Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“I intend to remind you of these things always, even though you already know them and are well established in the truth” (2 Pet. 1:12).
1. How did you feel when you learned the truth?
The basic teachings of the Bible have changed our lives. For example, knowing that God's name is Jehovah was the first step in our beautiful friendship with him (Is. 42:8). When we learned that the dead are not suffering, but are unconscious, we felt a great relief. (Ecl. 9:10). And when we learned that God promised that the Earth would be a paradise, we stopped worrying about our future because we discovered that we can live not just 70 or 80 years, but forever. (Ps. 37:29; 90:10).
2. Why do we know that even mature Christians can benefit from the basic teachings of the Bible? (2 Peter 1:12, 13)
2 Even if we have been in the truth for many years, let us never forget that the basic teachings of the Bible are very valuable. The apostle Peter addressed his second letter to Christians who were “well established in the truth” (read 2 Peter 1:12, 13). He wanted to strengthen them so they could resist the dangers within the congregation, such as false teachers and other evil people. (2 Ped. 2:1-3). To help them remain faithful to Jehovah, he reminded them of some of the teachings they had already learned.
3. Explain with an example why all Christians should continue to meditate on the basic teachings of the Bible.
3 As we grow spiritually, we can draw new lessons from the basic teachings of the Bible. Let's take an example. An experienced cook and a culinary student may use the same basic ingredients to prepare a meal. But, thanks to their years of experience, the cook knows how to make the most of them to create new and interesting recipes. Similarly, Bible students can learn basic lessons from certain texts and truths, while long-time Bible students can learn new and interesting lessons. Because? Because since you were baptized, your circumstances or responsibilities for service have likely changed. By meditating on the basic teachings and considering our current circumstances, we may come up with new ways to apply them. In this article, we'll look at what long-time Christians can learn from three basic teachings of the Bible.
JEHOVAH IS THE CREATOR
4. How has learning that Jehovah is the Creator changed our lives?
4 Hebrews 3:4 says, “He who built all things is God.” We know that the Earth and everything in it are the work of an infinitely wise and powerful Creator. Since he made us, he knows us perfectly. But not only that: He loves us and knows what's best for us. How has this basic truth changed our lives? Knowing that Jehovah is the Creator has given true meaning to our existence.
5. What lesson does it teach us to know that Jehovah is the Creator? (Isaiah 45:9-12)
5 Knowing that Jehovah is the Creator also teaches us that we must be humble. Consider the case of Job. For a time, he was too focused on himself and defending his own reputation with others, and Jehovah reminded him that he is the almighty Creator. (Job 38:1-4). This helped him see that he shouldn't question his actions, because everything he does is always good and right. Along the same lines, the prophet Isaiah later wrote: "Should the clay say to the Potter, 'What are you doing?'" (read Isaiah 45:9-12).
6. Why is it good for us to meditate on the greatness of the Creator? (See also the images.)
6 A Christian who has been in the truth for a long time may begin to rely too much on his own opinions instead of seeking guidance from Jehovah and his Word. (Job 37:23, 24) To prevent this from happening, he could spend time meditating on the incomparable wisdom and greatness of the Creator. (Isa. 40:22; 55:8, 9) This fundamental truth will help you maintain a humble attitude and remember that Jehovah’s way of seeing things is far superior to yours.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. An elder makes a suggestion at a meeting of elders, but the others disagree. 2. Then, the elder who made the suggestion meditates while looking at the starry sky.
What will help us remember that Jehovah's way of seeing things is far superior to ours? (See paragraph 6.)
7. What helped Rahela accept a recent change in the organization?
7 Meditating on Jehovah as the Creator has helped a sister named Rahela in Slovenia accept a recent change in the organization. She says: “I haven’t always found it easy to accept some of the decisions of the brothers who lead the work. For example, although I had seen the 2023 Governing Body Report 8, the first time I saw a brother with a beard giving a talk, it seemed incredibly strange to me. So I prayed to Jehovah to help me adjust to this change.” Rahela understood that the Creator of heaven and earth has the ability to guide his organization in the right direction. If you too find it difficult to accept a clarification of beliefs or new instructions, take time to reflect on how wise and powerful our Creator is. (Rom. 11:33-36).
WHY GOD ALLOWS SUFFERING
8. How has learning why God allows suffering helped us?
8 Why does God allow suffering? Unable to find the answer, some people become angry with God or become atheists (Prov. 19:3). Instead, you have learned that Jehovah does not cause suffering, but rather we suffer because of inherited sin and imperfection. He has also learned that, thanks to Jehovah's patience, millions of people have come to know him and have discovered what he will do to completely end suffering. (2 Ped. 3:9, 15). Knowing this truth has comforted him and brought him closer to him.
9. In what situations is it good to review the reasons why Jehovah allows suffering?
9 We know that while we wait for Jehovah to end the suffering, we must be patient. Now, when trouble, injustice, or the death of a loved one affects us or someone close to us, we may wonder why Jehovah has not acted yet. (Hab. 1:2, 3) At such times, it will do us good to review the reasons why Jehovah allows bad things to happen to good people. (Ps. 34:19). We can also reflect that his purpose is to end suffering forever.
10. How has Anne managed to cope with the loss of her mother?
10 Knowing why God allows suffering helps us endure. Anne, who lives on the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean, explains: “When my mother died a few years ago, I felt an immense sadness. But I constantly remind myself that suffering doesn't come from Jehovah. He wants to end all the things that cause us suffering and resurrect our loved ones. When I meditate on these truths, I feel such a great peace that sometimes it even surprises me.”
11. Why does knowing why Jehovah allows suffering motivate us to continue preaching?
11 Knowing the reasons why God allows suffering also motivates us to continue preaching. We understand that, thanks to his patience, those who repent can achieve salvation. After explaining this, Peter wrote: “Think about what kind of people you ought to be! You ought to perform holy acts of conduct and deeds of devotion to God” (2 Pet. 3:11). One of those “deeds of devotion to God” is preaching. Just like our Father, we love people and want them to live in the new world. Because Jehovah is patient, he is giving people in the territory where you preach the opportunity to worship him. And you have the great honor of collaborating with him and helping as many people as possible to know him before the end comes (1 Cor. 3:9).
WE ARE LIVING IN “THE LAST DAYS”
12. When we see how the prophecy about “the last days” is being fulfilled, what are we convinced of?
12 The Bible explains in detail what people will be like in “the last days” (2 Tim. 3:1-5). We only have to look around us to see that this prophecy is being fulfilled. And, as we see people's attitudes only getting worse, we become even more convinced that God's Word is trustworthy. (2 Tim. 3:13-15).
13. What is good for us to ask ourselves? (Luke 12:15-21)
13 Knowing that we are living in the last days also helps us maintain a sense of urgency and focus on what is truly important. Jesus emphasized the importance of using time well in the comparison found in Luke 12:15-21 (read it). Why is the rich man described as “foolish”? Because he was focusing on the wrong things. He was storing up “treasures for himself” but was not “rich in God’s sight.” And why was it so important for him to use his time well? God told him, “This night your life will be demanded of you.” What is the lesson for us? Since this system has little time left, it is good for us to ask ourselves: "Do my goals demonstrate that I'm clear about the right priorities? What kinds of goals do I encourage my children to set? What do I primarily use my energy, time, and financial resources for: to store up treasures for myself, or to store up treasures in heaven?".
14. As Miki's experience shows, why is it good for us to meditate on the evidence that we are living in the last days?
14 Meditating on the trials we are experiencing in the last days has a profound effect on our approach to life. That's what happened to a sister named Miki. She says: “When I finished compulsory education, I really wanted to go to university to study zoology. But I also had the goal of being a regular pioneer and serving in a place of need. Some older brothers told me to think carefully about whether I could really study a degree and also achieve my spiritual goals. They reminded me that this system has little time left and that in the New World I will have eternity to study all the animals I want. So I decided to take a short course to learn a practical trade. Thanks to that, I got a job that allowed me to be a regular pioneer, and eventually I was able to move to Ecuador to help with the preaching work.” Currently, Miki and her husband serve in the circuit work in that country.
15. What does the example of James teach us? (See also the images.)
15 We shouldn't be discouraged if people reject the good news. Let's remember that people can change. Consider James, Jesus's half-brother. He watched him grow up to become the Messiah and teach like no other human being had. Even so, it took him years to put his faith in him. In fact, he didn't become his disciple until after Jesus was resurrected. And he became a very active Christian (John 7:5; Gal. 2:9). b So let us not dismiss family members who for the moment show no interest in the truth, nor let us grow weary of continuing to visit those who have not yet accepted our message. Let us remember that we are living in the last days and that is why we must preach with a sense of urgency. What you tell them today may motivate them to act in the future, perhaps even after the Great Tribulation begins.
ILLUSTRATION
A sister doing her personal study calls her non-Witness sister who is shopping with her little daughter.
Why should we not give up on our non-Witness family members? (See paragraph 15.)
LET US CONTINUE TO BE THANKFUL FOR JEHOVAH'S REMINDERS
16. How have you benefited from Jehovah’s reminders? (See also the box “Use It to Help Others.”)
16 Some of the spiritual food we receive is intended for those unfamiliar with basic Bible truths. For example, the weekend public talk, certain articles and videos on jw.org, and the public magazines are primarily directed toward non-Witnesses. However, these reminders benefit all of us, as they strengthen our love for Jehovah, increase our faith in his Word, and help us become more skilled at teaching others fundamental truths. (Ps. 19:7).
17. In what situations can the basic teachings of the Bible help you?
Those of us who have served Jehovah for a long time are thrilled when we receive a new clarification of our beliefs. However, we are also very grateful for the basic Bible teachings we learned as we came to know the truth. As we have seen, we can all continue to learn from them. If we struggle to accept new instructions because we tend to rely on our own opinions or ways of doing things, we should be humble and remember that the one who directs the organization is our Creator, Jehovah, who is infinitely wise and powerful. When we or someone close to us experiences a problem, let us be patient and consider the reasons why Jehovah has allowed the suffering. And when deciding how to use our time and resources, let us keep in mind that we are in the last days and that the end is very near. Let us continue to learn from Jehovah's reminders so that we can make good decisions and always be loyal.
WHAT PRACTICAL LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THESE BASIC TEACHINGS?
Jehovah is the Creator.
Knowing that Jehovah is the Creator teaches us to be humble, as Job did. For a time, he focused too much on himself and defending his own reputation with others, but Jehovah reminded him that He is the almighty Creator. In this way, He helped him understand that he shouldn't question his ways, because everything he does is always good and right.
The reasons why God allows suffering.
One lesson we learn is that Jehovah does not cause suffering, but rather that it exists because of inherited sin and imperfection. We also learn that, thanks to Jehovah's patience, millions of people have come to know him and discover what he will do to completely end suffering.
We are living in “the last days.”
We shouldn't be discouraged if people reject the good news. Let's remember that people can change and that we are living in the last days, so we must preach with a sense of urgency. What we tell someone today may motivate them to act in the future, even after the Great Tribulation begins.
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