With the title: How to prepare for the difficulties that come after baptism
The theme: How newly baptized can prepare for the difficulties they may face in their Christian life
And with the thematic text, Psalm 17:5: May my steps remain in your paths.
1, 2. How can we prepare for the problems we may face in our Christian life? Set an example.
Answer 1:
We can prepare ourselves by accepting a reality: in this world we will all have problems, even within our Christian life. Jesus was very clear in saying that things would come that could make us stumble. Therefore, instead of being surprised or discouraged when difficulties appear, we do well to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually from now on.
Answer 2:
The article compares it to preparation for a natural disaster. Nobody waits for the disaster to get there to start thinking about what to do. First find out what dangers can happen in your area and then make plans. Similarly, we can think in advance about what difficulties we could face as Christians and how we will react.
Answer 3:
That preparation protects our friendship with Jehovah. If we have already decided how to act when they offend us, when we miss what we leave behind or when someone abandons Jehovah, we will be less likely to react badly. Preparing us does not mean living in fear, but to care wisely for our relationship with God.
- What difficulty could we meet in the congregation?
Answer 1:
One difficulty we could find is that some brother tells us or do us something that hurts us. At first, when we meet the congregation, perhaps we are greatly impressed by the love we see among the brothers. But over time we also found that everyone remains imperfect.
Answer 2:
That does not mean that the congregation is not the people of Jehovah. It simply means that, although the brothers strive to develop Christian qualities, they still make mistakes. That’s why sooner or later someone could talk 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 separate us from Jehovah. It would be very sad to leave the truth for something that an imperfect person said or did. The congregation remains a gift from Jehovah, though those of us who form it are still learning to better reflect their qualities.
- What can we do to be ready from now on in case any brother offends us? (Ephesians 4:32).
Answer 1:
We can prepare ourselves by cultivating kindness, compassion and forgiveness from now on. Ephesians 4:32 encourage us to forgive us generously, just as Jehovah forgives us. If we already have that attitude in our hearts, it will be easier to react well when someone hurts us.
Answer 2:
It also helps to remember how many times we ourselves need the forgiveness of Jehovah. We all make mistakes, say things we shouldn’t or fail at some point. When we think about how patient and generous Jehovah has been with us, it is easier for us to forgive others.
Answer 3:
Preparing us doesn’t mean thinking badly of the brothers, as if we were expecting them to fail us. Rather, it means recognizing that we are imperfect and deciding in advance that we will not let an offense damage our friendship with Jehovah. Forgiveness is spiritual protection.
- If anyone offends us, what biblical principle can help us? (Proverbs 19:11; see also the images).
Answer 1:
Proverbs 19:11 teaches us that insight helps to stem fury. That means that, instead of reacting right away, we try to look beyond what the person said or did. Maybe she was tired, worried, under pressure or didn’t realise how it affected us.
Answer 2:
Perspicy helps us to ask ourselves: Why have you acted like this? What will be going on in your life? Am I playing what happened? That kind of reflection calms the heart and prevents a wound from turning into resentment.
Answer 3:
It can also help us get closer to that brother. The article mentions the idea of preaching with whom there was a misunderstanding. When we know a person better, we better understand his circumstances and his struggles. That can help us forgive and preserve peace.
- What will help us enjoy good friendships in the congregation?
Answer 1:
It will help us to focus on the good qualities of the brothers. If we just look at their flaws, sooner or later we’ll be disappointed. But if we learn to look at their faith, their love, their efforts and their endurance, we will find it easier 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 brothers’ small mistakes should not make us forget all the good that is in the congregation. Jehovah has given us a very valuable spiritual family.
Answer 3:
Besides, good friendships don’t show up alone. You have to spend time with the brothers, preach together, talk and know them better. The closer we get to them, the more we will see their virtues and the stronger our sense of belonging to the congregation.
- 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 work with prestige, very close friendships or certain habits that gave us pleasure, even if they did not please Jehovah. In difficult times, we could begin to remember only the nice part of that.
Answer 2:
That’s dangerous because nostalgia can fool us. We can forget why we left those things and start thinking we were better off earlier. But if anything took us away from Jehovah or prevented us from serving him fully, it was not really good for us.
Answer 3:
That’s why we should prepare from now on. If one day we start to miss what we leave behind, we need to clearly remember why we leave it. The truth gave us freedom, peace and hope. It would be very sad to change those blessings for something that belongs to the world of Satan.
- What do we learn from Abraham and Sara?
Answer 1:
We learn that we shouldn’t be thinking too much about what we leave behind. Abraham and Sarah left a prosperous and secure city to live in tents, obeying Jehovah. Humanly, they could have missed many Ur amenities.
Answer 2:
But the Bible says that if they had continued to think about what they left, they would have had a chance to return. That teaches that feeding nostalgia can be dangerous. The more we think about what we leave, the more attractive it may seem to come back.
Answer 3:
Abraham and Sarah focused on the future that Jehovah promised them. That is the example we must imitate. Instead of idealizing the previous life, let us think about what Jehovah has given us now and in the wonderful future that awaits us if we remain faithful.
- How did the Apostle Paul consider the things to which he renounced? (Filyns 3:7, 8, 13).
Answer 1:
Paul renounced many things that could have given him prestige and position within Judaism. He had received a good training and had a promising future as a religious leader. But when he knew Christ, he understood that all this was worth nothing compared to 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 his previous life was better. But he didn’t. He focused on the privilege of following Christ and the future reward.
Answer 3:
That teaches us to value things well. What we leave behind may seem important from a human point of view, but it is not compared to knowing Jehovah, serving him and having eternal hope. Paul did not look back on longing; he looked forward with faith.
- What things should we meditate on frequently? (Mark 10:29, 30; see also the images).
Answer 1:
We must meditate on the blessings we have to be in the truth. For example, we enjoy a close friendship with Jehovah, the Sovereign of the universe. That alone is worth much more than anything we’ve left behind.
Answer 2:
We also have a global spiritual family. Some friends or family may have turned away from us for serving Jehovah, but he has given us brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and spiritual friends. That blessing fulfills what Jesus promised in 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 frequently on those blessings, we’re less likely to miss the past. With Jehovah, we always earn much more than we lose.
- What do you learn from Rosemary?
Answer 1:
We learn that, when we left something that made us happily before, we can replace it with something that pleases Jehovah. Rosemary missed Christmas so much because he associated her with family, gifts and pleasant moments. But he found a clean way of expressing affection for his family at another time.
Answer 2:
We also learn that, if we lose friendships for accepting the truth, we don’t have to be left alone. Rosemary started making plans with sisters to preach and so it was forming new friendships. That shows that Jehovah can fill the gaps that appear when we leave the world behind.
Answer 3:
His experience teaches us something very practical: it’s not enough to say I don’t do this anymore. Sometimes we need to look for healthy alternatives that give us joy and that Jehovah approves. Thus the heart does not stand by looking at the past, but learns to enjoy the good it has now.
- What situation could be particularly difficult?
Answer 1:
A particularly difficult situation is to learn that a brother has committed a serious sin or been taken out of the congregation. It can hurt a lot, especially if it’s someone we respected, a close friend or a relative.
Answer 2:
That can test our faith because maybe we didn’t expect something like that from that person. We could think: How could this happen? 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 someone else’s bad decision to weaken our trust in Jehovah. God’s organization is not defined by the mistakes of an individual. Jehovah remains holy, just and loving, even if some human beings decide to turn away from him.
- How can we prepare ourselves so that our faith will not be affected if someone very close leaves Jehovah?
Answer 1:
We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our personal relationship with Jehovah. Our faith must not depend on others remaining faithful. Although we love our brothers and encourage us his example, each one has to cultivate his own friendship with God.
Answer 2:
That’s why it’s so important to have a personal routine of prayer and reading of the Bible. It is not enough to study with family or attend meetings. Everyone needs to speak to Jehovah, to listen to his voice through the Bible and strengthen his own conviction.
Answer 3:
If our faith is well entrenched, we are less likely to collapse when someone close to death spiritually. It will hurt us, of course, but it will not turn 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 must stay with Jesus even if others leave. On one occasion, many disciples stopped following him because they did not understand his words. Peter may not understand everything either, but he was clear one thing: Jesus had words of eternal life.
Answer 2:
That example helps us if someone leaves the organization. We may not understand everything that happened or it hurts us very much, but we know where the truth is. Jehovah has taught us through his organization, and we will not leave him by the decisions of others.
Answer 3:
Peter did not base his faith on what other disciples did. He based it on the conviction that Jesus taught the truth. We must do the same. Though 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 leaves Jehovah, the pain can be enormous. Emily suffered a lot when her mother left the family and was taken out of the congregation. This shows that these situations are not easy and we must not minimize the suffering of those who live them.
Answer 2:
We also learn that the support of the congregation can make a big difference. Emily had her father and the brothers, who became like a family to her. That reminds us how important it is to stick together and support each other.
Answer 3:
His experience teaches that we should not wait to have trouble making good friendships in the congregation. If from now on we know the brothers better and cultivate strong relationships, when a difficulty arrives they will be less likely to feel lonely.
- What should we not forget? (See also the image).
Answer 1:
We must not forget that Jehovah disciplines those whom he loves. If anyone is taken out of the congregation, it is not because Jehovah has ruled him out without compassion. The discipline aims to help the person rethink and return.
Answer 2:
We must also remember that Jehovah wants those who have turned away from to return. He’s not happy to lose anyone. That is why the elders will do everything in their power to help that person regain their relationship with Jehovah.
Answer 3:
This helps us maintain a balanced vision. Although it hurts us that someone close is taken out of the congregation, we can trust that Jehovah is acting with love, justice and patience. And in the meantime, we remain faithful and support the measures of Jehovah.
- What can we be sure of?
Answer 1:
We can be sure that Jehovah will help us to face any difficulty after baptism. Some tests may seem great, but we don’t have to deal with them alone. Jehovah has helped us before and will continue to give us strength.
Answer 2:
We can also be sure that preparing in advance 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 more protected when the test arrives.
Answer 3:
And we can be sure that nothing has to get away from Jehovah if we accept his help. He can give us up, balance and peace. If we rely on him, no difficulty will be strong enough to break our friendship with our heavenly Father.
What do you think about READING FOR DIFICULTYS How many are you?
A brother offends us.
Answer 1:
We can prepare ourselves by cultivating kindness, compassion and forgiveness from now on. If we already have a habit of generously forgiveness, it will be easier to react well when someone hurts or disappoints us.
Answer 2:
We can also develop insight. Instead of being left alone with what someone said or did, let’s try to understand their circumstances, their pressures or their limitations. That way of thinking slows down anger and helps to preserve peace.
Answer 3:
And we can strengthen our friendships in the congregation by looking at the good qualities of the brothers. The more we know and value them, the less likely a misunderstanding will be to alienate us from Jehovah or his people.
We’re starting to miss what we left behind.
Answer 1:
We can prepare by remembering why we left those things. Perhaps before they gave us pleasure or comfort, but they could also turn us away from Jehovah. Thinking about that helps us not to idealize the past.
Answer 2:
We must also meditate on all that we have gained: friendship with Jehovah, a spiritual family, a clean purpose and the hope of eternal life. If we fill the mind with those blessings, it will be harder to look back on nostalgia.
Answer 3:
And if we miss something that made us happy before, we can look for an alternative that Jehovah approves. As in Rosemary’s case, it is not just about resigning, but about filling life with healthy joys that strengthen our friendship with God.
Someone is taken from the congregation.
Answer 1:
We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our own relationship with Jehovah. Our faith must depend on God and truth, not on another person’s fidelity, even if that person is close or very dear.
Answer 2:
We can also remember Peter’s example. Although many stopped following Jesus, Peter stayed because he knew Jesus had the words of eternal life. We also remain faithful because we know where the truth is.
Answer 3:
And we must not forget that Jehovah disciplines for love and that the elders want to help those who have been brought back. That balanced vision helps us to trust Jehovah, to remain calm and to stand firm.
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