With the theme: “Let no obstacle keep you from having your personal study”
“I don’t read well.”
Answer 1:
You could start by using the JW Library app to listen to the Bible while following the text with your eyes. That way you do not have to rely only on reading quickly or perfectly. The important thing is to understand it little by little and enjoy it, not to rush through it.
Answer 2:
It would also help to choose a clear, modern translation, such as the New World Translation, and begin with simpler portions or accounts that catch your interest. That way you start enjoying it before moving on to more difficult sections.
“I don’t like studying.”
Answer 1:
In the video, one of the brothers says something very encouraging: studying was not really his thing before, but later he learned to enjoy it. That shows that a liking for study can be developed. You do not have to wait until you like it first; often you begin to like it when you see what it gives you.
Answer 2:
You could remind yourself of this thought from the video: the more you study, the more you get to know Jehovah; and the more you get to know him, the more you love him. If you see study as a way to draw closer to Jehovah, it stops feeling like a heavy task and starts making much more sense.
“I don’t know where to start reading the Bible or how much to read each day.”
Answer 1:
A good idea would be to start little by little, with a realistic goal: one account, a few verses, or a short chapter each day. The important thing is that it be something you can keep up. The lesson suggests setting aside a specific time of day and starting with accounts that interest you.
Answer 2:
Another help from the video is to go beyond just reading and ask yourself questions: who is there, what is happening, under what circumstances is it all taking place? That gives you a clear way to begin, because you are no longer reading aimlessly, but trying to understand the account.
“Every week I wonder what I’m going to study. There’s just so much information!”
Answer 1:
A simple option would be to choose just one approach each week. For example, look in the reading for how Jehovah helps, or notice good examples and bad examples. The video specifically mentions marking those ideas with colors. That gives you a clear objective and keeps you from feeling overwhelmed.
Answer 2:
You could also use the weekly Bible reading, the Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook, or the lesson you are preparing as your base. That way you do not have to decide from scratch every week, because you already have a specific subject to benefit from.
“I’m so busy that I don’t know where to find time to study.”
Answer 1:
The video gives a very practical suggestion: do not study at the time when you already know you will be tired. Sometimes we do have time, but we leave it for the worst hour of the day. Finding a time when your mind is fresher can make a big difference.
Answer 2:
The lesson also encourages us to make the best use of our time and set a specific time of day. You do not have to start with long sessions; even a short but regular period can work very well if you are consistent.
“It’s very hard for me to concentrate, and sometimes I don’t remember what I just read.”
Answer 1:
In the video, you can see that it helps a lot to pray before studying. One of the sisters asks Jehovah to help her understand where she needs to improve and to give her the strength to apply what she learns. That focuses the mind and keeps the reading from becoming automatic.
Answer 2:
Another very helpful aid is to mark, classify, and meditate. In the video they talk about using colors by theme and about study and meditation going hand in hand. If you highlight ideas and then think about how to apply them, it becomes much easier to concentrate and remember what you read.
Which suggestions for improving your personal study did you find most useful?
Comment 1:
I really liked the idea of not leaving study for when I am already exhausted. It is very practical, because sometimes we really do want to study, but we choose the worst time of day. If we set aside a time when we are more alert, our study will be much more productive.
Comment 2:
I found the suggestion to pray before studying very useful. In the video they do not present it as a routine, but as real help to understand what we need to improve and to apply what we learn. That makes study much more personal.
Comment 3:
Another very good idea is to mark your Bible with colors. I liked it because it makes study more active. It also helps you quickly spot patterns, such as when Jehovah helps someone, which examples are good, and which are bad.
Comment 4:
What helped me a lot was the phrase that study and meditation go hand in hand. It is not enough just to read and turn the page. When you meditate on what you study, it moves you to put it into practice, and that is when study really changes you.
Comment 5:
I found the suggestion to ask questions of the text very useful. In the video they talk about paying attention to where the characters are, what is happening, or under what circumstances it all takes place. That really helps the Bible come alive and makes it easier to understand what the account truly means.
Comment 6:
I was encouraged to hear one of the brothers say that studying was not really his thing before, but that now he loves it. That shows that enjoying study does not always come naturally at first; sometimes it is learned over time, with practice and self-discipline.
Comment 7:
I liked the comparison that personal study is the fuel that keeps us going. It is a very good illustration, because it reminds us that without study we gradually run empty, but with it we stay spiritually strong.
Comment 8:
Another suggestion I found very useful was to dig deeper and then talk about what you learned with others. That helps a lot, because when we comment on what we study, we understand it better and it stays with us more firmly.
Comment 9:
I liked that the video stresses that self-discipline is needed. That is realistic. Sometimes we will not feel like studying, but if we are consistent, we will later enjoy it more and benefit from it more.Comment 10:
I would say that the thought that best sums up the video is this: the more we study, the more we get to know Jehovah; and the more we get to know him, the more we love him. That makes personal study something much more beautiful, because it is no longer just reading, but strengthening our friendship with Jehovah.
