Watchtower Study, Week of May 19-25, 2025, Let's Imitate Jesus and Preach with Enthusiasm, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, May 19-25, 2025, Imitate Jesus and Preach with Enthusiasm, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“The Lord [...] sent them before him two by two to every city and place where he himself was about to go” (Luke 10:1).

1. What is one difference between Jehovah's Witnesses and other people who claim to be Christians?

UNLIKE false Christians, Jehovah's Witnesses demonstrate that we feel an intense desire to preach (Titus 2:14). Still, at times some of us may feel that we lack enthusiasm for preaching. Perhaps we are like a certain diligent old man who admitted: “Sometimes I just don’t feel like preaching.”

2. Why is it not always easy to feel enthusiasm for preaching?

2 Perhaps there are other facets of our service to God that are more appealing to us than going out to preach. Why? Because when we build or maintain Kingdom Halls, participate in relief efforts, or encourage fellow believers, we immediately see the positive results and feel good. Furthermore, when we work with them, we enjoy an atmosphere of peace and love and know that our efforts are appreciated and valued. On the other hand, we may have been preaching in the same territory for many years, yet very few people pay attention to the message. Some may even react very negatively. And we also know that the closer the end comes, the more opposition there is likely to be.(Matt. 10:22) What will help us maintain or even increase our enthusiasm for preaching?

3. What does Luke 13:6-9 teach us about Jesus?

3 Something that will help us have enthusiasm for preaching is to analyze the example of Jesus. While on Earth, he did not lose his enthusiasm for the ministry, but in fact increased it. (it is Luke 13: 6-9). He compared himself to a man who spent three years tending a fig tree, but the tree bore no fruit. Similarly, he spent three years preaching to the Jews, but very few became his disciples. However, just as the man never stopped trying to make the tree bear fruit, Jesus didn't give up or slow down in his ministry. On the contrary, he worked even harder to touch people's hearts.

4. What four points will we analyze in this article?

4 In this article, we will discuss how Jesus demonstrated enthusiasm especially during the last six months of his life on Earth (see the study note “After These Things,” on Luke 10:1). We will consider four ways he set a good example for us: 1) He focused on doing Jehovah’s will, 2) He listened to prophecies, 3) He trusted that Jehovah would help him, and 4) He was positive and held out hope that some would listen to him.

HE FOCUSED ON DOING JEHOVAH'S WILL

5. How did Jesus show that he was focused on doing God's will?

5 Jesus enthusiastically preached “the good news of the Kingdom” because he knew that was what God wanted him to do. (Luc. 4:43). For Jesus, this work was his priority in life. Even during the final months of his ministry, he traveled “from city to city and village to village teaching people.” (Luc. 13:22). He also trained more disciples to go and preach like him. (Luc. 10:1).

6. In what ways does preaching relate to any assignment we have? (See also the images.)

6 Today, preaching the good news is still the main work Jehovah and Jesus want us to do. (Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20) All the work we do for Jehovah is directly related to preaching the good news. For example, we build Kingdom Halls so the people we preach to can go there to worship Jehovah. All the work done at Bethel and other similar places serves to support the preaching work. And we participate in relief efforts so that the brothers not only have the necessary things, but can also resume their spiritual activities, which includes preaching. Let us always keep in mind that preaching is the most important work Jehovah wants us to do. Thus, our desire to preach as much as possible will grow stronger. An elderly Hungarian named János says, “I always remind myself that no spiritual activity replaces preaching. That is our primary task.”

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. A brother works on a construction project. 2. Another brother helps Bethel from his home as a remote volunteer. 3. Later, the two brothers preach together.

Preaching the good news is the main work Jehovah and Jesus want us to do. (See paragraph 6.)

7. Why does Jehovah want us to continue preaching? (1 Timothy 2:3, 4)

7 Something that will help us feel more enthusiastic about preaching is seeing people as Jehovah sees them. He wants as many as possible to hear and accept the good news. (which 1 Timothy 2:3, 4). Because this message can save their lives, Jehovah wants to help us become more skillful in our delivery. For example, the booklet A Work of Love offers helpful suggestions for starting conversations about starting Bible studies and making disciples. Even if they do not accept the message now, they may have the opportunity to do so before the end of the Great Tribulation. What we tell them now will perhaps motivate them to accept it in the future. But for that, it's essential that we continue preaching.

PAID ATTENTION TO THE PROPHECIES

8. What effect did knowing the prophecies have on Jesus?

8 Jesus knew how the biblical prophecies would be fulfilled, and so he knew his ministry would only last three and a half years (Dan. 9:26, 27). He was also aware of how and when he would die, because it had been foretold (Luke 18:31-34). Knowing the prophecies made Jesus want to make good use of his time by preaching with enthusiasm to finish the work God had entrusted to him.

9. Why do biblical prophecies motivate us to preach enthusiastically?

9 Understanding Bible prophecies can motivate us to preach with enthusiasm. We know this system has little time left. We look at current events and people's attitudes, and we realize that this is how the Bible predicted the last days would be. We understand how the prophecy about the conflict that would occur “at the time of the end” between the king of the south (i.e., the United Kingdom and the United States) and the king of the north (i.e., Russia and its allies) is being fulfilled (Dan. 11:40). We also understand that the feet of the statue in the prophecy of Daniel 2:43-45 represent the world power formed by the United Kingdom and the United States. Our study of this passage convinces us that very soon, the Kingdom of God will destroy human governments. All these prophecies indicate where we are in history and make us want to preach with urgency.

10. In what other ways can Bible prophecies motivate us to preach with enthusiasm?

10 Biblical prophecies also give us a message we are eager to share. A sister named Carrie, who serves in the Dominican Republic, says: “When I think about the wonderful promises Jehovah has made for us for the future, I feel compelled to share them with others. When I see all the problems people face, I realize that Jehovah made those promises not only for me, but for them as well.”. Bible prophecies encourage us to continue preaching because they remind us that Jehovah is there to help in this work. A sister from Hungary named Leila says: “Isaiah 11:6-9 teaches me that Jehovah can help anyone change. And that encourages me to preach even to those who seem reluctant to listen.” And a brother from Zambia named Christopher explains: “As foretold in Mark 13:10, the good news is being preached throughout the world, and I am honored to participate in the fulfillment of this prophecy.” And you? What biblical prophecies motivate you to continue preaching?

HE TRUSTED THAT JEHOVAH WOULD HELP HIM

11. Why did Jesus need to trust in Jehovah to continue preaching with enthusiasm? (Luke 12:49, 53)

11 Jesus trusted that Jehovah would help him continue preaching with enthusiasm. Although Jesus preached with respect, he knew that the good news of the Kingdom would provoke intense controversy and strong opposition. (see Luke 12:49, 53). Furthermore, the religious leaders hated him so much for what he preached that they tried to kill him many times. (John 8:59; 10:31, 39). Even so, Jesus did not stop preaching because he knew that Jehovah was at his side. He said: “I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me.” (John 8:16) And again: “He has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” (John 8:29)

12. How did Jesus prepare his disciples to continue preaching despite opposition?

12 Jesus reminded his disciples that they could trust Jehovah to help them. Knowing that they would be persecuted, he repeatedly assured them that Jehovah would be there to help them. (Matt. 10:18-20; Luke 12:11, 12). He also asked them to be cautious. (Matt. 10:16; Luke 10:3). He also told them that if people did not want to hear the message, they should not force it on them. (Luc. 10:10, 11). And he advised them to flee when they were persecuted. (Matt. 10:23) Although Jesus trusted in Jehovah and preached with enthusiasm, he did not expose himself unnecessarily to danger. (John 11:53, 54)

13. Why can you be sure that Jehovah will help you?

13 Even today, there is opposition, so we need Jehovah to help us continue preaching with enthusiasm. (Rev. 12:17) Why can we be confident that Jehovah will help each of us? Because of the prayer Jesus prayed, which we find in John chapter 17. He asked his Father to take care of the apostles, and Jehovah heard him. The book of Acts tells how God helped the apostles preach with enthusiasm despite persecution. In his prayer, Jesus also asked Jehovah to protect those who put their faith in the message the apostles preached. And that includes each one of us. So we can be sure that Jehovah will continue to answer Jesus' prayer and help us just as he did with the apostles. (Juan 17:11, 15, 20).

14. Why are we confident that we can continue preaching with enthusiasm? (See also the image.)

14 It may be more difficult to preach enthusiastically as the end approaches. But Jesus assured us that we will have the necessary help. (Luke 21:12-15) Like Jesus and his disciples, we let people decide whether they want to listen or not, and we avoid arguing with them. Even in countries where our brothers cannot preach freely, they have been able to continue declaring the good news because they trust in Jehovah and not in their own strength. Just as in the first century Jehovah empowered his servants to “fully preach the message,” today he also empowers us to preach until he says the work is finished. (2 Tim. 4:17). Let us have no doubt: if we trust in Jehovah, we can continue preaching with enthusiasm.

ILLUSTRATION

Even when they cannot preach freely, the brothers maintain their enthusiasm and seek discreet ways to share their faith. (See paragraph 14.)

IT WAS POSITIVE

15. How do we know that Jesus had a positive attitude toward preaching?

15 Jesus was confident that there would be people who would listen to the good news, and that positive attitude helped him continue preaching with enthusiasm. At the end of the year 30, Jesus saw that there were many people willing to listen to the message and compared them to a field that was white, ready for harvest. (Juan 4:35). About a year later, he told his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful” (Matt. 9:37, 38). And later he said again, “The harvest is plentiful, [...] pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers.” (Luc. 10:2). Jesus always kept in mind that there were many people who could accept the message and, when someone did, he felt very happy. (Luc. 10:21).

16. What comparisons did Jesus use to convey a positive attitude toward preaching? (Luke 13:18-21; see also the image.)

16 Jesus taught his disciples to be positive and optimistic, which would help them maintain their enthusiasm. Let's look at two comparisons he used (read Luke 13:18-21). On the one hand, he said that the message of the Kingdom would be like a mustard seed, which grows into a large tree. By this he meant that many people would accept the good news and nothing would stop them. On the other hand, he said that the message of the Kingdom would be like yeast. Thus he implied that the good news would spread to many parts of the world and would cause people to make changes, even if they were not very evident at first. With these comparisons he helped his disciples see that preaching would have excellent results.

ILLUSTRATION

Two sisters are preaching with their carts in a busy area. Many people pass by the carts without stopping.

Like Jesus, we remain confident that some people will accept the message. (See paragraph 16.)

17. What reasons do we have to maintain a positive attitude toward the ministry?

17 Something that motivates us to continue preaching with enthusiasm is seeing everything that is being achieved in the world today thanks to that work. Every year, millions of interested people attend the Memorial and study the Bible with us. Hundreds of thousands begin preaching with us and are baptized. How many people remain to accept our message? We don't know. What we do know is that Jehovah is gathering a great crowd who will survive the coming great tribulation. (Rev. 7:9, 14) Jehovah, the Lord of the harvest, continues to see great potential for growth. So we have good reason to continue preaching.

18. What do we want people to notice?

18 True disciples of Jesus have always been distinguished by their enthusiasm for preaching. When people saw the courage and enthusiasm of the apostles, “they realized that they had been with Jesus.” (Hebrews 4:13). We also want people to see us and notice that we preach with the same enthusiasm as Jesus.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How did Jesus view preaching, and how can we imitate him?

For Jesus, this work was his priority in life. Even during the final months of his ministry, he traveled “from city to city and village to village teaching people.”

One thing that will help us imitate Jesus is to see people as Jehovah sees them. He wants as many people as possible to hear and accept the good news.

How did Jesus show his trust in Jehovah, and how can we imitate him?

Although Jesus preached with respect, he knew that the good news of the Kingdom would provoke intense controversy and strong opposition. Furthermore, the religious leaders hated him so much for what he preached that they tried to kill him many times. Even so, Jesus did not stop preaching because he knew that Jehovah was on his side.

We can imitate Jesus' example when, despite opposition, we continue to preach with enthusiasm, because like Jesus, we know that Jehovah will always be on our side.

What attitude did Jesus have toward preaching, and how can we imitate him?

Jesus was confident that there would be people who would listen to the good news, and that positive attitude helped him continue preaching with enthusiasm. We too want people, when they see us, to notice that we preach with the same enthusiasm as Jesus.