DAILY TEXT, Today's Sunday October 16, 2022. Go and make disciples. Teach them (Matt. 28:19, 20)

DAILY TEXT, Sunday October 16, 2022. Go and make disciples. Teach them (Matt. 28:19, 20).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022

Sunday October 16.

Go and make disciples. Teach them (Matt. 28:19, 20).

We gladly use our time, energy, and resources to seek out those with “the right attitude to obtain eternal life” (Acts 13:48). Thus we follow the example of Jesus, who said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to complete his work” (John 4:34; 17:4). Our most sincere desire is also to complete the work that has been entrusted to us (John 20:21). And we want all our brothers, including the inactive ones, to continue working by our side until the end (Matt. 24:13). We must recognize that Jesus did not entrust us with an easy task. But we are not alone, because he promised us that he would be by our side. We obey the command to make disciples as “fellow workers with God” and “in company with Christ” (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor. 2:17). So we can make it. It is a great pleasure and a great privilege to fulfill our mission and help others to do the same (Phil. 4:13). w20.11 7 paras. 19, 20.

How did Jesus treat his apostles when they were discouraged?

We want to help inactive brothers to re-engage in the work of making disciples that Christ commissioned us to do. To see how to do this, let's remember how Jesus treated his apostles when they were discouraged.

Towards the end of Jesus' ministry on earth, when his death was imminent, the apostles abandoned him and fled (Mark 14:50; John 16:32). How did Jesus treat them in those moments of discouragement? Let's take a look at something he did shortly after he was resurrected. He sent some female disciples to tell the apostles that he had risen. He told them: “Don't be afraid. Go tell my brothers” (Matt. 28:10a). Although they had abandoned him, notice that Jesus did not reject them, but he continued to call them "my brothers." Jesus imitated Jehovah by being compassionate and willing to forgive (2 Kings 13:23).

What do we feel for those who have stopped preaching?

We also care a lot about those who have stopped preaching. They are still our brothers, and we love them. We do not forget all that they did for Jehovah in the past, some even for decades (Heb. 6:10). We miss them dearly (Luke 15:4-7). In what ways can we imitate Jesus and show them we care?

What is one way to show our inactive siblings that we care about them?

Inviting them with love to meetings. One of the things Jesus did when his apostles were discouraged was to invite them together (Matt. 28:10b; 1 Cor. 15:6). Today we can also invite the inactive to attend the congregation meetings. Of course, we know that it may be necessary to tell them several times before they accept. Surely Jesus was overjoyed when his disciples accepted his invitation, and we can feel the same joy (Matt. 28:16; compare Luke 15:6).

What should we do if an inactive person comes to a meeting?

Welcoming them with open arms. Upon meeting his disciples, Jesus approached them and spoke with them to make them feel welcome (Matt. 28:18). And we, what will we do if we see an inactive enter the Kingdom Hall? We must approach and give him an affectionate welcome. At first we may worry that we don't know what to say, but maybe it's enough to tell him—without making him feel uncomfortable—that we're so glad to see him.

How can we give encouragement and confidence to the inactive?

Giving them encouragement and confidence. The disciples of Jesus must have been overwhelmed at the thought of preaching to the whole earth. Jesus reassured them by saying, “I will be with you always” (Matt. 28:20). And he paid off, because soon after they were non-stop “teaching and declaring the good news” (Acts 5:42). Inactive publishers also need encouragement and confidence. They may feel very overwhelmed at the thought of going out preaching again. We can reassure them by telling them they won't have to preach alone and by offering to go out with them when they're ready. They will surely appreciate our support. If we see them and treat them as brothers, our congregation may enjoy the joy of seeing them revived.

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