jehovah who made it grow. That is what we always want to keep in mind.
3 John 1:4 describes it very well. We feel very joyful, but, as verse 4 says, “nothing gives me greater joy.” The footnote speaks of reasons to be thankful. And, without a doubt, we want to give credit to Jehovah, because it is Jehovah who truly makes it grow.
2. What is Jehovah’s will? (1 Timothy 2:3, 4).
Jehovah’s will “is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth.” Jehovah wants people to have “accurate knowledge.” This involves not only learning facts about the Bible but also getting to know Jehovah and his purposes well. That knowledge should “completely influence the person,” motivating him to make changes in his life and giving him the possibility of gaining “everlasting life.”
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah's will is that all sorts of people be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth. When a Bible student comes to know Jehovah well, that knowledge motivates him to make changes in his life and offers him the possibility of gaining everlasting life.
As the paragraph states, it is about accurate knowledge. This is also mentioned in the verses at Jeremiah 9:24 and John 17:3. So we see that it is very important, because it is not just about learning facts, but about acquiring knowledge that completely influences a person and motivates them to love and serve Jehovah.
John 17:3 mentions that the more people come to know Jehovah, the greater their chances of gaining everlasting life. Therefore, the more they learn about his personality and purpose, the more they will love him, cherish him more, and be willing to make the necessary changes. These changes will help them attain what Jehovah desires for all of us: that we enjoy everlasting life.
3. What questions will we answer in this article?
In this article we will answer three questions: Why do Bible students need to know Jehovah well? In what ways can we teach them about Jehovah? And how can we help them apply what they know about Jehovah in their lives? These questions will help us to better carry out the beautiful work of helping others to know him that Jehovah has entrusted to us.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We will answer three main questions: Why do Bible students need to know Jehovah well? In what ways can we teach them what Jehovah is like? And how can we help them apply what they know about Jehovah in their lives?
These questions will help us understand that the most important thing is for our Bible students to gain an accurate knowledge of Jehovah and know how to apply it to their own lives.
LET US HELP OUR STUDENTS GET TO KNOW JEHOVAH WELL
4. According to Mark 12:30, what is our main objective when teaching the Bible?
According to Mark 12:30, our primary goal in Bible studies is to help people come to know and love Jehovah with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. A Bible student cannot love Jehovah without knowing him well. For this reason, we want them to get baptized because they desire to dedicate their life to Jehovah, motivated primarily by their love for him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
According to Mark 12:30, Jesus said that this is the most important commandment. Therefore, our primary goal is for people to come to know and love Jehovah.
It is true that a Bible student can never truly love Jehovah if they do not know him well. Our desire is that they be baptized because they themselves want to and decide to dedicate their life to Jehovah, not because they want to be our friend, because they like our organization, or because they like certain specific Bible teachings.
Just as knowledge grows, so does the love students develop for Jehovah. To this end, it is important that they study the Bible, attend meetings, discuss the material, cultivate good friendships with the brothers, and, in time, develop a desire to go out in the ministry. All of this will help them to further strengthen their love for Jehovah.
5. What will a student who loves Jehovah be moved to do?
A student who comes to know and love Jehovah will be moved to obey and be loyal to him. Love and obedience go hand in hand. Therefore, his love for Jehovah will motivate him to do what Jehovah commands, just as Jesus demonstrated his love for his Father by obeying him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As the paragraph says, love and obedience go hand in hand. So, when we love someone very much, we do everything we can not to hurt them, but quite the opposite. We want to give them the best we have and for them to be happy. And that is exactly what Jesus did with Jehovah. As John 14:31 says, he wanted everyone to know that he loved his Father and, therefore, obeyed him.
As mentioned in 1 John 5:3, if we love Jehovah, we will obey his commandments, because we will recognize that they are not a burden, but that they benefit us.
It's very interesting that Jesus linked love with obedience. Because when one is obedient out of fear of the consequences or with the hope of receiving something in return, that obedience can be fragile. But when obedience is born of love, it is much stronger.
6. Explain with an example what a student has to do to get to know Jehovah well.
To truly know Jehovah, a student must not only study the Bible and learn its principles but also apply them. It is similar to a pilot: it is not enough to study aviation rules; he needs to accumulate many flight hours to learn how to act in different situations. Likewise, when a student makes decisions based on Bible principles and sees how Jehovah helps him, he learns to trust him more and to make good decisions in any situation.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The paragraph illustrates that when someone wants to be an airplane pilot, they not only have to study the rules, but they also need to practice, face different situations, and see how their decisions influence the results. Similarly, a student not only needs to know God by studying the Bible, but they also need to put its principles into practice and see for themselves how their decisions produce positive results.
This is like everything else in life: it takes time. The more time we spend getting to know Jehovah, the better we will know him and the easier it will be for us to do what he commands. And, most importantly, he will help us in whatever situation we find ourselves in. So it is very important that we get to know Jehovah’s will better and better, because doing what pleases him is a way of showing him that we love him.
Getting to know Jehovah well does not just mean studying. For example, in the case of a pilot, it is not enough to study the rules and procedures; it is also important to accumulate the necessary flight hours and practice to be able to fly an airplane safely.
We also need to motivate students to put the principles they learn into practice and to make changes in their lives. Because, as we see in the example of the pilot, theory is useless if we don't put it into practice. That's why, as teachers, we must encourage students to apply these principles and make changes in their lives so that they can see Jehovah's hand at work.
As the example of the pilot mentioned in the paragraph shows, the more flight hours, the better the pilot. Similarly, the more our Bible student knows Jehovah, the more likely he is to make good decisions.
7. What helped José make a good decision?
What helped Joseph to make a good decision was that he knew Jehovah well and understood what was right and wrong in his eyes. From a young age, he learned God’s principles and understood what God thinks about marriage and sexual relations. That is why he was able to reject Potiphar’s wife’s advances and say: “How could I do something so wrong and actually sin against God?”
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Certainly, what helped Joseph was theory—knowledge—but also the benefits of putting that theory into practice. For example, he was very familiar with the story of his great-grandparents, Abraham and Sarah. Such accounts helped him understand Jehovah's views on marriage, sexual relations, and fidelity within marriage. So, surely, that is what helped him.
For example, Joseph also knew what Jehovah told Adam and Eve about marriage: that they would become one flesh. Surely, that helped him to understand the union that should exist between a man and a woman and what Jehovah thinks about it.
Joseph knew and understood that committing adultery meant not only betraying Potiphar, but above all, sinning against God. This shows that he was very clear that Jehovah's servants must remain morally clean. Therefore, we must know well what pleases Jehovah and make decisions that are in harmony with his principles.
The importance of truly knowing Jehovah is reflected in the fact that, at that time, there was no specific law against adultery. But truly knowing Jehovah meant understanding his opinion, his feelings, what pleased him and what displeased him. Therefore, it is important to look for good examples that will help us understand Jehovah's feelings on this matter.
If we strive to help our students get to know Jehovah well and learn what pleases him and what displeases him, this will also help them to make good decisions, to make Jehovah happy, and to benefit themselves.
In Genesis 39:8, it is interesting that "denied" is used instead of "denied," which suggests that Joseph faced this situation on several occasions. So it wasn't simply a moment of inspiration that led him to think of Jehovah. He was always very clear about what was right and what was wrong.
We must keep in mind that the knowledge to be acquired about Jehovah is not only intellectual, but should allow the student to put into practice in his life what pleases Jehovah.
LET US TEACH THEM WHAT JEHOVAH IS LIKE
8. How can we use the book Enjoy Life to teach a student what Jehovah is like?
We can use the book Enjoy Life by taking advantage of the questions it contains to help the student get to know Jehovah’s personality better. Just as Jehovah asked Job questions to help him get to know him better, we can ask the student questions and encourage him to reflect on what he learns about Jehovah’s qualities.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can use the book Enjoy Life, taking full advantage of the questions it contains, especially those that help the student to think about Jehovah's personality and feelings.
Instead of simply explaining to the student what Jehovah is like, we can ask questions that lead him to draw his own conclusions. In this way, he will gradually come to understand better how Jehovah thinks, what things please him, and how he treats people.
For example, the 50 questions Jehovah asked Job demonstrate how Jehovah wanted Job to reflect. He didn't need to answer them immediately, but rather to reflect on Jehovah's qualities and learn from what Jehovah was teaching him.
Jehovah could have simply given Job the information and that would have been it, but he preferred that Job reason for himself, because when one comes to one's own conclusions through reasoning, these are more deeply ingrained in the mind.
The book Enjoy Life includes many questions that help the student gradually learn about Jehovah's personality. Here are some examples.
These are some questions we can use to teach about Jehovah:
“How does Jehovah view those who preach the good news?”
“How can what you already know about Jehovah and Jesus guarantee that the measures they take at Armageddon will be fair and impartial?”
“How does Jehovah feel when you obey him and make wise decisions? Why?”
“If a true Christian marries someone who does not love Jehovah, how do you think he will feel?”
“Do you feel gratitude for Jehovah’s forgiveness? Why?”
“How does the way Jehovah treats those who have sinned show that he is reasonable, merciful, and loving?”
These questions are focused on helping the student to learn about Jehovah's personality.
9, 10. (a) What will help a student to get the most out of his Bible reading? (James 5:11).
It will help to ask yourself, each time you read a Bible account, why Jehovah chose to include it in his Word and what it teaches you about your personality. In this way you can go beyond simply knowing the facts and learn what pleases and displeases Jehovah. For example, James 5:11 highlights not only Job’s endurance but also Jehovah’s love and mercy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Perhaps the Bible student views the Bible as a historical account or as a source of general knowledge. However, while it is true that some accounts in the Bible place us in a specific historical context, they also contain very valuable teachings.
For example, we have the case of Job. In addition to learning about the circumstances he experienced, we can ask ourselves: What does this account teach us about Jehovah? How did Jehovah treat Job? What qualities did he demonstrate? In this way, we can all benefit from these accounts.
Thinking about the questions Jehovah asked Job, we can see that James concluded that Jehovah is loving and merciful. It's impressive. It takes a lot of thought to reach that conclusion because, at first glance, the questions might seem designed to impress Job. But, as James says, what did Jehovah do in the end? He restored to Job everything he had lost, even giving him children again and restoring all his possessions.
9, 10. b) How can a student use a Bible account to get to know Jehovah better? Give an example.
You can ask yourself questions that will help you discover Jehovah’s qualities reflected in the account. For example, as you read about Daniel in the lions’ den, you might ask yourself: “Why did Jehovah save Daniel? What does this teach me about what makes Jehovah happy?” You could also think about what happened to those who accused Daniel and wonder what that teaches you about what displeases Jehovah. In this way, the student learns more about Jehovah’s personality and what he expects of his servants.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The study encourages people to set aside a little time each day to read the Bible. We can take advantage of the section “Ideas for Getting Started Reading the Bible.” For example, if someone is interested in the story of Daniel, as they read that account we can ask them some questions, such as: Why did Jehovah save Daniel? And what does this teach me about what makes Jehovah happy?
Daniel chapter 6 shows that, although it had been decreed that no one should pray to any god for a time, Daniel did not stop praying to Jehovah. He did not care that he was seen praying, and because of his obedience to Jehovah, he was protected.
Another question would be: What happened to the men who accused Daniel? And what does that teach me about what displeases Jehovah? We see that they were men who hated Daniel, a servant of God. They tried to find something to accuse him of, but they couldn't, because he was a man of integrity, and they found nothing in his conduct that they could use against him. So, driven by hatred, they sought an accusation related to his worship of Jehovah. We also see what happened to them: they were thrown into the lions' den, and Jehovah did not protect them. This teaches us that there are things that displease Jehovah and that we definitely do not want to imitate.
In the boxed image “Questions to Teach What Jehovah Is Like,” we see the sister pointing to a question, probably from lesson 17: “Since Jesus reflects his Father’s personality, how does his example show that Jehovah cares about us?” In this way, she is helping the student to get to know Jehovah better, to think about his qualities, and to reflect on them. She thus sets a good example of how to conduct a Bible study.
11. What can we do to help our student see that it is Jehovah who is teaching him?
We can help the student see that it is Jehovah who teaches him by directing his attention to the Bible and reminding him that Jehovah is the Great Instructor. If he thanks or commends us for our teaching, we can acknowledge his gratitude, but give the credit to Jehovah, who is the one who truly teaches us through his Word. In this way, the student will learn to give Jehovah all the praise.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The goal is for the student to come to love Jehovah. Therefore, we want to make it clear to him, in one way or another, that it is Jehovah who is truly teaching him and that we are simply a means he uses.
It is true that the student might say to us, “You teach very well,” and we can thank him for the comment. But, in order for him to come to love Jehovah, he needs to understand that it is Jehovah who is really teaching him.
Isaiah 30:20, 21 gives the impression that Jehovah will not hide from us in the face of difficulties. To ensure this, it says: “You will see your Great Instructor with your own eyes.” Therefore, we should help the student understand that it is Jehovah who is truly instructing him, not us. If the student grasps this, he will see how Jehovah is caring for him and how he is progressing with Jehovah’s help.
It is also beneficial to share our own experiences with him, as well as the appreciation we have developed for learning the teachings he is now learning. We can also use expressions of appreciation, such as, “How good Jehovah is!” or “How merciful Jehovah is to give us this provision!” after studying a lesson. These expressions of appreciation can help the student develop a love for Jehovah’s teachings as well.
No one praises a pen for a well-drawn picture, but rather the artist. Similarly, we are like the pen when we study, while Jehovah is the one who draws the picture, teaches us, and takes care of us.
To help the student get to know Jehovah better, we should ask him questions that will help him gradually understand his personality. We also encourage him to read the Bible, looking for what each account teaches him about Jehovah. Above all, we direct our praise to Jehovah, who is the Great Instructor.
LET US HELP THEM USE WHAT THEY KNOW ABOUT JEHOVAH
12, 13. When a student does not understand a Bible account, how does what he already knows about Jehovah help him? (See also the picture.)
When a student doesn't understand a Bible account, we can help him recall what he already knows about Jehovah and his qualities. For example, we can encourage him to meditate on how much Jehovah values life, on his mercy and justice, and on the fact that he never punishes an innocent person. We can also remind him that the Bible doesn't always give all the details about Jehovah's decision, but we can trust him because we know that he always does what is right and just.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can help the student meditate on what he already knows about Jehovah by using questions. For example, he may wonder why Jehovah executed some people and not others. We can ask him questions that will help him reflect, such as: “How much does Jehovah value life? If he executed one person and not another, why is that?”
We can ask the student, “What was Jehovah willing to sacrifice to save us, even though we are sinners?” He already knows that Jehovah sacrificed his own Son. But by asking questions like this, he will draw his own conclusions and continue investigating to learn more.
We should also remind the student that, in many cases, the Bible does not provide all the information on a subject. We can tell him that we don't even need to know all the details, because what we really need is to know Jehovah, his qualities, and his purpose. And that is precisely what he is learning.
Our organization has many reference works. We can encourage our students to develop the habit of using, for example, the book Insight on the Scriptures and learn how to use it. That way, when there's a character or story they don't understand, they can consult it for more information.
The student can also use other reliable sources, such as encyclopedias or Bible reference manuals. In addition, there is prayer. It is vital that Jehovah direct our study so that his holy spirit may enlighten us and help us to acquire that knowledge.
Another question would be: “Does Jehovah leave unpunished someone who deserves it?” No. Jehovah is patient with all people, even those who do bad things, and gives them time to change.
The image shows that the student has already reached a point in their study where they have considered many things. They have many elements to reflect on: from the first image, which shows Jehovah God in his glory, to the description of Adam's sin from the beginning, the measures Jehovah takes, and the situations in which he acts, offering salvation, concern, and care to his servants. Finally, there is also the means that reflects Jehovah's love for them, namely, the sacrifice of his Son. So it is very good that they are using what they already know to relate their question to Jehovah's purpose for humanity.
The method shown in the image is very effective because the student will ultimately reach their own conclusion and, therefore, value and appreciate it more. It's as if they have the building blocks but don't know how to use them. They have the answers but don't know how they fit together. So, the teacher, with thorough preparation and by asking insightful guiding questions, uses what the student already knows about the Bible to help them arrive at the correct conclusion.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: The same sister reviews what her Bible student has learned. 1. Jehovah seated on his throne in heaven. 2. Adam and Eve about to eat the forbidden fruit. 3. A foot crushes a serpent's head. 4. Noah's ark floats on the water during the Flood. 5. Moses parts the waters of the Red Sea. 6. Rahab's house stands as the wall of Jericho collapses. 7. Ebed-Melech pulls Jeremiah out of a cistern. 8. Jesus hanging on a stake.
When a student encounters an account that is difficult for him to understand, let us teach him to keep in mind what he already knows about Jehovah (see paragraphs 12 and 13).
14. How can we help a student who finds it difficult to get along with someone in the congregation?
We can help him meditate on how Jehovah views the brothers and sisters. For example, we can ask him how much Jehovah values them, what he was willing to give to show his love for them, and how much he values unity among his servants. We can also help him think about how happy it makes Jehovah when we strive to maintain peace and focus on the good qualities of others rather than their flaws.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can encourage him to focus on Jehovah, not on himself. To think about what Jehovah wants. As the paragraph asks: “What was Jehovah willing to give to show that he loves us?” And we have the scripture we use so often, John 3:16, which says that Jehovah loved the world so much that he gave his Son for us.
We can help him see how much Jehovah values the unity we have and how happy it makes him that, instead of focusing on the faults of our brothers, which we all have, we focus on their virtues.
We should also teach him how Jehovah feels when we strive to maintain peace in the congregation. 2 Corinthians 13:11 says that “the God of love and peace will be with you.” And that is precisely what we do when we strive to maintain peace.
We can help the student meditate on how Jehovah views the brothers and sisters. If the student comes to view them in the same way, he or she will be motivated to try to resolve problems and, above all, to remain close to the congregation rather than drift away.
15, 16. (a) How can a student imitate Jesus when he has to make an important decision? (John 8:29).
You can imitate Jesus by considering what decision would please Jehovah. After praying and consulting the Bible, you can ask yourself, “Based on what I know about Jehovah, what decision would please him?” Then you will strive to make a decision that makes Jehovah happy, just as Jesus always sought to do what pleased his Father.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If the student has already followed all the previous steps, he should now follow the example of Christ, who always did what pleased Jehovah. When making a decision, several Bible principles are usually involved, not just one. Therefore, it can be difficult to determine which one carries the most weight in a given situation and which one is directly related to what pleases Jehovah most. In this way, the student will be able to make the decision that truly pleases Jehovah.
15, 16. b) How did Marianne help her student make a good decision? (See also the picture).
Marianne didn't tell her what decision to make. Rather, she encouraged her to consider whether Jehovah would be happy or saddened by her choice. She also suggested that the student tell Jehovah all the details of the situation and pay close attention to his response. As a result, the student turned down the job that would have prevented her from attending some meetings and soon found another that allowed her to attend all of them. In this way, she learned that when we put Jehovah first, he takes care of us.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Marianne didn't tell her student what to do or not to do, but instead encouraged her to think about how her decision would affect her relationship with Jehovah and whether Jehovah would be pleased with what she was about to do. In this way, she learned to put Jehovah first, because he cares for us.
There was one very important detail, because Marianne told her student to be very specific about the problem she was having when she told Jehovah about it. She not only had to be specific, but she also had to pay close attention to how Jehovah would respond.
In the image we see that the decision the student had to make was to accept a job that would hinder her spiritual growth, because she would miss out on a lot of information by not being able to attend the meetings.
In the image we see how the student is rejecting the assignment and, from her gestures, we see that she is not doing it because her teacher told her to, but because it is a personal decision she has made after concluding what pleases Jehovah.
ILLUSTRATION
A Bible student respectfully declines a job offer as the manager offers her a contract and a pen.
Let us help the student to learn to make decisions that please Jehovah (see paragraphs 15 and 16).
THE BLESSINGS OF KNOWING JEHOVAH WELL
17. What is the most important thing that Bible students should learn?
The most important thing Bible students should learn is to get to know Jehovah well. While it is important for them to learn basic Bible teachings, such as the ransom, the Kingdom, and the truth about death, and to become familiar with different aspects of the organization, the primary goal is for them to develop a deep understanding of Jehovah and his personality.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We don't want our students to just learn facts. What's most important is that they come to know Jehovah well.
The primary aspect of Bible study is for the person to come to know Jehovah intimately. This personal relationship forms the foundation upon which the student's entire faith should be built.
It is also good to establish a foundation for the student to learn the basic teachings of the Bible, that is, what Jehovah wants us to know, such as the truth about death, the Kingdom, and the ransom.
It is also important for the student to learn different aspects related to the congregation that will help him to know Jehovah better, such as attending meetings and obeying the instructions of the elders and the Governing Body.
18. What blessings do those who come to know Jehovah receive?
Those who come to know Jehovah well receive many blessings. From now on, they can enjoy a full and happy life, and they have the hope of living forever. Moreover, when they love God, he takes notice of them and considers them his friends. Without a doubt, having Jehovah’s friendship is one of the greatest blessings we can receive.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One of the blessings those who come to know Jehovah receive is that we can live a full and happy life. It is also mentioned that we will live forever and that we have the honor of being Jehovah's friends.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Why do Bible students need to know Jehovah well?
Bible students need to get to know Jehovah well because they cannot truly love him if they do not know him. As they come to know and love him, they will be moved to obey and be loyal to him. Furthermore, this knowledge will help them to make good decisions based on Bible principles and to do what pleases Jehovah. Therefore, our primary goal in teaching them the Bible is to help them come to know and love Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Bible students need to get to know Jehovah well because, if they get to know him well, they will come to love him and be moved to obey him.
In what ways can we teach our students what Jehovah is like?
We can teach our students about Jehovah by asking them questions that help them reflect on his qualities, just as Jehovah did with Job. We can also encourage them to wonder why Jehovah included a particular account in his Word and what it teaches them about his personality.
Furthermore, we can help them analyze Bible accounts, such as the one about Daniel, to discover what pleases and displeases Jehovah. And if they commend us for our teaching, we should direct their attention to Jehovah, the Great Instructor, and give him all the credit.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can teach them about Jehovah by asking questions that help them get to know his personality better. We can also encourage them to read the Bible and wonder why Jehovah included that account in his Word and what those verses reveal about him. And above all, we should always direct our praise to Jehovah, our magnificent Instructor.
How can we help our students use what they know about Jehovah?
We can help our students use what they know about Jehovah by encouraging them to meditate on his qualities and to make decisions taking into account how he thinks and what pleases him.
If they don't understand a Bible account, we can help them remember that Jehovah is merciful, just, and always does what is right. Also, if they are having difficulties with someone in the congregation, we can encourage them to see their brothers and sisters as Jehovah sees them and to focus on their good qualities.
Also, when they have to make an important decision, we can teach them to ask themselves: “Considering what I know about Jehovah, what decision would please him?” In this way they will learn to apply what they know about Jehovah in their lives and to trust him more.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When they have doubts about a story or it presents them with a problem, we can help them think about what they have already learned and what they already know about Jehovah, reminding them that the Bible does not always give all the details.
We can also help them think about how Jehovah views people and how much he values unity.
We want to help the student learn to make good decisions and, above all, to make decisions that make Jehovah happy.
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