Lesson from the Study of the Book chapter 80: Jesus chooses the 12 apostles

To whom did Jesus choose to be his 12 apostles?

Commentary 1
Jesus chose 12 specific men to work closer with him and then help guide the Christian congregation. It was not an impromptu decision or based on personal sympathies, but a choice made after seeking with intensity Jehovah’s guidance in prayer.

Commentary 2
The names of the 12 apostles were: Pedro, Andrés, Santiago, Juan, Felipe, Bartolomé, Tomás, Matthew, Santiago son of Alpheus, Tadeo, Simon and Judas Iscariot. The story mentions them individually because each would have an important role in the development of the Christian congregation.

Commentary 3
It is striking that Jesus did not choose men considered brilliant or important by religious leaders. Many were seen as simple people, but Jesus saw in them something deeper: a willing heart, love for Jehovah and the ability to continue learning and grow spiritually.

Commentary 4
It is also nice to think that most were normal men, with defects, weaknesses and different backgrounds. This shows that Jehovah and Jesus do not expect perfection to use someone, but humility, disposition, and sincere desire to be shaped to fulfill an assignment.

Commentary 5
The fact that Jesus spent the whole night praying before choosing them highlights the importance of this decision. He was going to select those who would be with him at very delicate times and would be the base of the congregation when he was no longer on Earth.

What did Jesus give to his apostles?

Commentary 1
Jesus commissioned them to preach mainly. He did not want them to accompany him only to observe, but to learn to proclaim the Kingdom and help other people approach Jehovah through his message.

Commentary 2
In addition, he gradually trained them for that work. He didn’t send them immediately without preparation, but he traveled with them, taught them how to talk to people and showed them with his own example how that work should be done.

Commentary 3
In the day, Jesus sent them to preach alone. That indicates that he trusted them and wanted to prepare them so that they could assume real responsibilities, not just small or secondary tasks.

Commentary 4
Jehovah also gave them power to cast out demons and heal the sick. This reinforced the message they had, because it showed that they had divine backing and that the work they did did not come from themselves, but from Jehovah through Jesus.

Commentary 5
Deep down, Jesus was tasking them to continue and expand the work he had begun. They were to preach, teach and strengthen others, for later they would be a fundamental part of the Christian congregation.

Additional comments on the 80th lesson

What do we learn in this lesson upon Jehovah, Jesus, and the Bible? And how can you apply in our lives today?

Commentary 1
About Jehovah we learn that he guides important decisions. Jesus did not choose his apostles by impulse, but after praying intensely. That teaches us that when there are serious decisions, the wisest thing is to seek first the direction of Jehovah.

Commentary 2
About Jesus we learn that he saw potential where others may only see limitations. The Pharisees thought that these men were simple, but Jesus formed them with patience, confidence and affection, until they became key pieces of the Christian congregation.

Commentary 3
On the Bible we learn that Jehovah usually uses imperfect people to fulfill its purpose. The apostles made mistakes, spoke without thinking and sometimes arguing, but yet Jehovah and Jesus used them because they had a good heart.

Commentary 4
Today we can apply this lesson by avoiding judging others only by their appearance, education or limitations. Jesus looked beyond, and we too must learn to value people’s spiritual potential and sincerity.

Commentary 5
It also encourages us to let ourselves be taught. The apostles were not born prepared; they were formed. Likewise, we can better serve Jehovah if we are humble, accept training and allow him to keep molding us.

Book Study Lesson Chapter 81: The Sermon of the Mount

What do we have to do to be Jehovah’s friends?

Commentary 1
Jesus explained that, in order to be friends of Jehovah, we must first recognize that we need it. That implies spiritual humility, that is, understanding that without Jehovah’s guidance we cannot live well or take the right course.

Commentary 2
We also have to learn to love Jehovah for real. It is not enough to talk about him or know some teachings; it is necessary to develop sincere affection for his way of thinking, for his will and for everything he represents.

Commentary 3
Jesus also made it clear that friendship with Jehovah is related to the way we treat other people. One cannot say that one loves God if he lives being harsh, unjust or spiteful to his neighbor.

Commentary 4
Another important part is to put Jehovah above material things. Jesus taught that friendship with God is worth much more than money or possessions, and that we should not live dominated by constant concern for the material.

Commentary 5
In short, to be friends with Jehovah we need humility, true love, good treatment of others and confidence that he knows what we need. It is a friendship that is demonstrated by the way of life, not just words.

How does Jehovah want us to treat others?

Commentary 1
Jehovah wants us to treat others with goodness and justice. Jesus taught that it is not enough to love those of us who like each other or treat us well, but that we must go further and act with true generosity of heart.

Commentary 2
He also wants us to forgive from the heart. Jesus said that if someone has something against us, we must take the initiative to fix things. That teaches that Jehovah values peace and reconciliation very much.

Commentary 3
Jesus went even further by saying that we should love even our enemies. That does not mean approving the bad, but refusing to respond with hatred, revenge or hardness to those who treat us badly.

Commentary 4
The well-known rule of treating others as we would like to be treated sums up Jehovah’s way of thinking very well. It helps us to be considerate, empathetic and careful with our actions and words.

Commentary 5
In short, Jehovah wants us to treat others with love, righteousness, forgiveness, and respect. That way of acting is not natural for the world, but it does identify those who really want to be friends of yours.

Additional comments on lesson 81

What do we learn in this lesson upon Jehovah, Jesus, and the Bible? And how can you apply in our lives today?

Commentary 1
About Jehovah we learn that he cares not only what we do, but the kind of people we are within. He wants humble, loving, fair and balanced servants, not people focused only on the external or the material.

Commentary 2
About Jesus we learn that he was an extraordinary teacher. He did not teach cold or complicated ideas; he spoke in a clear, direct and profound way, reaching out to the hearts of people and showing them how to live in a way that pleases Jehovah.

Commentary 3
On the Bible we learn that his teachings are very practical. The Sermon on the Mount does not stay in theory, but touches on everyday issues: forgiveness, treatment of others, worries, friendship with God and the priorities of life.

Commentary 4
Today this lesson can be applied by reviewing our priorities. It helps us to ask ourselves whether we are really putting Jehovah above the material, whether we are trusting him and whether we treat others as we would like to be treated.

Commentary 5
It also encourages us to listen to Jesus very carefully. The people were impressed because he taught with authority, and that authority came from Jehovah. If we apply his words, we will find precisely what he promised: relief and a stronger relationship with God.