Watchtower Study, How to Prepare for Difficulties After Baptism, Week of April 27 to May 3, 2026, Comments and Answers.

Watchtower Study, How to Prepare for Difficulties After Baptism, April 27-May 3, 2026, Comments and Answers.

“May my steps remain in your paths” (Ps. 17:5).

1, 2. How can we prepare ourselves for the problems we may face in our Christian life? Give an example.

We can prepare for the problems we may face in our Christian life by thinking ahead about the situations we might encounter and preparing ourselves now to know how to act in each case. In that way, the problems that arise will not affect us as much or damage our relationship with Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the same way that we must be prepared for when a possible natural disaster occurs—by finding out what disasters can occur where we live and making plans to know how to act in the face of each type of disaster—we must also prepare for some problems that may arise in our Christian life.

IF A BROTHER OFFENDS HIM

3. What difficulties might we encounter in the congregation?

We may encounter difficulties, such as someone doing or saying something that hurts us. This happened to Blanca, who says that a sister treated her badly and she noticed that she often criticized others. This surprised her because she had been taught that Jehovah's Witnesses strive to be peaceful and show love.

This reminds us that we must keep in mind that, although it is true that the brothers strive to develop Christian qualities, they are still imperfect.

4. What can we do to be ready now in case a brother offends us? (Ephesians 4:32).

We can make it a habit to apply the counsel of Ephesians 4:32, to forgive one another generously, just as God generously forgave us through Christ. If we do all in our power to be kind and compassionate, we will surely avoid unnecessary problems with others.

If we remember how many times we ask Jehovah to forgive us and how generously he forgives us, we can set ourselves the goal of generously forgiving those who hurt us.

5. If someone offends us, what Bible principle can help us? (Proverbs 19:11; see also the pictures.)

The biblical principle in Proverbs 19:11, which says, “A person’s insight yields patience,” can help us when someone offends us. Insight will lead us not only to focus on what that person did or said, but also to try to understand why they did or said it.

We must strive to know and understand our brothers and sisters better each day. In this way, it will be easier for us to forgive them if they ever offend us.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. A brother is offended by the way another brother speaks to him while they are doing maintenance work in the outdoor area of ​​a Kingdom Hall. 2. Later, the brother who was offended happily preaches from house to house with the other brother.

If we have a misunderstanding with a brother, let us try to preach with him. (See paragraph 5.)

6. What will help us to enjoy good friendships in the congregation?

It will help us to enjoy good friendships in the congregation if we strive to focus on the good qualities of our brothers and sisters and not give too much importance to small mistakes, which, compared to the serious attitudes and actions seen in the world, are nothing. We must also change our way of thinking, focusing more on the virtues of our brothers and sisters.

IF YOU START TO MISS WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND

7. What might lead us to miss the things we left behind?

The problems we face in life might make us remember or even miss some of the things we left behind to serve Jehovah. For example, we might begin to look back with nostalgia on a prestigious job, friendships that have faded, or even habits that Jehovah hates but that gave us some pleasure.

8. What do we learn from Abraham and Sarah?

From Abraham and Sarah we learn that instead of dwelling on how our lives were before, we should focus on the future. They left the comforts of Ur, a prosperous and fortified city, and went to live in tents. If they had continued to think about what they had left behind, they might have been tempted to return.

9. How did the apostle Paul view the things he gave up? (Philippians 3:7, 8, 13).

Paul considered the things he gave up to be worthless compared to the immense privilege of being a follower of Jesus and the wonderful reward he would receive in the future. For Paul, those blessings far outweighed the sacrifices he had to make or the things he gave up to serve Jehovah.

10. What things should we meditate on frequently? (Mark 10:29, 30; see also the pictures.)

We should frequently meditate on all the blessings we enjoy by being in the truth, such as having a close friendship with the Sovereign of the universe. Furthermore, we have a large spiritual family that loves us dearly. Also, if we think about the things we have left behind, we should remember why we gave them up. If we meditate on all of this, we will be less likely to miss what we have relinquished.

ILLUSTRATION

Instead of dwelling nostalgically on the things we have left behind, let us enjoy the valuable ministry that Jehovah has entrusted to us. (See paragraph 10.)

11. What do you learn from Rosemary?

From Rosemary’s example, we learn that if we miss something we gave up when we learned the truth, we can replace it with activities that bring us joy and please Jehovah. She substituted Christmas with family gatherings at other times, and instead of becoming lonely after her friends abandoned her, she made new friends within the congregation. This reminds us that with Jehovah, we always gain far more than we lose.

IF OTHERS FORSAKE JEHOVAH

12. What situation might prove particularly difficult?

One potentially difficult situation is learning that a brother or sister has committed a serious sin or has even been removed from the congregation. This can be especially challenging if it involves a close friend, a family member, or someone we deeply respect, such as an elder.

13. How can we prepare ourselves so that our faith will not be affected if someone very close to us leaves Jehovah?

We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our own relationship with Jehovah. To do this, we must not allow our faith to depend on whether others are faithful or not. Rather, each of us should strive to offer our own prayers and personal Bible reading, as well as participate in family and congregational worship.

14. What do we learn from the apostle Peter? (John 6:66-68).

From the apostle Peter we learn that we must remain faithful, even if others stop serving Jehovah or we do not fully understand some things. Peter did not abandon Jesus because he knew that Jesus taught the truth, and he said to him: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” as John 6:68 shows.

Likewise, we remain steadfast and faithful to Jehovah, even though some may leave his organization, because we know that we learn the truth in it and we value it very much.

15. What do you learn from Emily?

From Emily's example, we learn that even in very painful situations, we are not alone. The congregation is like a family to us. That is why it is important to stay united and encourage one another.

We also learn the importance of making good friends in the congregation from now on, so that when we face trials, we will have the necessary encouragement and companionship and will not feel alone.

16. What should we not forget? (See also the image).

We must not forget that Jehovah disciplines those he loves and that he wants all who have been removed from the congregation to return to him. We can also trust that the elders will do their utmost to help them return to Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

Two elders visit a man who was removed from the congregation. One of the elders is holding an open Bible, and the other is showing the man a lesson from the booklet “Jehovah Wants You to Return.”

If someone close to us is removed from the congregation, let us remember that the elders want to help him return to Jehovah. (See paragraph 16.)

17. What can we be sure of?

We can be sure that we have Jehovah with us and that he will give us the best possible help. He has supported us in the past and will continue to do so in the future, giving us the strength and endurance needed to face any difficulty.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR DIFFICULTIES LIKE THESE?

A brother offends us.

We can prepare ourselves by cultivating the habit of being kind and compassionate, and by setting ourselves the goal of generously forgiving those who hurt us. It will also help to remember how often Jehovah forgives us, and for that reason, we should do the same for our brothers and sisters.

Furthermore, it is important to develop discernment, trying to understand the circumstances of others and striving to get to know our brothers and sisters better. In this way, if they ever offend us, it will be easier for us to forgive them.

We begin to miss what we left behind.

We can prepare ourselves by avoiding focusing on what we leave behind and instead focusing on the future and the blessings we receive for serving Jehovah.

It is also important to remember why we gave up those things and to meditate frequently on all the good things we have now, such as our friendship with Jehovah, our spiritual family, and our future hope. In this way, we will be less likely to miss what we left behind.

Someone is removed from the congregation.

We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our own relationship with Jehovah and not allowing our faith to depend on the faithfulness of others. To do this, it is important to offer our own prayers and to have a regular personal Bible study.

We too should imitate Peter’s example, remaining loyal to Jehovah even when others stray, because we know we have learned the truth. Furthermore, it is crucial to remember that a person’s bad actions do not represent the organization or Jehovah’s qualities.