1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. latter-day saints

OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY
APR IL 2015
MONTHLY THEME:
Walk as wise persons by
“making the best use of your time.”—Eph. 5:15, 16.
WEEK STARTING APRIL 13
Song 18 and Prayer
Q Congregation Bible Study:
cl chap. 23 81-9 (30 min.)
Q Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 19-22 (8 min.)
No. 1: 1 Samuel 21:10–22:4 (3 min. or less)
No. 2: Barnabas—Theme: Be Warmhearted
and Generous in Your Ministry—it-1 p. 257
(5 min.)
No. 3: Why Do Humans Suffer?—nwt p. 19
81-4 (5 min.)
Q Service Meeting:
Song 115
10 min: Walk as Wise Persons by “Making the
Best Use of Your Time.” Talk highlighting the
monthly theme.—Eph. 5:15, 16; see The Watchtower, May 15, 2012, pp. 19-20, pars. 11-14.
20 min: “Make the Best Use of Your Time in
the Ministry.” Discussion.
Song 98 and Prayer
Make the Best Use of Your Time
in the Ministry
Jehovah’s Witnesses spent 1,945,487,604
hours in the ministry during the 2014 service year—clear evidence that we are resolved
to stay busy in Jehovah’s service! (Ps. 110:3;
1 Cor. 15:58) Since “the time left is reduced,”
is it possible to use our precious hours in
the ministry to contact even more people?
—1 Cor. 7:29.
Making the best use of our time in the
ministry requires flexibility. For instance, if
you regularly spend an hour or more in a particular aspect of the ministry without speaking to anyone, could you make adjustments
in order to find and talk to more people? Circumstances vary from place to place. HowFor United States of America
ever, the following suggestions may help you
to make better use of your time so that you
can avoid “striking the air.”—1 Cor. 9:26.
˙ House-to-House Witnessing: For many
decades, publishers have customarily started their day in the ministry by
preaching from house to house. However,
since many individuals work during the
day, why not try preaching from house to
house in the late afternoon or early evening, when more people are at home and
relaxed? During the day, street or business witnessing may yield better results.
˙ Public Witnessing: Tables and mobile
displays should be set up in high-traffic
areas within the congregation’s territory
boundary. (See the July 2013 Our Kingdom Ministry, p. 5.) If pedestrian traffic diminishes in an area designated for public
witnessing, the Congregation Service
Committee may decide that the mobile
display or table should be relocated to an
area with higher pedestrian traffic.
˙ Return Visits and Bible Studies: Is it
possible to schedule your return visits and
Bible studies during times when other
features of the ministry are less productive? For instance, if the house-to-house
ministry is productive on Saturday mornings, could you have your Bible study in
the afternoon or in the evening? When
making return visits, could publishers
split into smaller car groups so as to accomplish more in the ministry?
While it is true that we can count our time
whenever we engage in the ministry, our joy
increases when we are productive. If you find
that participating in one feature of the ministry is not effective at a specific time, try another feature. Pray to Jehovah, “the Master of
the harvest,” for his direction so that you can
make the best use of your time in the ministry!—Matt. 9:38.
km15 04-E Us Vol. 58, No. 4
18
God’s Loyal Love
(Isaiah 55:1-3)
1. Loyal love! God is love.
This truth cheers us from above.
Love caused God to send his Son,
Who for us the ransom won,
That we might gain righteousness,
Life eternal, happiness.
(CHORUS)
Hey there, all you thirsty ones,
Come and drink life’s water free.
Yes, come drink, you thirsty ones;
God’s loving-kindness see.
2. Loyal love! God is love.
All his works give proof thereof.
Love for us he’s further shown,
Giving Christ the kingly throne
To fulfill his cov’nant sworn.
See! His Kingdom has been born.
(Chorus)
3. Loyal love! God is love.
May his love move us to love.
Loyally we’ll help the meek,
As God’s righteous way they seek.
May we preach with godly fear,
Comfort spread for all to hear.
(Chorus)
(See also Ps. 33:5; 57:10; Eph. 1:7.)
S E C T I O N
4
“GOD IS LOVE”
Of all the qualities that Jehovah possesses,
love is the dominant one. It is also the most
appealing. As we examine some of the beautiful
facets of this gemlike quality, we will come to
see why the Bible says that “God is love.”
—1 John 4:8.
C H A P T E R
2 3
“He First Loved Us”
ON A spring day nearly 2,000 years ago, an innocent
man was tried, convicted of crimes he had never committed, and then tortured to death. It was not the first cruel
and unjust execution in history; nor, sadly, was it the last.
Yet, that death was unlike any other.
2 As that man suffered through his final, agonizing
hours, heaven itself marked the significance of the event.
Though it was the middle of the day, darkness suddenly
descended on the land. As one historian put it, “the sunlight failed.” (Luke 23:44, 45) Then, just before the man
breathed his last, he said these unforgettable words: “It
has been accomplished!” Indeed, by laying down his life,
he accomplished something wonderful. His sacrifice was
the greatest act of love ever performed by any human.
—John 15:13; 19:30.
3 That man, of course, was Jesus Christ. His suffering and death on that dark day, Nisan 14, 33 C.E., are
well-known. However, an important fact has often been
ignored. Though Jesus suffered intensely, someone else
suffered even more. In fact, someone else made an even
greater sacrifice that day—the greatest act of love ever
performed by anyone in the universe. What act was that?
The answer provides a fitting introduction to the most
important of subjects: Jehovah’s love.
1-3. What are some factors that made Jesus’ death unlike any other
in history?
“God . . . gave his only-begotten Son”
232
DRAW CLOSE TO JEHOVAH
The Greatest Act of Love
The Roman centurion who supervised the execution of
Jesus was astonished both by the darkness that preceded
Jesus’ death and by the violent earthquake that followed
it. “Certainly this was God’s Son,” he said. (Matthew 27:
54) Clearly, Jesus was no ordinary man. That soldier had
helped to execute the only-begotten Son of the Most High
God! Just how dear was this Son to his Father?
5 The Bible calls Jesus “the firstborn of all creation.” (Colossians 1:15) Just think—Jehovah’s Son was in existence
before the physical universe. How long, then, were Father
and Son together? Some scientists estimate that the universe is 13 billion years old. Can you even imagine that
much time? To help people grasp the age of the universe
as estimated by scientists, one planetarium features a time
line 360 feet long. As visitors walk along that time line,
each step they take represents about 75 million years in
the life of the universe. At the end of the time line, all human history is represented by a single mark the thickness
of one human hair! Yet, even if this estimate is correct,
that entire time line would not be long enough to represent the life span of Jehovah’s Son! How was he occupied
during all those ages?
6 The Son happily served as his Father’s “master worker.” (Proverbs 8:30) The Bible says: “Apart from [the Son]
not even one thing came into existence.” (John 1:3) So
Jehovah and his Son worked together to bring all other
things into being. What thrilling, happy times they had!
Now, many will agree that the love between parent and
4
4. How did a Roman soldier come to see that Jesus was no ordinary
man, and what did that soldier conclude?
5. How might the vast amount of time that Jehovah and his Son
spent together in heaven be illustrated?
6. (a) How was Jehovah’s Son occupied during his prehuman existence? (b) What kind of bond exists between Jehovah and his Son?
“HE FIRST LOVED US”
233
child is amazingly strong. And love “is a perfect bond of
union.” (Colossians 3:14) Who of us, then, can begin to
fathom the power of a bond that has existed over such an
immense span of time? Clearly, Jehovah God and his Son
are united by the strongest bond of love ever forged.
7 Nevertheless, the Father dispatched his Son to the
earth to be born as a human baby. Doing so meant that
for some decades, Jehovah had to forgo intimate association with his beloved Son in heaven. With intense interest, He watched from heaven as Jesus grew up to be a perfect man. At about 30 years of age, Jesus got baptized. We
do not have to guess how Jehovah felt about him. The Father spoke personally from heaven: “This is my Son, the
beloved, whom I have approved.” (Matthew 3:17) Seeing that Jesus faithfully did all that had been prophesied,
all that was asked of him, his Father must have been so
pleased!—John 5:36; 17:4.
8 How, though, did Jehovah feel on Nisan 14, 33 C.E.?
How did he feel as Jesus was betrayed and then arrested by
a mob in the night? As Jesus was deserted by his friends
and subjected to an illegal trial? As he was ridiculed, spat
upon, and struck with fists? As he was scourged, his back
torn to ribbons? As he was nailed, hands and feet, to a
wooden pole and left to hang there while people reviled
him? How did the Father feel as his beloved Son cried out
to him in the throes of agony? How did Jehovah feel as Jesus breathed his last, and for the first time since the dawn
of all creation, His dear Son was not in existence?—Matthew 26:14-16, 46, 47, 56, 59, 67; 27:38-44, 46; John 19:1.
9 Words fail us. Since Jehovah has feelings, the pain he
7. When Jesus got baptized, how did Jehovah express his feelings
about his Son?
8, 9. (a) What was Jesus put through on Nisan 14, 33 C.E., and how
was his heavenly Father affected? (b) Why did Jehovah allow his Son
to suffer and die?
234
DRAW CLOSE TO JEHOVAH
suffered over the death of his Son is beyond the power of our words to express. What can be expressed is Jehovah’s motive for having allowed it to happen. Why
did the Father subject himself to such feelings? Jehovah
reveals something wonderful to us at John 3:16—a Bible
verse so important that it has been called the Gospel in
miniature. It says: “God loved the world so much that he
gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” So Jehovah’s motive amounted to this: love.
Jehovah’s gift—his sending his Son to suffer and die for
us—was the greatest act of love ever.
Divine Love Defined
What does this word “love” mean? Love has been described as the greatest need humans have. From the cradle
to the grave, people strive after love, thrive in its warmth,
even pine away and die for lack of it. Nonetheless, it is surprisingly difficult to define. Of course, people talk a lot
about love. There is an endless stream of books, songs,
and poems about it. The results do not always clarify the
meaning of love. If anything, the word is so overused that
its true meaning seems ever more elusive.
11 The Bible, however, teaches with clarity about love.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
notes: “Love can be known only from the actions it
prompts.” The Bible record of Jehovah’s actions teaches
us a great deal about his love—the benevolent affection
he has for his creatures. For example, what could reveal
10
10. Humans have what need, and what has happened to the meaning of the word “love”?
11, 12. (a) Where can we learn a great deal about love, and why
there? (b) What types of love were specified in the ancient Greek language, and what word for “love” is used most often in the Christian
Greek Scriptures? (See also footnote.) (c) What is a·ga1pe?
1 SAMUEL 18:28–19:17
went with his men and struck
down 200 Phi·lis′tine men, and
David brought the full number
of their foreskins to the king,
to form a marriage alliance with
the king. Therefore, Saul gave
him his daughter Mi′chal as a
wife.a 28 Saul realized that Jehovah was with Davidb and that
his daughter Mi′chal loved him.c
29This made Saul even more
afraid of David, and Saul became an enemy of David for the
rest of his life.d
30 The princes of the Phi·lis′tines would go out to battle, but
as often as they went out, David was more successful than
all the servants of Saul;e and his
name was highly esteemed.f
Saul later spoke to Jon′athan his son and to all his
servants about putting David to
death.g 2 Since Saul’s son Jon′a·than was very fond of David,h
Jon′a·than told David: “My father
Saul wants to have you put to
death. Please be on your guard
in the morning, and go to a secret place and remain hidden.
3 I will go out and stand next
to my father in the field where
you will be. I will talk about you
to my father, and if I learn anything, I will be sure to tell you.”i
4 So Jon′a·than spoke well of
Davidj to his father Saul. He said
to him: “The king should not sin
against his servant David, for he
has not sinned against you and
what he has done for you has
benefited you. 5 He risked his
life to strike down the Phi·lis′tine,k so that Jehovah brought
about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it, and you were
overjoyed. So why should you
sin against innocent blood in
having David put to death for
no reason?”l 6 Saul listened to
19
18:30 Or “acted more wisely.” 19:5
Or “put his soul in his hand.” Or
“salvation.”
424
CHAP.18
a 1Sa 17:25
b 1Sa 16:13
1Sa 24:17,20
c 1Sa 18:20
d 1Sa 18:9,12
1Sa 20:33
e 1Sa 18:5
f 2Sa 7:9
____________________
CHAP.19
g 1Sa 18:9
Pr 27:4
h 1Sa 18:1
Pr 18:24
i 1Sa 20:9,13
Pr 17:17
j 1Sa 22:14
k 1Sa 17:49
l 1Sa 20:32
____________________
Second Col.
a 1Sa 16:21
1Sa 18:2,13
b 1Sa 16:14
c 1Sa 18:10,11
Jon′a·than, and Saul swore: “As
surely as Jehovah is living, he
will not be put to death.” 7 Afterward Jon′a·than called David
and told him all these things.
So Jon′a·than brought David to
Saul, and he continued to serve
him as before.a
8 In time war broke out again,
and David went out and fought
against the Phi·lis′tines and
struck them down with a great
slaughter, and they fled from before him.
9 And a bad spirit from Jehovah came upon Saulb when he
was sitting in his house with his
spear in his hand, while David
was playing music on the harp.c
10Saul tried to pin David to
the wall with the spear, but he
eluded Saul, who drove the
spear into the wall. David fled
and escaped during that night.
11Saul later sent messengers
to David’s house to watch it and
to kill him in the morning,d but
David’s wife Mi′chal told him: “If
you do not escape tonight, tomorrow you will be a dead man.”
12Immediately Mi′chal let David down through the window, so
that he could run away and escape. 13 Mi′chal took the teraphim statue and placed it on the
bed, and she put a net of goat
hair at the place of his head, and
she covered it with a garment.
14 Saul now sent messengers
to take David, but she said: “He
is sick.” 15So Saul sent the
messengers to see David and
told them: “Bring him to me
on his bed to have him put to
death.”e 16When the messengers came in, there was the teraphim statue on the bed and a
net of goat hair where his head
would have been. 17 Saul said
to Mi′chal: “Why did you trick
d Ps 59:Sup, 3
e 1Sa 18:9
19:11 Or “If you do not let your soul
escape.” 19:13, 16 Or “the household
god; the idol.”
425
me like this and send my enemya
away so that he could escape?”
Mi′chal replied to Saul: “He said
to me, ‘Send me away, or I will
kill you!’”
18 Now David had run away
and escaped, and he came to
Samuel at Ra′mah.b He told him
all that Saul had done to him.
Then he and Samuel went away,
and they stayed in Nai′oth.c
19In time it was reported to
Saul: “Look! David is in Nai′oth
in Ra′mah.” 20At once Saul
sent messengers to seize David. When they saw the elderly ones of the prophets prophesying and Samuel standing and
presiding over them, the spirit of
God came to be upon Saul’s messengers, and they began behaving as prophets as well.
21 When they told it to Saul,
he immediately sent other messengers, and they too began behaving as prophets. So Saul
sent messengers again, a third
group, and they too began behaving as prophets. 22 Finally
he also went to Ra′mah. When
he reached the great cistern that
is in Se′cu, he asked: “Where
are Samuel and David?” They replied: “There in Nai′othd in Ra′mah.” 23 While Saul was on his
way from there to Nai′oth in
Ra′mah, the spirit of God came
upon him as well, and he walked
along behaving as a prophet until he came into Nai′oth in Ra′mah. 24He also stripped off
his garments, and he too behaved as a prophet before Samuel, and he lay there naked all
that day and all that night. That
is why they say: “Is Saul also
among the prophets?”e
Then David ran away from
Nai′oth in Ra′mah. However, he came to Jon′a·than and
said: “What have I done?f What
is my offense, and how have I
20
19:24 Or “lightly clad.”
1 SAMUEL 19:18–20:10
CHAP.19
a 1Sa 18:29
b 1Sa 7:15,17
c 1Sa 20:1
d 1Sa 19:18
e 1Sa 10:11
____________________
CHAP.20
f 1Sa 24:11
Ps 18:20
____________________
Second Col.
a 1Sa 19:6
b 1Sa 18:1
1Sa 19:2
c 1Sa 27:1
d Nu 10:10
2Ch 2:4
e 1Sa 16:4,18
f 1Sa 20:28,29
g Pr 17:17
h 1Sa 18:3
1Sa 23:18
i 1Sa 20:1
j 1Sa 19:2
sinned against your father for
him to seek my life?” 2At
this Jon′a·than said to him: “It
is unthinkable!a You will not die.
Look! My father will not do anything, great or small, without
disclosing it to me. Why should
my father hide this matter from
me? This will not happen.”
3 But David swore further and
said: “Your father surely knows
that I have found favor in your
eyesb and would say, ‘Do not let
Jon′a·than know this or he will
be upset.’ But as surely as Jehovah is living and as surely as you
are living, there is only a step
between me and death!”c
4 Then Jon′a·than said to David: “Whatever you say, I will
do for you.” 5David said to
Jon′a·than: “Tomorrow is the
new moon,d and I am certainly expected to sit with the king
to eat; you must send me away,
and I will hide in the field until the evening on the third day.
6If your father misses me at
all, then say, ‘David begged me
for permission to go quickly to
his city Beth′le·hem,e because
there is a yearly sacrifice there
for all the family.’f 7 If his response is, ‘That is fine,’ it means
peace to your servant. But if he
becomes angry, you can be sure
that he is determined to harm
me. 8 Show loyal love to your
servant,g for you have brought
your servant into Jehovah’s covenant with you.h But if I am
guilty,i put me to death yourself.
Why turn me over to your father?”
9 To this Jon′a·than said: “It
is unthinkable to suggest that
about you! If I learn that my father is determined to harm you,
would I not tell you?”j 10 Then
David said to Jon′a·than: “Who
will tell me whether your father
20:1 Or “soul.” 20:3 Or “your soul
is.” 20:4 Or “your soul says.”
1 SAMUEL 20:11-31
gives you a harsh answer?”
11Jon′a·than said to David:
“Come, let us go out into the
field.” So both of them went out
into the field. 12And Jon′athan said to David: “Let Jehovah
the God of Israel be a witness
that I will sound out my father
about this time tomorrow or by
the third day. If he is favorably
disposed toward David, will I not
then send you word and disclose
it to you? 13 But if my father
intends to harm you, may Jehovah do that and more to Jon′a·than if I do not disclose it to
you and send you away in peace.
May Jehovah be with you,a just
as he was with my father.b
14And will you not show me
the loyal love of Jehovah while
I am alive and even when I die?c
15Never withdraw your loyal
love from my household,d even
when Jehovah wipes out all the
enemies of David from the face
of the earth.” 16 So Jon′a·than
made a covenant with the house
of David, saying, “Jehovah will
require it and call David’s enemies to account.” 17 So Jon′athan had David swear again by
his love for him, for he loved him
as he loved himself.e
18Jon′a·than then said to
him: “Tomorrow is the new
moon,f and you will be missed,
for your seat will be vacant.
19 By the third day, you will be
missed even more, and you must
go to the place where you hid
the other day and stay near the
stone here. 20 I will then shoot
three arrows to one side of it,
as though I were shooting at a
target. 21 When I send the attendant, I will say, ‘Go, find the
arrows.’ If I say to the attendant, ‘Look! The arrows are on
this side of you, get them,’ then
you may come back, for as sure20:17 Or “his own soul.” 20:19 Lit.,
“on the working day.”
426
CHAP.20
a 1Sa 16:13
1Sa 17:37
b 1Sa 10:7
1Sa 11:6
ly as Jehovah is living, it means
everything is peaceful for you
and there is no danger. 22 But
if I should say to the boy, ‘Look!
The arrows are beyond you,’
then go, for Jehovah has sent
you away. 23 As for the promise that we have made,a you and
I, may Jehovah be between us
forever.”b
c 2Sa 9:1,3
2Sa 9:6,7
d 2Sa 21:7
e 1Sa 18:1,3
2Sa 1:26
Pr 18:24
f 1Sa 20:5
____________________
Second Col.
a 1Sa 20:13,14
b 1Sa 20:42
c 1Sa 20:5
d 1Sa 14:50
e Le 11:23,24
Le 15:4,5
Le 15:16,18
Nu 19:16
f 1Sa 17:12
g 1Sa 20:6
h 1Sa 18:8
24 So David hid in the field.
When the new moon came, the
king took his seat at the meal to
eat.c 25 The king was sitting in
his usual seat by the wall. Jon′athan was facing him, and Ab′nerd
was sitting at Saul’s side, but David’s place was vacant. 26 Saul
did not say anything that day,
for he said to himself: ‘Something has happened so that he is
not clean.e Yes, he must be unclean.’ 27 And the day after the
new moon, on the second day,
David’s place continued vacant.
Saul then said to Jon′a·than his
son: “Why has the son of Jes′sef not come to the meal either
yesterday or today?” 28Jon′a·than answered Saul: “David
begged me for permission to
go to Beth′le·hem.g 29 He said,
‘Please permit me to go, because
we have a family sacrifice in the
city, and my own brother summoned me. So if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me
slip away to see my brothers.’
That is why he has not come
to the king’s table.” 30Then
Saul became enraged with Jon′a·than, and he said to him: “You
son of a rebellious woman, do
you think I do not know that you
are choosing to side with the son
of Jes′se, to your own shame and
to the shame of your mother?
31 As long as the son of Jes′se is alive on the earth, you and
your kingship will not be firmly
established.h So now send some20:30 Lit., “to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?”
427
one to bring him to me, for he
must die.”a
32However, Jon′a·than said
to Saul his father: “Why should
he be put to death?b What has he
done?” 33 At that Saul hurled
the spear at him to strike him,c
so Jon′a·than knew that his father was determined to put David to death.d 34 Jon′a·than immediately rose up from the table
in the heat of anger, and he did
not eat any food on the second
day after the new moon, for he
was upset over Davide and his
own father had humiliated him.
35 In the morning Jon′a·than
went out to the field for the
appointment with David, and a
young attendant was with him.f
36And he said to his attendant: “Please run and find the
arrows that I shoot.” The attendant ran, and Jon′a·than
shot the arrow beyond him.
37 When the attendant reached
the place where Jon′a·than had
shot the arrow, Jon′a·than called
out to the attendant: “Is not the
arrow beyond you?” 38Jon′athan called out to the attendant:
“Hurry! Go quickly! Do not delay!” And Jon′a·than’s attendant
picked up the arrows and came
back to his master. 39 The attendant did not understand anything about the matter; only
Jon′a·than and David knew what
was meant. 40 Then Jon′a·than
gave his weapons to his attendant and told him: “Go, take
them to the city.”
41When the attendant left,
David rose up from a place nearby that was to the south. Then
he fell with his face to the
ground and bowed three times,
and they kissed each other and
wept for each other, but David wept the most. 42Jon′athan said to David: “Go in peace,
since we have both sworng in the
20:31 Lit., “for he is a son of death.”
1 SAMUEL 20:32–21:7
CHAP.20
a 1Sa 19:6,10
b 1Sa 19:5
Pr 17:17
Pr 18:24
c 1Sa 18:11
1Sa 19:10
d 1Sa 20:6,7
e 1Sa 18:1
f 1Sa 20:19-22
g 1Sa 20:17,23
____________________
Second Col.
a 1Sa 23:18
2Sa 9:7
____________________
CHAP.21
b 1Sa 22:9,19
c 1Sa 18:13
d Ex 25:30
Le 24:5,9
Mt 12:3,4
e Ex 19:15
Le 15:16
2Sa 11:11
f Le 15:18
g Le 24:7-9
Mr 2:25,26
Lu 6:3,4
h 1Sa 22:9
Ps 52:Sup
i Ge 36:1
name of Jehovah, saying, ‘May
Jehovah be between you and me
and between your offspring and
my offspring forever.’”a
Then David rose up and left,
and Jon′a·than went back to the
city.
David later came to Nobb
to A·him′e·lech the priest.
A·him′e·lech began to tremble
when he met David, and he said
to him: “Why are you by yourself and no one is with you?”c
2 David replied to A·him′e·lech
the priest: “The king instructed
me to do something, but he said,
‘Do not let anyone know anything about the mission on which
I am sending you and about the
instructions I have given you.’
I made an appointment with my
young men to meet at a certain
place. 3 Now if there are five
loaves of bread at your disposal, just give them to me, or whatever is available.”4But the
priest answered David: “There is
no ordinary bread on hand, but
there is holy breadd—provided
that the young men have kept
away from women.”e 5David
answered the priest: “Women
have certainly been kept away
from us as on previous occasions when I went out on a campaign.f If the bodies of the young
men are holy even when the mission is ordinary, how much more
so today should they be holy!”
6So the priest gave him the
holy bread,g because there was
no bread there except the showbread, which had been removed
from Jehovah’s presence to be
replaced by fresh bread on the
day it was taken away.
7 Now one of Saul’s servants
was there on that day, detained
before Jehovah. His name was
Do′egh the E′dom·ite,i the chief of
Saul’s shepherds.
21
20:42 Lit., “seed.” 21:4 Or “have abstained from sexual relations.”
1 SAMUEL 21:8–22:10
8 David then said to A·him′elech: “Is there a spear or a sword
here at your disposal? I did not
take my own sword or my weapons with me, because the king’s
mission was urgent.” 9 To this
the priest said: “The sword of
Go·li′atha the Phi·lis′tine, whom
you struck down in the Valley
of E′lah,b is here, wrapped up
in a cloth behind the eph′od.c If
you want to take it for yourself,
take it, because it is the only one
here.” David said: “There is none
like it. Give it to me.”
10That day David rose up
and continued his flightd from
Saul, and he eventually came to
King A′chish of Gath.e 11 The
servants of A′chish said to him:
“Is this not David, the king of the
land? Is he not the one they sang
about when they danced, saying,
‘Saul has struck down his
thousands,
And David his tens of thousands’?”f
12David took these words to
heart, and he became very much
afraidg of King A′chish of Gath.
13 So he disguised his sanityh
in their presence and acted insane while among them. He was
making marks on the doors of
the gate and letting his saliva
run down his beard. 14 Finally
A′chish said to his servants:
“You see that this man is crazy!
Why bring him to me? 15Do
I have a shortage of crazy men
that I need to have this one acting crazy before me? Should this
man enter my house?”
So David went from there,i
escaping to the cave of
A·dul′lam.j When his brothers
and his father’s entire house
heard of it, they went down
there to him. 2 And all those
who were in trouble and in debt
22
21:9 Or “Low Plain.” 21:13 Lit., “in
their hand.”
428
CHAP.21
a 1Sa 17:51,54
b 1Sa 17:2,50
c Ex 28:6
d 1Sa 27:1
e Jos 11:22
1Sa 5:8
1Sa 17:4
1Sa 27:2
Ps 56:Sup
and who had a grievance gathered to him, and he became
their chief. There were about
400 men with him.
3 David later went from there
to Miz′peh in Mo′ab and said to
the king of Mo′ab:a “Please let
my father and mother stay with
you until I know what God will
do for me.” 4 So he left them
with the king of Mo′ab, and they
stayed with him the whole time
that David was in the stronghold.b
f 1Sa 18:6-8
1Sa 29:4,5
g Ps 56:3,6
h Ps 34:Sup
____________________
CHAP.22
i 1Sa 21:10
j Jos 15:20,35
2Sa 23:13
Ps 34:19
Ps 56:13
____________________
Second Col.
a Ru 4:10,17
1Sa 14:47
b 1Sa 22:1
c 2Sa 24:11,12
1Ch 21:9,10
1Ch 29:29
2Ch 29:25
d 1Sa 23:3
e 1Sa 10:26
f Ru 4:22
g 1Sa 8:11,12
h 1Sa 18:3
1Sa 20:17
i 1Sa 21:1,7
Ps 52:Sup
j Ps 52:2,3
k 1Sa 14:3
1Sa 22:20
5In time Gadc the prophet
said to David: “Do not stay in the
stronghold. Go from there into
the land of Judah.”d So David left
and went into the forest of He′reth.
6 Saul heard that David and
the men with him had been
found. Saul was then sitting
in Gib′e·ahe under the tamarisk
tree on the high place with his
spear in his hand, and all his
servants were stationed around
him. 7Then Saul said to his
servants stationed around him:
“Listen, please, you Ben′ja·minites. Will the son of Jes′sef also
give fields and vineyards to all of
you? Will he appoint all of you as
chiefs of thousands and chiefs of
hundreds?g 8All of you have
conspired against me! No one informed me when my own son
made a covenant with the son of
Jes′se!h Not one of you has sympathy for me and informs me
that my own son has incited my
own servant against me to ambush me, as is now the case.”
9Then Do′egi the E′dom·ite,
who was stationed there over
the servants of Saul, answered:j
“I saw the son of Jes′se come to
Nob to A·him′e·lech the son of
A·hi′tub.k 10And he inquired
of Jehovah for him and gave him
provisions. He even gave him the
sword of Go·li′ath the Phi·lis′22:2 Or “were bitter of soul.”
429
11 At once the king sent
for A·him′e·lech son of A·hi′tub
the priest and all the priests of
his father’s house, who were in
Nob. So all of them came to the
king.
12Saul now said: “Listen,
please, you son of A·hi′tub!” to
which he replied: “Here I am,
my lord.” 13 Saul said to him:
“Why have you conspired against
me, you and the son of Jes′se, by giving him bread and a
sword and by making an inquiry
of God for him? He opposes me
and waits in ambush, as is now
the case.” 14At this A·him′elech answered the king: “Who
among all your servants is as
trustworthy as David?b He is
the king’s son-in-lawc and a chief
over your bodyguard and honored in your house.d 15 Was today the first time I inquired of
God for him?e What you are saying is unthinkable on my part!
Do not let the king hold anything
against his servant and against
my father’s entire house, for
your servant did not know a single thing about any of this.”f
16But the king said: “You
will surely die,g A·him′e·lech,
you along with all your father’s
house.”h 17 With that the king
said to the guards stationed
around him: “Turn and kill the
priests of Jehovah, because they
have sided with David! They
knew that he was a runaway,
and they did not inform me!” But
the king’s servants did not want
to lift their hands to assault the
priests of Jehovah.18Then
the king said to Do′eg:i “You turn
and assault the priests!” Immediately Do′eg the E′dom·itej went
and assaulted the priests himself. He killed on that day 85
men wearing the linen eph′od.k
19 He also struck Nob,l the city
tine.”a
1 SAMUEL 22:11–23:7
CHAP.22
a 1Sa 21:6,9
b 1Sa 19:4
1Sa 20:32
1Sa 24:11
1Sa 26:23
c 1Sa 17:25
1Sa 18:27
d 1Sa 18:5,13
e 1Sa 22:10
f 1Sa 21:1,2
g 1Sa 14:44
1Sa 20:31
h 1Sa 2:27,32
i Ps 52:Sup
j Ge 25:30
k 1Sa 2:27,31
l 1Sa 21:1
1Sa 22:9
____________________
Second Col.
a 1Sa 23:6
1Sa 30:7
2Sa 20:25
1Ki 2:27
b 1Sa 21:1,7
c 1Ki 2:26
____________________
CHAP.23
d Jos 15:20,44
e 1Sa 30:8
2Sa 5:19
Ps 37:5
f 1Sa 22:5
g 1Sa 13:5
1Sa 14:52
h Jg 6:39
i 1Sa 14:6
2Sa 5:19
of the priests, with the sword;
man as well as woman, child as
well as infant, bull, donkey, and
sheep, he put to the sword.
20However, one son of
A·him′e·lech the son of A·hi′tub,
whose name was A·bi′a·thar,a escaped and ran away to follow David. 21A·bi′a·thar told David:
“Saul has killed the priests of Jehovah.” 22 At this David said to
A·bi′a·thar: “I knew on that day,b
when Do′eg the E′dom·ite was
there, that he would be sure to
tell Saul. I am personally responsible for the death of everyone in your father’s house.
23Stay with me. Do not be
afraid, for whoever seeks your
life seeks my life; you are under my protection.”c
In time David was told:
“The Phi·lis′tines are fighting against Kei′lah,d and they
are raiding the threshing floors.”
2So David inquired of Jehovah:e “Should I go and strike
down these Phi·lis′tines?” Jehovah said to David: “Go, strike
down the Phi·lis′tines and rescue
Kei′lah.” 3 But the men of David said to him: “Look! We
are afraid while here in Judah;f
how much more so if we go
to Kei′lah against the battle line
of the Phi·lis′tines!”g 4 So David inquired once again of Jehovah.h Jehovah now answered
him: “Rise up; go down to Kei′lah because I will give the Philis′tines into your hand.”i 5 So
David went with his men to Kei′lah and fought against the Philis′tines; he carried off their livestock and struck them down with
a great slaughter, and David rescued the inhabitants of Kei′lah.j
6Now when A·bi′a·thark the
son of A·him′e·lech ran away to
David at Kei′lah, he had an eph′od with him. 7 Saul was told:
23
j 1Sa 23:1
22:14 Or “faithful.” 22:17 Lit., “runners.”
k 1Sa 22:20
22:22 Or “every soul.” 22:23 Or
“soul.”
257
Nevertheless, barley was a common and a lowly
food, and some commentators suggest that these
qualities are represented in the figure of "a round
cake of barley bread" that was seen in the Midian­
ite's dream and that symbolized Gideon's humble
army.-Jg 7: 13, 14.
Hosea paid 15 silver pieces ( if shekels, $33 )
and one and a half homer measures ( 330 L;
300 dry qt) of barley to buy back the adulterous
woman Gomer as his wife ( Ho 1 : 3 ; 3 : 1 , 2 ), a
price that some commentators consider to total
the price of a slave, 30 silver shekels ( $66 ). ( Ex
21 : 32 ) The "offering of jealousy" required by the
Law in the case of a man suspecting his wife of
sexual infidelity was to be a tenth of an ephah
( 2. 2 L; 2 dry qt ) of barley flour. ( Nu 5 : 14, 15 )
Barley was also used in measuring, the amount
required for sowing a field being the legal means
for determining the field's value.-Le 27: 16.
BARNABAS ( Bar'na·bas) [ Son of Comfort ].
This prominent figure of first-century Christianity
is first introduced to us in the Scriptures by Luke
in Acts 4: 34-36. There we learn that this devout
man was a Levite and a native of the island of
Cyprus, but at the time of his being introduced, he
was in Jerusalem. Of the many believers who
shortly after Pentecost sold their fields and houses
and gave the price to the apostles for the advance­
ment of the Christian work, this man was one
mentioned by name. His given name was Joseph,
but the apostles surnamed him Barnabas, mean­
ing "Son of Comfort. " This practice of giving sur­
names in keeping with one's characteristics was
not uncommon.
He was a very warmhearted and generous per­
son, one who did not hesitate to offer both himself
and his material possessions willingly for the ad­
vancement of the Kingdom interests. He gladly
'came to the aid' of his brothers ( Ac 9 : 27 ), and in
the presence of newly interested persons "he re­
joiced and began to encourage them all to continue
in the Lord with hearty purpose. " Barnabas "was a
good man and full of holy spirit and of faith" (Ac
1 1 : 23 , 24), a prophet and teacher in Antioch. (Ac
13: 1 ) The apostles referred to Barnabas as among
their "loved ones" who had "delivered up their
souls for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. " ( Ac
1 5 : 25, 26 ) Although he was not one of the 12
apostles, he was properly called an apostle ( Ac
14: 14), for, indeed, he was one "sent out by the
holy spirit."-Ac 13:4, 43.
The close association that Barnabas had with
Paul, and that extended over the years, had its
beginning about three years after Paul's conver­
sion when he wanted to get in touch with the
BARRENNESS
Jerusalem congregation. How Barnabas first got to
meet Paul is not revealed. But it was Barnabas
who had the privilege of introducing Paul to Peter
and to the disciple James.-Ac 9 : 26, 27; Ga
1 : 18, 19.
In the meantime a great deal of interest in
Christianity had been aroused in Antioch of Syria
by certain Greek-speaking Jews from Cyprus and
Cyrene. As a reSUlt, the governing body at Jerusa­
lem sent Barnabas down to Antioch to encourage
and build up these new believers further. The
choice of Barnabas for this work was a good one,
since he was a Greek-speaking Cypriot. When "a
considerable crowd was added to the Lord" in
Antioch, Barnabas hastened over to Tarsus and
persuaded Paul to come and help out in the minis­
try. About that time divine warning of a coming
famine caused the brothers in Antioch to gather
many provisions that, in due time, were sent to
the Jerusalem congregation by the hands of Bar­
nabas and Paul.-Ac 11 : 22-24, 27-30; 12: 25.
This relief work accomplished, the two were
back in Antioch by about 47 C.E. and from there
left on a missionary assignment under the direc­
tion of the holy spirit. This took Barnabas and Paul
first to Cyprus, where they were instrumental in
bringing God's truth to the proconsul Sergius Pau­
lus. From there they traveled through the interior
of Asia Minor. At times they were severely perse­
cuted by mobs. Once, when they cured a lame
man in Lystra, they had no sooner succeeded in
restraining "the crowds from sacrificing to them"
( thinking that Barnabas was the god Zeus and
Paul, "the one taking the lead in speaking," was
Hermes, or Mercury ), than the Jews "persuaded
the crowds, and they stoned Paul and dragged
him outside the city. "-Ac 13 : 1- 12 ; 14: 1 -20.
In about 49 c.E. , Barnabas and Paul took the
burning question of circumcision of non-Jews up
to the governing body in Jerusalem, and with that
settled, they were soon back in Antioch preparing
for their next missionary tour. ( Ac 1 5 : 2-36 ) How­
ever, because they could come to no agreement
over taking John Mark along, they each departed
for separate territories. Barnabas took his cousin
Mark to Cyprus, and Paul took Silas through the
districts of Syria and Cilicia. (Ac 15 : 37-41 ) Thus
ends the record made of Barnabas in the Scrip­
tures, except for brief mention of him in some of
Paul's letters.- 1 Co 9 : 6 ; Ga 2 : 1 , 9, 13; Col 4: 10.
BARRENNESS . The idea of the inability to
bring forth children is conveyed by the Hebrew
words 'a ·qar ( "barren" ; Ge 11 : 30 ) and ga}·mudh '
( "sterile" ; Isa 49 : 21 ). Also, in Proverbs 30: 16 , bar­
renness is literally described as "restraint of the
Question 9
Why do humans suffer?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“The swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty
win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food,
nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do
those with knowledge always have success, because
time and unexpected events overtake them all.”
Ecclesiastes 9:11
[Page 924]
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Through one man sin entered into the world and death
through sin, and so death spread to all men because
they had all sinned—.”
Romans 5:12
[Page 1512]
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest,
to break up the works of the Devil.”
1 John 3:8
[Page 1632]
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
“The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked
one.”
1 John 5:19
19
[Page 1635]
115
Making Our Way Successful
( Joshua 1:8)
1. We delight in Jehovah’s Word.
May we read it each day.
Sound each thought in an undertone;
Meditate and obey.
May it guide ev’ry step we take,
Ev’ry thought we express.
(CHORUS)
Read and meditate, then obey.
This Jehovah will bless.
Walk with him each and ev’ry day.
Find the way to success.
2. When the kings ruled in Israel,
They received this command:
‘Ev’ry king for himself must write
God’s Law in his own hand.
He must read in it all his days,
That he may not transgress.’
(Chorus)
3. As we feed on God’s Word each day,
Hope and comfort we find.
Calm descends on our troubled hearts;
Faith in Him is refined.
When we truly embrace his Word,
We mature and progress.
(Chorus)
(See also Deut. 17:18; 1 Ki. 2:3, 4; Ps. 119:1; Jer. 7:23.)
OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY
APR IL 2015
MONTHLY THEME:
Walk as wise persons by
“making the best use of your time.”—Eph. 5:15, 16.
WEEK STARTING APRIL 13
Song 18 and Prayer
Q Congregation Bible Study:
cl chap. 23 81-9 (30 min.)
Q Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 19-22 (8 min.)
No. 1: 1 Samuel 21:10–22:4 (3 min. or less)
No. 2: Barnabas—Theme: Be Warmhearted
and Generous in Your Ministry—it-1 p. 257
(5 min.)
No. 3: Why Do Humans Suffer?—nwt p. 19
81-4 (5 min.)
Q Service Meeting:
Song 115
10 min: Walk as Wise Persons by “Making the
Best Use of Your Time.” Talk highlighting the
monthly theme.—Eph. 5:15, 16; see The Watchtower, May 15, 2012, pp. 19-20, pars. 11-14.
20 min: “Make the Best Use of Your Time in
the Ministry.” Discussion.
Song 98 and Prayer
Make the Best Use of Your Time
in the Ministry
Jehovah’s Witnesses spent 1,945,487,604
hours in the ministry during the 2014 service year—clear evidence that we are resolved
to stay busy in Jehovah’s service! (Ps. 110:3;
1 Cor. 15:58) Since “the time left is reduced,”
is it possible to use our precious hours in
the ministry to contact even more people?
—1 Cor. 7:29.
Making the best use of our time in the
ministry requires flexibility. For instance, if
you regularly spend an hour or more in a particular aspect of the ministry without speaking to anyone, could you make adjustments
in order to find and talk to more people? Circumstances vary from place to place. HowFor United States of America
ever, the following suggestions may help you
to make better use of your time so that you
can avoid “striking the air.”—1 Cor. 9:26.
˙ House-to-House Witnessing: For many
decades, publishers have customarily started their day in the ministry by
preaching from house to house. However,
since many individuals work during the
day, why not try preaching from house to
house in the late afternoon or early evening, when more people are at home and
relaxed? During the day, street or business witnessing may yield better results.
˙ Public Witnessing: Tables and mobile
displays should be set up in high-traffic
areas within the congregation’s territory
boundary. (See the July 2013 Our Kingdom Ministry, p. 5.) If pedestrian traffic diminishes in an area designated for public
witnessing, the Congregation Service
Committee may decide that the mobile
display or table should be relocated to an
area with higher pedestrian traffic.
˙ Return Visits and Bible Studies: Is it
possible to schedule your return visits and
Bible studies during times when other
features of the ministry are less productive? For instance, if the house-to-house
ministry is productive on Saturday mornings, could you have your Bible study in
the afternoon or in the evening? When
making return visits, could publishers
split into smaller car groups so as to accomplish more in the ministry?
While it is true that we can count our time
whenever we engage in the ministry, our joy
increases when we are productive. If you find
that participating in one feature of the ministry is not effective at a specific time, try another feature. Pray to Jehovah, “the Master of
the harvest,” for his direction so that you can
make the best use of your time in the ministry!—Matt. 9:38.
km15 04-E Us Vol. 58, No. 4
Consider another prophecy involving God’s people of ancient times. About
two years before the Jews left Babylon,
God foretold through the prophet Daniel that the Messiah would appear 483
years after the order to rebuild Jerusalem
was given. The Medo-Persian king gave
that order in 455 B.C.E. Exactly 483 years
later—in 29 C.E.—Jesus of Nazareth was
anointed by holy spirit at his baptism
and thus became the Messiah.1—Neh. 2:
1, 5-8; Dan. 9:24, 25; Luke 3:1, 2, 21, 22.
9 Now take note of what the Scriptures foretold regarding the Kingdom.
Bible prophecy indicated that the Messianic Kingdom would be established in
heaven in 1914. In part, the Bible did so
by giving “the sign” of Jesus’ presence,
pointing to the time when Satan would
be cast out of heaven, which would result in great woe for the earth. (Matt.
24:3-14; Rev. 12:9, 12) Moreover, Bible prophecy pointed to the exact time
—1914—when “the appointed times of
the nations [would be] fulfilled” and
Kingdom rule would begin in heaven.
—Luke 21:24; Dan. 4:10-17.2
10 What lies ahead is the “great tribulation” foretold by Jesus. It will be
followed by his Thousand Year Reign.
There can be no doubt that these things
will come to pass right on schedule.
When Jesus walked the earth, Jehovah
had already set the “day and hour” for
8
1 See Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! pages 186195.
2 See Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! pages 94-97.
8, 9. How do Daniel’s prophecies concerning
the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the heavenly Kingdom show that Jehovah is the God of “times and seasons”?
10. What future events are sure to happen on
time?
MAY 15, 2012
Daniel had faith in the fulfillment of
God-given prophecy
these events to occur.—Matt. 24:21, 36;
Rev. 20:6.
‘BUY OUT THE OPPORTUNE TIME’
How should recognizing that Kingdom rule has begun and that we are
living in “the time of the end” affect
us? (Dan. 12:4) Many see the worsening
world conditions yet fail to acknowledge
that these developments fulfill Bible
prophecy regarding the last days. They
may expect this system to fall apart one
day or may believe that somehow human efforts will achieve “peace and security.” (1 Thess. 5:3) But what about us?
If we recognize that we are living deep
in the last days of Satan’s world, should
we not endeavor to use the remaining
time to serve the God of “times and
seasons” and help others come to know
him? (2 Tim. 3:1) We ought to make wise
11
11. Knowing that we are living in the time of
the end should have what effect on us?
19
decisions about how we use our time.
—Read Ephesians 5:15-17.
12 “Buying out the opportune time”
is not easy in a world full of distractions. “Just as the days of Noah were,”
warned Jesus, “so the presence of the
Son of man will be.” How were the
days of Noah? It had been foretold that
the world of that time would come to
an end. At that time, wicked humans
would drown in the waters of a global deluge. As “a preacher of righteousness,” Noah faithfully declared God’s
message to the people of his day. (Matt.
24:37; 2 Pet. 2:5) But they were “eating
and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, . . . and they
took no note until the flood came and
swept them all away.” Jesus therefore
warned his followers: “Prove yourselves
ready, because at an hour that you do
not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” (Matt. 24:38, 39, 44) We must prove
to be like Noah, not like the people of
his day. What will help us to keep ourselves ready?
13 Although the Son of man is coming at an hour we do not think to be
it, we need to remember that Jehovah is
the Great Timekeeper. His timetable is
not controlled by world events and human plans. Jehovah regulates the timing and outcome of matters to accomplish his will. (Read Daniel 2:21.) In fact,
Proverbs 21:1 tells us: “A king’s heart is
as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah. Everywhere that he delights to, he
turns it.”
14 Jehovah can influence events in or12. What can we learn from Jesus’ statement
regarding Noah’s day?
13, 14. Remembering what about Jehovah will
help us to serve him faithfully while we await
the coming of the Son of man?
20
der to accomplish his purpose and fulfill it on time. Many of the momentous
changes in the world have been fulfilling prophecy, particularly in regard to
the global preaching of the good news
of God’s Kingdom. Think about the collapse of the Soviet Union and its consequences. Few would have thought that
such enormous political changes could
happen so quickly. As a result of these
changes, however, the good news is now
being preached throughout many lands
where our work was previously banned.
By all means, then, let us buy out the opportune time to serve the God of “times
and seasons” faithfully.
EXERCISE FAITH
IN JEHOVAH’S TIMING
Continuing in the Kingdompreaching work in these last days requires faith in Jehovah’s timing. The
changing world situation may call
for some changes in how the disciplemaking work is carried on. The organization may occasionally make adjustments to address the needs of our
activity as Kingdom proclaimers. We
demonstrate faith in the God of “times
and seasons” by fully cooperating with
such adjustments as we serve loyally under his Son, the “head of the congregation.”—Eph. 5:23.
16 Jehovah wants us to pray to him
freely with complete confidence that he
will provide needed “help at the right
time.” (Heb. 4:16) Does that not demonstrate his loving concern for us as individuals? (Matt. 6:8; 10:29-31) We show
our faith in Jehovah God by praying reg15
15. How can we show faith with regard to orga-
nizational adjustments?
16. Why can we have faith that Jehovah will
provide help at the right time?
OUR KINGDOM MINISTRY
APR IL 2015
MONTHLY THEME:
Walk as wise persons by
“making the best use of your time.”—Eph. 5:15, 16.
WEEK STARTING APRIL 13
Song 18 and Prayer
Q Congregation Bible Study:
cl chap. 23 81-9 (30 min.)
Q Theocratic Ministry School:
Bible reading: 1 Samuel 19-22 (8 min.)
No. 1: 1 Samuel 21:10–22:4 (3 min. or less)
No. 2: Barnabas—Theme: Be Warmhearted
and Generous in Your Ministry—it-1 p. 257
(5 min.)
No. 3: Why Do Humans Suffer?—nwt p. 19
81-4 (5 min.)
Q Service Meeting:
Song 115
10 min: Walk as Wise Persons by “Making the
Best Use of Your Time.” Talk highlighting the
monthly theme.—Eph. 5:15, 16; see The Watchtower, May 15, 2012, pp. 19-20, pars. 11-14.
20 min: “Make the Best Use of Your Time in
the Ministry.” Discussion.
Song 98 and Prayer
Make the Best Use of Your Time
in the Ministry
Jehovah’s Witnesses spent 1,945,487,604
hours in the ministry during the 2014 service year—clear evidence that we are resolved
to stay busy in Jehovah’s service! (Ps. 110:3;
1 Cor. 15:58) Since “the time left is reduced,”
is it possible to use our precious hours in
the ministry to contact even more people?
—1 Cor. 7:29.
Making the best use of our time in the
ministry requires flexibility. For instance, if
you regularly spend an hour or more in a particular aspect of the ministry without speaking to anyone, could you make adjustments
in order to find and talk to more people? Circumstances vary from place to place. HowFor United States of America
ever, the following suggestions may help you
to make better use of your time so that you
can avoid “striking the air.”—1 Cor. 9:26.
˙ House-to-House Witnessing: For many
decades, publishers have customarily started their day in the ministry by
preaching from house to house. However,
since many individuals work during the
day, why not try preaching from house to
house in the late afternoon or early evening, when more people are at home and
relaxed? During the day, street or business witnessing may yield better results.
˙ Public Witnessing: Tables and mobile
displays should be set up in high-traffic
areas within the congregation’s territory
boundary. (See the July 2013 Our Kingdom Ministry, p. 5.) If pedestrian traffic diminishes in an area designated for public
witnessing, the Congregation Service
Committee may decide that the mobile
display or table should be relocated to an
area with higher pedestrian traffic.
˙ Return Visits and Bible Studies: Is it
possible to schedule your return visits and
Bible studies during times when other
features of the ministry are less productive? For instance, if the house-to-house
ministry is productive on Saturday mornings, could you have your Bible study in
the afternoon or in the evening? When
making return visits, could publishers
split into smaller car groups so as to accomplish more in the ministry?
While it is true that we can count our time
whenever we engage in the ministry, our joy
increases when we are productive. If you find
that participating in one feature of the ministry is not effective at a specific time, try another feature. Pray to Jehovah, “the Master of
the harvest,” for his direction so that you can
make the best use of your time in the ministry!—Matt. 9:38.
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98
Sowing Kingdom Seed
(Matthew 13:4-8)
1. Oh, come all you slaves of Jehovah,
Who’ve given your heart and your soul.
Come out to the work of our Master,
And learn from his steps and his role.
The seed of the truth, you sow without fear
On hearts that are able to yield
Fine fruit to God’s praise as you faithfully work,
And you do your full share in the field.
2. Some seed that you sow will be scattered
On hearts as resistant as stone.
Though these may respond for a season,
The want of their hearts will be known.
When thorns choke the word,
then greed fills their hearts;
The things of the world they prefer.
Yet, some seed may prosper; you will see results
From the ground that is good, fine, and pure.
3. How much of your work is successful
May often depend much on you.
With patience and love for your neighbors,
Their hearts may be opened anew.
By being alert you’ll ward off their fears,
With measures some gentle some bold.
And thus with rejoicing you can hope to reap
At least thirty if not hundredfold.
(See also Matt. 13:19-23; 22:37.)
99
Praising Earth’s New King
(Revelation 7:9)
1. A multitude is gathering
from ev’ry tribe and nation,
Collected by the Christ and his
anointed congregation.
God’s Kingdom has been brought to birth;
His will shall soon be done on earth.
This hope is a gift of priceless worth,
giving joy and consolation.
(CHORUS)
Praise our God, Jehovah;
Praise his Son, Christ Jesus,
Who through the ransom have set us free.
Now we have the hope to live on the earth
And serve God eternally.
2. We hail the Christ, our reigning King,
with sounds of jubilation.
This Prince of Peace shall do God’s will
and bring about salvation.
We see the joys that lie ahead:
An earth released from fear and dread,
The grand resurrection of the dead.
What a time for exultation!
(Chorus)
(See also Ps. 2:6; 45:1; Isa. 9:6; John 6:40.)
Imitate Jesus’ Courage
and Discernment
“Though you never saw him, you love him. Though you
do not see him now, yet you exercise faith in him.”
—1 PET. 1:8.
HOW WOULD YOU
RESPOND?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What can help you to stay
on course on your journey to
salvation?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How can you imitate Jesus
in showing courage?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How can you imitate Jesus
in showing discernment?
WHEN we become disciples of Christ, we embark on a journey. That journey can lead us to life, whether in heaven or
on earth. Jesus said: “The one who has endured to the end
[the end of his present life or the end of this wicked system
of things] will be saved.” (Matt. 24:13) Yes, if we stick to a life
course of faithfulness, we can come in line for salvation.
Along the way, however, we must be careful not to get distracted or lost. (1 John 2:15-17) How can we stay on course
on our journey?
2 Our Exemplar, Jesus, led the way. His journey was recorded in the Bible. By studying that record, we learn what
Jesus is like. We can come to love him and exercise faith in
him. (Read 1 Peter 1:8, 9.) Recall that the apostle Peter said
that Jesus left us a model for us to follow his steps closely.
(1 Pet. 2:21) If we carefully follow his steps, we will reach
1, 2. (a) How can we come in line for salvation? (b) What can help us
to stay on course on our journey to salvation?
10
“the goal” of our faith—salvation.1 In
the preceding article, we discussed how
we can imitate Jesus’ example in being
humble and tender. Let us now examine
how we can follow his steps in showing
courage and discernment.
1 First Peter 1:8, 9 was written to Christians with
the heavenly hope. In principle, however, those
words also apply to individuals who have the earthly
hope.
questions.” Surely he was not asking
the typical questions of a curious boy.
We can imagine Jesus asking thoughtprovoking questions that made those
learned teachers sit up and take notice.
And if the teachers tried to trip Jesus up
by asking him controversial questions,
they failed. Why, everyone listening—including the teachers—were in “amazement at his understanding and his answers”—answers that no doubt upheld
the truth of God’s Word!
5 During his ministry, Jesus showed
courage in various ways. He boldly exposed the religious leaders for misleading the people with false teachings. (Matt. 23:13-36) He stood firm
against the world’s contaminating influence. (John 16:33) He continued to
preach despite pressure from opposers.
(John 5:15-18; 7:14) Twice, he fearlessly
cleansed the temple, driving out those
who were defiling the worship there.
—Matt. 21:12, 13; John 2:14-17.
6 It is faith-strengthening to trace Jesus’ courageous steps in the face of suffering. Consider the courage he showed
on the final day of his earthly life. He
knew the chain of events that would be
set in motion by his betrayer. Yet, at the
Passover meal, Jesus told Judas: “What
you are doing, do it more quickly.” (John
13:21-27) In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus fearlessly identified himself to
the soldiers who came to arrest him.
Although his own life was in danger,
he spoke up to protect his disciples.
(John 18:1-8) When questioned before
3. What is courage, and how do we get it?
5. In what ways did Jesus show courage during
4. How did Jesus show courage “in the midst of
his ministry?
6. How did Jesus show courage on the final day
of his earthly life?
JESUS IS COURAGEOUS
3 Courage is a kind of confidence
that can strengthen and sustain us. Being courageous has been described as
“persevering in the face of adversity,”
“standing up for what is right,” and
“facing suffering with dignity or faith.”
Courage goes hand in hand with fear,
hope, and love. How so? Godly fear
gives us the courage to rise above fear of
man. (1 Sam. 11:7; Prov. 29:25) Genuine
hope helps us to see beyond present
trials and to face the future with confidence. (Ps. 27:14) Self-sacrificing love
impels us to show courage even at great
personal risk. (John 15:13) We get courage by trusting in God and following the
steps of his Son.—Ps. 28:7.
4 Even as a 12-year-old boy, Jesus courageously stood up for what was right.
Note what happened when young Jesus was “in the temple, sitting in the
midst of the teachers.” (Read Luke 2:4147.) Those teachers were well-versed
not only in the Mosaic Law but also in
the man-made traditions that undermined it. But Jesus was not intimidated
into keeping quiet; he was “asking them
the teachers” in the temple? (See opening image.)
FEBRUARY 15, 2015
11
the Sanhedrin, he boldly affirmed that
he was both the Christ and the Son of
God, even though he knew that the high
priest was looking for an excuse to have
him killed. (Mark 14:60-65) Jesus steadfastly kept his integrity down to death
on an execution stake. About to take his
last agonizing breath, he called out in
triumph: “It has been accomplished!”
—John 19:28-30.
IMITATE JESUS’ COURAGE
How can we imitate Jesus in showing courage? At school. Young ones, you
prove yourselves courageous when you
readily identify yourselves as Witnesses
of Jehovah, even if doing so means being teased by classmates or others. You
thereby show that you are proud to bear
Jehovah’s name. (Read Psalm 86:12.)
You may face pressure to accept evolution as a fact. But you have sound reasons to be confident of your Bible-based
belief in creation. You can use the brochure The Origin of Life—Five Questions
Worth Asking to give a convincing answer to those who want to know “a reason for the hope you have.” (1 Pet. 3:15)
Then you will find satisfaction in knowing that you have upheld the truth of
God’s Word.
8 In our ministry. As true Christians,
we need to keep “speaking with boldness by the authority of Jehovah.” (Acts
14:3) What reasons do we have to
preach with boldness, or courage? We
know that what we preach is the truth
because it is based on the Bible. (John
7
17:17) We recognize that “we are God’s
fellow workers” and that we have the
backing of holy spirit. (1 Cor. 3:9; Acts
4:31) We understand that by witnessing
zealously, we demonstrate our devotion
to Jehovah and our love for our neighbor. (Matt. 22:37-39) Imbued with courage, we will not be silenced. On the contrary, we are determined to expose the
religious lies that blind people to the
truth. (2 Cor. 4:4) And we will persevere
in preaching the good news despite apathy, ridicule, or opposition.—1 Thess. 2:
1, 2.
9 In the face of suffering. Trusting in
God gives us the faith and courage to
face adversities. If a loved one dies, we
grieve, but we do not lose hope. We confidently look to “the God of all comfort”
for strength. (2 Cor. 1:3, 4; 1 Thess. 4:13)
If we face serious illness or injury, we
may suffer pain, but we do not compromise. We refuse any treatment that conflicts with Bible principles. (Acts 15:28,
29) If we become depressed, “our hearts
may condemn us,” but because we trust
in the God who “is close to the brokenhearted,” we do not give up.1—1 John 3:
19, 20; Ps. 34:18.
JESUS IS DISCERNING
Discernment is good judgment
—the ability to tell right from wrong and
then choose the wise course. (Heb. 5:
14) It has been defined as “the ability
10
1 For examples of courage in the face of suffering,
see The Watchtower, December 1, 2000, pages 24-28;
Awake! April 22, 2003, pages 18-21; and January 22,
1995, pages 11-15.
7. Young ones, how do you feel about bearing
Jehovah’s name, and how can you prove yourselves courageous?
8. We have what reasons to preach with boldness?
12
THE WATCHTOWER
9. How can we show courage in the face of suf-
fering?
10. What is discernment, and how does a discerning worshipper of Jehovah speak and act?
to make sound judgements in spiritual matters.” A discerning worshipper
speaks and acts in ways that please
God. Such a person chooses words
that help others rather than hurt them.
(Prov. 11:12, 13) He is “slow to anger.” (Prov. 14:29) He “walks straight
ahead,” sticking to the right course on
his journey through life. (Prov. 15:21)
How can we acquire discernment? We
must study God’s Word and apply what
we learn. (Prov. 2:1-5, 10, 11) It is especially helpful to consider the example of
Jesus, the most discerning man who
ever lived.
11 Jesus showed discernment in all he
said and did. In his speech. He used good
judgment when he preached the good
news, choosing “gracious words” that
amazed his listeners. (Luke 4:22; Matt.
7:28) He often let God’s Word speak for
him—reading, quoting, or referring to
just the right scriptures to make his
point. (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10; 12:1-5; Luke 4:
16-21) Jesus also explained the Scriptures, doing so in ways that moved the
hearts of his listeners. After his resurrection, when speaking to two disciples
on their way to Emmaus, he “interpreted to them things pertaining to himself
in all the Scriptures.” The disciples later said: “Were not our hearts burning
within us . . . as he was fully opening up
the Scriptures to us?”—Luke 24:27, 32.
12 In his spirit and attitude. Discernment helped Jesus to control his spirit,
making him “slow to anger.” (Prov. 16:
32) He was “mild-tempered.” (Matt. 11:
11. How did Jesus show discernment in his
speech?
29) He was always patient with his
disciples despite their failings. (Mark
14:34-38; Luke 22:24-27) He remained
calm even when he was treated unjustly.—1 Pet. 2:23.
13 Discernment also enabled Jesus to
be reasonable. He saw beyond the letter
of the Mosaic Law; he perceived the
spirit behind that Law and acted accordingly. For example, consider the account at Mark 5:25-34. (Read.) A woman with a flow of blood made her way
through a crowd, touched Jesus’ garment, and was healed. She was unclean
under the Law, so she should not have
touched anyone. (Lev. 15:25-27) But Jesus—who discerned that “the weightier
matters of the Law” included “mercy
and faithfulness”—did not chastise her
for touching his garment. (Matt. 23:23)
Instead, he kindly said: “Daughter, your
faith has made you well. Go in peace,
and be healed from your grievous sickness.” How touching that Jesus’ discernment moved him to show such kindness!
14 In pursuing his life course. Jesus
showed discernment in choosing the
right course and then sticking to it. He
devoted himself to the preaching of
the good news, making it his lifework.
(Luke 4:43) Jesus also stayed on course,
making decisions that enabled him to
remain focused on the work and to see
it through to a successful completion.
He wisely chose to keep his life simple
so that he could devote his time and energy to the ministry. (Luke 9:58) He discerned the need to train others to carry on the work after his death. (Luke
12, 13. What examples show that Jesus was
14. Jesus chose to do what, and how did he
slow to anger and reasonable?
stay on course?
FEBRUARY 15, 2015
13
Discern the interests of people, and choose
your words according to their needs
(See paragraph 15)
10:1-12; John 14:12) He promised his
followers that he would remain involved
in this work “until the conclusion of the
system of things.”—Matt. 28:19, 20.
IMITATE JESUS’ DISCERNMENT
Consider another way that we can
imitate Jesus. In our speech. In conversations with fellow believers, we use
words that build up rather than tear
down. (Eph. 4:29) When we talk to others about God’s Kingdom, we season
our words “with salt.” (Col. 4:6) We
try to discern the needs and interests
of householders and then choose our
words accordingly. We remember that
gracious words may open doors—and
hearts. In addition, when explaining
our beliefs, we try to let the Bible speak
for us. Hence, we cite it as an authority
and read from it whenever possible. We
recognize that the Bible’s message is
far more powerful than anything we
15
15. How can we show discernment in our
speech?
14
THE WATCHTOWER
could possibly say on our own authority.—Heb. 4:12.
16 In our spirit and attitude. Discernment enables us to control our spirit,
making us “slow to anger.” (Jas. 1:19)
When others offend us, we try to discern what is behind their words or
actions. Such insight can melt anger
and help us to “overlook an offense.”
(Prov. 19:11) Discernment also helps us
to be reasonable. We thus try to be realistic in what we expect of our fellow believers, remembering that they may be
facing challenges that we do not fully
understand. We are willing to listen to
their opinions and when appropriate
yield to their viewpoint.—Phil. 4:5.
17 In our course of life. As followers of
Jesus, we discern that we could have no
higher privilege than that of sharing in
the work of preaching the good news.
We keep on track by making decisions
that enable us to stay focused on our
ministry. We choose to keep spiritual
things in first place and maintain a simple life so that we can devote ourselves
to the all-important preaching work before the end comes.—Matt. 6:33; 24:14.
18 Has it not been delightful to reflect
on some of Jesus’ appealing qualities?
Imagine how rewarding it would be to
make a study of his other qualities and
learn how we can be more like him. Let
us, then, be determined to follow his
steps closely. By so doing, we will stay
on course on our journey to salvation
and we will draw closer to Jehovah, the
One whom Jesus perfectly imitated.
16, 17. (a) How can we show that we are slow
to anger and reasonable? (b) How can we stay
focused on our ministry?
18. How can we stay on course on our journey
to salvation, and what is your determination?
108 Praise Jehovah for His Kingdom
(Revelation 21:2)
1. Jehovah anointed his Son
To rule over ev’ryone.
His throne is established on justice,
That God’s will on earth may be done.
(CHORUS)
Praise Jah for his holy Anointed.
Hail Jesus, O you faithful sheep,
Who loyally follow day after day
and all his commandments keep.
Praise Jah for his holy Anointed,
the Ruler of heavenly fame,
Anointed with exultation and might
to honor God’s holy name.
2. Christ’s brothers are chosen and called.
God gives them their own new birth.
This bride class will share in the Kingdom
And bring Paradise to this earth.
(Chorus)
(See also Prov. 29:4; Isa. 66:7, 8; John 10:4; Rev. 5:9, 10.)