Congregation Bible Study (30 min.) lfb lessons 96, 97.
Analysis of Lesson 96: Jesus Chooses Saul
Why were Christians afraid of Saul?
The Christians feared Saul because he hated them. He dragged men and women from their homes and threw them in jail. He also stood by while an angry mob stoned the disciple Stephen to death.
Furthermore, Saul was not content with arresting Christians only in Jerusalem, but asked the high priest to send him to the city of Damascus to persecute the Christians there as well.
Why did Saul change?
Saul changed because, after Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and he was blinded, he received help from Ananias and learned about Jesus. He then repented, became a follower of Christ, was baptized, and began to preach the good news. His change was so genuine that he went from persecuting Christians to becoming one of them and serving God with enthusiasm.
What does this account teach us about Jehovah?
This account teaches us that Jehovah is merciful and can help people change, regardless of their past actions. Furthermore, it shows us that Jehovah does not judge people solely on their past mistakes, but values sincere changes they make to please him.
This account teaches us that although Saul persecuted Christians, Jehovah saw his potential and gave him the opportunity to repent and serve him faithfully. It also shows us that Jehovah can use imperfect people to accomplish his purposes.
What practical lessons can we learn?
We can learn that we should never think that someone is too far from changing. If a person accepts Jehovah's guidance and strives to do what is right, he or she can change just as Saul did.
We learn that we must be willing to forgive and accept those who demonstrate through their actions that they have changed, just as Barnabas did who helped Saul gain the trust of the brothers.
We learn the importance of obeying Jehovah’s instructions and trusting that he knows what is best for his servants. Paul realized that he was acting wrongly by persecuting Christians, changed his ways, and became a follower of Christ.
Analysis of Lesson 97: Cornelius Receives Holy Spirit
Why didn't Peter want to eat unclean animals?
Peter refused to eat unclean animals because the Jews were forbidden to eat them. So, when he saw animals in a vision that he was forbidden to eat, and then heard a voice telling him to eat them, Peter replied, “I have never eaten an unclean animal.” But the voice answered him, “Do not say that these animals are unclean; now God says they are clean.”
Why did Jehovah tell Peter to go to the house of a Gentile?
Jehovah told Peter to go to the home of a Gentile to show that he is not partial, but accepts people of all nations who want to worship him. So he told Cornelius to send his men to the city of Joppa, where Peter was, to ask him to come see him. When Peter went to Cornelius’s house, he was able to preach to him about Jesus. As a result, Cornelius and those present received holy spirit and were baptized.
What does this account teach us about Jehovah?
This account teaches us that Jehovah is not partial, but accepts people of all nations who desire to worship him. It also teaches us that he listens to the prayers of those who sincerely seek him, as he did with Cornelius. Furthermore, Jehovah guides his servants to share the good news with everyone, regardless of their background or nationality.
What practical lessons can we learn?
We can learn that we should not be biased or judge people by their nationality, culture, or background, because Jehovah accepts everyone who sincerely wants to worship him.
We learn the importance of obeying Jehovah's instructions, as Peter did when he went to Cornelius's house, even though Jews did not usually enter the houses of Gentiles.
This story teaches us to pray with faith and to seek Jehovah's guidance, trusting that he hears our prayers and helps us to draw closer to him.
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