Watchtower Study, Week of March 17-23, 2025, Make decisions that please Jehovah, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, March 17-23, 2025, Make Decisions That Please Jehovah, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (PROV. 9:10).

1. What do we all have to do, and why is it not always easy?

EVERY day we have to make decisions. Some are relatively easy to take, like what we are going to have for breakfast or what time we are going to go to sleep. But there are other decisions that are more difficult to make. For example, those that have to do with our health, our happiness, our family or our worship of God. We want our decisions to be good for us and our family, but our greatest desire is for them to please Jehovah. (Rom. 12:1, 2).

2. What steps will help you make good decisions?

2 In this article we are going to analyze three steps that can help you make good decisions: 1) know all the information, 2) consider what Jehovah thinks about the matter, and 3) weigh the options. We will also see what we can do to train our capacity for discernment (Prov. 2:11).

KNOW ALL THE INFORMATION

3. Explain with an example why it is necessary to know all the information before making a decision.

3 The first step to making a wise decision is to know all the information. Why is it important? Let's imagine that a patient goes to the doctor because he has a serious health problem. Would the doctor decide what treatment to give without first examining the patient or asking questions? Of course not. In the same way, you will make better decisions if you first analyze all the information that has to do with the situation in which you find yourself. How can you do it?

4. According to Proverbs 18:13, how can you make sure you know all the information? (See also images).

4 Asking questions will usually help you learn the information you need to know. For example, imagine you are invited to a social gathering. Should I attend? If you don't know the host well or what their plans are, you'll want to ask questions like these: “Where and when will the meeting be? How many people will there be? Who will supervise it? Who will attend? What activities have been planned? Will alcoholic beverages be served?” The answers to these questions will help you make a good decision. (it’s Proverbs 18:13).

ILLUSTRATION

A young brother asks his friends about a party invitation that arrived on their phones.

Learn all the information by asking questions. (See paragraph 4).

5. What should you do once you know all the information?

5 Once you know all the information, try to see the whole picture. For example, what if you learn that the meeting will be attended by people who do not respect biblical principles or that alcoholic beverages will be served without supervision? Is there a risk that the meeting could get out of hand and turn into an uncontrolled party? (1 Pet. 4:3). Or what should you do if attending that event will mean missing your congregation meeting or not being able to go preach? Seeing the whole picture will make it easier for you to make a good decision. But that's just the first step. You must do something else. You already know how you see the situation; But what does Jehovah think? (Prov. 2:6).

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT JEHOVAH THINKS

6. According to James 1:5, why should we ask Jehovah to help us?

6 Ask Jehovah to help you understand his point of view. He promises to give wisdom “generously to all and without reproach” (read James 1:5). That wisdom will allow us to understand whether a certain decision will please you or not.

7. How can you know what Jehovah thinks? Give an example.

7 After praying for Jehovah's guidance, be very attentive to his response. Let's take an example. If you are on a trip and get lost, perhaps ask someone who lives in the area for help. But wouldn't he just leave before I gave him an answer? What I would do is listen very carefully to their instructions. Similarly, after asking Jehovah for wisdom, try to “listen” to his response by looking for what Bible standards and principles relate to your situation. Let's think again about the invitation to attend the social gathering we talked about earlier. When deciding whether to go, you can consider what the Bible says about wild partying, bad company, and the importance of putting the Kingdom above your personal preferences. (Mat. 6:33; Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 15:33).

8. What can you do if you need help finding the information you are looking for? (See also the image).

8 Now, sometimes you may need help finding the information you are looking for. An experienced brother or sister might be able to give you suggestions or ideas. But it's good that you also do your own research. There is a ton of information in our study tools, such as the Study Guide for Jehovah's Witnesses and the Bible Texts for Christian Living book. Remember that your goal is to make a decision that pleases Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

The young brother in the previous image reading lesson 35 of the book “Enjoy life”.

Consider what Jehovah thinks. (See paragraph 8).

9. How can we be sure that our decision pleases Jehovah? (Ephesians 5:17).

9 How can we be sure that our decision pleases Jehovah? First of all, we have to know it well. Proverbs 9:10 says that “the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” That means that to have true understanding we must know Jehovah's qualities, his purpose, and what he loves and hates. Ask yourself: “Given what I know about Jehovah, what decision will please you?” (read Ephesians 5:17).

10. Why are biblical principles more important to us than family traditions or local customs?

10 To please Jehovah, we sometimes have to do things that disappoint our family or friends. For example, well-meaning parents may pressure their daughter to marry a man who has money or can pay them a good dowry even though he is not spiritually strong. Of course, it is normal for them to want their daughter not to be in need. But who is going to help her strengthen her friendship with God? What does Jehovah think of the matter? We find the answer in Matthew 6:33, where Christians are encouraged to continue “seeking first the Kingdom.” Although we honor our parents and respect the people in our community, the most important thing for us is to make Jehovah happy.

WEIGH THE OPTIONS

11. According to Philippians 1:9, 10, what quality will help you weigh your options?

11 After analyzing the Bible principles related to your decision, you need to weigh or evaluate your options (read Philippians 1:9, 10). How can you do that? Use discernment to anticipate the possible outcome of each option. Sometimes it will be easy to make a decision, but there will be other times when it is not so clear what is best. Well, discernment will help you make good decisions even in complex situations.

12, 13. How can discernment help you make a good decision about work?

12 Imagine the following situation. He is looking for a job to support his family and finds two possible jobs. Analyze all the information well, such as the type of work, schedule, distance and things like that. The jobs themselves are not something the Bible prohibits. Maybe you prefer one option because you like the type of work better or because it pays more. But there are other factors you should consider before making a decision.

13 For example, would either job prevent you from attending some meetings? Would it take away from time you need to care for your family's emotional and spiritual needs? Asking yourself these kinds of questions will help you put the most important things your worship of Jehovah and the needs of your family above material advantages. Then you can make a decision that has Jehovah's blessing.

14. How will discernment and love help us not cause others to stumble?

14 Discernment also makes us think about the effect our decision may have on other people, and thus avoid things that “make others stumble.” (Phil. 1:10). This is important when we make personal decisions about things like how we dress and groom ourselves. For example, maybe we like a certain style. But what if what we like is offensive to someone, whether inside or outside the congregation? Discernment will help us respect their feelings. And love will drive us to seek the benefit of “others” and to be modest. (1 Cor. 10:23, 24, 32; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10). This way we will make a decision that shows that we love and respect others.

15. What should you think about before making an important decision?

15 If it is a very important decision, think about everything it will take to carry it out. Jesus taught us to “count the expenses” (Luke 14:28). So think about the amount of time, resources and efforts you would have to put into achieving what you have decided. In some cases it will be good to discuss the matter with your family to see what each person would need to do to support the decision. Why is all that planning useful? Because maybe it will help you see that you need to make some small adjustments to your decision or that there is a better option. Additionally, if you ask your family members for their opinion and listen to what they have to say, they will be more willing to help make the decision a success. (Prov. 15:22)

MAKE A DECISION THAT WORKS WELL

16. What steps should you take to make your decision go well? (See also the sidebar “How to make good decisions.”)

16 If you have followed the steps we have mentioned, you are ready to make a wise decision. You now know all the information and have analyzed the principles that will make your choice pleasing to Jehovah. So now you can ask Jehovah to help you make everything go well.

17. What is the key to making good decisions?

17 You may have made many decisions in the past that turned out well. Still, remember that the key to making good decisions is not to rely on your intelligence or experience, but to rely on the wisdom that comes from Jehovah. He is the only one who can give you true knowledge, understanding and discernment, which are the main ingredients of wisdom (Prov. 2:1-5). That's right, Jehovah can help you make decisions that please him (Ps. 23:2, 3).

HOW DO THESE BIBLICAL TEXTS HELP YOU MAKE GOOD DECISIONS?

Proverbs 18:13

It tells us that, to make a wise decision, it is important to know all the information. Usually, asking questions will help us learn the information we need to know.

Ephesians 5:17

It tells us that we have to understand what Jehovah's will is and, to do that, we have to know him well. Proverbs 9:10 says that “the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” That means that to have true understanding, we must know Jehovah's qualities, his purpose, and what he loves and hates. To please Jehovah, we sometimes have to make decisions that disappoint our family or friends.

Philippians 1:9, 10

Using discernment will help us anticipate the possible outcome of each option. Sometimes it will be easy to make a decision, but there will be other times when it is not so clear what is best. Well, discernment will help us make good decisions, even in complex situations.