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Yellow: Direct Response.
Dark Yellow: Additional Response.
Light Blue: Additional Points.
“Be strong and act like a man” (1 KINGS 2:2).
1. What should Christian men do to be successful?
KING David told Solomon, “Be strong and act like a man” (1 Kings 2:1-3). All Christian men do well to follow that advice. To be successful, they must learn to obey Jehovah's standards and apply Bible principles in every aspect of life.—Luke 2:52. Why is it so important for young brothers to become mature Christians?
2, 3. Why is it important for young brothers to become mature Christians?
2 Christian men have many important responsibilities in the family and congregation. If you are a young sibling, you have surely thought about the responsibilities you might have in the future. You may have set a goal to be a pioneer, a ministerial servant, and later an elder. You may also want to get married and have children (Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 3:1). To achieve those goals and be successful, you must be a mature Christian.
3 What will help you achieve spiritual maturity? What important skills should you learn and master? And how can you prepare now to successfully fulfill the responsibilities you have in the future? Let's see.
WHAT WILL HELP YOU BE A MATURE CHRISTIAN
4. Where can you find good examples? (See also the images).
4 Choose good examples. You can look at the many faithful men mentioned in the Bible who loved God and cared for his people in different ways. Surely in your family and in your congregation there are also mature brothers whom you can imitate (Heb. 13:7). Plus, you have the perfect example of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:21). As you consider all of these examples, think about the qualities you admire in each one (Heb. 12:1, 2). Then, think about what you have to do to follow in his footsteps.
ILLUSTRATION
A young brother meditates while studying the Bible. Series of images: 1. Jesus cries with Martha and Mary. 2. Pray. 3. he washes the feet of one of his apostles. If you imitate the excellent qualities of Jesus, you will become a mature Christian. (See paragraph 4).
5. What do you have to do to acquire the ability to think, and why is it important? (Psalm 119:9).
5 Acquire and protect “the ability to think” (Prov. 3:21). Men who have this ability spend time thinking before making a decision. So strive to develop this ability and not lose it. Because? In this world there are many young people who allow themselves to be guided by their own ideas and emotions (Prov. 7:7; 29:11). In addition, television, movies, the internet and social networks can greatly influence you. So what do you have to do to acquire the ability to think? First, you must learn Bible principles and think about why what Jehovah says is good for you. Then use what you have learned to make decisions that please Jehovah. (Read Psalm 119:9.) Developing the ability to think is essential to becoming a mature Christian (Prov. 2:11, 12; Heb. 5:14). Next we'll look at how the ability to think can help you 1) treat sisters and 2) make grooming decisions.
6. How will a young man who has the ability to think show that he respects his sisters?
6 The ability to think will help you respect women. For example, a young man may be interested in a sister and want to get to know her better. There is nothing wrong with that. Now, a young man who has developed the ability to think will not say, write, or do anything that makes her believe that he is interested in her unless he is really thinking about the possibility of marrying that sister (1 Tim. 5: 1, 2). Or, if he is dating a sister, he will protect her good reputation by never being alone unless accompanied by someone mature (1 Cor. 6:18).
7. What grooming decisions will a young man who has developed the ability to think make?
7 Another way a young person shows that he has learned to think as Jehovah thinks is by the clothes and hairstyle he wears. Those who design and advertise clothing generally do not respect Jehovah and lead immoral lives. Hence the clothes they design are very tight or make men look like women. A young man who is striving to become a mature Christian will consider Bible principles and the good examples of the congregation when deciding how to dress and groom himself. He may ask himself: “Do my decisions reflect that I have good judgment and respect the feelings of others? “Is it clear from the way I dress that I serve God?” (1 Cor. 10:31-33; Titus 2:6). Young people who acquire the ability to think not only earn the respect of their brothers, but also that of their heavenly Father.
8. How can a young brother learn to be trustworthy?
8 Be trustworthy. That means diligently fulfilling all your responsibilities (Luke 16:10). Think about the perfect example of Jesus. He was never careless or irresponsible. On the contrary, he did everything Jehovah commanded him, even when it was difficult to do. He loved people, especially his disciples, and was willing to give his life for them (John 13:1). Like Jesus, do your best to accomplish whatever task is assigned to you. If you don't know how to do it, be humble and ask a mature brother for help. Never settle for doing just the bare minimum (Rom. 12:11). Rather, finish everything that is assigned to you; do it “for the Lord and not for men” (Col. 3:23). Of course, you're not perfect, so be modest and own up to the mistakes you make (Prov. 11:2).
LEARN PRACTICAL SKILLS
9. Why should a young brother learn practical skills?
9 To become a mature Christian, you need to learn certain practical skills. These skills will help you assume responsibilities in the congregation, find and keep a job that allows you to cover your expenses or those of your family, and get along with others. Let's look at some of them.
10, 11. Why is it good for a young brother and for the congregation if he learns to read and write well? (Psalm 1:1-3; see also the image).
10 Learn to read and write well. The Bible says that the man who is happy and successful reads God's Word every day and meditates on it (read Psalm 1:1-3). In this way he comes to know how Jehovah thinks, and this helps him reason and think clearly. (Prov. 1:3, 4) Those kinds of men are needed in the congregation. Because?
11 Brothers and sisters need the help of men who will teach them and give them good advice from the Bible (Titus 1:9). If you know how to read and write well, you will be able to prepare interesting speeches and comments that strengthen the faith of others. On the other hand, when you study and listen to talks at meetings and assemblies, you will be able to take notes with which to strengthen your own faith and encourage other brothers.
ILLUSTRATION
A young brother attends a class organized by the congregation to learn to read and write. He takes notes and listens carefully. Knowing how to read and write well will benefit yourself and the congregation. (See paragraphs 10 and 11).
12. What will help you communicate well with others?
12 Learn to communicate well with others. This is an essential skill for all Christian men. It involves knowing how to listen and understand what others think and feel (Prov. 20:5). You can learn to pick up on what a person is telling you through their tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. You only learn this by spending time with people. If you always communicate through electronic means, such as email and messages, it will become increasingly difficult for you to talk face to face with others. So look for opportunities to communicate in person with others (2 John 12).
13. What else should a young brother learn? (1 Timothy 5:8; see also the image).
13 Learn to earn a living. A mature Christian should be able to support himself and his family (read 1 Timothy 5:8). In some countries, young people may learn a trade from their father or another relative, while in others they may learn it in some type of technical or vocational course. In any case, it is good that you learn to do something to earn a living.—Acts 18:2, 3; 20:34; Eph. 4:28. Work hard and don't leave things half done. This will make a good name for yourself, and you will be more likely to get a job and not lose it. The qualities and skills we've talked about will also help you meet other responsibilities you may have in the future. Let's look at some of them.
ILLUSTRATION
A young brother learns from an older brother how to repair a wooden floor. It is good that you learn a trade that helps you earn a living. (See paragraph 13).
PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE
14. What will help a young man prepare to serve Jehovah full-time?
14 You could serve Jehovah full time. Many brothers who are now mature Christians began pioneering when they were young. By becoming a pioneer, you will learn to collaborate with many different people and manage money well. (Philipp. 4:11-13) Why don't you start with auxiliary pioneering? That has helped many make the jump to regular. And that, in turn, can lead you to other facets of full time, such as being a construction servant or Bethelite.
15, 16. What should a young brother do who wants to be a ministerial servant or elder?
15 You could be a ministerial servant or elder. All brothers should strive to meet the requirements to be congregation elders. The Bible says that those who aim to serve their brothers in this way desire “very good work” (1 Tim. 3:1). To become an elder, you must first be a ministerial servant. Ministerial servants help the elderly in many practical ways. Both elders and ministerial servants humbly serve their brothers and preach with enthusiasm. A young man may qualify to be a ministerial servant even in his late teens. And a well-trained ministerial servant may be appointed an elder shortly after turning 20 years of age.
16 The requirements for ministerial servants and elders are in the Bible and are based on love for Jehovah, your family, and the congregation (1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Pet. 5 :2. 3). Although there is no secret formula for fulfilling them, one thing that will help you is to strive to understand what each requirement entails and ask Jehovah to help you fulfill them.
17. How can a young man prepare to be a good husband and head of family? (See also the image).
17 You could get married and be a head of the family. Just as Jesus said, there are mature brothers who decide to remain single (Matt. 19:12). But, if you decide to get married, you will assume the responsibility of being a husband and head of the family (1 Cor. 11:3). Jehovah expects a husband to love his wife and care for her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.—Eph. 5:28, 29. The qualities and skills we already covered in this article—such as having the ability to think, respecting women, and being trustworthy—will prepare you to be a good husband and head of a family.
ILLUSTRATION
A young brother helps his parents set the table before they all eat together. Jehovah wants the husband to love his wife and his children, and take care of them physically, emotionally, and above all spiritually. (See paragraph 17).
18. How can a young person prepare to be a good father?
18 You could have children. If you get married, there is a chance that you will have children. Jehovah’s example can teach you many things about what it means to be a good father.—Eph. 6:4. Jehovah had no qualms about telling his Son, Jesus, that he loved him and approved of him (Mark 1:11). If you become a parent, it is good to get into the habit of reassuring your children that you love them and congratulating them when they do things well. Parents who follow Jehovah's example help their children become mature Christians. How can you prepare now to be a good father? Treating your family and the brothers in the congregation with affection, and learning to tell them that you love and value them (John 15:9). This will not only help you if you get married and have children tomorrow, but it will also make you very valuable to Jehovah, your family, and the congregation from now on.
WILL YOU GET TO WORK?
19, 20. What must a young brother do to become a mature Christian? (Look at the cover images).
19 If you are a young brother, remember that you will not automatically become a mature Christian. You have to choose good examples, acquire the ability to think, be reliable, learn practical skills and prepare for the future.
20 When you think about all the things you have to do, sometimes you may feel like it's too much for you. But don't be discouraged, you can do it! Don't forget that Jehovah wants to help you (Is. 41:10, 13). And the brothers and sisters in your congregation will also be there to give you a hand. When you become the man Jehovah wants you to be, you will have a full and happy life. We love you very much and hope that Jehovah will continue to bless your efforts to become a mature Christian. (Prov. 22:4)
ILLUSTRATION
The brothers in the previous photos participating in spiritual activities with joy. 1. The brother who meditated is now preaching. 2. The brother who helped his parents set the table is teaching an older brother how to use his tablet. 3. The brother who was in the reading and writing class is doing an assignment at a congregation meeting. 4. The brother who was learning carpentry is operating a jigsaw on a construction project. Many young people have put into practice what they learned in the Bible and have become mature Christians. (See paragraphs 19 and 20).
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THESE VERSES?
Psalm 119:9
We can let Jehovah shape us through his word, or we can let this system and its rulers shape us.
It is an important decision, there is no middle ground, and we have the tools at our disposal.
Psalm 1:1-3
The Bible says that the man who is happy and successful reads the word of God every day and meditates on it. And of course he puts it into practice in his life.
In this way you can get to know how Jehovah thinks, which will help him reason and think clearly before making any important decisions in your life.
Those kinds of men are needed in the congregation. For this reason, young people must strive to cultivate qualities that bring them closer to being ministerial servants or elders.
1 Timothy 5:8
We learn the importance of the young man learning to earn a living, instead of expecting others to support him, a mature Christian should be able to support himself and his family.
We also learn that the young man must work hard and not leave things half done. This will make a good name for himself, and he will be more likely to get a job and not lose it.
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