Lesson 98: Christians Reach Many Nations
Can you see on a map in your Bible the places that Paul visited on his journeys?
Comment 1:
Seeing Paul’s journeys on a map helps us to appreciate the enormous effort that he and other brothers made to take the good news to faraway places. They traveled through cities of Asia Minor, Europe, and other parts of the Roman Empire, often facing dangers and difficulties.
Comment 2:
On the map we can follow places such as Antioch, Cyprus, Lystra, Iconium, Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. This helps us to understand that the preaching was not limited to Jerusalem. Little by little, the good news reached many nations, just as Jesus had commanded.
Comment 3:
Bible maps also allow us to picture Paul’s sacrifices more vividly. Some journeys were long and dangerous, by sea or over difficult roads. Even so, Paul was not seeking comfort; he was willing to go wherever needed to help people get to know Jehovah.
Comment 4:
When we look at the map, we see that Paul did not visit only large cities. He also went to smaller towns and returned to places where he had already preached in order to strengthen the new disciples. This shows that making disciples does not consist only of preaching but also of caring for those who accept the truth.
Comment 5:
The fact that the good news reached so many regions confirms that Jehovah was blessing the work. Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, and Luke worked together, but it was Jehovah who made it possible for many people of different backgrounds to hear the Kingdom message.
Additional comments on Lesson 98: What do we learn in this lesson about Jehovah?
Comment 1:
We learn that Jehovah wants the good news to reach people of all sorts. Paul and Barnabas preached to rich and poor, young and old, Jews and non-Jews. Jehovah is not partial; he wants everyone to have the opportunity to come to know him and receive life.
Comment 2:
Jehovah can make his work advance even when there is strong opposition. Paul was stoned in Lystra and left for dead, but he survived and kept preaching. This shows that the enemies of the truth can cause problems, but they cannot stop Jehovah’s purpose.
Comment 3:
We also learn that Jehovah deserves all worship. When the people of Lystra wanted to treat Paul and Barnabas as gods, they rejected it right away. They acknowledged that they were mere men and directed attention to Jehovah, the only one who deserves honor and worship.
Comment 4:
Jehovah blesses those who work in unity. Paul did not make his journeys alone; he had Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke, and many other brothers. This reminds us that Jehovah uses the whole congregation to carry the preaching forward and to strengthen those who serve faithfully.
Comment 5:
This lesson shows that Jehovah can touch the heart of people in any position. Sergius Paulus was a governor, but he accepted the truth when he saw Jehovah’s power. This teaches us not to think that someone is too important, too busy, or too different to listen to the message.
What practical lessons do we learn to apply in our life today?
Comment 1:
We can imitate the enthusiasm of Paul and Barnabas by making the most of opportunities to preach in different places and to different people. They did not wait for perfect circumstances; they spoke about the good news in marketplaces, on roads, in homes, and in synagogues. We too can look for occasions to give a witness.
Comment 2:
We learn to remain humble when we get good results. Paul and Barnabas did not accept the admiration of the people in Lystra. In the same way, when someone thanks us for our help or makes spiritual progress, we remember that all the credit belongs to Jehovah.
Comment 3:
Paul’s example teaches us not to give up when we face rejection. He was attacked, driven out of cities, and persecuted, but he kept going. When someone does not want to listen or makes fun of our faith, we can remember that Jehovah values our perseverance.
Comment 4:
We also learn the importance of strengthening others. Paul did not just start studies or form congregations; he went back to encourage the brothers and help them remain firm. We can do something similar by visiting, calling, or encouraging those who are going through trials.
Comment 5:
Paul worked making tents while he served Jehovah. This teaches us to be balanced and responsible with our obligations, without letting work or personal matters take the leading place. We can organize our life so that the Kingdom continues to come first.
Lesson 99: A Jailer Learns the Truth
Why were Paul and Silas thrown into prison?
Comment 1:
Paul and Silas were imprisoned because they expelled from a young woman the demon that enabled her to predict the future. Her masters became enraged because they lost the way they made money through her. So they used false accusations to turn the people and the magistrates against them.
Comment 2:
They were not put in prison because they had committed a crime but because the preaching affected the financial interests of the young woman’s masters. This shows that, at times, opposition does not arise for religious reasons but because some people put money above what is right.
Comment 3:
The magistrates acted hastily. They had Paul and Silas beaten and locked them up without investigating justly. Even so, they did not become filled with resentment or stop trusting in Jehovah. Their attitude shows a very strong faith in the face of an obvious injustice.
Comment 4:
The jailer put them in the innermost part of the prison and secured their feet in the stocks because he had received strict orders. Humanly speaking, it seemed like a hopeless situation. But Jehovah turned that dark place into an opportunity for many people to hear the truth.
Comment 5:
This account confirms the words of Jesus: persecution can serve to give a witness. Although Paul and Silas were arrested unjustly, their conduct and their words had a profound effect on the jailer and on his whole family.
How did the jailer learn the truth?
Comment 1:
The jailer began to learn the truth by observing Paul and Silas. Despite being beaten and locked up, they were singing to praise Jehovah. That peace and faith must have impressed him greatly, especially because the other prisoners were also listening to them.
Comment 2:
After the earthquake, the jailer thought that the prisoners had escaped and was about to take his own life. But Paul called out to him that they were all still there. That act of kindness showed him that the Christians were different and prepared his heart to listen to the message.
Comment 3:
The jailer asked: “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas did not give him a superficial answer. They explained that he had to believe in Jesus, and then they taught him the word of Jehovah. In this way, he and his entire household were able to make a decision based on knowledge.
Comment 4:
The jailer not only listened to the message but acted right away. He washed the wounds of Paul and Silas, showed hospitality, and got baptized along with those of his household. This shows that true faith produces visible changes in the way we treat others.
Comment 5:
This man came to know the truth in unexpected circumstances. A night of work that seemed normal became an occasion to learn about Jehovah and about Jesus. This reminds us that we never know when a person may be ready to listen to the good news.
Additional comments on Lesson 99: What do we learn in this lesson about Jehovah?
Comment 1:
We learn that Jehovah can give joy even in very difficult circumstances. Paul and Silas were injured and imprisoned, but they kept singing praises. Jehovah does not always remove problems immediately, but he can give his servants the strength and peace to endure them.
Comment 2:
Jehovah can turn opposition into an opportunity to preach. The prison seemed like a place of defeat, but it ended up being the setting where the jailer and his family received teaching. Jehovah knows how to open up opportunities even where we see only obstacles.
Comment 3:
We also learn that Jehovah takes an interest in every sincere person. The jailer was responsible for guarding a prison, but Jehovah saw that he had a heart willing to learn. This teaches us that we should not prejudge anyone because of his work, his past, or his circumstances.
Comment 4:
Jehovah values our treating others with compassion. Paul could have been glad that the jailer suffered for having locked them up, but instead he protected him and kept him from harming himself. That act reflected the love and mercy that Jehovah expects of his servants.
Comment 5:
This lesson helps us to trust that Jehovah is watching over his servants. The earthquake was not by chance; it allowed Paul and Silas to give a powerful witness. Jehovah can use unforeseen situations to make his name known and to help those who are seeking the truth.
What practical lessons do we learn to apply in our life today?
Comment 1:
We can learn to maintain a positive attitude during trials. Paul and Silas did not complain endlessly or give up; rather, they prayed and sang praises. When we go through problems, prayer, Bible reading, and the meetings can help us to keep our peace.
Comment 2:
This lesson teaches us to treat with kindness even those who treat us badly. Paul and Silas did not seek revenge against the jailer; instead, they showed concern for him when he thought the prisoners had escaped. Kindness can touch a person’s heart in an unexpected way.
Comment 3:
The jailer’s example reminds us that faith should move us to act. After listening to the truth, he made changes and got baptized. When we learn something in the Bible, we should ask ourselves: “What do I need to adjust in my life to put this into practice?”
Comment 4:
We can use difficult situations as opportunities to give a witness. Perhaps an illness, a problem at work, or an injustice may put us in contact with people who normally would not listen. If we maintain good conduct, others may notice our faith and ask questions.
Comment 5:
We also learn to teach with patience and clarity. Paul and Silas did not merely tell the jailer to believe; they explained the word of Jehovah to him. We want to help people understand the Bible step-by-step, so that their faith has a solid foundation.
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