Congregation Book Study, Week of August 21-27, 2023, Lesson 54, Items 1-4, Support Your Congregation, Answers.

Study of the Book of the congregation, 21-27-August-2023, Lesson 54, Points 1-4, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 min.): lff lesson 55 points 1-4.

1. How can you support the congregation with your time and energy?

When we care for and serve the older siblings, we are showing a spirit of compassion, since by helping them with practical tasks, it will be easier for them. If we show a genuine willingness to serve and help them, the lives of our dear older brothers and those we support will be more bearable.

Another way in which we can support the congregation with our time and energy is by offering ourselves to clean and maintain the Kingdom Hall, it is also a practical way to contribute to the well-being and functioning of our local congregation.

In addition, something practical that we can do is set goals, since those who meet the biblical requirements can be appointed ministerial servants, or in time Elders in the congregation. These beautiful privileges from Jehovah involve serving in various capacities. For example. assist in teaching and preaching and taking care of the brothers in a spiritual sense.

Many of our dear brothers and sisters support the congregation with their time and energy in the construction of Kingdom Halls or facilities for worship activities. Our brothers who serve in this activity leave their comfort zone to help the brothers from other congregations by giving their time, energy and a lot of effort in order to help in this beautiful facet of the Ministry. 

2. How can we support the congregation with our money and other material resources?

Jehovah encourages us to use our valuable possessions wisely and generously, which brings honor and glory to his holy name. And we can do it by using our resources to support the congregation and to contribute to the work of global preaching. For example, these resources are used for the printing and distribution of Bible publications, in the organization of meetings and assemblies, as well as the training of ministers throughout the world.

LET'S DEEPER INTO THE SUBJECT

Let's discuss some ways you can support the congregation.

3. You can use your material resources

Do you have to donate a lot of money to make Jehovah happy?

Of course not, and we say this because Jehovah highly values ​​the motivation we have when giving our donations and offerings. 2 Corinthians 9: 7, encourages us to give generously, but the most important thing is that we do it from the heart and with joy. If we apply this text we will be demonstrating our love and devotion to God and his work. Since it is not so much the amount that we can give, if not the most important thing in the eyes of God, is the willingness and love with which we give.

Another text that highlights this point is Luke 21:14, in that passage Jesus observes how a widow gives two little coins of very little value. Jesus emphasized that this widow gave what little she had of her own thus showing her trust in Jehovah and an excellent willingness to put God's will above her own needs.

How do Jehovah and Jesus feel when we give because it comes from our hearts?

Jehovah and Jesus deeply value when we give with a sincere and generous heart, the Bible shows us that they highly value the willingness and love with which we give, since they are not interested in the specific amount, but rather the attitude we show when giving Our time, energy and economic resources in favor of his work.

Both Jehovah and Jesus recognize when we give from the bottom of our hearts and the personal sacrifice that this implies, since this action demonstrates our commitment and above all the trust we have in them.

To find out how our donations are used, watch the VIDEO. Then talk about the following:

VIDEO: A Donation for Jehovah (4:47)

How do donations we make benefit congregations around the world?

Our voluntary donations lead to the Construction of Kingdom Halls, and these Halls provide us with a dignified and adequate place for our meetings and worship, which is very important for the growth and comfort of the local congregations.

Our donations also make publisher training possible. Since the funds are used for schools that train publishers in effective preaching and teaching techniques, And this contributes to a better reach and understanding of the people to whom it is preached.

Thanks to our donations, we can help finance the printing and distribution of books, magazines, and materials used in preaching and Bible study. Which allows literature to be available and accessible worldwide. 

The donations we make support Missionaries and Traveling Overseers, and we say this, because these funds are also used to support Missionaries and Traveling Overseers who visit and support congregations in different locations, as this provides guidance and spiritual strengthening. in places of greatest need.

In case of natural disasters, our donations are also destined to help in risk situations, and this allows us to provide immediate help to our dear brothers and sisters who have suffered material losses, this includes basic necessities and immediate assistance.

4. You can offer to help

Jehovah's servants in Bible times enthusiastically supported the upkeep of places of worship, and not just with money. Read 2 Chronicles 34:9-11 and discuss the following:

What did all the Israelites do to take care of “the house of Jehovah,” that is, the place where he was worshipped?

The Biblical record of Chronicles 34:9-11 narrates the story of King Josiah and the effort to restore the temple of Jehovah, and there it stands out how the Israelites worked together to care for and maintain the house of Jehovah, not only giving economic resources, but they also did it through their dedication and personal effort to restore the place of worship.

To find out how Jehovah's Witnesses follow this biblical example, watch the VIDEO. Then talk about the following:

VIDEO: Let's take care of our places of worship (3:31)

Why is it important to keep our Kingdom Hall clean and in good repair?

There are many reasons why it is important to keep our Hall clean and in good condition, one of them is because being clean reflects the personality of Jehovah, and in this way we show respect for the place of worship, if we do so we will reflect his personality as a God of order and beauty, thus helping to create a propitious environment for Worship and study.

It is also important, because it protects the health of the attendees, since a clean and careful environment in the Kingdom Hall is essential to protect the health of the attendees. Having a clean space reduces the risk of disease and therefore creates a comfortable and safe place for Worship.

Another reason is that proper and regular maintenance of the Kingdom Hall will help preserve its structure and appearance. This means that it will last longer and require fewer costly repairs in the future, saving time and resources. 

When we keep our Kingdom Hall in good repair, we show our love and respect for brothers and sisters in the faith, as well as newcomers and visitors. In this way we express our desire to provide you with a pleasant and welcoming place for everyone.

Without a doubt, we all want to show love for Jehovah, and we do it by caring for and maintaining the Kingdom Hall. In this way we will be demonstrating our love for Jehovah, since we recognize that this place is where we gather to worship him, learn from his word and strengthen our bonds of brotherhood.

In what ways could you help?

There are many ways, one of them is by contributing financially through voluntary donations, since it is a direct way to support the maintenance and operation of the Kingdom Hall, since these donations can be used for maintenance expenses, repairs and other needs that arise.

Another way is by offering our time and energy to help with maintenance tasks, which is a practical and direct way to contribute. And this could include activities like cleaning, minor repairs, painting, and other jobs that will keep the place in good condition.

And if we meet the necessary requirements to support construction projects, we could support these construction projects, which would be a meaningful way to contribute. Since this could include the construction of new Kingdom Halls or the renovation of existing facilities.