With the title: How to prepare for the difficulties that may come after baptism
The theme: How newly baptized ones can prepare for the difficulties they may face in their Christian life.
And with the theme scripture, Psalm 17:5: “May my steps stay firmly in your paths.”
1, 2. How can we prepare for the problems we may face in our Christian life? Give an example.
Answer 1:
We can prepare by accepting a reality: in this world we are all going to have problems, even in our Christian life. Jesus was very clear when he said that things would come that could cause us to stumble. So, instead of being surprised or getting discouraged when difficulties arise, we do well to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually from now on.
Answer 2:
The article compares it to preparing for a natural disaster. No one waits until the disaster strikes to start thinking about what to do. First, you find out what dangers can occur in your area and then you make plans. In a similar way, we can think ahead about what difficulties we might face as Christians and how we are going to react.
Answer 3:
That preparation protects our friendship with Jehovah. If we have already decided how to act when we are offended, when we miss what we left behind, or when someone abandons Jehovah, we will be less likely to react badly. Preparing ourselves does not mean living in fear; it means wisely safeguarding our relationship with God.
- What difficulty might we encounter in the congregation?
Answer 1:
One difficulty we might encounter is that a fellow believer says or does something to us that hurts. At first, when we get to know the congregation, we may be very impressed by the love we see among the brothers and sisters. But over time we also discover that everyone is still imperfect.
Answer 2:
That does not mean that the congregation is not Jehovah’s people. It simply means that, although the brothers and sisters strive to develop Christian qualities, they still make mistakes. So sooner or later someone might speak to us in a way that hurts us or act in a way that disappoints us.
Answer 3:
The important thing is not to allow an offense to draw us away from Jehovah. It would be very sad to leave the truth because of something said or done by an imperfect person. The congregation is still a gift from Jehovah, even though those of us who make it up are still learning to better reflect his qualities.
- What can we do to be ready from now on in case a fellow believer offends us? (Ephesians 4:32).
Answer 1:
We can prepare by cultivating kindness, compassion, and forgiveness from now on. Ephesians 4:32 encourages us to forgive one another freely, just as Jehovah forgives us. If we already have that attitude in our heart, it will be easier to react well when someone hurts us.
Answer 2:
It also helps to remember how many times we ourselves need Jehovah’s forgiveness. We all make mistakes, say things we should not, or fail at some point. When we think about how patient and generous Jehovah has been with us, it becomes easier for us to forgive others.
Answer 3:
Preparing ourselves does not mean thinking badly of our brothers and sisters, as if we expected them to fail us. Rather, it means recognizing that we are imperfect and deciding ahead of time that we will not let an offense damage our friendship with Jehovah. Forgiveness is a spiritual protection.
- If someone offends us, what Bible principle can help us? (Proverbs 19:11; see also the pictures).
Answer 1:
Proverbs 19:11 teaches us that insight slows down anger. That means that, instead of reacting right away, we try to look beyond what the person said or did. Perhaps the person was tired, worried, under pressure, or did not realize how it affected us.
Answer 2:
Insight helps us to ask ourselves: “Why might the person have acted that way? What might be going on in his or her life? Am I interpreting what happened correctly?” That kind of reflection calms the heart and keeps a hurt from turning into resentment.
Answer 3:
It can also help us to get closer to that brother or sister. The article mentions the idea of going out in the ministry with the person we had a misunderstanding with. When we get to know someone better, we better understand his or her circumstances and struggles. That can help us to forgive and keep the peace.
- What will help us to enjoy good friendships in the congregation?
Answer 1:
It will help us to focus on the good qualities of our brothers and sisters. If we only look at their flaws, sooner or later we will be disappointed. But if we learn to notice their faith, love, efforts, and endurance, it will be easier for us to love them and we will enjoy their company more.
Answer 2:
It also helps to remember where we came from. In the world we see very harsh, selfish, and cruel attitudes. By comparison, the small mistakes of our brothers and sisters should not make us forget all the good that is found in the congregation. Jehovah has given us a very valuable spiritual family.
Answer 3:
Also, good friendships do not appear on their own. We have to spend time with our brothers and sisters, share in the ministry together, talk with them, and get to know them better. The closer we get to them, the more we will see their good qualities and the stronger our sense of belonging to the congregation will be.
- What could lead us to miss the things we left behind?
Answer 1:
The problems of life could lead us to look back with nostalgia. Perhaps we left a prestigious job, very close friendships, or certain habits that gave us pleasure, even though they did not please Jehovah. In difficult moments, we might start to remember only the pleasant part of those things.
Answer 2:
That is dangerous because nostalgia can deceive us. We can forget why we left those things and start to think that we were better off before. But if something was drawing us away from Jehovah or keeping us from serving him fully, it was not really good for us.
Answer 3:
That is why it is good to prepare ourselves from now on. If one day we start to miss what we left behind, we need to remember clearly why we left it. The truth gave us freedom, peace, and hope. It would be very sad to trade those blessings for something that belongs to Satan’s world.
- What do we learn from Abraham and Sarah?
Answer 1:
We learn that we should not keep dwelling on what we left behind. Abraham and Sarah left a prosperous and secure city to live in tents, obeying Jehovah. Humanly speaking, they could have missed many of the comforts of Ur.
Answer 2:
But the Bible says that if they had kept thinking about what they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return. That teaches us that feeding nostalgia can be dangerous. The more we think about what we left, the more attractive it can seem to go back.
Answer 3:
Abraham and Sarah focused on the future that Jehovah was promising them. That is the example we should imitate. Instead of idealizing our former life, let us think about what Jehovah has given us now and about the wonderful future that awaits us if we remain faithful.
- How did the apostle Paul view the things he gave up? (Philippians 3:7, 8, 13).
Answer 1:
Paul gave up many things that could have given him prestige and standing within Judaism. He had received a good education and had a promising future as a religious leader. But when he came to know Christ, he understood that all of that was worth nothing compared with serving Jehovah.
Answer 2:
His life as a Christian was not easy. He was persecuted, beaten, and imprisoned. If he had focused on those difficulties, he might have thought that his former life was better. But he did not. He concentrated on the privilege of following Christ and on the future reward.
Answer 3:
That teaches us to evaluate things properly. What we left behind may seem important from a human standpoint, but it does not compare with knowing Jehovah, serving him, and having eternal hope. Paul did not look back with longing; he looked ahead with faith.
- What should we meditate on often? (Mark 10:29, 30; see also the pictures).
Answer 1:
We should meditate on the blessings we have because we are in the truth. For example, we enjoy a close friendship with Jehovah, the Sovereign of the universe. That alone is worth far more than anything we may have left behind.
Answer 2:
We also have a worldwide spiritual family. Some friends or relatives may have distanced themselves from us because we serve Jehovah, but he has given us spiritual brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and friends. That blessing fulfills what Jesus promised at Mark 10:29, 30.
Answer 3:
And we also have a wonderful future. Jehovah promises a new world, peace, security, and eternal life. If we meditate often on those blessings, we will be less likely to miss the past. With Jehovah, we always gain far more than we lose.
- What do you learn from Rosemary?
Answer 1:
We learn that, when we give up something that used to make us happy, we can replace it with something that pleases Jehovah. Rosemary really missed Christmas because she associated it with family, gifts, and pleasant moments. But she found a clean way to show affection to her family at another time.
Answer 2:
We also learn that, if we lose friendships because of accepting the truth, we do not have to remain alone. Rosemary began making plans with sisters to share in the ministry and in that way she formed new friendships. That shows that Jehovah can fill the empty spaces that appear when we leave the world behind.
Answer 3:
Her experience teaches us something very practical: it is not enough to say, “I no longer do this.” Sometimes we need to look for healthy alternatives that bring us joy and that Jehovah approves of. That way, the heart does not keep looking to the past but learns to enjoy the good things it has now.
- What situation could be especially difficult?
Answer 1:
An especially difficult situation is finding out that a fellow believer has committed a serious sin or has been removed from the congregation. It can hurt us deeply, especially if it is someone we respected, a close friend, or a relative.
Answer 2:
That can test our faith because perhaps we did not expect something like that from that person. We might think: “How could this have happened?” But we must remember that we are all imperfect and that even people with responsibilities can make serious mistakes if they neglect their relationship with Jehovah.
Answer 3:
The key is not to allow another person’s bad decision to weaken our confidence in Jehovah. God’s organization is not defined by the mistakes of one individual. Jehovah is still holy, just, and loving, even though some humans choose to turn away from him.
- How can we prepare so that our faith is not affected if someone very close to us leaves Jehovah?
Answer 1:
We can prepare by strengthening our personal relationship with Jehovah. Our faith must not depend on others remaining faithful. Although we love our brothers and sisters and are encouraged by their example, each of us has to cultivate our own friendship with God.
Answer 2:
That is why it is so important to have a personal routine of prayer and Bible reading. It is not enough to study as a family or to attend the meetings. Each one of us needs to talk to Jehovah, listen to his voice through the Bible, and strengthen our own conviction.
Answer 3:
If our faith is well-rooted, we will be less likely to fall apart when someone close to us fails spiritually. It will hurt us, of course, but it will not draw us away from Jehovah. We will know that our loyalty is to God, not to an imperfect person.
- What do we learn from the apostle Peter? (John 6:66-68).
Answer 1:
We learn that we should stay with Jesus even if others leave. On one occasion, many disciples stopped following him because they did not understand his words. Peter perhaps did not understand everything either, but he was clear about one thing: Jesus had sayings of everlasting life.
Answer 2:
That example helps us if someone leaves the organization. We may not understand everything that happened or it may hurt us deeply, but we know where the truth is. Jehovah has taught us through his organization, and we are not going to leave him because of the decisions of others.
Answer 3:
Peter did not base his faith on what the other disciples did. He based it on the conviction that Jesus taught the truth. We should do the same. Even if others leave, we remain loyal because we know that Jehovah is the source of truth.
- What do you learn from Emily?
Answer 1:
We learn that, when someone very close to us leaves Jehovah, the pain can be enormous. Emily suffered a lot when her mother abandoned the family and was removed from the congregation. That shows that these situations are not easy and that we should not minimize the suffering of those who go through them.
Answer 2:
We also learn that the support of the congregation can make a great difference. Emily had the support of her father and of the brothers and sisters, who became like a family to her. That reminds us how important it is to stay united and support one another.
Answer 3:
Her experience teaches us that we should not wait until we have problems to make good friendships in the congregation. If we get to know our brothers and sisters better from now on and cultivate strong relationships, when a difficulty comes, we will be less likely to feel alone.
- What should we not forget? (See also the picture).
Answer 1:
We should not forget that Jehovah disciplines those he loves. If someone is removed from the congregation, it is not because Jehovah has cast that person aside without compassion. The discipline is meant to help the person to reconsider and return.
Answer 2:
We should also remember that Jehovah wants those who have drifted away to return. He takes no pleasure in losing anyone. That is why the elders will do everything in their power to help that person to restore his or her relationship with Jehovah.
Answer 3:
This helps us to maintain a balanced view. Although it hurts us that someone close is removed from the congregation, we can trust that Jehovah is acting with love, justice, and patience. And in the meantime, we remain faithful and support Jehovah’s arrangements.
- What can we be confident of?
Answer 1:
We can be confident that Jehovah will help us to face any difficulty after baptism. Some trials may seem big, but we do not have to face them alone. Jehovah has already helped us before and he will keep giving us strength.
Answer 2:
We can also be confident that preparing ahead of time is worth it. If we think now about how we will react to an offense, a temptation to go back, or the spiritual fall of someone close, we will be better protected when the trial comes.
Answer 3:
And we can be confident that nothing has to draw us away from Jehovah if we accept his help. He can give us endurance, balance, and peace. If we lean on him, no difficulty will be strong enough to break our friendship with our heavenly Father.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE FOR DIFFICULTIES LIKE THESE?
A fellow believer offends us.
Answer 1:
We can prepare by cultivating kindness, compassion, and forgiveness from now on. If we are already in the habit of forgiving freely, it will be easier to react well when someone hurts or disappoints us.
Answer 2:
We can also develop insight. Instead of staying focused only on what someone said or did, let us try to understand his or her circumstances, pressures, or limitations. That way of thinking slows down anger and helps to keep the peace.
Answer 3:
And we can strengthen our friendships in the congregation by focusing on the good qualities of our brothers and sisters. The more we get to know and appreciate them, the less likely it will be that a misunderstanding pulls us away from Jehovah or from his people.
We start to miss what we left behind.
Answer 1:
We can prepare by remembering why we left those things. Perhaps they used to give us pleasure or comfort, but they could also draw us away from Jehovah. Thinking about that helps us not to idealize the past.
Answer 2:
We should also meditate on everything we have gained: friendship with Jehovah, a spiritual family, a clean purpose, and the hope of eternal life. If we fill our mind with those blessings, it will be harder to look back with nostalgia.
Answer 3:
And if we miss something that used to make us happy, we can look for an alternative that Jehovah approves of. As in Rosemary’s case, it is not just about giving things up; it is about filling life with healthy joys that strengthen our friendship with God.
Someone is removed from the congregation.
Answer 1:
We can prepare by strengthening our own relationship with Jehovah. Our faith must depend on God and on the truth, not on another person’s faithfulness, even if that person is close to us or dearly loved.
Answer 2:
We can also remember the example of Peter. Although many stopped following Jesus, Peter stayed because he knew that Jesus had sayings of everlasting life. We too remain faithful because we know where the truth is.
Answer 3:
And we should not forget that Jehovah disciplines out of love and that the elders want to help those who have been removed to return. That balanced view helps us to trust in Jehovah, stay calm, and remain firm.
