Watchtower Study, Week of January 23-29, 2023, Keep Your Judgment When Your Loyalty Is Tested, Answers Underlined.

Watchtower Study, January 23-29, 2023, Keep Your Judgment When Your Loyalty Is Tested, Answers Underlined.

Yellow: Direct Answer.

Dark Yellow: Additional Answer.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

"Keep your senses in all things" (2 Tim. 4:5).

1. What does it mean to maintain good judgment? (2 Timothy 4:5).

OUR loyalty to Jehovah and his organization can be tested when we experience difficult situations. What can help us face them? Keep your senses, stay awake, and stand firm in the faith (read 2 Timothy 4:5). How do we maintain good judgment? By staying calm, thinking clearly, and striving to see things as Jehovah sees them. If we do, our emotions will not cloud our reason.

2. What will we see in this article?

2 In the previous article, we discussed three difficult situations that could arise outside of the congregation. In this article, we will look at three difficult situations that could arise within the congregation that could test our loyalty to Jehovah: when we think that a brother has treated us badly, when we are disciplined, and when we have a hard time adjusting to changes in life. organization. If something like this were to happen to us, what can we do to maintain good judgment and remain loyal to Jehovah and his organization?

WHEN WE THINK A BROTHER HAS TREATED US BADLY

3. What might our reaction be if we think that a brother treated us badly?

3 Have you ever thought that a brother has treated you badly, perhaps someone with responsibilities? It is very probable that this brother did not want to harm him (Rom. 3:23; Jas. 3:2). Still, what he did hurt hurt you. Perhaps he has lost sleep thinking about it and has even wondered: "If a brother can do something like that, is it God's organization?" That is exactly what Satan wants you to think (2 Cor. 2:11). Such negative feelings could drive us away from Jehovah and his organization. So if he thinks a brother or sister treated him badly, what can he do to keep his senses and not think negatively?

4. (a) What did Joseph do to keep his senses when he was treated badly? (Genesis 50:19-21). b) What do we learn from his example?

4 Don't be filled with bitterness. When José was a teenager, his older brothers treated him badly. They hated him and some even wanted to kill him (Gen. 37:4, 18-22). They ended up selling him as a slave. As a result, José faced very difficult trials that lasted for about 13 years. He may have doubted Jehovah's love and wondered if he had abandoned him in difficult times. But José was not bitter. On the contrary, he maintained his good judgment and remained calm. And, when he had the opportunity to take revenge on his brothers, he did not do it, but showed them love and forgave them (Gen. 45: 4, 5). Why did he act like this? Because he managed to think clearly. a). Instead of focusing on his problems, he saw the big picture, he thought about Jehovah's purpose (read Genesis 50: 19-21).What is the lesson? b). If someone treats you badly, don't become bitter thinking badly of Jehovah or wondering if he has forgotten you. Rather, meditate on how he is helping you cope. Also, be willing to forgive and remember that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8).

5. How did Micah manage to keep his senses when he felt he had not been treated well?

5 Let's see the example of an old man from South America named Micah. On one occasion, he felt that some elders had treated him harshly. He remembers: “I had never experienced anything so stressful. He was very distressed. He couldn't sleep and he cried because he didn't know what to do”. Despite that, Micah kept his senses and struggled to control his emotions. He prayed a lot to ask Jehovah for his holy spirit and strength to endure. In addition, he was looking for information in our publications. What is the lesson? If you think that someone in the congregation has treated you badly, stay calm and try to control any negative feelings you have. There may be circumstances that have led that person to speak or act in this way and you are unaware of them.So tell Jehovah everything and ask him to help you see things the way that brother sees them. Doing so can help you give him the benefit of the doubt and overlook his offense (Prov. 19:11). Remember that Jehovah is aware of the situation and will give you strength to endure (2 Chron. 16:9; Eccl. 5:8).

WHEN WE ARE DISCIPLINED

6. Why is it important that you see Jehovah's discipline as a demonstration of his love? (Hebrews 12:5, 6, 11).

6 Receiving discipline can be very painful. But if we only focus on the pain, we might dismiss discipline as unfair or too harsh. We could also lose sight of something very important: that discipline is a demonstration of Jehovah's love. (Read Hebrews 12:5, 6, 11.) If we get carried away with our emotions, we give Satan the opportunity to attack us. He wants us to reject discipline and, worse still, to turn away from Jehovah and the congregation. If you have been disciplined, what can help you maintain good judgment?

7. (a) As shown in the pictures, what jobs did Jehovah give Peter after he accepted the discipline? b) What lesson can we learn from Peter's example?

7 Accept the discipline and make the necessary changes. On more than one occasion, Jesus rebuked Peter in front of the other apostles (Mark 8:33; Luke 22:31-34). How embarrassing Peter must have been! But he remained loyal to Jesus, accepted his discipline, and learned from his mistakes. And, as a result, Jehovah rewarded his loyalty and gave him great responsibilities in the congregation (John 21:15-17; Acts 10:24-33; 1 Pet. 1:1). What is the lesson? b). That it's worth looking past the shame of being disciplined, accepting the correction, and making the necessary changes. If you do, you will be more useful to Jehovah and his brothers.

ILLUSTRATION

Jesus rebukes Peter in front of other apostles. Series of images:  a). Responsibilities entrusted to Pedro over time. 1. Peter in a meeting with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 2. He visits Cornelius and his house. 3. he writes on a scroll.

Peter was humble and accepted advice and discipline, and thus he was more useful to Jehovah. (See paragraph 7).

8, 9. How did Bernardo feel when he was disciplined at first, but what helped him correct his thinking?

8 Let's look at what happened to Bernardo, a brother from Mozambique. He was elderly, but they discharged him. How did he feel at first? He recounts: "He was very hurt because I did not like the discipline I received." He was worried that the brothers in the congregation would think badly of him. Bernardo acknowledges: “It took me several months to see things from the correct perspective and to trust Jehovah and his organization again.” What did he help you?

9 Bernardo corrected his way of thinking. He explains: “When he was an old man, he used Hebrews 12:7 to help the brothers view Jehovah's discipline in a positive light. So I asked myself: 'Who has to put this verse into practice?' All the servants of Jehovah, and that includes me.” Bernardo did something else to strengthen his confidence in Jehovah and in his organization. He spent more time reading the Bible and deep meditation. And, although he still worried about what the brothers thought of him, he went out to preach with them and participated in the meetings. In time, he became an old man again.If you have been disciplined, like Bernardo, try to see beyond the embarrassment caused by the situation, accept the advice and make the necessary changes (Prov. 8:33; 22:4). c If you take these steps, you can be sure that Jehovah will reward you for not straying from him and his organization.

WHEN IT IS HARD FOR US TO ADAPT TO CHANGES IN THE ORGANIZATION

10. What organizational change might have tested the loyalty of some Israelites?

10 When there are changes in the organization, our loyalty can be tested. If we are not careful, we could even stray from Jehovah. Let us think of an organizational change that occurred with the advent of the Law of Moses and that affected some Israelites. Until then, the heads of the family were the priests of their house; they built altars and made sacrifices to Jehovah on behalf of their own (Gen. 8:20, 21; 12:7; 26:25; 35:1, 6, 7; Job 1:5). But, with the advent of the Law, the heads of families no longer had that honor. Jehovah appointed priests from Aaron's family to offer sacrifices. Thereafter, if a householder who was not a descendant of Aaron served as priest, he could die (Lev. 17:3-6, 8, 9). Was this change one of the reasons why Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and 250 chiefs of the people rebelled against Moses and Aaron? (Num. 16:1-3). We cannot guarantee it. Be that as it may, Korah and the men who supported him were disloyal to Jehovah. What can you do if a change in the organization tests your loyalty?

11. What lesson can we learn from the example of some Kohathite Levites?

11 Be wholeheartedly supportive of organizational changes. When the Israelites traveled through the desert, the Kohat family Levites had a very special job. Every time the camp was moved, some Kohathites carried the ark of the covenant in full view of all the people (Num. 3:29, 31; 10:33; Josh. 3:2-4). Tremendous honor! But, when the Israelites occupied the Promised Land, things changed. It was no longer necessary to be changing the site Ark. So, during Solomon's reign, some Kohathites were singers, others were porters, and others were storekeepers (1 Chron. 6:31-33; 26:1, 24). In the Bible it is not said that the Kohathites complained or demanded more prominent jobs, since they had had very special responsibilities in the past.What is the lesson? Wholeheartedly support any changes Jehovah's organization makes, even if it affects what you were doing up to that point. Enjoy whatever work is assigned to you. Remember that your value as a person does not depend on the responsibilities you have in the organization. To Jehovah, your obedience is more important than any assignment (1 Sam. 15:22).

ILLUSTRATION

Four Kohatites carry the ark of the covenant. Series of images: Responsibilities entrusted to the Cohatitas over time. 1. A cohatita singing. 2. Another cohatita closes a door. 3. Another cohatita keeps a stock count in a warehouse.

When the Cohatitas were assigned new jobs as singers, porters, and storekeepers, they gladly accepted the changes. (See paragraph 11).

12. How did Zaira feel when she had to leave Bethel?

12 Let's look at the case of Zaira, a sister from the Middle East. She highly valued serving at Bethel, where she spent more than 23 years. But then she was reassigned as her special predecessor. She recounts: “That change was a very hard blow for me. She thought she was worthless and wondered what she had done wrong”. Sadly, some brothers and sisters in the congregation made her feel worse because she told her: "If you had done better, the organization would not have let you go." For some time, Zaira felt so down that she cried every night. But she says: “I never doubted the organization or the love of Jehovah.” What helped you keep your senses?

13. What did Zaira do to overcome the negative feelings?

13 To overcome her negative feelings, Zaira read articles from our publications that talk about the situation she was going through. One that helped her a lot appears in The Watchtower of February 1, 2001, entitled “You Can Cope With Discouragement.” This article discusses the example of Mark, the Bible writer, who probably felt the same way she did about her changes in her service to Jehovah. Zaira confesses: "Marcos' example was the best remedy for my discouragement."She leaned on her friends, she did not isolate herself from her brothers or continue to think about her sadness. She understood that Jehovah's spirit guides her organization and that the responsible brothers really cared for her. But she also realized that the most important thing for Jehovah's organization is that the work he has commissioned is done.

14. What organizational changes did Vlado have to adapt to, and what helped him to do so?

14 A 73-year-old congregation elder in Slovenia named Vlado had a hard time accepting that his congregation was merging with another and closing his Kingdom Hall. He admits: “I didn't understand why they had to close such a beautiful salon. He annoyed me because we had just renovated it. I am a carpenter and had made some of the furniture. Also, the merger brought many difficult changes for us older brothers.”What helped you support the decision? He recounts: “Adapting to the changes that Jehovah's organization makes is always beneficial to us. This prepares us to face bigger changes in the future.” Are you dealing with the changes brought about by a merger of congregations or a new assignment? Don't worry, Jehovah understands how you feel. If you support the changes and remain loyal to Jehovah and the organization he is using, many blessings will come your way.—Ps. 18:25.

MAINTAIN GOOD JUDGMENT IN ALL THINGS

15. What can we do to maintain good judgment when difficult situations arise within the congregation?

15 As we near the end of this system, we are not surprised when difficult situations arise within the congregation that could test our loyalty to Jehovah. That's why we need to keep good judgment. If we think that a brother has treated us badly, let us not fill ourselves with bitterness. If we are disciplined, let's look past the embarrassment of the situation, accept the advice, and make the necessary changes. And when changes are made by Jehovah's organization that affect us personally, let us wholeheartedly support them and follow the guidance given.

16. What can you do to continue to trust Jehovah and his organization?

16 You can continue to trust Jehovah and his organization when your loyalty is tested. But to do this, you need to maintain good judgment, that is, remain calm, think clearly, and see things as Jehovah sees them. Make it a goal to study the lives of biblical characters who overcame similar situations and meditate on their example. Ask Jehovah to help you and never isolate yourself from the brothers in the congregation. Thus, come what may, Satan will not be able to separate you from Jehovah or his organization.—James 4:7.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO REMAIN LOYAL TO JEHOVAH AND HIS ORGANIZATION IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS?

When we think that a brother has treated us badly.

Instead of focusing on the pain it causes us, let's look at the bigger picture.

If someone treats us badly, let's not get bitter thinking badly about Jehovah asking ourselves if he has forgotten us. Rather, we must meditate on how he is helping us to bear the situation. Also, let us be willing to forgive and remember that "love covers a multitude of sins."

If we feel that someone in the congregation has treated us badly, stay calm and try to control any negative feelings we have. There may be circumstances that have led that person to speak or act like this and we are unaware of them. 

Let's tell Jehovah everything and ask him to help us see things the way that brother sees them. Doing so can help us give him the benefit of the doubt and overlook his offense and remember that Jehovah is aware of the situation and that he will give us strength to endure.

When we are disciplined

It pays to see past the shame of receiving discipline, accept the correction, and make the necessary changes. If we do, we will be more useful to Jehovah and to our brothers.

Let's accept the advice and make the necessary changes. If we take such steps, we can be sure that Jehovah will reward us for not straying from him and his organization.

When it is difficult for us to adapt to changes in the organization.

We can wholeheartedly support any changes Jehovah's organization makes, even if it affects what we were doing up to that point. Let's enjoy whatever work is assigned to us. Let us remember that our value as a person does not depend on the responsibilities we have in the organization. For Jehovah, our obedience is more important than any assignment.