The Watchtower Study, “Article 2”, Week March 7-13, 2022, What we learn from a brother of Jesus, Answers.

The Watchtower Study, “Article 2”, March 7-13, 2022, What we learn from a brother of Jesus, Answers.

1. How would you describe Santiago's family?

His father and mother, Joseph and Mary, were faithful to Jehovah and loved him very much. Santiago was blessed with his older brother, because he would be the Messiah.

2. What reasons did Santiago have to admire his older brother?

He had many reasons to admire his older brother, because Jesus was a great example for him, at only 12 years old, he amazed the elders of Jerusalem, because he knew the scriptures very well. "Jesus continued to grow, becoming wiser and gaining the approval of God and the people."

3. How did James react when Jesus began his ministry?

Santiago was not one of his disciples of Jesus, most likely he reacted like the others who said that Jesus was crazy.

ILLUSTRATION:

As a child, James watches as Joseph teaches Jesus the carpenter's trade.

As they grew up together, Santiago got to know his older brother Jesús very well. (See paragraph 2).

4. What two things will we discuss?

We will analyze two questions, 1) why should we be humble? and 2) How can we be good teachers?

LET'S BE HUMBLE LIKE SANTIAGO

5. How did James react when Jesus appeared to him after resurrecting?

Santiago reacted in the best way, because after that happened, he could be part of the governing body of the first century. James wrote, by inspiration, a letter addressed to anointed Christians.

6. What difference was there between James and the religious leaders of his time?

When Santiago had the necessary proof that Jesus was the Son of God, he accepted it with humility and faith. But the religious leaders of his time did not react in the same way. Rather, they tried to kill Jesus like Lazarus.

7. Why should we avoid pride?

Because pride hardens the heart, and thus it can cost us to obey God.

ILLUSTRATION:

Santiago working as a carpenter while the risen Jesus speaks with him.

James was humble when Jesus appeared to him and became a faithful disciple of Christ. (See paragraphs 5 to 7).

LET'S BE GOOD TEACHERS LIKE SANTIAGO

8. What will help us to be good teachers?

Our academic information may be low, but with Jehovah's help and the organization's training, we can also be good teachers.

9. How would you describe Santiago's way of teaching?

It was a good way of teaching, because I didn't use words that were difficult to understand, so people understood what they had to do.

10. What is one way to imitate James when we teach?

One way would be not to tell our students what we would do if we were in their place. Instead, we should help them reason out what they would do, with biblical examples.

11. What problems did some Christians have, and what advice did James give them? (Jas. 5:13-15).

Some of the problems that some Christians had was that they took a long time to put into practice the advice they were given, others showed favoritism to the rich, and others found it very difficult to control their tongues. Santiago advised them, he was very kind, and so he encouraged the Christians who were spiritually weak.

12. How can we be positive when helping a student?

We will be positive having the courage to be able to tell the student what they need to improve on. Of course we should also tell him the positive things he does.

13. What did James recognize? (Jas. 3:2; note).

He acknowledged that he never thought that because he was Jesus' brother, he was special or should be treated differently. 

14. Why must we be willing to admit our mistakes?

Because we do not have to make our students think that we are perfect, because the student will think that they will not be able to live up to the level that God desires. That is why we have to tell the student that it was not easy for us, Jehovah has helped us to change what is bad about us.

15. What were the examples James used like? (Jas. 3:2-6, 10-12).

His examples that Santiago used, reached the heart, this was because he received help from the holy spirit, but he also learned how to teach by studying examples that his brother Jesus used.

16. Why should we use effective examples?

Because when we use effective examples, we can help the brothers visualize what they are hearing.

ILLUSTRATION:

Series of images: 1. Santiago looks at the flame of an oil lamp while writing a letter. 2. A first-century Christian reads James's letter to the brothers in his congregation. The house is illuminated by an oil lamp.

The examples James used were simple, clear, and effective. (See paragraphs 15 and 16). *

17. Why is the example recorded at James 1:22-25 so effective?

It is effective because Santiago was clear about the lesson he wanted to teach, we must not only read it, that is not enough, we must put it into practice.

18. What three things must we do when using an example?

1) let's make sure that the example fits the topic we are dealing with; 2) let's use an example that people can easily relate to, and 3) make the lesson clear. If we find it difficult to think of suitable examples, let us consult the Watch Tower Publications Index.

19. How do we show that we love our spiritual family?

We can show it in many ways, we have to spend time with them, so we can also learn from them.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why should we be humble?

How important it is that we continue to allow God's Word and his spirit to shape our personality and influence our thoughts and decisions. Because James was humble, he let Jehovah teach him.

Why should we teach simply?

Let us teach in a simple way and base ourselves on the Word of God. Our goal should not be to show people how much we know, but to show them how much Jehovah knows and how much he cares about them.

Why should we use effective examples?

When we use appropriate examples, we help people visualize what they are hearing. Those pictures we paint in their minds will help them remember important truths from the Bible.