References for “Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook”

References for Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook

SEPTEMBER 8-14

Spiritual Gems

w09 4/15 17 ¶11-13

Jehovah’s Wisdom Observed in Creation

¹¹ The rock badger is another comparatively small creature that can teach us important lessons. (Read Proverbs 30:26.) It somewhat resembles a large rabbit but has short, rounded ears and short legs. This little animal lives in rocky areas. The keen eyesight of the rock badger serves it well, and the holes and crevices in its craggy habitat provide a safe retreat from predators. The rock badger is designed to prosper in a close-knit community, which provides protection and helps it to keep warm in winter.

¹² What can we learn from the rock badger? First, note that this animal does not leave itself vulnerable to attack. Rather, it takes advantage of its keen eyesight to see predators from afar, and it stays close to holes and crevices that can provide lifesaving shelter. Similarly, we need to have sharp spiritual vision so that we can perceive the dangers that lurk in Satan’s world. The apostle Peter admonished Christians: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” (1 Pet. 5:8) When he was on earth, Jesus remained watchful, on guard against all attempts of Satan to break His integrity. (Matt. 4:1-11) Jesus set a good example for his followers!

¹³ One way we can be watchful is by taking advantage of the spiritual protection that Jehovah makes available to us. Study of God’s Word and attendance at Christian meetings should not be neglected. (Luke 4:4; Heb. 10:24, 25) Furthermore, just as the rock badger thrives in a close-knit community, we need to stay close to our fellow Christians so that we can enjoy “an interchange of encouragement” with them. (Rom. 1:12) By availing ourselves of the protection Jehovah provides, we show that we agree with the psalmist David, who wrote: “Jehovah is my crag and my stronghold and the Provider of escape for me. My God is my rock. I shall take refuge in him.”—Ps. 18:2.

SEPTEMBER 15-21

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | PROVERBS 31

ijwhf article 4 ¶11-13

Talking to Children About Alcohol

Take the initiative to discuss the topic. “The use of alcohol can be confusing to young ones,” says Mark, a father in Britain. “I asked my eight-year-old son if he thought it was right or wrong to drink alcohol. I kept the atmosphere relaxed and informal, and this helped him to express his views openly.”

You will leave a deeper impression if you address the subject of alcohol on several occasions. Depending on the age of your child, include discussions about alcohol along with other life lessons, such as road safety and sex education.

Set the example. Children are like sponges—they absorb their surroundings—and research indicates that parents influence their children the most. This means that if you drink alcohol as a primary way to calm down or relieve stress, your child will get the message that alcohol is the answer to life’s anxieties. So be a good role model. Make sure you use alcohol responsibly.

SEPTEMBER 29–OCTOBER 5

Spiritual Gems

it “Love” ¶39

Love

“A Time to Love.” Love is held back only from those whom Jehovah shows are unworthy of it, or from those set in a course of badness. Love is extended to all persons until they show they are haters of God. Then the time comes for love’s expression toward them to end. Both Jehovah God and Jesus Christ love righteousness and hate lawlessness. (Ps 45:7; Heb 1:9) Those who intensely hate the true God are not persons toward whom love is to be expressed. Indeed, it would accomplish no good to continue exercising love toward such ones, for those who hate God will not respond to God’s love. (Ps 139:21, 22; Isa 26:10) Therefore God properly hates them and has a time to act against them.—Ps 21:8, 9; Ec 3:1, 8.

OCTOBER 6-12

Spiritual Gems

w20.09 31 ¶3-5

Questions From Readers

Ecclesiastes 5:8 refers to a ruler who oppresses the poor and denies them justice. The ruler ought to remember that he is likely being watched by someone who has a higher post or more authority in government than he has. In fact, there may be others who have even higher positions. Sadly, in human governments, all these rulers may be corrupt, and the common people must cope with misrule on many levels.

Yet, no matter how hopeless matters might seem, we can take comfort in knowing that Jehovah is ‘watching even high officials’ in human governments. We can appeal to God and throw our burdens on him. (Ps. 55:22; Phil. 4:6, 7) We know that “the eyes of Jehovah are roving about through all the earth to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.”—2 Chron. 16:9.

Consequently, Ecclesiastes 5:8 brings to mind the real situation of men in government; there is always someone with greater authority. More important, the verse can help us reflect on the fact that Jehovah is the highest, yes, the Supreme Authority. He is now ruling through his Son, Jesus Christ, King of the Kingdom. The Almighty, who is observing all, is completely just and fair, and so is his Son.

OCTOBER 20-26

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | ECCLESIASTES 9-10

w11 10/15 8 ¶1-2

Is Your Recreation Beneficial?

THROUGHOUT the Bible, we find statements indicating that Jehovah wants us not only to live but also to enjoy life. For instance, Psalm 104:14, 15 states that Jehovah is causing “food to go forth from the earth, and wine that makes the heart of mortal man rejoice, to make the face shine with oil, and bread that sustains the very heart of mortal man.” Indeed, Jehovah makes crops grow to yield grain, oil, and wine for our sustenance. But wine also ‘makes the heart rejoice.’ It goes beyond what is strictly necessary to maintain life and adds to our joy. (Eccl. 9:7; 10:19) Yes, Jehovah wants us to be joyful, our hearts filled with “good cheer.”—Acts 14:16, 17.

² There is, therefore, no reason to feel guilty when we once in a while schedule some time to “observe intently the birds of heaven” and “the lilies of the field” or to enjoy some other activities that refresh us and enrich our life. (Matt. 6:26, 28; Ps. 8:3, 4) A wholesome life is a “gift of God.” (Eccl. 3:12, 13) Viewing leisure time as part of that gift will move us to use it in a way that will bring pleasure to the Giver.

OCTOBER 27–NOVEMBER 2

Spiritual Gems

it “Inspiration” ¶10

Inspiration

The evidence indicates, however, that the men used by God to record the Scriptures were not merely automatons, simply recording dictated material. We read concerning the apostle John that the “God-breathed” Revelation was presented to him through an angel “in signs” and that John then “bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw.” (Re 1:1, 2) It was “by inspiration [literally, “in spirit”]” that John “came to be in the Lord’s day” and he was told: “What you see write in a scroll.” (Re 1:10, 11) So, God apparently saw good to allow Bible writers to use their mental faculties in selecting words and expressions to describe the visions they saw (Hab 2:2), while always exercising sufficient control and guidance over them so that the end product would be not only accurate and true but also such as suited Jehovah’s purpose. (Pr 30:5, 6) That personal effort on the part of the writer was involved is shown by the statement at Ecclesiastes 12:9, 10, there being a pondering, searching, and arranging in order to present properly “delightful words and the writing of correct words of truth.”—Compare Lu 1:1-4.