Watchtower Study, Week of June 23-29, 2025, Drawing Close to the Brethren Is Good for Us, Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, June 23-29, 2025, Drawing Close to the Brethren Is Good for Us, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1).

1, 2. What is one of the most important things to Jehovah, and what does he want us to do?

THERE ARE few things more important to Jehovah than how we treat people. Jesus taught that we should love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Matt. 22:37-39). This includes being kind to those who do not worship Jehovah. In this way, we imitate our heavenly Father, who “makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45)

2 Although Jehovah loves all people, he has a special affection for those who obey him. (Juan 14:21). He wants us to imitate him and that is why he encourages us to show our brothers “intense love” and “tender affection.” (1 Pet. 4:8; Rom. 12:10) That kind of love and affection is similar to what we feel for a very close relative or a good friend.

3. What should we remember about love?

3 Love is like a plant, it must be watered and cared for to grow. The apostle Paul told Christians: “Keep showing brotherly love to one another” (Heb. 13:1). Jehovah wants us to continue cultivating love for others. In this article, we'll look at why we should grow closer to our siblings and how we can continue to do so.

WHY WE SHOULD GET CLOSER TO OUR BROTHERS

4. What will help us continue to value the unity spoken of in Psalm 133:1? (See also the images.)

4 (Read Psalm 133:1). Like the psalmist, we say, “How good and how pleasant it is” to be friends with those who love Jehovah. But there is a danger of taking for granted the beauty of the unity of Jehovah's people. It could be like a person who sees a large, imposing tree every day, but over time gets used to it and it stops seeming impressive. Considering that we see our siblings often, perhaps several times a week, what can help us continue to value them as we did on the first day? Spend time thinking about why each of them is valuable to us and to the congregation.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. A sister admires a beautiful tree. 2. Later, she embraces another sister at a regional assembly. Other assembly attendees chat animatedly.

Let us never take for granted the beauty of the unity of Jehovah's people. (See paragraph 4.)

5. What effect can the love we Witnesses show each other have on others?

5 When they first attend one of our meetings, some are deeply impressed by the love we show each other, and they become convinced that this must be the truth. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35) Consider the experience of Chaithra, a college student who began taking Bible classes. She accepted an invitation to attend a regional convention, and after the first day, she told the sister teaching her the Bible: “My parents have never hugged me. But on the first day of your convention, I received 52 hugs! This spiritual family has made me feel Jehovah’s love. I want to be a part of it.” Chaithra continued studying and was baptized in 2024. Indeed, when newcomers see our good works, including the love we show each other, they are often moved to serve Jehovah. (Matt. 5:16).

6. How does getting closer to our brothers protect us?

6 Getting closer to our brothers is also a protection. Paul told Christians: “Keep encouraging one another every day [...] so that the deceptive power of sin does not harden any of you.” (Heb. 3:13). If we become weak and feel that we are beginning to stray from the right path, Jehovah can use a brother to help us. (Ps. 73:2, 17, 23) How good it is for us to have this support!

7. What is the relationship between love and unity? (Colossians 3:13, 14)

7 We are part of a group of people who make every effort to show love to one another, and because of this we enjoy many blessings (1 John 4:11). For example, love motivates us to continue supporting one another, and that creates true unity among us. (Eph. 4:2-6; read Colossians 3:13, 14.) So in our meetings we experience a wonderful atmosphere, unseen in any other group in the world.

LET US HONOR ONE ANOTHER

8. How does Jehovah help us stay united?

8 The unity of the world brotherhood is a miracle that Jehovah makes possible despite our imperfections. (1 Cor. 12:25). The Bible says, “God himself is teaching you to love one another.” (1 Thess. 4:9) How does he do it? Through his Word, he tells us exactly what we need to do to grow closer to one another. And we let Jehovah teach us by carefully studying what he tells us and putting it into practice. (Heb. 4:12; Jas. 1:25) That is exactly what Jehovah’s Witnesses strive to do.

9. What does Romans 12:9-13 teach us about honoring one another?

9. How can God's Word help us draw closer to our brothers and sisters? Let's look at what Paul said in Romans 12:9-13 (read it). Let's focus on the phrase, "Take the initiative in honoring one another." What does that mean? That we should look for opportunities to show tender loving care in different ways, such as being forgiving, hospitable, and generous. (Eph. 4:32). We don't have to wait for others to approach us. Let us take the first step, and we will see how Jesus' words come true: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Hech. 20:35).

10. How can we be hard workers in honoring one another? (See also the image.)

10 Let's notice an interesting detail. Right after saying that we should take the initiative to honor one another, Paul said, "Be hard workers, not lazy." A hard worker is enthusiastic, and when given a task, he or she performs it diligently. Proverbs 3:27, 28 advises us: “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, if it is in your power to help them.” So, if we see someone in need, let's do everything in our power to give it to them. Let's not put it off or assume someone else will help. (1 Juan 3:17, 18).

ILLUSTRATION

A younger brother is standing on a ladder, cleaning leaves from the roof of an older brother's house.

We must take the initiative to help our brothers and sisters in need. (See paragraph 10.)

11. What can help us get closer to our brothers?

11 Another way to show honor to others is to forgive them promptly when they offend us. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Why not? So as not to give “the Devil any opportunity,” as verse 27 mentions. In his Word, Jehovah tells us again and again that we should forgive others. Colossians 3:13 advises us: “Keep [...] forgiving one another generously.”. Overlooking the mistakes and offenses of our brothers and sisters is one of the best ways to draw closer to them. In this way, we contribute to "maintaining the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." (Eph. 4:3) Simply put, without forgiveness there can be no unity or peace.

12. How does Jehovah help us forgive others?

12 Of course, it can be difficult to forgive someone who has hurt us. But we can do it with the help of God's Spirit. After encouraging us to show tender affection and be hardworking, the Bible goes on to say, “Let the Spirit fill you with fervor.” In other words, “because of the influence of the holy ‘spirit,’” a Christian can “be overflowing with enthusiasm” to do what is right, which includes showing tender care and forgiving generously. (See the second study note on Romans 12:11.) Therefore, we pray to Jehovah for help. (Luke 11:13)

“LET THERE BE NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU”

13. What could divide us?

13 Congregations are made up of “all kinds of people” (1 Tim.  2:3, 4). Because we have different backgrounds, it's normal for us to make different decisions about things like grooming, medical treatments, and entertainment. If we're not careful, these differences could divide us. (Rom. 14:4; 1 Cor. 1:10). But God has taught us to love one another, and so we do not claim that our choices are better than others’. (Phil. 2:3)

14. What should we always strive to do, and why?

14 Another thing we can do to avoid divisions in the congregation is to always strive to encourage and comfort others. (1 Thess. 5:11). In recent times, many people who were inactive or had been removed from the congregation have returned to Jehovah. We welcome them with open arms. (2 Cor. 2:8) A sister who returned to a Kingdom Hall after 10 years of inactivity recounts: “Everyone came to shake my hand with a smile on their faces.” (Acts 3:19) What effect did such simple displays of kindness have on her? She says: “I felt Jehovah’s hand leading me back to happiness.” When we strive to be a source of encouragement, Jesus can use us to bring relief to those who are burdened. (Matt. 11:28, 29).

15. How else can we promote unity? (See also the image.)

15 We can also promote unity with what we say. Job 12:11 says, “Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?” A good cook always tastes the food before serving it to ensure it's delicious. Similarly, before speaking, we must think carefully about what we say to ensure our words comfort, uplift, and benefit those listening. (Ps. 141:3; Eph. 4:29).

ILLUSTRATION

A brother tastes what he has cooked before serving it to his guests.

Before you speak, think carefully about what you are going to say. (See paragraph 15.)

16. Who in particular should make an effort to speak in an encouraging manner?

16 Married men, fathers and mothers in particular, should strive to speak in an encouraging manner. (Col. 3:19, 21; Titus 2:4). The elderly are also a source of encouragement and comfort to Jehovah's little sheep. (Is. 32:1, 2; Gal. 6:1). A proverb reminds us: “How good is a word spoken at the right time!” (Prov. 15:23).

LET US LOVE “WITH DEEDS AND TRUTH”

17. What can we do to ensure that our love for our brothers and sisters is sincere?

17 The apostle John said: “Let us not love in word or lip service, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18) What can we do to make our love as sincere as this? Well, the more time we spend with our siblings, the closer we become and the stronger our love will be. Let's find time to spend with them during meetings and preaching. Let's also make time to visit them. If we do, it can be said of us, “God himself is teaching you to love one another” (1 Thess. 4:9). We will see firsthand “how good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity” (Ps. 133:1).

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why is it good for us to get closer to our brothers?

When people see our good works, including the love we show for one another, they are often moved to serve Jehovah.

Drawing closer to our brothers and sisters is also a protection. If we should become weak and feel like we're beginning to stray from the right path, Jehovah can use a brother or sister to help us.

How can we take the initiative to honor one another?

We should look for opportunities to show tender affection in different ways, such as being forgiving, hospitable, and generous. We shouldn't wait for others to approach us; we should take the first step.

If we see someone in need of help, let's do everything in our power to provide it. Let's not put it off or assume someone else will help.

In what ways can we promote unity?

One thing we can do to avoid divisions in the congregation is to always strive to encourage and comfort others. When we strive to be a source of encouragement, Jesus can use us to bring relief to those who are burdened.

We can also promote unity through what we say. Before we speak, we must carefully consider what we say to ensure our words comfort, edify, and benefit those who listen.