Watchtower Study, "Article 28," Week of September 15-21, 2025, How to Ask for Advice, Answers.

Watchtower Study, "Article 28," September 15-21, 2025, How to Ask for Advice, Answers.

“Wisdom accompanies those who seek advice” (PROV. 13:10).

1. How can we make good decisions and ensure that our plans succeed? (Proverbs 13:10; 15:22)

Many of us have made a decision without consulting anyone and then thought, "It would have been better to have consulted beforehand." The Bible warns us that arrogance leads to arguments, but that wisdom lies in seeking advice. It also says that when there are many advisors, plans succeed.

This teaches us that, even if we are clear about what we want to do, it is humbling to recognize that others may see things we don't. Jehovah has provided mature and experienced brothers who can help us think things through. Thus, we not only make good decisions, but we also increase the chances that what we plan will turn out well and please Jehovah.

2. What has Jehovah promised us?

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will counsel you with my eyes fixed on you.” This suggests that this isn't general advice, just for everyone, but something personalized, tailored to what we're experiencing. Jehovah doesn't just tell us what to do, but helps us put it into practice.

It comforts us to know that He is attentive, like a loving father who never loses sight of us. Therefore, when we pray for wisdom, we know we are not speaking into thin air, but rather turning to the best counselor there is. If we apply what He tells us, it will always be for our good and help us make wise decisions.

3. What questions will we answer in this article?

This article not only tells us to ask for advice, but also helps us reflect on four very practical questions.

First, what qualities do we need to truly benefit from good advice? Because sometimes we receive valuable advice, but we don't apply it.

Second, who are the people who can really give us reliable advice?

Third, why is it so important to be open-minded and not just closed to what we think?

And fourth, why shouldn't we expect others to make decisions for us?

Asking ourselves these questions is very helpful because it helps us become more mature and responsible before Jehovah, and at the same time, it helps us benefit from the experience of others.

“WHAT QUALITIES DO I NEED?”

4. What qualities do we need if we want to benefit from the advice we receive?

To benefit from advice, the first thing we must demonstrate is humility and modesty, because if we think we already know everything, we won't listen or value what others say. Micah 6:8 reminds us that Jehovah asks us to walk humbly with him, and 1 Peter 5:5 encourages us to clothe ourselves with humility. So it's clear that these qualities are essential.

Being humble is recognizing that another person may have more experience or a point of view I hadn't considered. When we have this attitude, our ears are more open to receiving what the Bible teaches us and applying it. Ultimately, this is what allows Jehovah to guide and help us.

5. Why might King David have become proud?

If we consider all that David accomplished, it's easy to imagine that he might have become proud. Before becoming king, he was already a renowned musician; he even played for King Saul. Jehovah had chosen him and given him His Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the people viewed him as a hero because he defeated Goliath and many other enemies.

With so many victories and recognition, anyone might think, “I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do.” But David didn’t fall into that trap. He remained humble and willing to listen to advice. This teaches us that, no matter how much we accomplish, we always need the guidance of Jehovah and his Word.

6. How do we know David welcomed advice? (See also the image.)

David's example shows that, even though he was a king, he didn't consider himself self-sufficient. According to 1 Chronicles 27:32-34, he had trusted men to advise him, and he didn't care whether it came from a man or a woman.

The case with Abigail is clear: he was upset by what Nabal had done and perhaps already had revenge in mind. But Abigail, with great humility, spoke to him and helped him see the consequences.

David accepted his advice, recognizing that it came from Jehovah, and thus avoided a serious mistake. This shows us that true humility is reflected in how we react when someone—even someone unexpected—gives us good advice.

ILLUSTRATION

King David listens attentively to Abigail, who is sitting on the ground asking him to follow her advice.

King David was humble and heeded Abigail's advice. (See paragraph 6.)

7. What lessons does David's example teach us? (Ecclesiastes 4:13; see also the images.)

From David's example we learn two very clear things.

First, even if we have skills, experience, or a certain amount of authority, that doesn't give us permission to think we don't need advice. Ecclesiastes 4:13 says that a poor but wise young man is better than an old king who no longer accepts advice, and David shows us just the opposite: he did listen.

Second, good advice can come from anyone, regardless of their position or experience. If we have this attitude, we will avoid mistakes that could hurt us or others.

In the end, being humble and accepting suggestions doesn't diminish us; on the contrary, it protects us and helps us make decisions that honor Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. Four elders gathered. One of them becomes agitated. 2. Later, in a vehicle, a young elder who was at the elders' meeting speaks privately to the one who had become agitated.

We must be willing to listen to any good advice, no matter who it comes from. (See paragraph 7.)

“WHO CAN GIVE ME GOOD ADVICE?”

8. Why was David right to seek Jonathan's advice?

David's example shows us how he chose whom to listen to. He didn't ask advice from just anyone, but from people who had a good relationship with Jehovah and were familiar with the situation. That's why he sought out Jonathan before attempting to reconcile with King Saul.

Jonathan knew his father and loved Jehovah, so he could give him wise and reliable advice. In this way, David shows us the importance of choosing our advisors wisely.

If we do the same, we can make decisions that protect us and help us please Jehovah, instead of acting impulsively and making mistakes that could harm us.

9. If we need advice, who should we ask? Give an example (Proverbs 13:20).

Proverbs 13:20 reminds us that not just anyone can give us good advice. Ideally, we should turn to someone who has a good relationship with Jehovah and who also has experience in the matter at hand.

For example, if a young man is thinking about getting married, he could ask a single friend for advice and would surely receive helpful, biblically based ideas. But it would probably be much more practical for him to talk to a spiritual partner who has been with him for a long time and who also knows him well, because there he can receive specific advice that will truly help him make good decisions.

This makes us reflect on the fact that choosing our advisors well can make all the difference.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

If we need advice, we should ask someone who has a good relationship with Jehovah and experience in the subject. For example, a young brother or sister who wants to get married will receive more practical and helpful advice from a spiritual couple who are knowledgeable about the subject than from a single friend.

10. What will we see now?

So far, we've seen that we need to be humble and modest, and that we should seek advice from people who have experience and a good relationship with Jehovah. The next subtopic invites us to reflect on another important point: why should we keep an open mind and not let others make decisions for us?

It's like when someone gives you advice, but you have to be willing to truly listen and consider whether it's helpful or not. It also reminds us that, although we can receive guidance, the final decision is always ours. This way, we avoid problems and learn to apply advice wisely, just as the Bible teaches us.

“WHY IS IT GOOD TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND?”

11, 12. a) What should we not do?

One thing we should avoid is asking for advice just to get confirmation of what we've already decided to do. When someone does this, they're not really seeking help, but approval.

This kind of attitude shows that we don't have an open mind, and that can lead us to make serious mistakes. The example of King Rehoboam is a clear warning: he wasn't really willing to consider all the options, but instead looked for someone to agree with him, and that ended up harming both him and the people.

Therefore, when we ask for advice, we should be ready to listen, even if the answer is not what we expected, and thus value the guidance that comes from Jehovah and spiritual people.

11, 12. b) What did Rehoboam do when he had to make an important decision?

When Rehoboam became king, he faced a serious request to lighten the workload that his father Solomon had imposed.

At first he did something good: he asked the advice of the elders who had served alongside his father, who advised him to act kindly.

But he later rejected that advice and preferred to listen to his younger friends, who told him exactly what he wanted to hear. By following that advice, he provoked a portion of the nation into rebellion, and from then on, his reign was fraught with trouble.

This shows that even if we start off on the right foot by seeking advice, if we are not willing to accept wise advice, the consequences can be very serious.

13. What will help us know if we have an open mind?

What happened with Rehoboam leaves us with a very clear lesson. To know if we have an open mind, we must pay attention to how we react when the advice we receive isn't what we expected. If we immediately reject it because it doesn't match what we wanted to hear, then perhaps we had already made up our mind before asking.

A good way to evaluate ourselves is to ask ourselves: “If someone tells me something different from what I thought, will I consider it calmly or dismiss it without a second thought?” Keeping an open mind means being willing to consider advice, even if it's difficult at first, trusting that Jehovah can use it for our good.

14. What should we remember? Give an example (see also the image).

When we seek advice, we must be honest with ourselves and with Jehovah. If we've already made up our minds and are just looking for someone to tell us what we want to hear, we're not being honest.

The example of the brother who received a job offer illustrates this well. An elder reminded him with the Bible that his priority was the spirituality of his family, but he refused to accept that advice and continued asking until he found someone who would support him.

Jeremiah 17:9 warns us that the heart is treacherous, and often the advice we need most is precisely the one we least like to hear. That's where true humility lies.

ILLUSTRATION

A sister asks several brothers and sisters for advice. She goes from one to another because she doesn't like what she hears.

Are we looking for advice, or are we really just looking for someone to agree with us? (See paragraph 14.)

“SHOULD I ASK OTHERS TO DECIDE FOR ME?”

15. What should we not do, and why?

One thing is clear: Jehovah expects each person to make their own decisions and assume their own responsibility. It's fine to seek guidance, consult the Bible, and talk with mature brothers and sisters, but we mustn't burden them with the decision for us. It's not right to ask, "What would you do in my place?" because ultimately, the circumstances, conscience, and responsibility are ours.

Nor should we copy what others do without analyzing it. Every situation is different, and Jehovah wants us to develop discernment. If we let others decide for us, we run the risk of acting without conviction, and this can affect our personal relationship with him.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Jehovah has given us discernment so that we can analyze each situation for ourselves and be capable of making our own decisions. Therefore, even if we seek the advice of mature brothers and sisters, we should not let others decide for us.

16. What decision did the Corinthian Christians have to make? (1 Corinthians 8:7; 10:25, 26)

In Corinth, the Christians faced a very personal decision: they had to decide whether or not to eat meat that had perhaps been offered to idols. Paul reminded them that an idol is nothing and that there is only one God. So some ate it without hesitation, while others, out of conscience, decided not to.

The important thing is that Paul didn't impose a rule on them or tell them to copy what others did. Each person had to decide for themselves before God. As Romans 14:10-12 says, "Each person will be held accountable for himself." This teaches us that there are matters of conscience that we should think about, pray about, and decide without judging others for their decisions.

17. What can happen if we just copy what others do? Give an example (see also the images).

If we simply copy what others do, we run the risk of failing to develop our own conscience and making decisions without understanding why. For example, on the issue of blood fractions, each Christian must personally decide whether or not to accept them, based on biblical principles.

If we simply imitate what others do, we may not know how to act in an emergency and end up doubting or even feeling guilty later. Therefore, it is best to research the matter, meditate on the applicable biblical passages, and, if necessary, seek the advice of a mature brother.

As Hebrews 5:14 says, we must exercise our faculties to distinguish right from wrong, and that is not achieved by copying other people's decisions.

ILLUSTRATION

Picture Series: 1. A brother uses the Bible, lesson 39 of the Enjoy Life book, and the video “Making Good Decisions About the Use of Blood” to fill out the blood refusal card. 2. He then listens to a mature brother showing him a Bible passage.

We should only seek advice after doing our own research. (See paragraph 17.)

LET'S KEEP ASKING FOR ADVICE

18. What has Jehovah done for us?

Jehovah has shown great trust in us by letting us make our own decisions. He doesn't treat us like little children who need to be controlled at all times, but gives us His Word to guide us and also surrounds us with mature brothers and sisters who can help us apply biblical principles well. He's like a loving father who teaches, counsels, and then lets his son put what he's learned into practice.

Proverbs 3:21-23 reminds us that this brings us peace and security. Thinking about this gift makes me appreciate Jehovah's trust in us. And the best way to show our gratitude is to use that freedom well, making choices that honor him and show that we are truly applying what he teaches us.

19. How can we make Jehovah happy?

Just as a father takes pleasure in seeing his children grow, become responsible, and help others, Jehovah takes pleasure in seeing us mature spiritually. This is evident when we don't act impulsively, but rather seek counsel, analyze biblical principles, and make decisions that honor him.

It's not just about avoiding what's bad, but about doing what reflects His way of thinking. Every time we show that we trust His guidance and apply what we learn, we are telling Him with our actions: "Father, I want to do what pleases You." And that, no doubt, makes Him very happy.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

Why should we be humble and modest?

Because recognizing that we don't know everything allows us to learn from Jehovah and from mature brothers and sisters, and thus make decisions that please him.

Why should we have an open mind?

So that when we ask for advice, we can truly consider it without immediately rejecting it for not telling us what we want to hear. This helps us avoid making mistakes like those Rehoboam made.

Why shouldn't we ask others to decide for us?

Because Jehovah expects every Christian to think and decide for himself, using the Bible and the advice of mature brothers as a guide, without depending totally on others.