Watchtower Study, Week of November 10-16, 2025, “Let him call the elders,” Underlined Answers.

Watchtower Study, November 10-16, 2025, “Let him call the elders,” Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“Let him call the elders of the congregation” (JAMES 5:14).

1. How has Jehovah shown that he loves all his sheep very much?

Jehovah loves all his sheep very much. He bought them with Jesus' blood and entrusted the elders of the congregations to care for them (Acts 20:28). God wants them to be treated with great affection. And they, following the instructions of Jesus—who is the head of the congregation—encourage the flock and protect it from spiritual dangers (Is. 32:1, 2).

2. Who is Jehovah especially interested in? (Ezekiel 34:15, 16).

2 Jehovah cares deeply for all his sheep, but especially for those who are suffering. He uses the elders to help those who are suffering spiritually. (Read Ezekiel 34:15, 16.) So, what should we do if we need help? God wants us to pray to Him, but He also wants us to turn to the “pastors and teachers” of the congregation. (Eph. 4:11, 12).

3. Why will this article benefit us all?

3 In this article, we will discuss how Jehovah uses elders to help us spiritually. We will answer these questions: When should we go to the elders? Why should we do so? And how do they help us? This analysis will also benefit those who are now spiritually strong, for it will make us all value more the help that God gives us through the elders and will teach us what to do if in the future we have to turn to them.

WHEN TO “CALL” THE ELDERLY

4. How do we know that James 5:14-16, 19, 20 refers to someone who is spiritually ill? (See also the pictures.)

4 The disciple James explained how Jehovah uses the elders to help us. He wrote: “Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the congregation.” (Read James 5:14-16, 19, 20.) Here James was speaking of someone who is spiritually sick. How do we know? Because of the context. On the one hand, he doesn't tell the sick person to call a doctor, but rather the elderly. On the other hand, he explains that the sick person is healed when their sins are forgiven. The truth is, there are many similarities between a physical illness and a spiritual one. When we get sick, we go to the doctor, explain our symptoms, and follow their instructions. Similarly, when we are spiritually ill, we should go to an elder, explain our situation, and follow their biblical counsel.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. A man explains to a doctor that his arm hurts. 2. A brother is sitting on an outdoor bench with an elderly man and is telling him what's wrong.

When we get physically sick, we go to the doctor; when we get spiritually sick, we go to the elders. (See paragraph 4.)

5. How can we check our state of spiritual health?

5 James chapter 5 encourages us to ask the elders for help when we notice we have a problem with our spiritual health. But there is no reason to wait until our relationship with God has been damaged; it is certainly good to ask for their help before that happens. And we must be careful, for the Bible warns us that we can deceive ourselves into thinking that our friendship with Jehovah is better than it actually is (Jas. 1:22). That is what happened to some Christians in Sardis: they thought they were healthy, but Jesus told them that this was not the case (Rev. 3:1, 2). How can we check our spiritual health? One way is by comparing our current enthusiasm with the enthusiasm we had when we were baptized (Rev. 2:4, 5). We can ask ourselves: “Do I enjoy reading and meditating on the Bible as much as I used to? Do I still attend all the meetings and prepare well for them? Is the preaching work still as important to me? Have entertainment and material things taken precedence in my life?” The answers to these questions will indicate whether we have a weakness that could worsen if left untreated. If we are unable to correct it on our own or if it has already led us to do something Jehovah disapproves of, we should go to the elders.

6. What should someone do who has committed a serious sin?

Of course, if someone commits a serious sin that could lead to his being removed from the congregation, he needs to talk to an elder (1 Cor. 5:11-13). That person needs help to restore his friendship with God. Jehovah will forgive us only if we demonstrate by “works” that we are truly repentant (Acts 26:20). And one of those works is confessing to the elders that we have committed a serious sin.

7. Who else needs the help of the elderly?

7 The elderly don't just help those who have committed a serious sin. They are also there for those who are spiritually weak. (Acts 20:35) Suppose you are struggling with a wrong desire and feel that you are going to lose the battle. Perhaps that struggle is especially difficult if, before you learned the truth, you used drugs, viewed pornography, or led an immoral life. The good news is that you are not alone in your struggle. You can confide in an elder who you know will listen attentively. He will surely give you practical advice and remind you that you will continue to have Jehovah’s approval as long as you do not give in to wrong desires. (Eccl. 4:12) If you feel discouraged because you continue to have wrong desires, the elders can remind you that this shows that you take your friendship with Jehovah seriously and do not rely on your own strength. (1 Cor. 10:12)

8. What kind of mistakes do you not need to tell the elderly about?

8 It is not necessary to tell the elderly every mistake we make. For example, imagine you said something hurtful to a brother and even got very angry. Instead of talking to an elder, you could follow Jesus' advice on how to make peace. (Matt. 5:23, 24) You could also look in our publications for information on how to be more mild-tempered, patient, and self-controlled. But if you still find that you have not been able to resolve the problem, perhaps you could ask an elder for help. In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul told a brother in the congregation to help Euodia and Syntyche resolve their differences. An elder in your congregation can do the same for you. (Phil. 4:2, 3)

WHY “CALL” THE ELDERLY

9. Even if we feel embarrassed to talk to the elders, why should we do it? (Proverbs 28:13).

9 If we feel we are going to lose the battle against evil desires or if we have committed a serious sin, we may need faith and courage to talk to the elders. But we should not let shame keep us from going to them. Why not? Let us remember that Jehovah has given them to us to help us be spiritually strong and healthy. So by turning to them, we show that we trust in God and his instructions. We trust that Jehovah will help us in our struggle (Psalm 94:18). And we trust that if we confess and forsake our sins, we will receive his mercy and forgiveness. (Read Proverbs 28:13).

10. What can happen if we try to hide our sins?

10 As we have seen, asking the elderly for help benefits us in many ways. On the other hand, if we try to hide our sins, we can harm ourselves. Consider King David. When he concealed his mistakes, he suffered spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. (Ps. 32:3-5). Spiritual problems are like physical injuries: if left untreated, they only get worse. Jehovah knows this, and that is why he invites us to go to the elders and “set things right.” (Is. 1:5, 6, 18).

11. What else can happen when serious sins are hidden?

11 If we hide our sins, we can also harm others. We can cause the Spirit of God to stop flowing freely in the congregation, and peace to be threatened. (Eph. 4:30). On the other hand, if we learn that someone in the congregation has committed a serious sin, we should advise them to speak with the elders. Let us not forget that concealing it would make us guilty as well. (Lev. 5:1) Our love for Jehovah should motivate us to take the step of telling the truth. In this way, we will help to keep the congregation clean and to restore the person's good relationship with God.

HOW THE ELDERLY HELP US

12. How do the elderly support those who are spiritually weak?

12 The Bible tells elders to support those who are spiritually weak (1 Thess. 5:14). If you have damaged your relationship with Jehovah in any way, they may ask you thoughtful questions to help you express your thoughts and feelings. (Prov. 20:5). You can make their work easier by expressing yourself openly, even if it's difficult for you because of your culture, your personality, or the shame you feel about what happened. Don't worry if you can't control everything you say or how you say it (Job 6:3). The elders will not jump to conclusions, but will strive to listen carefully and get a complete picture before giving you any advice (Prov. 18:13). They know that shepherding the flock takes time and that some situations cannot be resolved in a single conversation.

13. What else will the elderly do to help us? (See also the pictures.)

13 The elders will try not to do anything that might make you feel even more guilty. Instead, they will pray for you. You might be surprised by the powerful effect those prayers can have on your spirits. They will also help you by applying “oil in the name of Jehovah” (James 5:14-16). This “oil” is the truth of God’s Word. So they will skillfully use the Bible to soothe you, comfort you, and help you restore your relationship with Jehovah. (Is. 57:18). His Bible-based counsel will give you the strength to keep doing what is right. Through it, you will hear Jehovah’s voice telling you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”” (Is. 30:21).

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. The doctor in the previous image is examining the man's arm. There is an X-ray of the arm on the wall. 2. The elderly man in the previous image is with another elderly man at the brother's house, encouraging him with the Bible. The brother listens to them with a smile.

Elderly people use the Bible for comfort and solace. (See paragraphs 13 and 14.)

14. According to Galatians 6:1, how do elders help someone who takes “a false step”? (See also the pictures.)

14 (Read Galatians 6:1). To “step astray” means to fail to act in accordance with God’s righteous standards. That step astray can be a simple error in judgment or a serious violation of God’s law. Love compels the elderly to try to “correct the man with a gentle spirit.” The Greek word translated “correct” (or “readjust,” according to the note) can also refer to the action of repositioning a dislocated bone to prevent permanent injury. Just as a good doctor takes great care to reposition a bone causing the least possible pain to the patient, the elders try to correct the brother with great kindness so as not to cause him any more pain. Furthermore, the Bible tells each elder that when counseling others, he should "watch himself," for he too is imperfect and can make mistakes. So, instead of treating their brother with a critical attitude or as if they considered themselves superior, the elders strive to be humble and show compassion. (1 Ped. 3:8).

15. What can we do if we have a problem?

15 We can trust the elders in the congregation. They know they must not reveal confidential matters, and they have been trained to base their counsel on the Bible rather than their personal opinions and to remain attentive to helping us carry our burdens. (Prov. 11:13; Gal. 6:2). It is true that elderly people have different personalities and some have more experience than others, but if we have a problem we can talk to any of them. Of course, we won't go from elder to elder seeking advice until one tells us what we want to hear. We don't want to be like those who prefer to have their ears “smoothed” rather than learn “sound teaching” from God's Word (2 Tim. 4:3). When we tell an elder about a problem, he may ask if we have already discussed the matter with other elders and what advice they gave us. And modesty may prompt him to ask another elder for their opinion (Prov. 13:10).

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES EACH OF US HAVE?

16. What responsibility do we have?

16 The elderly care for us and give us advice, but they do not tell us what to do. Each of us has the responsibility to show Jehovah every day, through our words and actions, that we love him and want to please him. (Rom. 14:12) He will help us to make good decisions and to be faithful to him. That is why the elders use the Bible to help us understand how Jehovah views matters and then let us make our own decision. This allows us to train our “discernment ability” (Heb. 5:14).

17. What should we be determined to do?

17 What a wonderful privilege it is to be Jehovah’s sheep! He sent Jesus, “the fine shepherd,” to rescue us and give us the opportunity to live forever (John 10:11). Furthermore, through the elders in the congregations, he has fulfilled this promise: “I will give you shepherds acting in accord with my will, and they will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15). So if we are spiritually weak or sick, let us not hesitate to “call” on the elders for help. Let us be determined to make the most of this gift that Jehovah has given us.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

When should we "call" the elderly?

James chapter 5 advises us to seek help from elders when we face spiritual problems, preferably before our relationship with God weakens. If someone commits a serious sin, they should go to them, but elders also help those who are spiritually weak. We don't need to tell them about every mistake we make.

Why should we "call" the elderly?

If we feel we are giving in to evil desires or have committed a serious sin, we should seek help from the elders, for this benefits us in many ways. Hiding sins can harm others, weaken God's spirit in the congregation, and jeopardize peace.

How do the elderly help us?

The elders will not make you feel more guilty; they will pray for you and use the Bible, likened to a spiritual “oil,” to comfort you and help you restore your relationship with Jehovah. They will strive to act with humility and compassion, not with a critical or superior attitude.