The Watchtower Study, "Article 40", Week of November 27 to December 3, 2023, Like Peter, Let's Move On, Answers.

The Watchtower Study, "Article 40", November 27-December 3, 2023, Like Peter, Let's Move On, Answers.

“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (LUK. 5:8).

1. How did Peter react when he miraculously caught many fish?

When Peter and those who were with him caught so many fish, they were greatly amazed. And at the same time Peter also felt unworthy and felt that he did not deserve to receive this miracle, since apparently he did not feel worthy of even standing before Jesus. That is why he exclaimed to Jesus that he would depart from him, because he felt like a sinful man.

As we can see, Peter was a fisherman and after working all night, he had caught nothing, but as we read in Luke 5:4,-9. Jesus tells him to row into deep waters and cast his nets there. Soon the nets were full of fish, and not only full, but they managed to fill two boats with fish, so full that they began to sink. Peter was amazed at that miracle, he felt unworthy of being with Jesus, because he considered himself a sinful man. Therefore Peter's reaction was very humble towards Jesus.

2. How does analyzing Peter's example help us?

This great example helps us analyze that Jehovah, despite our imperfections, continues to give us opportunities to continue making efforts in the face of weakness and negative feelings. And we say this because Jehovah does not want us to be perfect, but despite our weaknesses, Jehovah wants us to continue fighting and making an effort.

Peter felt like a vile sinner, in fact in the Bible, it is related how on different occasions Peter made mistakes that he later repented of, even so, Jehovah always kept him in mind and was one of his main servants, until the day of his death.

We today may feel like sinners and, like Peter, think that we are not worthy of Jehovah. But let's think about what we read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where it says, that all writing is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for setting things right, and for educating, so that the man of God may be perfectly qualified to carry out all kinds of good works. Analyzing these words we see that Jehovah does not expect us to be perfect. What he wants is for us to persevere, to continue fighting despite our weaknesses.

3. Why do we need to persevere?

We need to persevere, because even though we think we have already managed to overcome some weakness, we are vulnerable to suffering a relapse, and sometimes we can say or do something that we later regret. However, if we do not give up, as the paragraph mentions, Jehovah will help us continue to improve.

Perseverance is necessary because by repeating something over and over again, we can improve or master a weakness or an action that we do not want to repeat. But we must be careful, because even if we think we have overcome that weakness, we can relapse. Let us keep in mind what we are reminded of in the final part of 1 Peter 5:10, where it says that in union with Christ, he himself will make us firm and strong, and will put us on a solid foundation. Therefore, if we do not give up, Jehovah will help us improve AND continue to have the correct motivation to continue serving him.

And something interesting that we can highlight is the example that the paragraph gives us, since it is true that as the saying goes, "practice makes perfect", and here in the paragraph we see the example of a music teacher, and the The idea is that no matter how many teachers we are, we will always need continuous practice, and along the way, despite being a music teacher, we will continue to make mistakes and play thousands of notes wrong, but the important thing is not to give up and continue. practicing. The same thing happens in our case, we may think that we have already overcome some weakness and that we will never make mistakes again. But we must keep in mind that we may suffer a relapse, and with this in mind we must continue fighting to overcome that weakness.

PETER'S STRUGGLES AND BLESSINGS

4. How did Peter describe himself, and how did Jesus reassure him? (Luke 5:5-10).

Peter had a wrong concept of himself, he felt that he was worthless, for him he was, "A sinful man." However, Jesus did not see it that way, which is why he kindly told him not to be afraid, and possibly seeing the trust that Jesus had in him, made a deep impact on Peter.

Peter describes himself before Jesus as a sinful man. The Bible does not explain what sin he had committed. However, Jesus noticed that Peter was afraid, that he lacked self-confidence. But he knew that he could be faithful to Jehovah. For this reason, Jesus told him not to be afraid. These words and the trust that Jesus placed in Peter made him rethink his life, leaving fishing to follow the Messiah with his brother Andrew. 

ILLUSTRATION

The apostle Peter watches with fear and amazement as his boat begins to sink due to the weight of all the fish in the nets. Jesus listens to Peter carefully as another man tries to hold the nets. How would you react if you had an experience similar to Pedro's? (See paragraph 4).

5. What blessings did Peter receive for overcoming his fears and accepting Jesus' invitation?

Among the blessings that Peter received was that he had the opportunity to live magnificent experiences, for example he saw Jesus heal the sick, expel demons and even raise the dead. He also witnessed a vision of the glory that Jesus would have in the Kingdom.

Peter saw things that he would never have imagined, in Matthew 8:14-17, he details a wide variety of things that Peter saw, curing different diseases and expelling demons from some people in the city, who approached where Jesus was. 

In Mark 9:1-8 we see how Peter witnessed a vision of the glory that Jesus would have in the Kingdom, when together with James and John they accompanied Jesus to a mountain where Jesus was transfigured and his clothes began to shine.

And regarding that vision, Elijah and Moses appeared next to him and a voice came out of the cloud saying: This is my beloved son, listen to him. At that moment, Pedro was very scared. But as he himself acknowledges in his second letter chapter 1 verse 18: Yes, we heard these words coming from heaven while we were with him on the holy mountain. Which this event would definitely mark the rest of his life. 

6. Did Pedro manage to overcome his weaknesses immediately?

Of course not, and we say this because despite everything he had seen and heard, as the paragraph mentions, he had to continue fighting with his weaknesses.

When we read the passages about Peter, we understand that he was an impetuous man, and with many weaknesses. In John 18:10. We see how he cut off the ear of a high priest's slave. 

In Mark 9:33,34. We see how he got involved in an argument about who was the oldest. And in Mark 8:31,33, we see how he dared to rebuke Jesus, when Jesus told him that he had to go through much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the priests and the scribes, and that he too had to be executed.

And perhaps the most serious of all we can see in Mark 14:66-72, where we are told how Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus had predicted. Seeing this, we understand that if Peter could overcome his weaknesses, we can do it too.

7. After being resurrected, what opportunity did Jesus give Peter?

When Jesus died Peter was very discouraged. After resurrecting, Jesus gave her the opportunity to confirm his love for her, giving her the mission of humbly shepherding his sheep. And this made Pedro regain his spirits and react with enthusiasm.

In John 21:15-17, we see how Jesus invited Peter to shepherd his sheep. Peter without hesitation accepted that command and was among the first to be anointed by holy spirit in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

8. What serious mistake did Peter make in Antioch?

Peter didn't have a problem spending time and eating with Gentiles, but when Christians of Jewish origin who thought it was wrong to eat with Gentiles arrived in Antioch, Peter made the serious mistake of stopping eating with his Gentile brothers, possibly out of fear. to offend Christians of Jewish origin.

In Acts 10:34, we see how Peter understood that God is not partial, and demonstrates that people of all classes and nations can belong to his people, by allowing an uncircumcised Gentile to receive the Holy Spirit. From that moment on, Peter had no problem eating with Gentiles. But he showed a lot of hypocrisy, when some Christians arrived in Antioch who still thought that this was wrong. Peter then stopped eating with his Gentile brothers. As we see in Galatians 2:13,14, upon seeing this behavior on Peter's part, the apostle Paul rebuked him in front of everyone. 

WHAT HELPED PEDRO TO MOVE FORWARD?

9. According to John 6:68, 69, how did Peter demonstrate his loyalty?

On one occasion Jesus said something that his disciples did not understand. And because of this without even asking a question or waiting for Jesus to clarify this matter, many abandoned him. But Peter was very clear that the only one Jesus had "words of eternal life" was Jesus, for this reason, he did not abandon him.

Peter demonstrated immense loyalty when Jesus said something that his disciples did not understand. But still, he didn't move, and he told everyone that only Jesus had words of eternal life. 

10. How did Jesus show that he trusted Peter? (See also the image).

It is very common that when someone fails us, we never trust that person again, but Jesus did not think like that, Jesus understood that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak as mentioned in Mark 14:38. For this reason Jesus did not give up on Peter. Since after being resurrected he appeared to him, which surely helped him a lot to overcome the discouragement he had due to his mistakes. 

The last night that Jesus spent on earth, he already knew that Peter and the other Apostles would abandon him. Jesus, aware of this, told them to stay awake and pray constantly so that they do not fall into temptation. Sure, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Jesus knew it, that's why even if Peter failed him many times, his heart was not lost, he would recover and remain faithful. 

ILLUSTRATION

After being resurrected, Jesus comforts Peter. Why are we encouraged that Jesus trusted Peter so much? (See paragraph 10).

11. How did Jesus assure Peter that Jehovah would take care of him?

Jesus guaranteed them that Jehovah would take care of them, when once resurrected he made Peter and the other Apostles benefit again from a miraculous catch. Without a doubt, this miracle confirmed to Peter that Jehovah could easily meet all of his material and spiritual needs.

Keeping in mind what Jesus did for his disciples, we must do what Peter did, he left his fishing business, to give priority to ministry. We see this in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus encourages us to continue seeking first the kingdom and righteousness of God, and then we will receive all those things too. Peter, understanding this, from that moment on he helped many people, Samaritans and Gentiles, to become disciples of Christ. Peter was a valuable instrument in the hands of Jehovah.

LESSONS FOR US

12. How does Peter's example help us if we have been struggling with the same weakness for some time?

This example of Peter teaches us that we must lean on Jehovah and he will allow us to serve him, despite our imperfections.

Peter's example helps us understand clearly that if at any time our weaknesses seem worse than Peter's and make us think that the only solution is to give up, at that moment we can ask Jehovah to give us strength to go ahead. Since he can give us the strength we need.

We know that Peter made mistakes many times, but he always reconsidered, repented, and with the help of Jehovah stayed on the path of truth. Today, we too may be afflicted by a weakness that is difficult for us to face, but if we are humble and acknowledge it, Jehovah will strengthen us. For this reason, when we feel weak, let us make our own the words cited in Psalm 94:17 19, where he says: "If the Lord had not helped me, in a short time I would have died."

13. How can we imitate Peter's example? (Acts 4:13, 29, 31; see also image).

We can imitate Peter's example when at some point we have to face the pressure of man when we have to defend our beliefs, at that time we can ask Jehovah for help in prayer asking him to help us defend his word with courage.

We know that Peter fell and got back up, perhaps we find ourselves in a similar situation, we fall into weakness, and we get back up. When we are in that situation we can remember the text we have read and in which we have seen how Peter asked Jehovah for help to act with courage.

The paragraph shows us an experience in which a young man in World War II, through prayer, gained the strength to avoid giving the Nazi salute at school. 

14. How can pastors lovingly encourage those who are discouraged?

Jesus, like an excellent shepherd, prayed to Jehovah for Peter so that his faith would not fail. And then he told Peter that he had prayed for him and that he was sure that later he would be able to strengthen his brothers.

Jehovah and Jesus never give us up for lost. Peter denied Jesus three times, and still Jesus prayed for him. We can be sure that Jehovah and Jesus expect the best from us today. We will surely have to make difficult decisions in which we will have to pray to Jehovah so that he will help us, and we can be sure that he will do so, perhaps he will use pastors who will lovingly give us the encouragement we need to remain faithful.

15. How do Peter's and Horst's experiences show that Matthew 6:33 is always fulfilled?

The experiences of Peter and Horst show that Jehovah met the material needs of both Peter and his other Apostles, and in the case of the experience shown in the paragraph he has done so as well. And he will do the same with each of us if we put the Ministry first in our lives.

In Brother Horst's experience, he tells us how at the end of the Second World War, he wanted to become a pioneer but he did not have the money to be able to do it. So he decided to put himself in the hands of Jehovah, and go out to preach all week with the superintendent of circuit, at the end of the week he received an anonymous donation that allowed him to continue as a pioneer. 

These experiences teach us that if we put Jehovah first, He will always take care of us.

ILLUSTRATION

Images in which Horst Henschel as a child and his parents are recreated. 1. Horst timidly raises his right arm while other children raise their right arms high and do the “Heil Hitler” salute. 2. His parents pray with him. 3. A recent photo of Horst Henschel. Horst Henschel began serving full-time on January 1, 1950. Do you think he regretted dedicating his entire life to serving Jehovah? (See paragraphs 13 and 15). 

16. Why is Peter's example and letters worth examining?

It is worth examining Peter's example and letters, because they mention the training he received, which contains many valuable lessons for each of us. Peter mentioned some of these lessons and other matters in the two inspired letters he sent to the congregations of the first century.

Because in those letters there are many valuable lessons that Peter learned from Jesus, and they contain very valuable information for us today.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What weaknesses did Pedro have to overcome?

Peter describes himself before Jesus as a sinful man. He was afraid and lacked self-confidence. He was an impetuous man with many weaknesses. 

What helped Pedro not to give up and keep going?

Peter made mistakes many times, but he always reconsidered, repented, and with the help of Jehovah stayed on the path of truth.

What lessons do we learn from Peter's example?

Peter put the work of preaching first, and Jehovah rewarded him for it. It will do the same in our case if we put Ministry first in our lives.