Book Study Lesson Chapter 80: Jesus Chooses the 12 Apostles

Whom Did Jesus Choose as His 12 Apostles?

Comment 1
Jesus chose 12 specific men to work more closely with him and, later, to help guide the Christian congregation. It was not an impulsive decision or one based on personal preferences, but a choice made after earnestly seeking Jehovah’s guidance in prayer.

Comment 2
The names of the 12 apostles were: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot. The account mentions each one individually because every one of them would play an important role in the development of the Christian congregation.

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

Comment 4
It is also encouraging to think that most were ordinary men, with flaws, weaknesses, and different backgrounds. That shows that Jehovah and Jesus do not expect perfection to make use of someone, but rather humility, willingness, and a sincere desire to be molded to fulfill an assignment.

Comment 5
The fact that Jesus spent the whole night in prayer before choosing them underscores how important that decision was. He was about to select those who would be with him during very critical moments and who would form the foundation of the congregation after he was no longer on earth.

What Did Jesus Commission His Apostles to Do?

Comment 1
Jesus commissioned them primarily to preach. He did not want them merely to accompany him as observers, but to learn to announce the Kingdom and to help others draw close to Jehovah through his message.

Comment 2
He also trained them gradually for that work. He did not send them out immediately without preparation; instead, he traveled with them, taught them how to speak with people, and showed them by his own example how that work should be done.

Comment 3
In time, Jesus sent them out to preach on their own. That showed he trusted them and wanted to prepare them to take on real responsibilities—not just minor or secondary tasks.

Comment 4
Jehovah also gave them power to expel demons and heal the sick. That reinforced the message they carried, because it showed they had divine backing and that the work they were doing did not come from themselves but from Jehovah through Jesus.

Comment 5
In essence, Jesus was commissioning them to continue and expand the work he had begun. They were to preach, teach, and strengthen others, because later they would be a foundational part of the Christian congregation.

Additional Comments on Lesson 80

What Do We Learn in This Lesson About Jehovah, Jesus, and the Bible? And How Can It Apply to Our Life Today?

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

Comment 2
About Jesus we learn that he saw potential where others perhaps saw only limitations. The Pharisees thought those men were simple people, but Jesus trained them with patience, trust, and affection, turning them into key figures in the Christian congregation.

Comment 3
About the Bible we learn that Jehovah typically uses imperfect people to accomplish his purpose. The apostles made mistakes, spoke without thinking, and sometimes argued, but Jehovah and Jesus still used them because they had good hearts.

Comment 4
Today we can apply this lesson by avoiding judging others merely by their appearance, education, or limitations. Jesus looked deeper, and we too must learn to appreciate people’s spiritual potential and sincerity.

Comment 5
It also encourages us to let ourselves be taught. The apostles were not born ready—they were shaped. In the same way, we can come to serve Jehovah better if we are humble, accept training, and allow him to keep molding us.

Book Study Lesson Chapter 81: The Sermon on the Mount

What Must We Do to Be Friends of Jehovah?

Comment 1
Jesus explained that to be friends of Jehovah, we must first recognize that we need him. That involves spiritual humility—understanding that without Jehovah’s guidance we cannot live well or take the right course.

Comment 2
We also need to learn to love Jehovah genuinely. It is not enough to talk about him or know a few teachings; we need to develop sincere affection for his way of thinking, for his will, and for everything he stands for.

Comment 3
Jesus also made clear that friendship with Jehovah is connected to the way we treat other people. One cannot claim to love God while living in a harsh, unjust, or resentful way toward one’s neighbor.

Comment 4
Another important aspect is putting Jehovah above material things. Jesus taught that friendship with God is worth far more than money or possessions, and that we should not live dominated by constant worry about material things.

Comment 5
In summary, to be friends of Jehovah we need humility, genuine love, treating others well, and trust that he knows what we need. It is a friendship demonstrated by the way we live, not just by words.

How Does Jehovah Want Us to Treat Others?

Comment 1
Jehovah wants us to treat others with kindness and justice. Jesus taught that it is not enough to love those we get along with or who treat us well; we must go further and act with genuine generosity of heart.

Comment 2
He also wants us to forgive from the heart. Jesus said that if someone has something against us, we should take the initiative to make things right. That teaches that Jehovah places great value on peace and reconciliation.

Comment 3
Jesus went even further by saying we should love even our enemies. That does not mean approving of what is bad, but rather refusing to respond with hatred, revenge, or harshness toward those who mistreat us.

Comment 4
The well-known rule of treating others the way 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.

Comment 5
In short, Jehovah wants us to treat others with love, justice, forgiveness, and respect. That way of acting is not natural for the world, but it does identify those who genuinely desire to be his friends.

Additional Comments on Lesson 81

What Do We Learn in This Lesson About Jehovah, Jesus, and the Bible? And How Can It Apply to Our Life Today?

Comment 1
About Jehovah we learn that he cares not only about what we do, but about the kind of people we are on the inside. He wants servants who are humble, loving, just, and well-balanced—not people focused only on outward appearances or material things.

Comment 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 deep way, reaching people’s hearts and showing them how to live in a way that pleases Jehovah.

Comment 3
About the Bible we learn that its teachings are very practical. The Sermon on the Mount is not merely theoretical; it addresses everyday matters: forgiveness, how we treat others, worries, friendship with God, and life’s priorities.

Comment 4
Today this lesson can be applied by reviewing our priorities. It helps us ask whether we are truly putting Jehovah above material things, whether we are trusting in him, and whether we treat others the way we would like to be treated.

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