The Watchtower Study Guide, “Article 34,” Week of October 28-November 3, 2024, How Love and Mercy Are Shown to Those Who Commit Serious Sin, Answers.

The Watchtower Study Guide,  “Article 34,”  October 28-November 3, 2024, How Love and Mercy Are Shown to Those Who Commit Serious Sin, Answers.

“In his goodness God is seeking to bring you to repentance” (ROM. 2:4).

1. When someone commits a serious sin, what is sometimes possible to achieve?

The expulsion of the sinner in Corinth was necessary, but it was not the end of his story. In 2 Corinthians 2:6:8, Paul indicates that once he has repented, the sinner must be forgiven and comforted to prevent him from being consumed by excessive sadness. 

Elders follow this pattern as they seek to recover those who commit serious sins. They use biblical principles to show compassion and offer loving correction, following the pattern of Jehovah who always seeks restoration, not condemnation. Jehovah’s kindness and patience, described in Romans 2:4, are powerful tools in helping people repent, allowing elders to serve as spiritual guides.

2, 3. What should we do if we learn that a brother has committed a serious sin, and why?

The first thing we should do is encourage him to seek the help of the elders. The goal of encouraging a brother to go to the elders is to give him the opportunity to correct his course before sin seriously affects his relationship with God. The elders are trained to provide the necessary spiritual help by acting as loving shepherds as taught in First Peter 5:2, where their work of caring for the flock is mentioned.

Isaiah 1:18 reminds us that even serious sin can be cleansed by Jehovah if the person seeks his forgiveness. However, if the brother does not take the initiative, our loyalty and love for him impels us to act by informing the elders so that they can intervene.

HOW ELDERS HELP THOSE WHO HAVE COMMITTED A SERIOUS SIN

4. What is the purpose of the elders when meeting with a person who has committed a serious sin?

The committee of elders is formed with the intention of reflecting the patience and love of Jehovah, whose objective is always the restoration of the sinner. Instead of being severe, the elders show empathy, since as we see in Deuteronomy 30:19, each person has the freedom to choose whether to accept or not.

In cases like that of King David, the correction was successful, because David repented from the heart and was forgiven. However, as happened with Cain, some decide to reject the advice and follow a path of obstinacy. Despite this risk, the elders act as shepherds, trying to do everything possible to lead the sinner back to Jehovah.

5. What advice should elders remember when meeting with the sinner? (2 Timothy 2:24-26; see also image.)

The counsel at 2 Timothy 2:24-26 stresses that elders should be gentle to all, able to teach and tolerant of evil. This attitude reflects Jehovah’s desire that no one should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

The elders, in treating the sinner as a lost sheep, demonstrate the same care that Jesus showed in the parable of the lost sheep. Their aim is to touch the sinner's heart, not to impose mechanical correction. Patience and kindness are vital, as some may be caught up in Satan's lies and need a safe environment to open up and acknowledge their mistakes.

ILLUSTRATION

A shepherd is out with his flock looking for a sheep that has gone astray. The sheep is caught in a thorn bush and has a wound on its leg. Like the shepherds of old, the elders do everything they can to recover the lost sheep. (See paragraph 5.)

6. How do elders prepare their hearts before meeting with the sinner? (Romans 2:4)

The elders' approach when meeting with a sinner is much more than simple correction. They follow the principle of Romans 2:4, which highlights how God's kindness is intended to lead the sinner to repentance. This principle guides the elders to show the same mercy and patience that Jehovah offers. 

The elders must remember their role of care and restoration, so before the meeting they spend time in prayer seeking Jehovah's guidance to understand not only the facts but also the influences and emotions that have affected the sinner. 

Proverbs 20:5 highlights that the motives of the human heart are deep and may not be immediately visible, which requires discernment. In addition, elders consult scriptures and publications to ensure that their decisions are aligned with biblical principles.

7, 8. In what ways can elders imitate Jehovah’s patience when meeting with a sinner?

The patience that Jehovah showed toward Cain, David, and the nation of Israel, is a powerful example for the elders. Despite the gravity of Cain's sin, Jehovah approached him in a reasonable manner, offering him the opportunity to correct his course before he made an irreversible mistake. Similarly, the prophet Nathan did not confront David aggressively, but instead used a story to touch the king's heart and help him recognize his sin.

Elders imitate this attitude by treating those who have sinned gravely with kindness and patience. 2 Timothy 4:2 advises them to correct with great patience, which implies not giving in to anger or frustration, always remembering that their purpose is to help restore the person. Calmness and patience can be the key to reaching the sinner's heart and motivating him to change.

9, 10. What can the elders do to help reason with a brother who has sinned?

To help a brother reason, elders should sensitively investigate the circumstances that led him to sin. The goal is to identify possible areas of spiritual weakness, such as a lack of prayer, study, or participation in preaching. 

In addition, through well-thought-out questions, without delving into unnecessary details, they can explore whether there have been external influences, such as bad company or entertainment that have fueled incorrect thoughts or desires. Understanding how sin has affected their relationship with Jehovah is key, since many brothers, when reflecting on the pain they have caused their heavenly Father, may begin to feel the desire to repent.

11. How did Jesus treat sinners?

Jesus is not quick to punish sinners, but gives them the opportunity to change before they face the consequences of their actions. Jesus demonstrated a merciful attitude toward sinners, guiding them toward reflection and change. 

When confronting Saul of Tarsus, Jesus did not immediately condemn him, instead using the question: Why do you persecute me? He touched Saul's heart, this question led Saul to realize that his actions were against the interests of Jesus, which began his process of transformation from persecutor of Christians to faithful apostle.

Likewise in Revelation 2:20,21 Jesus showed his patience toward Jezebel, stating that he had given her time to repent. This illustrates that Jesus is not quick to punish sinners, but rather gives them the opportunity to change.

12, 13. What can the elders do to give the person time to repent? (See also images.)

The elders do not rush to make definitive decisions about whether or not a person is repentant. While some people may show repentance at the first meeting with the judicial committee, others need more time to reflect and reconsider their conduct. By giving them this time, the elders can meet with the sinner several times, in the hope that he will eventually seek Jehovah's forgiveness.

In the process, it is essential that the elders show empathy and kindness, following the example of Jesus, as mentioned in Second Timothy 2:25 and 26. The elders should pray for the person, asking Jehovah to bless their efforts to bring the person to his or her senses and repent.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. Three elders are meeting with a brother. They are talking to him, but he is looking away. 2. On another occasion, the elders meet again with the brother. They are talking to him, and he is paying attention to them. The elders may meet more than once with the person who has sinned in order to give him time to repent. (See paragraph 12.)

14. When a sinner repents, who gets the credit, and why?

The merit of a sinner's repentance belongs exclusively to Jehovah, although the elders provide spiritual guidance and support, they are only instruments in the hands of Jehovah, who is the true agent of change, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:25.

Repentance is a gift that Jehovah bestows on those who have sinned. This change is not the result of human effort, but rather the work of God's Holy Spirit who touches the heart of the sinner and moves him to change his attitude and behavior. When a sinner repents, the results are remarkable.

Paul points out in 2 Timothy 2:26 that the repentant person comes to his senses, which means that he begins to see things from Jehovah's perspective, moving away from Satan's lies.

15. How can the elders continue to help the repentant sinner?

Repentance does not mark the end of the support that the elders offer to a person who has committed a serious sin. Pastoral visits are essential so that the brother or sister continues to grow spiritually stronger and does not fall again into the temptations that initially led him or her to sin.

Hebrews 12:12,13 encourages us to straighten the hands that hang down and the feeble knees and to make straight paths for their feet. Elders can provide practical and spiritual guidance through these visits.

In addition to helping them identify and avoid weak points that may lead to new falls, confidentiality is also key in this process. The elders should not reveal to anyone the details of the sin committed. Protecting the privacy of the repentant is essential to avoid judgment and unnecessary rumors.

“CENSORSHIP IN FRONT OF ALL PRESENTS”

16. Who was Paul referring to in 1 Timothy 5:20 when he spoke of “those present”?

Paul's advice to rebuke sinners before everyone present follows the biblical principle of handling matters discreetly and with love. 

This prevents gossip and unnecessary exposure by ensuring that only those who were already involved or affected by the sin are informed. 

This not only protects the dignity of the repentant sinner, but also reinforces confidence in Jehovah's organization where everything is handled with justice, mercy and respect for each person's privacy.

17. If the sin is widely known in the congregation or is likely to become so, what announcement will be made, and why?

When sin is known or likely to become known, it is necessary that the entire congregation be aware that disciplinary action has been taken. The announcement that the brother or sister has been censured is not made to publicly punish the sinner, but to protect the congregation and provide a serious warning to others.

Furthermore, this type of announcement does not reveal specific details of the sin, but it serves the purpose of demonstrating that one is acting firmly. At the same time, this announcement also helps others to take preventive measures in their spiritual life, serving as a reminder of the consequences of giving in to temptation and the importance of following biblical principles.

18. What do the elders do when a baptized minor commits a serious sin? (See also image.)

When a baptized minor commits a serious sin, the elders assign two of their number to meet with the minor and his parents. At this meeting they evaluate what steps the parents have taken to guide the minor toward repentance and correction of his conduct. If the minor responds positively to the correction of his parents and shows repentance, the elders may decide that it is not necessary to proceed with a judicial committee.

On the other hand, if the baptized minor refuses to repent or does not change his attitude, a judicial committee will be formed. In this case, the elders work together with the parents to make decisions that are in line with biblical principles, ensuring that the minor receives the necessary correction to protect his relationship with Jehovah and with the congregation.

ILLUSTRATION

Two elders meet with a baptized minor and his parents in their home. One of the elders is reading a scripture to them. If a minor commits a serious sin, two elders will meet with him and his Witness parents. (See paragraph 18.)

“JEHOVAH IS VERY LOVING AND MERCIFUL”

19. How do elders imitate Jehovah in dealing with those who commit serious sin?

The elders have the responsibility of keeping the congregation spiritually clean as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:7, but they do so with an attitude that imitates Jehovah's mercy. They not only focus on applying discipline, but also on helping the sinner find the path to repentance.

By maintaining an optimistic and positive attitude, you reflect the love and patience of Jehovah, who is very loving and merciful.

20. What will we see in the last article of this series?

The final article in this series will explain how elders should proceed when a Christian has committed a serious sin and shows no willingness to repent despite the elders' efforts to guide and offer spiritual support. Sometimes the person continues in his or her erring behavior, in such cases the correct action is to remove the individual from the congregation as directed in the scriptures.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?

According to Romans 2:4, what is the elders' purpose in meeting with a person who has committed a serious sin?

The goal of the elders is to help the sinner repent, imitating the goodness of Jehovah who seeks to lead people to repentance, not through imposition, but through mercy and love.

How can elders apply 2 Timothy 2:24-26?

Elders must be kind, patient, and gentle in correcting, helping the sinner calmly and discerningly to regain his senses and escape the traps of Satan.

What does the instruction “Censorship in front of all those present” mean?

This instruction means that the elders are to correct the sinner in front of those who already know about the sin, not necessarily before the entire congregation, to avoid rumors and ensure that action has been taken.