Study From The Watchtower, Week of June 26 to July 2, 2023, Let's encourage each other in meetings, Underlined Answers.

Study From The Watchtower, 26-June-2-July-2023, Let's encourage each other in the meetings, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Answer.

Dark Yellow: Additional Answer.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

“Let us keep an eye on one another […], let us encourage one another” (HEB. 10:24, 25).

1. Why do we comment in meetings?

WHY do we go to meetings? The main reason is that we want to praise Jehovah (Ps. 26:12; 111:1). In meetings we also encourage each other in these difficult times (1 Thes. 5:11). Well, when we comment, we achieve these two objectives.

2. What opportunities do we have to comment at meetings?

2 Each week we have many opportunities to comment at meetings. For example, on the weekend we can participate in the Watchtower Study. And at the midweek meeting we can raise our hands in the “Discover the Hidden Pearls” section, in the “Congregation Bible Study” and at other times when our participation is requested.

3. a) What possible obstacles do we have when commenting? (b) How does Hebrews 10:24, 25 help us?

3 We all want to praise Jehovah and encourage the brothers with our comments. But there are some possible obstacles:  a). that we get so nervous that we do not dare to comment, or that we raise our hands many times but that they do not give us all the comments that we would like. In the letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the Hebrews, we find an idea that can help us. Talking about how important meetings are, Paul highlighted what we need to focus on: “Let us encourage one another” (read Hebrews 10:24, 25). b). If we keep in mind that we can encourage others with even a simple comment that expresses our faith, we will feel less nervous about raising our hands.And, if we can't comment as much as we'd like, we'll be glad to see others have the opportunity to do so (1 Pet. 3:8).

4. What three ideas will we explore in this article?

4 In this article, we will first look at how we can encourage one another in a small congregation, where there are few brothers and many opportunities to comment. Later we will see how to do it in a large congregation, where there are many brothers who want to participate. And finally, we will analyze how our comments have to be so that they really encourage others.

HOW TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN A SMALL CONGREGATION

5. What can we do to cheer ourselves up if we are few in the meeting?

5 In a small group or congregation, there are few who can support the leader of the meeting with their comments. Sometimes this brother has to wait a while for someone to raise their hand. This can slow the meeting down. And that's not very encouraging. What can we do in such a situation? We are pending to comment many times. This way we will encourage others to participate more.

6, 7. What can you do to control your nerves?

6 Just the idea of ​​commenting in meetings makes many brothers very nervous. If that is your case, what can you do? Why not look for ideas to help you control your nerves in order to further encourage others with your comments?

7 It may help to review some of the suggestions that have appeared in previous issues of The Watchtower. One of those suggestions is to prepare well (Prov. 21:5). The more you know the information, the easier it will be for you to raise your hand. Another good idea is to make brief comments (Prov. 15:23; 17:27). With fewer words, less nerves. Also, the brothers will find it easier to grasp a short comment, perhaps a sentence or two long, than to follow a long comment with lots of ideas. If you make a short comment using your own words, others will see that you have prepared well and understand the information.

8. How does Jehovah feel when he sees that we are doing all we can?

8 What can you do if after trying some of these suggestions your nerves only allow you to comment once or twice? Remember that Jehovah greatly appreciates that you do all you can to comment (Luke 21:1-4). But Jehovah does not expect you to push yourself too hard (Phil. 4:5). So determine how much you can give, get down to business, and ask Jehovah to calm you down. To start with, the goal might be to make a brief comment.

HOW TO ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER IN A LARGE CONGREGATION

9. What situation might arise in a large congregation?

9 If there are many publishers in your congregation, you may be facing a different situation. It may be that many times it is left without commenting because there are many brothers who want to give an answer. Consider Danielle, a sister who has always loved to comment at meetings. Commenting is very important to her because she sees it as part of her worship of Jehovah, a way to encourage others, and a help to impress Bible truths in her mind. But, when she started serving in a larger congregation, she didn't get as many comments, sometimes not even one. She recounts: “I felt frustrated. He had the feeling that she had lost a privilege.When they don't give you feedback too many times, you start to think they're doing it on purpose."

10. What could you do to be more likely to comment?

10 Have you ever felt like Danielle? If that's the case, perhaps you've thought it's best to hold off on raising your hand and just listen. But she doesn't give up. What could you do to be more likely to comment? Do not settle for preparing a single comment. That way, if you can't answer in the first few paragraphs, you can do it throughout the article. As you prepare for the Watchtower Study, think about how each paragraph relates to the topic of the article. So you always have something to contribute. Another thing you could do is prepare to comment on the paragraphs that speak of deeper Biblical truths (1 Cor. 2:10). Because they are more difficult to explain, there are usually fewer hands in those paragraphs.But what if you still don't comment after you've tried these suggestions in multiple meetings? Before the meeting you could talk to the brother who is conducting the study and tell him what question you would like answered.

11. According to Philippians 2:4, what can we do?

11 (Read Philippians 2:4). Inspired by God, the apostle Paul encouraged Christians to look out for the interests of others. How can we put this advice into practice in meetings? Remembering that others also want to comment.

12. What is a good way to encourage others in meetings? (See also photo).

12 Let's give an example to help us understand it. Isn't it true that when you talk to your friends you don't talk all the time, but you let them express themselves too? Something similar happens in our meetings. We want as many brothers as possible to comment . In fact, one of the best ways to encourage our brothers is by giving them the opportunity to express their faith (1 Cor. 10:24). Let's see what we can do to get many to comment.

ILLUSTRATION

A small group of brothers eating together. One of them is speaking and the others are listening attentively. In a conversation, we let others participate. Let's do the same in meetings. (See paragraph 12).

13. What can we do so that more brothers have the opportunity to comment?

13 On the one hand, keep our comments brief. So there will be time for more brothers to comment. Elders and other Witnesses who have been in the truth for years can set an example in this regard. In addition to being short, our comments should not contain many ideas. If you mention everything in the paragraph, others won't have much to contribute. For example, in this paragraph there are two suggestions: keep the comments short and don't include many ideas. If you are assigned the first comment in this paragraph, why not mention just one of these suggestions?

14. What can we take into account when deciding how many times we will raise our hands? (See also photos).

14 Be considerate when deciding how many times to raise your hand to comment. If we raise our hands all the time, the brother conducting the study may feel pressured and give us various comments even though others may not have had a chance to participate. Furthermore, others might think that it is not worth trying to comment (Eccl. 3:7).

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. In a meeting, one of the brothers in the previous photo raises his hand to comment. 2. Others then offer to comment and the brother decides not to raise his hand. When would it be wise not to raise your hand in the meeting? (See paragraph 14). 

15. a) How should we react if we have not been able to comment in the meeting? b) What should the brother who asks the questions keep in mind? (See the box “How to Run a Question and Answer Section.”)

15 When many brothers offer to comment, we may not be able to participate as much as we would like. The meeting may even end and we haven't commented once. Sure, that can be very frustrating, but a). we should not be offended (Eccl. 7:9).

How to lead a section with questions and answers

b). If you lead a part of the meeting with questions and answers, try to get as many answers as possible. How can you achieve that?

Don't talk much. Your introductory and concluding words should be brief. And, during the study, make only a few comments when necessary and appropriate. e You do not have to enter each paragraph before reading it.

After reading the question, pause to give more siblings time to raise their hands. Do not comment again to those who have already participated if those who have not yet raised their hands. Remember that even mature siblings can become discouraged if they are overlooked too many times.

Don't say, "I'm looking for new hands" or "Who hasn't commented yet?"

If you happen to lead a Q&A section at the end of the midweek meeting, try to remember who has commented earlier in the meeting to give others a chance to participate.

I kept an eye on the time. If you linger too long in the first few paragraphs of a lesson, then you will have to rush into the last part of the article, and many may be left without comment.

16. What can we do to encourage those who have commented?

16 Even if you don't get to participate as much as you'd like, you can always listen carefully to others' comments and congratulate them after the meeting. His nice words may encourage the brothers as much as the comments she wanted to give (Prov. 10:21). When we congratulate others, we also encourage them.

OTHER WAYS TO ENCOURAGE US

17. a) What can parents do? b) According to the video, what are the four steps to prepare a commentary? (See also note.)

17 What else can we do to encourage one another in meetings? If you have small children,  a). help them prepare age-appropriate comments (Matt. 21:16). In some meetings, sensitive topics are discussed, such as marriage problems or moral issues. Still, there may be a paragraph or two where children can comment. You can also help your kids understand why they won't be able to comment every time they raise their hand. If you explain this to your children, they will not be sad when you give the comment to others and not to them (1 Tim. 6:18). 

b). First step we must use good ingredients, that is, look for reliable information and Identify What is the question? Second look for the answer in the paragraph. Third, we can make some notes. And the fourth is to rehearse and with this we'll be ready.

18. What can we do to avoid attracting too much attention when we comment? (Proverbs 27:2).

18 We can all prepare good comments that honor Jehovah and encourage our brothers (Prov. 25:11). Although we can sometimes briefly comment on a personal experience, we should not talk too much about ourselves (see Proverbs 27:2; 2 Cor. 10:18). Rather, we must focus on Jehovah, his Word, and his people as a whole (Rev. 4:11). Obviously, if the paragraph question asks us to give a personal comment, it's okay to do so. In the next paragraph we find an example.

19. a) What will be the result if we think of others in meetings? (Romans 1:11, 12). b) Why do you like to comment at meetings?

19 While there are no hard and fast rules about how to comment in meetings, we can all work to make the way we participate uplifting to others. For some brothers this means commenting a little more. And for others it means being happy with the opportunities they have to comment and being glad that others want to respond as well. a).  If we think of each other at meetings, we will all enjoy encouraging each other (see Romans 1:11, 12).

b). Personally, I like to comment in the Meetings, because it is a way to encourage our Brothers and it is also a way to thank and honor Jehovah for this great privilege.

HOW DO WE SHOW THAT WE ARE CONSIDERED IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS?

When there are few hands raised.

This is a good time to participate, as that way the meeting will move forward and we will support whoever is leading the consideration.

When there are many hands raised.

In this case it will be better to wait for others to have a chance to comment. If we raise our hands all the time, perhaps the brother who leads studies will feel pressured and give us various comments, even if others have not had the opportunity to participate. Also, others might think it's not worth trying to comment.

When we prepare our comments.

We can all prepare good comments that honor Jehovah and encourage our brothers. Although sometimes we can briefly comment on some personal experience, we should not talk too much about ourselves.