1. What are many brothers doing to increase their service to Jehovah?
The end of this world is near, and we have much work to do (Matt. 24:14; Luke 10: 2; 1 Pet. 5: 2). We all want to serve Jehovah to the fullest extent possible. Many are expanding their ministry. Some have the goal of pioneering, others want to serve at Bethel or assist in the construction of buildings used to worship Jehovah, and many brethren are striving to be ministerial servants or elders. --1 Tim. 3: 1, 8. Surely Jehovah is pleased to see that his servants have such a willing spirit (Ps. 110: 3; Isa. 6: 8).
2. How might we feel if we don't reach some goal?
Now, if time has passed and we still haven't reached our goals, we may be disappointed. Or it may hurt us that due to age or other circumstances we are unable to do certain things in Jehovah's organization. --Prov. 13:12. That's what happens to Melissa, * who would love to serve at Bethel or go to the School for Kingdom Evangelizers. He says: “I am over the age limit. Those forms of service are just a dream to me. Sometimes I get discouraged.
3. What might some have to do in order to receive certain responsibilities?
There are those who are young and in good health, but in order to fulfill more responsibilities they first have to mature and cultivate certain qualities. They may be smart, determined, and enthusiastic, but they have to learn to be more patient, careful in their work, or respectful. If they strive to develop the necessary qualities, they may receive a responsibility when they least expect it. Let's look at Nick's case. At the age of 20, he was disappointed because he was not appointed a ministerial servant. Remember: "I thought I was doing something wrong." But he did not give up. He focused on what he could do in the congregation and in the ministry. Today he is a member of a Branch Committee.
4. What will we see in this article?
Are we discouraged because we have not reached a goal? If so, let us tell Jehovah how we feel (Ps. 37: 5-7). Let's talk with experienced brothers to tell us where we can improve and let's work to put their advice into practice. If we do, our goal may come true. But if the goal is out of reach for now, like Melissa is, how can we keep joy? To answer this question, this article will look at three points. First, what can give us joy. Second, what to do to feel more joy. And, third, what goals to set to be more joyful.
WHAT CAN GIVE US JOY
5. What should we focus on if we want to feel joy? (Ecclesiastes 6: 9).
If we want to feel joy, we must do what Ecclesiastes 6: 9 says (read it). The person who enjoys "what the eyes see" are satisfied with what they have, such as their current circumstances. But the person who goes "here and there chasing desires" is always wanting what he cannot have. What do we learn from this? That, if we want to feel happy, we must concentrate on what we have and not on what is beyond our reach.
6. What parable will we analyze, and what will we learn?
We all naturally like to face new challenges. So is it possible to be happy with what we already have? If possible. In fact, we can come to enjoy what we have. How? To find out, let's analyze the parable of the talents that Jesus related and found in Matthew 25: 14-30. We will learn what we can do to have joy and even increase it in our circumstances.
WHAT TO DO TO FEEL MORE JOY
7. Briefly tell Jesus' parable of the talents.
In the parable, Jesus spoke of a man who would go on a journey. Before leaving, he summoned his slaves and gave each of them talents to do business with. * To one slave he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his ability. The first two slaves were diligent and got more money for their master. But the third slave did nothing with the talent he had received, so the master fired him.
8. Why could the first slave in the parable feel happy?
The first slave was probably honored that his master gave him five of his talents. That was a lot of money, and it made clear how much confidence his master had in him. And what can we say about the second slave? The latter may have been disappointed to see that they did not give him as many talents as the first. But what did he do?
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: 1. A slave receives two bags of money from his master. 2. The slave negotiates with sellers of good quality cloth. 3. The slave brings his master four bags of money.
What do we learn from the second slave in the parable of the talents? 1) He received two talents from his master. 2) He strove to earn more money for his master. 3) He gained two more talents for his master. (See paragraphs 9-11).
9. What did Jesus not say about the second slave? (Matthew 25:22, 23).
(Read Matthew 25:22, 23). Jesus did not say that the second slave was upset and resentful that his master only gave him two talents. And he did not imply that the slave had said something like: “Is this all they are going to give me? But I am as skilled as the one who received five talents! If my master does not value me, then I bury these two talents and take care of my affairs ”.
10. What did the second slave do with his talents?
As in the case of the first slave, the second took the responsibility entrusted to him very seriously and worked hard for his master. As a result, he gained another two talents. Very pleased, the master rewarded his efforts and entrusted him with more responsibilities.
11. What can we do to feel more joy?
Similarly, we can feel more joy if we do our best in whatever task we receive in our service to Jehovah. Let us dedicate ourselves completely to preaching and participate fully in the activities of the congregation (Acts 18: 5; Heb. 10:24, 25). Let's prepare well to encourage others with our responses in meetings. We take seriously any student assignments we have at the weekday meeting. If they ask us for help to do some work in the congregation, let's be punctual and trustworthy. Let us not think that certain tasks are unimportant and that they do not deserve that we dedicate our time to them. Let us strive to improve our abilities (Prov. 22:29). The busier we are in our spiritual activities and responsibilities, the faster we will progress and the more joy we will feel (Gal. 6: 4). And it will be easier for us to rejoice when others receive a responsibility that we would have liked to have (Rom. 12:15; Gal. 5:26).
12. What did Melissa and Nick do to make them feel more happy?
Do we remember Melissa, the sister mentioned in paragraph 2 who wanted to go to Bethel or attend the School for Kingdom Evangelizers? Although these goals were beyond her reach, she says, “I give my all to pioneer and try to participate in all forms of preaching. This has given me great joy ”. And what did Nick, mentioned in paragraph 3, do to overcome the disappointment when he was not made a ministerial servant? He recalls, “I focused on what I could do: participate in the preaching work and give encouraging comments at the meetings. I also filled out the Bethel application, and the following year they invited me.
13. What will happen if we do our best in the responsibilities we have now? (Ecclesiastes 2:24).
So, does it mean that if we do our best in the responsibilities we have now, we will receive more in the future? Maybe yes, like Nick did. But if not, as happened to Melissa, we will still feel very happy and satisfied (read Ecclesiastes 2:24). In addition, we will surely feel great joy because we know that our efforts please the Master, Jesus Christ.
GOALS THAT WILL HELP US BE MORE CHEERFUL
14. What should we remember about our service goals?
If we are already doing our best in our service to Jehovah, does that mean that we should not think about how to increase it? Of course not. We can and should set goals that help us to be better preachers and teachers, and that allow us to help our brothers and sisters. We will achieve them if we are wise and modest, and focus on helping others rather than focusing on ourselves (Prov. 11: 2; Acts 20:35).
15. What are some goals that will make us feel happier?
What goals could we set for ourselves? Let us ask Jehovah to help us be realistic and see what we can do in our circumstances (Prov. 16: 3; James 1: 5). Can we set some of the goals that were mentioned in the first paragraph of this article, such as auxiliary or regular pioneering, Bethel, or construction? Can we learn another language to preach to more people or to move to a place where help is needed? If we want more information about these goals, we can read chapter 10 of the book Organized to Do Jehovah's Will and talk with the elders of our congregation. * As we strive to achieve these goals, we will feel happier and others will see our progress.
16. What can we do if we currently cannot reach a certain goal?
What if we are currently unable to achieve any of the goals we have discussed? Let's set a reasonable goal for ourselves that we can meet. Let's think about the following options.
17. According to 1 Timothy 4:13, 15, what steps can a brother take to become a better teacher?
(Read 1 Timothy 4:13, 15.) If you are a baptized brother, you may be working to improve your speaking and teaching. Why? Because, if you dedicate yourself fully to reading, speaking and teaching, it will be of great help to those who listen to you. Make it a goal to study and practice each aspect of speaking that the booklet Let's Be Better Readers and Teachers discusses. Study the lessons one at a time, practice a lot at home, and strive to apply what you have learned in your speeches. Ask the assistant counselor * or other elders “who work hard speaking and teaching” for suggestions (1 Tim. 5:17). Focus not only on putting the lesson in the booklet into practice, but also on helping the audience strengthen their faith and apply what they learn. As a result, you will be happier, and so will your audience.
ILLUSTRATION:
A brother discusses a lesson from the “Be Better Readers and Teachers” brochure.
What goal may be within your reach? (See paragraph 17) *
18. What will help us achieve our goals in ministry?
All Christians have a responsibility to preach and make disciples (Matt. 28:19, 20; Rom. 10:14). Would we like to hone our skills on this important work? To do this, we can study the Teachers brochure and set goals that help us apply what we are learning. We can also find good suggestions in the Activity Guide for the Christian Life and Ministry meeting, and in the discussion ideas videos presented at the weekday meeting. Let's try different ideas to see which one works best in our territory. If we follow these suggestions, we will have the great joy of being better teachers (2 Tim. 4: 5).
ILLUSTRATION:
What goal may be within your reach? (See paragraph 18) *
19. What will help us develop Christian qualities?
Let's not forget that one of the most important goals we can set ourselves is to cultivate Christian qualities (Gal. 5:22, 23; Col. 3:12; 2 Pet. 1: 5-8). How can we do it? Suppose, for example, that we want to have a stronger faith. We can read articles in our publications that talk about that topic. It can also be helpful to watch JW Broadcasting® segments that tell about brothers who showed outstanding faith in difficult situations. Then let's think about how we can copy their faith.
ILLUSTRATION:
What goal may be within your reach? (See paragraph 19) *
20. What can we do to feel happier and less disappointed?
Without a doubt, we would all like to do more for Jehovah than we can do now. In the new world that God has promised, we will be able to serve him one hundred percent. As that day arrives, if we take advantage of the opportunities that are presented to us, we will feel happier and less disappointed. Most importantly, we will honor and praise Jehovah, our “happy God” (1 Tim. 1:11). So let us rejoice in what we can do for Jehovah.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How does the parable of the talents help us rejoice in whatever responsibility we have?
The parable makes us see that whatever responsibility is given to us, we must do our best and work hard. In this way we will be happy to be doing what Jehovah pleases and for the spiritual progress that we are sure to see.
How can we become better teachers?
We can study and put into practice the lessons of the booklet Let us be better readers and teachers. We can ask an experienced sibling like the assistant counselor or another elder for suggestions. And something that can help us when giving an assignment is not only to think about the lessons in the booklet but also to help the audience strengthen their faith and apply what they learn.
What other realistic goals can we set for ourselves?
We can set a goal to be more skillful in preaching, such as informally, we can also strive to improve in Christian qualities. There will always be things that in doing so will bring us happiness.
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