DAILY TEXT, Tuesday November 29, 2022 Everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak (James 1:19).
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Tuesday November 29
Everyone must be quick to listen but slow to speak (James 1:19).
When accompanying a publisher to a Bible course, listen carefully to both teacher and student. Only then will we be ready to help if necessary. Of course, we must be careful not to talk too much, interrupt the teacher's explanation or stray from the topic. But in a brief way we can use a comment, an example or a question to make the point that is being analyzed clear. Sometimes we may not feel like we can contribute much to the study. But if we congratulate the person and take an interest in him, we will help him to progress. If we see fit, we could briefly tell you how we learned the truth, how we overcame a difficulty, or how we have seen the hand of Jehovah in our lives.—Ps. 78:4, 7. This may be just what the student needs to hear. Perhaps it will strengthen your faith or encourage you to take steps that lead to baptism. w21.03 10 pars. 9, 10.
Why should we warmly welcome students who attend meetings?
In order for a student to progress and become baptized, he must regularly attend meetings and take advantage of them (Heb. 10:24, 25). It is likely that the first time a student attends a meeting at the Kingdom Hall it is because his teacher invited him. So we can all encourage you to keep coming. How can we do it?
We welcome the student with love (Rom. 15:7). If we make the student feel welcome at the Kingdom Hall, he may want to keep coming. Let's greet him with affection and introduce him to other brothers, but without overwhelming him. Let's not assume that someone is taking care of him; maybe his teacher hasn't arrived yet or is busy attending to some responsibilities. Let's pay attention to what he says and take an interest in him. What effect can all this have? Let's see what Dimitri says, who was baptized just a few years ago and is already a ministerial servant. Recalling his first meeting, he recounts: “I stood outside the Kingdom Hall waiting nervously. A brother saw me and very kindly took me inside. He surprised me that many came to greet me. I was so delighted that I wished there were meetings every day.
What effect can our behavior have on students?
Let's set a good example. Our conduct can help convince a student that he has found the truth (Matt. 5:16). Vitali, a pioneer from Moldova, relates: “By looking at how the brothers in the congregation lived, thought, and behaved, I became convinced that Jehovah's Witnesses are the true religion.”
How could our example help someone continue to progress?
If a student wants to qualify for baptism, he must put into practice what he is learning. That is not always easy. But when he sees how putting Bible principles into practice benefits us, he may be moved to follow our example (1 Cor. 11:1). Let's look at the case of Hanae, mentioned in paragraph 8. She remembers: “The brothers were a living reflection of what I was learning. Watching them, I learned to encourage others, to forgive, and to show love. They always had something good to say about others. I wanted to be like them."
In harmony with Proverbs 27:17, why should we make friends with the students who attend the meetings?
Let's become friends with the student. Every time the student attends the meetings, let us show personal interest in him (Phil. 2:4). Without invading his privacy, we could try to get to know him better by asking about his family, his job, or how he's doing in Bible study. We can also congratulate him on any positive changes he has made. Thus we could become friends with the student and help him progress and reach baptism (read Proverbs 27:17). Hanae, who is now a regular pioneer, explains how she felt when she started attending meetings: “As she made friends in the congregation, the more she wanted to go to meetings. I didn't miss them even if I was very tired. I enjoyed being with my new friends, and this helped me cut off friendships with people who didn't share my beliefs.
What else can we do to make a student feel comfortable in the congregation?
As the student progresses, let's make them feel like they are part of the congregation. One way to do this is by showing him hospitality (Heb. 13:2). Denis, a brother serving in Moldova, recalls the following from studying the Bible: “On many occasions, the brothers would invite my wife and me to spend time with them. He encouraged us to tell us how Jehovah had helped them in their lives. Those moments helped us to be convinced that we wanted to serve Jehovah and that he had a wonderful life ahead of us.” When a student becomes a publisher, we can invite him to preach with us. A brother from Brazil named Diego says: “Many brothers invited me to go out and preach. It was the best way to get to know them well. I learned a lot that way and got closer to Jehovah and Jesus.”
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