Study of the Book of the congregation, Week 8 to July 14, 2024, Chapter 12, paragraphs 7-13 and Box on page. 97, Answers.

Study of the Book of the congregation, July 8-14, 2024, Chapter 12, paragraphs 7-13 and Box on page. 97, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 mins.) bt chap. 12 paras. 7-13 and box on p. 97.

7. a) What effect does good news have on people? 

The effect of good news on people can be diverse, in iconio not everyone accepted the message with pleasure. In Acts chapter 14 verse 2, Luke relates that the Jews who did not believe stirred up the people of the Nations, and turned them against the brothers. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Despite this, Paul and Barnabas decided to stay and defend the good news by speaking courageously for quite some time, the result was a division in the city, the people of the city were divided, some were in favor of the Jews and others in favor of the Apostles. .

Today good news can have a similar effect, uniting some people and dividing others, just as Jesus predicted in Matthew chapter 10 verses 34 to 36.

The opposition of some family members may be due to rumors or lies they have heard about Christians. However, through exemplary behavior, Christians can show the falsity of their comments and, over time, change the attitude of their family members.

7. b) If a family member objects to your obedience to Jehovah, what should you remember?

If a family member opposes us obeying Jehovah, it is important to remember that many times this opposition arises because they believe in unfounded rumors or lies about Jehovah's Witnesses. In these cases, good behavior and positive example can play a crucial role. as mentioned in 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 12. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

By maintaining excellent behavior and showing love and respect, your family members may realize that the negative comments are false, and over time they will change their attitude.

Patience, perseverance and good example can be powerful instruments to positively influence them and reduce opposition.

When some family members place themselves at our obedience, we must remember that this type of position is not new. In biblical times, such as at Iconium, good news caused division among the people. Likewise, today the message can unite some and divide others. For this reason, it is crucial to remain firm in our faith and continue with courage knowing that our good behavior can help our family members eventually recognize the truth and change their minds. 

8. Why did Paul and Barnabas leave Iconium, and what do we learn from what they did?

Paul and Barnabas left iconium because the opposition against them became dangerous, the people who did not believe in their message hatched a plan to stone them and when they found out about this threat, they decided to go preach Paul's response elsewhere. and Barnabas to the opposition in iconium, teaches us the importance of being brave but also prudent.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We must speak with courage when we are verbally attacked, but also be willing to avoid dangerous situations that could harm us or our brothers, this combination of courage and wisdom is essential to carry out our mission of preaching and defending our faith effectively. .

Paul and Barnabas left Iconium, because they learned that the people who opposed them were planning to stone them. When they found out, they decided to move to another city to continue their preaching. This teaches us the importance of acting prudently, while we must be brave when faced with verbal attacks, it is also important to avoid unnecessary danger, taking into account the warnings of Proverbs 22:3, about foreseeing evil and hiding. 

They are preached to “return to the living God” (Acts 14:8-19)

9, 10. Where was the city of Lystra, and what do we know about its inhabitants?

Lystra was located about 30 km or 20 miles southwest of iconium, it was a Roman colony that maintained strong ties with Antioch of Syria, as there was no synagogue Paul and Barnabas began to preach in a public place.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The residents of Lystra spoke Greek, although their native language was Lycaonian. Due to the absence of a Synagogue, Paul and Barnabas preached in a public space and Paul performed a miracle healing a man with crippled feet from birth, similar to Peter's miracle in Jerusalem.

Furthermore, the people of Lystra worshiped other gods and when they saw that the crippled man had jumped to his feet, they thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods, they believed that Barnabas was Zeus, the supreme God of the Greeks, and that Paul was Hermes. 

Paul and Barnabas wanted to make it clear that they were not gods, but that the power and authority to perform the miracle came from the one true god Jehovah.  

ANSWERS BASED ON THE BOX: LISTRA AND THE CULT OF ZEUS AND HERMES.

List a Roman colony in a valley off the main routes was established by Caesar Augustus as Julia Felix gemina lustre.

Although it followed Roman laws and titles, its culture was more Lycaonic reflected in the use of the Lycaonic language.

Archaeologists found near Lystra a statue of Hermes, inscriptions from priests of Zeus and an altar dedicated to both gods. A Roman legend told by Ovid explains the reaction of the inhabitants.

 According to legend, Jupiter, Zeus and Mercury Hermes visited Phrygia disguised as mortals and after being rejected by many they were only welcomed by an elderly couple Philemon and Baucis, as a reward the gods transformed their hut into a temple and destroyed the others' houses, This legend may have influenced the people of Lystra to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas after the miracle, having similar consequences.

11-13. a) What did Paul and Barnabas say to the people of Lystra? 

Paul and Barnabas told the people of Lystra that they were also humans with the same weaknesses, they explained to them that they were preaching the good news so that they would abandon useless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea and everything that is in them. 

They reminded them that although in the past God allowed each nation to go their way, he did not stop bearing witness to himself by doing good things, giving them rain from heaven, abundant harvests, enough food and filling their hearts with joy. 

11-13. b) What lesson does what Paul and Barnabas said teach us?

What Paul and Barnabas said teaches us several important lessons about how to preach to non-Christians. First, they did not treat the listless people as if they believed themselves superior, but rather they humbly admitted that they were also humans with limitations. They knew that the blessings that they had received for obeying Christ, would also be available to the people of Lystra and obeyed Christ. This humility and sincerity are essential when we preach, since our goal is not to receive glory, but to help people turn to the living God.

They taught the importance of being humble and empathetic when preaching to those who are not Christians, they did not present themselves as superior, but rather they recognized their own weaknesses and identified with their audience which allowed them to connect better with them. By showing themselves as equals, they made it easier for people to hear their message, without feeling judged or inferior, which is essential to reach people's hearts and help them get closer to God.