Study of the Book of the congregation, Week of May 29 to June 4, 2023, Why dedicate yourself and be baptized?, Lesson: 47 point 4, summary, review and "Resolve this", Answers.

Study of the Book of the congregation, 29-May-4-June 2023, Lesson: 47 point 4, summary, review and "Resolve this"., Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 min.): lff lesson 47.

Are you prepared to be baptized?

From what you have studied in the Bible, you have already learned much about Jehovah. Also, it is likely that you have made some changes in your life to put into practice what you have learned. But something may be holding you back from dedicating yourself to Jehovah and getting baptized. This lesson discusses obstacles many students have overcome to get baptized and what you can do to get baptized as well.

1. How much should you know about the Bible before you are baptized?

As 1 Timothy 24 shows, to be baptized a person must have an accurate knowledge of the truth. That is, understand the basic teachings of the Bible.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As First Timothy 2:4 is saying, we have to have an exact knowledge of the truth, but that does not mean that we have to know everything by heart before getting baptized, but what we have to do is understand the basic teachings of the Bible.

We do see that even though we have been baptized for a long time, we have to continue learning as Colossians 19 and 10 tell us, it says that we must follow in a dignified manner, which is what Jehovah teaches us and increase in the exact knowledge of God, that is, we must continue.

And it is that it could stop the student from thinking that he does not have enough knowledge but of course if he understands that we who are teaching him also have to continue learning because there will be something close to what he can reach as long as he has that knowledge of the basic teachings of the Bible. 

2. What steps should you take before being baptized?

Acts 3:19 shows that before being baptized a person must repent and turn around. That is, to feel a deep sadness for any sin that he has committed. He, too, must ask Jehovah for forgiveness and flatly reject any wrongdoing, as well as be determined to live as God approves and become part of the congregation, meeting and preaching as an unbaptized publisher.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This means that you feel deep sadness for any sin you have committed and ask Jehovah for forgiveness.

It also means that you flatly reject any wrongdoing and that you are determined to live as God approves.

It means that the person who understands it meets and can begin to publish or preach as a non-baptized publisher, that is, he has a process of applying what he is learning in studies that are being given. 

3. Why shouldn't you let fear keep you from being baptized?

Jehovah does not expect his servants to be perfect, he will be happy if we do everything we can, and Jehovah will help us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah does not expect his servants to be perfect. On the contrary, he is happy when everyone does what they can to serve him. So there is no problem in being afraid thinking that we will not be able to fulfill what we have promised to Jehovah. If we are determined, nothing can separate us from his love.

Of course, because this is an issue that stops many from being baptized thinking that they would fail and then they say, well, I'm not going to dedicate myself and I'm not going to get baptized because I'm also going to make mistakes but that has also happened to people already. in antiquity and it continues to happen, in addition to thinking that we must also see that before Jehovah we have a responsibility and that this should not stop us.

Psalm 103:13, 14. Well, with that we want to say that perhaps we understand the fear that you have because it is logical but that Jehovah reads our hearts and he knows that we are made of dust and that we are imperfect, so if we fall into that imperfection he is going to help us get ahead and he is going to forgive us

Romans 8:38, 39 Well, peace and quiet to do what we have to do in the case of baptism because Jehovah will always be there Jehovah there will be nothing, no mistake on our part or anything we can do that separates us from his love for therefore we have to have that help from him.

If we put ourselves in the shoes of the student, they may be afraid because of course when someone is, for example, working in a company or belongs to a country, they can be punished as a worker or as a citizen for making mistakes, but this organization, Jehovah's, is not the same, Jehovah is not He is watching for mistakes, he is watching to take care of us and to support us. That is why when he talks about the love that he has for us, none of the things that we may suffer will mean that we will be separated from his love, so it is good to convey that even if the student is afraid, it is love is that it will be above what he may fear.

LET'S DEEPER INTO THE SUBJECT

Let's look at two things that will help you overcome any obstacle that prevents you from being baptized: getting to know Jehovah better and accepting his help.

4. Get to know Jehovah better

The young woman studying the Bible with a Jehovah's Witness.

To what extent do you have to know Jehovah before you are baptized? You need to know Jehovah well enough to love him and want to obey him. Watch the VIDEO to find out how Bible students around the world have managed to do just that. Then talk about the following:

VIDEO: The Path to Baptism (3:56)

According to the video, what helped some students to be ready to be baptized?

It helped these students to relate to the brothers in the congregation, also making drastic changes in their lives, reasoning about the things they really do in their lives, attending meetings, following biblical advice, praying and reading daily, and strengthen your friendship with Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Another thing that helped them was starting to preach as unbaptized publishers, seeing the Kingdom as real, knowing that Jehovah can and wants to give them a secure future and hope, understanding that Jehovah personally cares for them, accepting that being a Jehovah's Witness It is the best thing that can happen to a person, the reason is because it wins the love of Jehovah and the brothers and because it begins to form part of the people of God, and because in addition, Jehovah becomes a refuge for his servants, a Loyal friend and a loving Father.

Well, one of them was talking about what helped him to progress to this point to be ready for baptism, because it was prayer and also reading the Bible every day that brought him closer to Jehovah and making that good decision.

Other brothers said that what helped him was preaching, he went out to preach, taking the kingdom seriously and also becoming aware of how important the kingdom is to Jehovah.

From all the comments it is clear that in the end what one has to do is strengthen their relationship with Jehovah, get to know him better and that will automatically make one decide to take the step of baptism.

Read Romans 12:2 and discuss the following:

Do you have any questions about what the Bible teaches? Do you believe that Jehovah's Witnesses teach the truth?

According to Romans 12:2, we must verify for ourselves what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. In this way, we will be able to transform ourselves in God's way by renewing our mind. We do this by studying the Bible and meditating on its teachings, attending meetings, and praying. As we see, the Bible itself says how to eliminate doubts and shows that Jehovah's Witnesses teach the truth.

Well, he will have already seen what we are like, and perhaps he has also gone to the meetings, but now he has to try for himself and prove to Jehovah how he feels about his relationship with Jehovah, no one can give him that, no one has to prove it By himself. 

If you have doubts, what can you do?

Jehovah wants us to worship him fully convinced of what we believe. Therefore, if we have doubts, we should continue studying the Bible and delve into his teachings, putting into practice what he says, and seeing for ourselves the advantages of living according to God's standards. In this way we will verify that doing things in Jehovah's way is better than letting ourselves be carried away by blind faith or pure emotion.

Well, you must solve them, you can study, investigate more about those doubts you have and in that way, you will be convinced. 

5. Overcome any obstacles that come your way

We all face difficulties when we decide to dedicate ourselves to Jehovah and get baptized. To know a case, watch the VIDEO. Then talk about the following:

VIDEO: Love for Jehovah Overcomes Obstacles (5:22)

What obstacles did Narangerel have to overcome to serve Jehovah?

She had to overcome many obstacles. For example, giving up serving in the military, facing opposition from her father, overcoming the sadness that she was letting her family down. And unable to legalize her relationship, she had to choose between Jehovah and her boyfriend.

Well, it is Jehovah who can help a person to do what is right, he also speaks of cowardice that can be an obstacle for a person to do what Jehovah wants, that is why he says that we need power, love and good judgment to overcome that fear. 

How did her love for Jehovah help her overcome these obstacles?

Her love for Jehovah made everything I learned in the Bible take root in her heart. For this reason, her attendance at the meetings and her prayers helped her deepen that love and make the decision to be baptized without repenting, for what she was leaving behind. And although she loved her father and her boyfriend, she was totally convinced that her true happiness came from Jehovah.

Read Proverbs 29:25 and 2 Timothy 1:7, and discuss the following:

Where do we get the courage we need to overcome obstacles?

Proverbs 29:25 shows us that the courage we need to overcome obstacles can be drawn from the confidence we feel that Jehovah can protect us, and that he can give us a spirit of courage, power, love and good judgment, just as 2 Timothy 1:7 says so.

Proverbs 29:25 teaches us that the courage needed to overcome obstacles can come from trusting that Jehovah can protect us and from his ability to instill in us a spirit of courage, power, love, and good judgment, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7. These words remind us that by placing our trust in Jehovah, we can find the strength to face challenges with determination and wisdom, trusting that he will be by our side.

 6. Trust that Jehovah will help you

Jehovah will help you do what he expects of you. Watch the VIDEO and talk about the following:

VIDEO: Jehovah Will Help You (2:50)

Why didn't the student in this video dare to be baptized?

The student did not dare to be baptized because he was afraid of failing Jehovah and disappointing his family and others as well.

What helped you trust Jehovah more?

What helped him was understanding that he did not have to be perfect to serve Jehovah. He also had to accept that he was called and trusted in Jehovah, He would take care of the rest.

Read Isaiah 41:10, 13 and discuss the following:

Why can you be sure that you will be able to fulfill your promise of dedication?

We can be sure because Jehovah promises to give us strength, to help us according to what we need, to hold us firmly so that we do not feel fear, anguish, tiredness or weakness. And if we stumble, he will help us carry on.

7. Be Filled With Gratitude For Jehovah's Love

The more you think about how much Jehovah loves you, the more grateful you will feel and the more you will want to serve him forever. Read Psalm 40:5 and discuss the following:

What gifts from Jehovah do you value most?

Psalm 45:5 makes me reflect on what Jehovah has given me personally, and that fills me with gratitude and love for him, and makes me appreciate each of those gifts much more. Among them are physical food and spiritual food that sustain me and give me strength, there is also the privilege of being part of his people and being able to bear his holy name, among many other reasons.

The prophet Jeremiah loved Jehovah and his message, and he highly valued the honor of bearing God's name. He said: “Your words became the joy and happiness of my heart, for I bear your name, O Jehovah God” (Jeremiah 15:16). He now answers these questions:

Why is it a great honor to be a Jehovah's Witness?

It is a great honor, because bearing the name of Jehovah and proclaiming his message is a privilege like no other. When Jehovah names us after him, you are identifying us as part of his people and we become his special property because of what he considers us valuable and deserving of his blessings.

Do you want to be baptized to be a Jehovah's Witness?

If you asked me, I would say that I am completely sure and convinced that this is the truth and I am willing to give my life to Jehovah, be baptized, and be his witness for life.

Is there something preventing it?

No, having learned that Jehovah is our creator and that he wants us to be his witnesses, I have decided that nothing is going to stop me from serving him.

What can you do to reach the goal of baptism?

I have to make the decision personally and pray to Jehovah to be able to get baptized.

WHAT SOME SAY: “I am afraid of failing and not living up to what is expected of a baptized Witness.”

Do you feel like this?

Sometimes we might feel this way, but we must remember that Jehovah does not expect us to be perfect, he only asks us to love and trust him.

SUMMARY

With Jehovah's help, you can overcome any obstacle that prevents you from being baptized.

Review

How much do you need to know about the Bible to get baptized?

We must understand the basic teachings of the Bible.

What steps do you have to take before being baptized?

We must repent and change to do the right things that please Jehovah. That way we will be ready to be baptized. By doing so, we will be prepared to receive baptism.

Why shouldn't you let fear keep you from being baptized?

Because we have to trust that Jehovah can give us the strength to endure and face any problem that comes our way.