Listening to the great teacher (1971)
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Listening to the Great Teacher
Source: jw.org
Contents
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
Contents
A Word to You Parents
Jesus, the Great Teacher
A Letter from God
The One Who Made All Things
God Has a Name
“This Is My Son”
The Great Teacher Served Other People
Obedience Protects You
A Good Neighbor
There Is Someone Higher
One Leper Gave Glory to God
Jesus Teaches Us to Pray
Tempted by the Devil
Those Who Became Jesus’ Disciples
Power over Wind and Waves
The Unforgiving Slave
The Man Who Was Dead Four Days
Two Persons Who Did Not Tell the Truth
Why People Do Bad Things
Love for Our Brothers and Sisters
Children Raised from the Dead
“Your Sins Are Forgiven”
The Man Who Forgot God
The Blessing of Work
Help from God’s Angels
Those Who Chose the Best Places
Children Who Praise God
Hated for Doing Good
A Loving Shepherd
Make Friends with Those Who Love God
Two Men Who Celebrated Birthdays
Water Sweeps Away a World
“Happy Are the Peaceable”
“Caesar’s Things to Caesar”
Worship Belongs to God
“More Happiness in Giving”
The Boastful Pharisee
The Apostle Who Became a Thief
Love for God’s House
‘Blessed Is the One Coming as King’
Jesus Gave His Life for Us
A Meal to Help Us Remember
An Empty Tomb
Jesus Gives a Sign
“You Will Be with Me in Paradise”
How to Tell God, ‘I Love You’
The Way to Live Forever
Other Aids for Your Family
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
Title Page/Publishers’ Page
Listening to the Great Teacher
“Let the young children come to me, and do not try to stop them.”—Luke 18:16.
Contents
Contents
PAGE CHAPTER
7 1 Jesus, the Great Teacher
11 2 A Letter from God
15 3 The One Who Made All Things
19 4 God Has a Name
23 5 “This Is My Son”
27 6 The Great Teacher Served Other People
31 7 Obedience Protects You
35 8 A Good Neighbor
39 9 There Is Someone Higher
43 10 One Leper Gave Glory to God
47 11 Jesus Teaches Us to Pray
51 12 Tempted by the Devil
55 13 Those Who Became Jesus’ Disciples
59 14 Power over Wind and Waves
63 15 The Unforgiving Slave
67 16 The Man Who Was Dead Four Days
71 17 Two Persons Who Did Not Tell the Truth
75 18 Why People Do Bad Things
79 19 Love for Our Brothers and Sisters
83 20 Children Raised from the Dead
87 21 “Your Sins Are Forgiven”
91 22 The Man Who Forgot God
95 23 The Blessing of Work
99 24 Help from God’s Angels
103 25 Those Who Chose the Best Places
107 26 Children Who Praise God
111 27 Hated for Doing Good
115 28 A Loving Shepherd
119 29 Make Friends with Those Who Love God
123 30 Two Men Who Celebrated Birthdays
127 31 Water Sweeps Away a World
131 32 “Happy Are the Peaceable”
135 33 “Caesar’s Things to Caesar”
139 34 Worship Belongs to God
143 35 “More Happiness in Giving”
147 36 The Boastful Pharisee
151 37 The Apostle Who Became a Thief
155 38 Love for God’s House
159 39 ‘Blessed Is the One Coming as King’
163 40 Jesus Gave His Life for Us
167 41 A Meal to Help Us Remember
171 42 An Empty Tomb
175 43 Jesus Gives a Sign
179 44 “You Will Be with Me in Paradise”
183 45 How to Tell God, ‘I Love You’
187 46 The Way to Live Forever
NOTE: The scriptures referred to in this book may be found in any translation of the Bible. However, unless otherwise indicated, direct quotations are from the modern-language “New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.” Citations marked “Dy” show where the same information is found in the Catholic “Douay Version.”
A Word to You Parents
A Word to You Parents
The love of parents for their children is a wonderful quality. Like most parents, you are undoubtedly concerned with giving your children a good start in life.
But we are sure you realize that there is more to this than simply providing food and clothing for your children and sending them off to school to be educated. To face life successfully, children need moral guidance, principles by which to live. And they need these from their tender years on. Heartbreaking things can and do happen where children receive help too late.
Perhaps, like many parents, you feel somewhat at a loss as to where to begin and what to teach your children. Really, the best principles that can be found anywhere are found in the Bible. Instruction based on the Bible has definite advantages. By it, children come to realize that what they are being told is not just their father’s or mother’s idea. It is what their Creator says; it is his will. This gives a strength to parental counsel that cannot be equaled in any other way.
In the pages of the Bible God encourages parents to take a personal interest in impressing right principles on the minds of their children. It may seem easier to pass this responsibility on to someone else. But doing that means missing out on a very enriching experience. It means giving up the opportunity to reach your child’s heart in a way that you and no one else ever could.
In many homes today parents and children are steadily drifting apart. As children grow older, parents often find it increasingly hard to talk with them about things that matter the most. This book, “Listening to the Great Teacher,” is designed to help to prevent such a situation in your home. It is designed so that you and your children can read it together. But, more than this, it is designed to stimulate conversation between parents and children.
This is because it calls for a response on the part of the children. You will find many well-placed questions in the printed material. When you come to these, you will observe a dash (—), to remind you to pause and encourage your child to express himself. Children like to be involved. Without that involvement a child’s interest quickly fades. More importantly, though, these questions will help you to learn what is on your child’s mind. Of course, the child may come out with answers that are far from right. But the printed material that follows each question is designed to help the child to develop wholesome patterns of thinking.
When the child learns to read, encourage him to read the book to you, and at times to himself. The more he reads it, the more its good counsel will be impressed on his mind and heart. But, to strengthen the bonds of affection and respect between both of you parents and your child, by all means read the book together, and do it regularly.
Some Bible texts are cited at the end of each chapter. Why not take time to look these up together? You and your children can thereby learn to use the Bible well. Explain what these scriptures are saying. Help make clear any difficult words in the scriptures that you look up, as is done in this book. Doing this, you will be directing your child’s attention to the finest source of guidance in life, the Bible.
We sincerely hope this book will help you and your family to mold your lives so as to be pleasing to the Creator, to your eternal blessing.
—THE PUBLISHERS
Jesus, the Great Teacher
Chapter 1
Jesus, the Great Teacher
DO YOU like to hear stories?— Well, then, I’m going to tell you one about a man who told better stories than anyone else who has ever lived on earth. His name is Jesus Christ.
He lived on this earth almost two thousand years ago. That is a long time ago. It is long before your grandmother or grandfather were born. And it is long before men had cars or trains or radios or other things of today.
When Jesus told a story it made a person think. If a person thought about it long enough, what Jesus said could even change the way the person felt about things. It could change the person’s whole view of life. And everything that Jesus said was true.
Jesus knew more than any other man. He was the best teacher who ever lived. We learn many things from other persons. But we can learn the most important things from Jesus.
One reason that Jesus was such a great teacher is because he listened. He knew how important it is to listen. But to whom did Jesus listen? Who taught him?— Jesus’ Father did. And Jesus’ Father is God.
Before coming to earth as a man, Jesus had lived in heaven with God. So Jesus was different from other men. For no other man lived in heaven before being born on earth. In heaven Jesus had been a good Son who listened to his Father. So Jesus was able to teach people what he learned from God. By listening to your father and mother you can copy Jesus.
Another reason why Jesus was a great teacher is that he loved people. He wanted to help them to learn about God. Jesus loved grown-ups. But did he love children too?— Yes, he did. And children liked to be with Jesus because he would talk to them and listen to them.
One day parents brought their young children to Jesus. But Jesus’ friends thought that the Great Teacher was too busy to speak with little children. So they told them to go away. But did Jesus agree?— No. He said: ‘Let the young children alone, and do not stop them from coming to me.’ Even though he was a very wise and important man, Jesus took time to teach little children.—Matthew 19:13, 14.
Jesus was a great teacher because he knew how to make things interesting. He spoke about birds and flowers and other things to help people understand about God. One day he gave a sermon or a talk to a large crowd of people who came to him when he was on the side of a mountain. It is called the Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus told the people: ‘Look at the birds in the sky. They do not plant seed. They do not store food in houses. But God in heaven feeds them. Are you not worth more than they are?’
Jesus also said: ‘Take a lesson from the lilies of the field.’ What lesson do you think we can learn from them? Well, Jesus said: ‘They do not make clothes. And look how beautiful they are! Even rich King Solomon was not dressed more beautifully than the lilies of the field. So if God takes care of the flowers that grow, will he not also care for you?’
Do you understand the lesson Jesus was teaching there?— He did not want them to worry about where they would get food to eat or clothes to put on. God knows that people need these things. Jesus did not say that we should not work for food and clothing. But he said that we should put God first. If we do that, God will see that we have food to eat and clothing to wear. Do you believe that?— —Matthew 6:25-33.
People liked the way Jesus taught. They were amazed. It was interesting to listen to him. And what he said helped people to do what is right.
It is important that we listen to him too. But how can we do that? We have the sayings of Jesus written in a book. Do you know what that book is?— It is the Holy Bible. So we can listen to Jesus by paying attention to the Bible.
God himself says that we should listen to Jesus. One day when Jesus was with three of his friends up in a high mountain, a voice from heaven said: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved; listen to him.” Do you know whose voice that was?— It was God’s! God said that we should listen to his Son.—Matthew 17:1-5.
Will you listen to the Great Teacher?— That is what we all should do. We will be happy if we do. And it will also bring us happiness if we tell our friends the good things we learn.
(For more fine thoughts about the benefits that come from listening to Jesus, open your Bible and read together John 8:28-30; 3:16; Acts 4:12.)
A Letter from God
Chapter 2
A Letter from God
TELL me, which book do you like best of all?— Some children would pick one that tells about animals. Others would choose a book with lots of pictures in it. It can be fun to read those books.
But the best books in all the world are the ones that tell us the truth about God. And one of those books is more precious than all the others. Do you know which one it is?— The Bible.
Why is the Bible so important?— Because it came from God. It tells us about him and about the good things that he will do for us. And it shows us what we should do in order to please him. It is like a letter from God.
Now, God could have written the whole Bible in heaven and then given it to man. But he didn’t. The ideas came from God. But he used his servants on earth to do most of the writing.
How did he do that?— An example can help us to understand. When people hear a voice on the radio it is from someone far away. They cannot see him, but they can hear what he says, can’t they?
Men can even go all the way to the moon in their spaceships, and they can send messages back to the earth from there. Did you know that?— If men can do that, can God send messages from heaven?— Of course he can! And he did it long before men had radio and television.
Moses was one man to whom God spoke. Moses could not see God, but he could hear the voice. Millions of people were there when this happened. They saw it when God caused a whole mountain to shake, and there was thunder and lightning. They heard it when a voice came from heaven. They knew that God had spoken. God spoke to Moses again later on, and Moses wrote down the things that God said. What he wrote is in the Bible.—Exodus 19:3-20:21.
It was not only Moses that wrote. God used about forty men to write parts of the Bible. They wrote down things that God was going to do in the future. How did they know those things before they even happened?— God had talked to them.
By the time that Jesus, the Great Teacher, was on earth, a big part of the Bible had been written. Now, remember, the Great Teacher had been in heaven. He knew what God had done. Did he believe that the Bible was from God?— Yes, he did.
When Jesus talked to people about the works of God, he read from the Bible. Sometimes he told them from memory what it said.
Jesus also brought us more information from God. He said: ‘The very things I heard from God I am speaking in the world.’ Jesus had heard many things from God because he had lived with God. And where can we read those things that Jesus said?— In the Bible. It was all written down for us to read.—John 8:26.
Of course, when God used men to write, they wrote in the language that they used every day. So part of the Bible was written in Hebrew, some in Aramaic, and quite a bit in Greek. Most people today do not know how to read those languages. Do you?—
That is why the Bible has been copied into other languages. Today there are parts of the Bible in over one thousand four hundred languages. Just think of that! The Bible is God’s letter to people everywhere. So it has to be in many languages. But no matter how many times it has been copied, the message is from God.
What the Bible says is important for us. It was written a long time ago. But it tells about things that are happening today. And it tells us what God is going to do in the near future. What it says is exciting! It gives us a wonderful hope.
The Bible also tells us how God wants us to live. It tells us what is right and what is wrong. You need to know this and so do I. It tells us about people who did bad things, and what happened to them. So we can avoid the trouble they had. It also tells us about people who did right, and the good results that came to them. It was all written down for our good.
But to get the most out of the Bible, we need to know the answer to a question. The question is this: “Who gave us the Bible?” What would you say?— Yes, all of it is from God.
But some people do not listen to what God says in the Bible. They just live the way they want to. Do you think that is right?— Do you think that anyone knows more than God does?— The way to show that we are really wise is to listen to God. And then we ought to do what he says.
So we need to take time to read the Bible together. When we get a letter from someone that we love very much, we read it again and again. It is precious to us. That is the way the Bible should be to us, because it is a letter from the One who loves us most. It is a letter from God.
(Take a few more minutes now and read these scriptures that show that the Bible truly is God’s Word, written for our benefit: 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Romans 15:4.)
The One Who Made All Things
Chapter 3
The One Who Made All Things
I KNOW something wonderful. Would you like to hear it?— Look at your hand. Bend your fingers. Now pick something up. Your hand can do many things, and it can do them well. Do you know who made the hand?— It was God.
Now look at my face. What do you see?— You see my mouth, my nose and my two eyes. How can you see them?— With your own eyes. And who made the eyes?— It was God. Isn’t that wonderful?—
You can see many things with your eyes. You can look at flowers. You can see birds. You can look at the green grass and the blue sky.
But who made these things?— Did some man make them?— No. Men can make a house. But no man can make grass that grows. Men cannot make a bird, a flower or any other living thing. Did you know that?—
God is the One who made all these things. God made the heavens and the earth. He made people too. He created the first man and the first woman. Jesus, the Great Teacher, taught this.—Matthew 19:4-6.
How did Jesus know that God made man and woman? Did Jesus see God do it?— Yes, he did. Jesus was with God when God made man and woman. Jesus was the first person that God made. He was an angel, and he lived and worked in heaven with his Father.
The Bible tells us that God said: “Let us make man.” Do you know whom God was talking to?— He was talking to his Son, the one who later came to earth and became the Great Teacher!—Genesis 1:26.
Everything that God has done shows his love. God made the sun. The sun gives us light and it keeps us warm. Everything would be cold and there would be no life on earth if we did not have the sun. Aren’t you glad that God made the sun?—
God makes it rain too. Sometimes you may not like the rain because you can’t go outside to play when it rains. But the rain helps the flowers to grow.
So when we see beautiful flowers, whom are we going to thank for them?— God. And whom should we thank when we eat fruits and vegetables that taste good?— We should thank God, because it is his sun and rain that make things grow. God is so good to do all these wonderful things for us.
Do you know where God is?— The Bible tells us that God lives in heaven.
Can you see God?— No. The Bible says: ‘No man can see God.’ So no one should try to make a picture or an image of God. God even tells us not to try to make an image of him. So we should not have things like those in our house, should we?— —Exodus 33:20; 20:4, 5.
But if you cannot see God, how do you know that there really is a God?— Think about this. Can you see the wind?— No. Nobody can see the wind. But you can see the things the wind does. You can see the leaves move when the wind blows through the branches of a tree. So you believe that there is wind.
You can see the things God has done too. When you see a living flower or a bird, you see something God has made. So you believe that there really is a God.
Someone might ask you, “Who made the sun and the earth?” What would you say?— You can say that God made them. The Bible says: “God created the heavens and the earth.”—Genesis 1:1.
What if someone asks you, “Did God make man and the animals too?” What will you say?— Tell him: “Yes, God made man and the animals. God made the birds too.” The Bible says: ‘God created all things.’—Ephesians 3:9.
Someone may tell you that he does not believe in God. What will you say then?— Why not point to a house? Ask the person: “Who made that house?” Some man did. The house did not make itself, did it?—
Then take the person to a garden and show him a flower. Ask him: “Who made this?” No man did. Since the house did not make itself, this flower did not make itself. Someone made it. God did.
Ask the person to stop and listen to the song of a bird. Then ask him: “Who made the birds and taught them to sing?” God did. God is the One who made the heavens and the earth and all living things! He is the One who gives life.
And how good it is to be alive! We can hear the beautiful songs of the birds. We can see the flowers and the other things that God has made. And we can eat the foods that God has given us.
For all these things we should thank God. Most of all, we should thank him for giving us life. If we are really thankful to God, we will do something. What is that?— We will listen to God and we will worship him in the way that he tells us to in the Bible. In that way we can show that we love the One who made all things.
(We should show appreciation to God for all that he has done. How? Read what is written at Psalm 139:14 [138:14, Douay Version], Revelation 4:11, John 4:23, 24 and 1 John 5:21.)
God Has a Name
Chapter 4
God Has a Name
WHAT is your name?— You have a name. So do I. The first man on earth had a name. God called him Adam. The first woman was named Eve. Every man, woman and child has a name.
Look up at the many, many stars at night. Do you think they have names?— Yes, God gave a name to each star in the sky. The Bible tells us: “He is counting the number of the stars; all of them he calls by their names.”—Psalm 147:4.
People and stars all have names. So do you think that God has a name?— The Great Teacher said that he does. He once said in prayer to God: ‘I have made your name known to my followers.’—John 17:26.
Do you know God’s name?— God himself tells us what it is. He says: “I am Jehovah. That is my name.” So God’s name is JEHOVAH.—Isaiah 42:8.
Do you like it when others remember your name?— People like to be called by their name. And Jehovah wants people to know his name too. So we should use the name Jehovah when we talk about God.
The Great Teacher used God’s name Jehovah when he spoke to people. One time he said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart.”—Mark 12:30.
Jesus knew that “Jehovah” is a very important name. So he taught his followers to use God’s name. He even taught them to speak about God’s name in their prayers.
Long ago God showed the importance of his name to the man Moses. Moses was one of the sons of Israel. The sons of Israel lived in a land called Egypt. The Egyptians made the sons of Israel slaves and were very mean to them. When Moses grew up, he tried to help one of his people. This made the king of Egypt angry. He wanted to kill Moses! So Moses ran away from Egypt.
Moses went to another land. It was the land of Midian. There he worked as a shepherd, taking care of sheep. One day he saw an amazing thing. A thornbush was on fire, but it was not burning up! Moses went closer to take a better look.
Do you know what happened?— Moses heard a voice from the middle of that burning bush. The voice called, “Moses! Moses!”
Who was saying that?— It was God speaking! God had a big work for Moses to do. God said: ‘Come and let me send you to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and you bring my people the sons of Israel out of Egypt.’ God promised to help Moses.
But Moses said to God: ‘Suppose I come to the sons of Israel in Egypt and say to them that God sent me. What if they ask me, What is his name? What shall I say?’ God told Moses to tell the sons of Israel: ‘Jehovah has sent me to you. Jehovah is my name forever.’—Exodus 3:1-15.
This shows that God was going to keep the name Jehovah. God wanted to be known by the name Jehovah forever.
Moses went back to Egypt. The Egyptians there did not really know Jehovah. They thought that he was just a small god of the sons of Israel. The Egyptians did not think that Jehovah was the God of the whole earth. So Jehovah told the king of Egypt: ‘I am going to make my name known in all the earth.’—Exodus 9:16.
Jehovah did make his name known in all the earth. He had Moses lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt. And people in all the earth soon heard about Jehovah.
Today many people are just as those Egyptians were. They do not believe that Jehovah is the God of the whole earth. So Jehovah wants his people to tell others about him. This is what Jesus did.
Do you want to be like Jesus?— Then tell others that God’s name is Jehovah. You will find that many persons do not know that. So perhaps you can show them the scripture in the Bible at Psalm 83:18. Let’s get the Bible right now and find that scripture together. It says: “That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”
“Jehovah” is the most important name there is. It is the name of the One who made all things. And remember, Jesus said that we should love Jehovah with our whole heart. Do you love Jehovah?—
How can we show that we love him?— One way is to tell others his name Jehovah. We can also tell them about the wonderful things that he has done. This will please Jehovah, because he knows that people need to know about him. We can have a share in doing that, can’t we?—
Not everyone will want to listen when we speak about Jehovah. Many people did not listen even when Jesus talked about Him. But that did not stop Jesus from speaking about Jehovah.
So let’s be like Jesus. Let’s keep talking about Jehovah. If we do, Jehovah God will be pleased with us because we show love for his name.
(Now read together from the Bible a few more texts showing the importance of God’s name: John 17:26; Isaiah 12:4, 5; Romans 10:13.)
“This Is My Son”
Chapter 5
“This Is My Son”
EVERYONE has a father. You have a father. And I have a father. When a girl does good things, her father is pleased to tell others: “This is my daughter.” And when a boy does what is right, his father is proud to say: “This is my son.”
Jesus always does what pleases his Father. So his Father feels pleased with him. And do you know what Jesus’ Father did?— He spoke all the way from heaven to tell men: “This is my Son.”
Jesus really loves his Father. He showed this even before he came to the earth. He had a wonderful place in heaven with his Father, Jehovah God. But God had a special work for Jesus to do. To do that work, Jesus had to leave heaven. He had to be born as a baby on earth. Jesus was willing to do this because Jehovah wanted him to do it.
To be born as a baby on earth, Jesus had to have a mother. Do you know who she was?— Her name was Mary.
Jehovah sent his angel Gabriel from heaven to talk to Mary. Gabriel told Mary she was going to have a baby boy. The baby would be named Jesus. And who would the baby’s father be?— The angel said that the baby’s father would be Jehovah God. That is why Jesus would be called the Son of God.
How do you think Mary felt about this?— Did she say, ‘I don’t want to do that’? Did she say, ‘I don’t want to be the mother of Jesus’?—
No, Mary was ready to do what God wanted. She was very willing to listen to God’s angel. It was like listening to God! And Mary wanted to listen to God. She loved God and was glad to do what Jehovah God wanted her to do.
But how could Jehovah cause his Son in heaven to be born as a baby on earth?— Jehovah is the most powerful one anywhere. He can do things no one else can do. So Jehovah took the life of his Son from heaven and put it inside Mary. Jesus began to grow inside of Mary just as other babies grow inside of their mothers. After that Mary married Joseph.
Then the time came for Jesus to be born. He was born in the city of Bethlehem. Mary and her husband Joseph were visiting that city. But Bethlehem was full of people. There was not even a room where Mary and Joseph could stay on the night that Jesus was born. They had to put the baby Jesus in a manger. A manger is a place that holds food for cows and other animals to eat.
Exciting things happened on the night that Jesus was born. Near Bethlehem an angel talked to some shepherds. He told the shepherds what an important person Jesus was. He said to them: ‘Look! I am telling you good news that will make people happy. Today someone was born who will save the people.’ Jesus would do many good things for people who love God.—Luke 2:10, 11.
This was good news! Other angels in heaven began to join together in praising God. They were happy! The shepherds could hear what they said.
Now the shepherds wanted to see Jesus. The angel told them that they could find Jesus in Bethlehem. So they went there. When the shepherds got there to see Jesus, they told Joseph and Mary all the good things they had heard. This made Joseph and Mary very thankful to God. Can you imagine how happy Mary was that she had been willing to be the mother of Jesus?
Later, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the city of Nazareth. That is where Jesus grew up. When he was grown, he began his great teaching work. This was part of the work Jehovah God wanted his Son to do on earth.
About three years later, Jesus and some of his followers went up on a high mountain. What happened there?— As the others watched, Jesus’ clothes began to shine brightly. Then God’s own voice was heard. Jehovah said about Jesus: “This is my Son, the beloved.” God was pleased with his Son.—Mark 9:2-8.
Jesus always did what was right. He did not pretend to be someone that he really was not. He did not tell people that he was God. The angel Gabriel had told Mary that Jesus would be called the Son of God. Jesus himself said that he is God’s Son. And he did not tell people that he knew more than his Father. He said: “The Father is greater than I am.”—John 14:28.
When Jesus’ Father gave him work to do, Jesus did it. He did not say, ‘Yes, I will do it,’ but then do something else. He loved his Father. So he listened to what his Father said.
We want to please Jehovah too, don’t we?— Then we must show that we really listen to God, as Jesus did. God speaks to us through the Bible. It would not be right to pretend to listen to God, but then believe and do things that are contrary to the Bible, would it?— And remember, we won’t find it hard to please Jehovah if we really love him.
(Other texts showing why we need to know and believe what the Bible really says about Jesus: Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Timothy 2:5, 6 and John 4:25, 26.)
The Great Teacher Served Other People
Chapter 6
The Great Teacher Served Other People
DO YOU like it when someone does something for you?— Well, other people like it when someone does something for them too. We all do. The Great Teacher knew that, and he was always doing things for people. He said: ‘I came, not to be served, but to serve.’—Matthew 20:28.
So, if we want to be like the Great Teacher, what must we do?— We must serve others. We must do good things for them.
It is true, many people do not do this. In fact, most people always want others to serve them. At one time even Jesus’ followers felt this way. Each one wanted to be the most important.
Jesus knew that it was not right for them to think this way. So, one day he gave them a lesson that they would never forget.
While they were having a meal together, Jesus got up from the table. He took a washbasin and put water into it. As they watched, Jesus went around to each one of them, bent down and washed their feet. Then he dried their feet with a towel. Just think of that! What if you had been there and Jesus had washed your feet? How would you have felt?—
His followers did not feel it was right for the Great Teacher to serve them in this way. They felt embarrassed. In fact, one of them was not going to let Jesus do this lowly service for him. But Jesus said that it was important for him to do it.
We do not usually wash one another’s feet today. But it was common to do it when Jesus was on earth. Do you know why?—
Well, in the land where they lived, people wore open sandals on their bare feet. So when they walked on the dirt roads, their feet got covered with dust. It was a kindness to wash the dusty feet of a person who came into the house to visit.
But this time not one of Jesus’ followers offered to wash the feet of the others. So Jesus did it himself. By doing this, Jesus taught his followers an important lesson. They needed to learn this lesson. And it is a lesson that we today need to learn.
Do you know what that lesson is?— After Jesus took his place at the table again, he explained: ‘Do you understand what I did to you? You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and you are right. If I, your Teacher and Lord, washed your feet, then you should wash the feet of one another.’—John 13:2-14.
Here the Great Teacher showed that he wanted his followers to serve one another. He did not want them to think only about themselves. He did not want them to think that they were so important that others should always serve them. He wanted them to be willing to serve others.
Wasn’t that a fine lesson?— Will you be like the Great Teacher and serve other people?— We can all do things for others.
It is not hard to serve other people. If you watch, you will find many things that you can do for other persons.
Think now: Is there anything you can do to help your mother? You know that she does many things for you and the rest of the family. Can you help her?— Why not ask her?—
Maybe you can set the table before the family eats. Or maybe you can stack the dirty dishes after the family finishes eating. Some children take the garbage out every day. Whatever it is you can do, it will be serving others, even as Jesus did.
Do you have younger brothers and sisters that you can serve?— Remember, Jesus, the Great Teacher, served even his followers. By serving your younger brothers and sisters, you will be copying Jesus.
What can you do for them? Can you think of anything?— Maybe you can help them to learn to put their toys away when they are finished playing. Or maybe you can help them to get ready for bed. They will come to love you for doing these things, just as Jesus’ followers loved him.
In school, too, you can serve other people. If someone drops his books, it would be kind of you to help him to pick them up. You might offer to clean the blackboard for your teacher, or to do something else for her. Even holding the door open for someone is a kind service.
At times we will find that people will not thank us for serving them. Do you think this should stop us from doing good?— No! Many people did not thank Jesus for his good works. But that did not stop him from doing good.
So let’s never hold back from serving people. Let’s always follow the example of Jesus.
(For more scriptures about helping other people, read Romans 15:1, 2, Proverbs 3:27, 28 and Galatians 6:2.)
Obedience Protects You
Chapter 7
Obedience Protects You
WOULD you like it if you could do anything you wanted? Are there times when you wish that no one would ever tell you what to do? Now, be honest and tell me.—
But which is better for you? Is it really wise to do anything you want? Or do things turn out better when you obey your father and your mother?— God says that you should obey your parents, so there must be a good reason for it. Let’s see if we can figure it out.
How old are you?— Do you know how old your father is?— How old is your mother?— They have lived much longer than you have. And the longer a person lives the more time he has to learn things. He hears more things, and sees more things and does more things every year. So young folks can learn from older ones.
Who has lived longer than you or I or any other person?— Jehovah God has. He knows more than you do and he knows more than I do. When he tells us what is good for us, we can be sure that it is right. If we do what he says, it will protect us. We should always obey him.
So you see, I need to be obedient too. I need to obey God. It is for my own good. And it brings good to you too when you obey God.
Let’s get out our Bible and see what God tells children to do. Can you find the book of Ephesians?— We are going to read from Ephesians chapter six, verses one, two and three. It says: “Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous: ‘Honor your father and your mother’; which is the first command with a promise: ‘That it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth.’”
That is in the Bible. So it is Jehovah God who is telling you to be obedient to your parents.
What does it mean to “honor” your father and your mother?— It means that you are to show them respect. You should listen to them and do what they say without complaining. And God promises that if you obey, it will “go well with you.”
I know a story about some people whose lives were saved because they were obedient. Would you like to hear it?—
These people lived in the big city of Jerusalem long ago. Most of the people in that city were bad. They did not listen to God. Jehovah sent his own Son to teach them. But they still did not listen. What would God do to them?—
The Great Teacher warned them that God was going to have their city destroyed. He said that armies of soldiers would camp around the city and ruin it. He also told the people how they could escape if they loved what was right. This is what he said:
‘When you see armies all around Jerusalem, then is the time to get out of Jerusalem and run to the mountains.’—Luke 21:20-22.
It happened just as Jesus said it would. The armies of Rome came to attack Jerusalem. They camped all around. Then for some reason they left. Most of the people thought that the danger was past. They stayed in the city. But what had Jesus said they should do?—
What would you have done if you had been living in Jerusalem?— Those who really believed Jesus left their homes and ran far away from Jerusalem into the mountains. Not only grown-ups went; children went with them.
But were they really protected because they were obedient?— For a whole year nothing happened to Jerusalem. For three years nothing happened. But then in the fourth year the armies of Rome came back. For those who had stayed in Jerusalem it was now too late to escape. This time the armies destroyed the city. Most of the people inside were killed.
But what happened to those who had obeyed Jesus?— They were far away from Jerusalem. So they were not hurt. Obedience protected them.
If you are obedient, will that protect you too?— Yes. Let me show you how. I may tell you never to play in the street. Why do I do that?— It is because you might be hit by a car and get killed. But someday you might think: “There are no cars right now. I won’t get hurt. Other children play in the street, and I have never seen them get hurt.”
That is how most of the people in Jerusalem thought. After the armies of Rome had left, it looked safe. Others were staying in the city. So they stayed too. They had been warned, but they did not listen. As a result, they lost their lives. And children who play in the street can lose their lives too. How much better it is to obey!
Obeying just some of the time is not enough. But if you always obey, it really will protect you.
Who is it that tells you, “Be obedient to your parents”?— It is God. And, remember, he says that because he really loves you.
(Here are some more fine scriptures showing the importance of obedience: Ecclesiastes 12:13; Colossians 3:20; Proverbs 23:22.)
A Good Neighbor
Chapter 8
A Good Neighbor
DO YOU know anyone who has a skin color different from yours?— In some places the skin color of most people is black or brown. In other places almost everyone has white skin. They are born that way.
Does it make you better than other people if you have a different skin color than they do?— Should a person with black skin think that he is better than someone whose skin is white? Or should someone with white skin think he is better than a person whose skin is black? What do you think?—
If we listen to the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, we will be kind to everyone. It does not make any difference what nation a person may come from or what his skin color is. We ought to love people of all kinds. This is what Jesus taught.
One day a Jew came to ask Jesus a hard question. This man thought Jesus would not know the answer. He said: ‘What must I do to live forever?’
This was an easy question for the Great Teacher. But instead of answering it himself, Jesus asked the man: ‘What does God’s law say we must do?’
The man answered: ‘The law of God says, “You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and you must love your neighbor as yourself.”’
Jesus said: ‘You answered right. Keep on doing this and you will get eternal life.’
But the man did not want to love everyone. So he tried to find an excuse. He asked Jesus: “Who really is my neighbor?” How would you have answered that? Who really is your neighbor?—
This man may have wanted Jesus to say: ‘Your neighbors are your friends.’ But what about other people? Are they our neighbors too?—
To answer the question, Jesus told a story. It was about a Jew and a Samaritan. This is how it went:
A man was going down the road from the city of Jerusalem to Jericho. This man was a Jew. As he was walking along, robbers grabbed him. They knocked him down, and took his money and his clothes. The robbers beat him up and left him beside the road half-dead.
A short time later a priest came along that road. He saw the man who was badly hurt. What did he do? What would you have done?—
The priest just went over to the other side of the road. He did not even stop. He did not do anything at all to help the man.
Then another very religious man came down the road. He was a Levite, who served in the temple at Jerusalem. Would he stop to help? He did the very same thing as the priest. He offered no help. Was that the right thing to do?—
Finally a Samaritan came along the road. He saw the Jew lying there badly hurt. Now, most Samaritans and Jews did not like each other. So would this Samaritan leave the man without helping him? Would he say to himself: ‘Why should I help this Jew? He would not help me if I were hurt’?
Well, this Samaritan looked at the man lying beside the road, and he felt very sorry for him. He could not leave him and let him die.
So the Samaritan got off his animal. He went over to the man, and began caring for his wounds. He poured oil and wine upon them. This would help the wounds to heal. Then he wrapped up the wounds with a cloth.
The Samaritan gently lifted the hurt man up on his animal. Then they went slowly on down the road until they came to an inn, or a small hotel. Here the Samaritan got a place for the man to stay, and he took good care of him.
Now Jesus asked the man to whom he was talking: ‘Which one of these three men do you think was the good neighbor?’ How would you answer? Was it the priest, the Levite or the Samaritan?—
The man answered: ‘The Samaritan was the good neighbor. He stopped and took care of the hurt man.’
Jesus said: ‘You are right. So go your way and do the same yourself.’—Luke 10:25-37.
Wasn’t that a fine story?— It makes clear who our neighbors are. Our neighbors are not only our close friends. Our neighbors are not only persons of our own country, or persons who have the same skin color as we do. Our neighbors are people of all kinds.
So if you see someone hurt, what will you do?— What if the person is from a different country or has a skin color different from yours?— He is still your neighbor. So you should help him. If you feel too small to help, then you can ask me to help. Or you can call a policeman, or a schoolteacher. That is being like the Samaritan man.
The Great Teacher wants us to be kind. He wants us to help others, no matter who they may be. That is why he told the story about the man who was a good neighbor.
(On this matter of how we should view people of other races and nations, also read Acts 10:34, 35; 17:26; Matthew 5:44-48.)
There Is Someone Higher
Chapter 9
There Is Someone Higher
HAVE you ever heard anyone say, “I wish I were a grown-up so I could do anything I wanted”?— Have you ever wished that?—
It is true that grown-ups can do some things that children cannot. But none of us can make all our own rules for life. There is someone higher than we are. Do you know who that is?—
Most people agree that God is certainly higher than we are. But it is not enough to say it. We have to prove we believe it by the things that we do.
This is shown by what happened to Adam and Eve. They were the first man and woman. Some people say that the story about Adam and Eve is only make-believe. But the Great Teacher did not say that. He knew that it was true. Listen, and I will tell you what happened.
When God made Adam and Eve, he put them into a beautiful garden in a place called Eden. It was a park, a paradise. They could have lived there forever. But there was a lesson that they needed to learn. And it is a lesson that we need to learn too. It is not a hard one. It is easy if we really want to learn it.
Jehovah told Adam and Eve that they could eat all the fruit and nuts that they wanted from the trees in Eden. But there was just one tree from which they were not to eat. Jehovah said to Adam: “But as for the tree of the knowledge of good and bad you must not eat from it, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.”—Genesis 2:17.
What would happen if they ate from that one tree?— They would die. Their life depended on obedience to Jehovah God. It was not enough just to say that they believed in God. They had to show it by the things they did. That was the lesson. It was not really a hard one, was it?— But it was very important.
If Adam and Eve obeyed God, they would be showing that they loved him and wanted him to be their Ruler. But if they ate from that tree, what would it show?— It would show that they really were not thankful for all the things that God had given them. They would be saying: “Nobody can tell us what to do. We are going to do just as we please.”
What would you have done if you had been there? Would you have obeyed Jehovah? Or would you have eaten from that tree?—
At first Adam and Eve did obey God. But then a serpent or a snake spoke to Eve one day. Of course, a serpent cannot speak all by itself. It was an angel that made it seem as if the serpent was speaking. That angel had begun to think bad things. He wanted Adam and Eve to worship him. He wanted them to do the things that he said. He wanted to take God’s place.
So that bad angel put wrong ideas into the mind of Eve. He said to her: ‘God did not tell you the truth. You will not die if you eat from that tree. You will become wise like God.’ Would you have believed what that voice said?—
Eve had no right to believe what the serpent said. Everything she had was from God. But now she began to want something that God had not given her. She ate from the tree. Then she gave some to Adam.
Adam did not believe what the serpent said. But his wanting to be with Eve was stronger than his love for God. So he ate from the tree too.—Genesis 3:1-6.
What was the result?— God had not lied. Life does depend on obedience to him. So Adam and Eve died. And they brought death to all mankind.
The Bible tells us that the angel that lied to Eve is called Satan the Devil. He is the enemy of God. And he is our enemy too.—Revelation 12:9.
He wants to make everyone disobey Jehovah. So he tries to put bad ideas into our minds. He says that nobody really loves Jehovah. He says that you and I don’t love God and that we don’t really want to do what God says. But is he right? Are we like that?—
The Devil says that we will quit serving Jehovah if someone makes it a little hard for us. He says that we obey Jehovah only when everything goes the way we like it. He says that everyone is like that. Is he right?—
The Great Teacher said that the Devil is a liar! He proved that there are people who really love Jehovah. He did not say: ‘Nobody can tell me what to do.’ Instead, he said: “The Father is greater than I am.” He obeyed Jehovah. And he did not do it only when it was easy. He did it all the time, even when other people made it hard for him. He proved true to Jehovah right down till he died. That is why God brought him back to life, to live forever.—John 14:28.
That is what the Great Teacher did. But what will we do?— If we disobey Jehovah, then we are doing what the Devil wants us to do. But if we truly love our God, we will obey his commandments. We will do it every day. And we will do it because we really want to.
(Whom will we serve—Jehovah or the Devil? Read what the Bible says about this matter at Job 1:8-12; 2:1-5; 27:5; Proverbs 27:11.)
One Leper Gave Glory to God
Chapter 10
One Leper Gave Glory to God
DID your mother fix a good meal for you today?— It was kind of her to do that, wasn’t it?— Did you thank her?— Sometimes we forget to say “Thank you” when others do kind things for us, don’t we? When the Great Teacher was on earth, there were some lepers who forgot to say “Thank you.”
Do you know what a leper is?— A leper is a person who has the sickness called leprosy. That sickness can even cause some of a person’s flesh to fall off. When Jesus lived on earth, lepers had to live away from other people. And if a leper saw another person coming, he had to call out: ‘I am a leper. Stay away!’ Otherwise people might catch the leper’s sickness.
Jesus was very kind to lepers. One day, on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus came near a small town. Ten lepers came out to see him.
The lepers did not come close to Jesus. They stood far off. But they had heard that Jesus had power from God to cure all kinds of sickness, even leprosy. So they called out to him, ‘Jesus, Teacher, help us!’
Do you feel sorry for persons who are sick?— Jesus did. He knew how sad it was to be a leper. So he answered them, and said: ‘Go and show yourselves to God’s priests.’
Why did Jesus tell them to do this?— It was because of the law that Jehovah gave his people. This law said that God’s priest was to look at the flesh of a leper. The priest would tell the leper when all of his sickness had left him. Then he could live with well people again.—Leviticus 13:16, 17.
But these ten lepers still had their sickness. So would they go and see the priest just as Jesus said?— Yes, they did right away. These men must have believed that Jesus would take away their sickness.
And what happened?— Well, while they were on their way to the priest, their sickness left them. Their flesh was healed. They were made well! Their belief in Jesus’ power was rewarded. What joy they felt!
But, now, what should they have done to show their thanks? What would you have done?—
One of the healed men came back to Jesus. He began giving glory to Jehovah, saying good things about God. That was the right thing to do, because the power to heal him came from God. The man also fell down at the feet of the Great Teacher and thanked him. He was so grateful for what Jesus had done.
But what about the other nine men? Jesus asked: ‘There were ten lepers who were made well, were there not? Where are the other nine? Did only one turn back to give glory to God?’
Yes, it is true. Only one of the ten lepers gave glory to God, and came back to thank Jesus. And this person was a Samaritan, a man from another country. The other nine men did not thank God; at least they did not thank Jesus.—Luke 17:11-19.
Which of those men are you like?— We both want to be like the Samaritan man, don’t we?— So, when someone does something kind for us, what should we remember to do?— We ought to express our thanks.
People often forget to say “Thank you.” But it is good to say “Thank you.” It is the right thing to do. And when you do it, Jehovah God and his Son Jesus are pleased.
If you think about it, you will remember that people have done many things for you. Do you ever remember being sick?— You may never have been as sick as those ten lepers. But you may have had a bad cold, or a pain in your stomach. Did your mother or your father take care of you?— Are you glad that they helped you to get better?—
The Samaritan man thanked Jesus for making him well, and this made Jesus happy. Do you think your mother or father will be happy if you say “Thank you” when they do things for you?— Yes, they will.
At times people do things for us every day or every week. It may be their work to do this. They may even be happy to do it. But we may forget to thank them.
Your schoolteacher may work hard to help you to learn many things. This is her work. But she will be pleased if you thank her for helping you to learn.
Sometimes people just do little things for you. Does anyone ever hold a door open for you?— Or does anyone ever pass food to you at the dinner table?— It is good to say “Thank you” for even these little things.
If we remember to say “Thank you” to people on earth, then we are more likely to remember to say “Thank you” to our Father in heaven. And how many things there are for which to thank Jehovah! He gave us our life, and all the good things that make life pleasant. So we have every reason to give glory to God by saying good things about him each day.
(As to the expressing of thanks, read also Psalm 92:1 [91:1, Dy] and Ephesians 5:20.)
Jesus Teaches Us to Pray
Chapter 11
Jesus Teaches Us to Pray
DO YOU talk to Jehovah God?— He wants you to talk to him. When you talk to God, this is called prayer.
Jesus often spoke to his Father in heaven. Sometimes he wanted to be alone when he talked to God. One time, the Bible says, “he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. Though it became late, he was there alone.”—Matthew 14:23.
Where can you go to pray to Jehovah alone?— Maybe you can talk to God alone before you go to bed at night. Jesus said: “When you pray, go into your private room and, after shutting your door, pray to your Father.” Do you pray to God each night before you go to sleep?— It is a good thing to do.—Matthew 6:6.
Jesus also prayed when other people were with him. When he had meetings with his disciples, Jesus would pray. You can go to Christian meetings where prayer is said. At these meetings usually an older person will pray. Listen carefully to what he says, because he is talking to God for you. Then you will be able to say “Amen” to the prayer.
Do you know what it means to say “Amen” at the end of a prayer?— It means that you like the prayer. It means that you agree with it, and that you want it to be your prayer too.
Jesus also prayed at mealtimes. He thanked Jehovah for his food. Do you always pray before you eat your meals?—
It is good for us to thank Jehovah for the food before we start eating. Your father may say the prayer when you eat together. But what if you eat by yourself? Or what if you have a meal with people who do not thank Jehovah?— Then you need to say your own prayer.
Do you always have to pray out loud?— No. Jehovah can hear your prayer even if you say it in your heart. So you can say a silent prayer to Jehovah when you are with people who do not pray to God. For example, you might say a silent prayer when you eat lunch at school.
Should you bow your head when you pray? Should you get down on your knees? What do you think?—
Sometimes Jesus bent his knees when he prayed. At times he would lift his head toward heaven as he prayed. And he also spoke about praying to God while standing up.
So what does this show? Do you always have to be in the same position when you pray?— The position you are in is not the important thing. But at times it is good to bow your head. At other times you may even want to get down on your knees as Jesus did. But, remember, we can pray to God at any time during the day or night and he will hear us.
The important thing in prayer is that we really believe that Jehovah is listening. Do you believe that Jehovah hears you?—
What should we say in our prayers to Jehovah?— Tell me: When you pray, what do you talk to God about?—
Jehovah gives us so many good things, and it is right to thank him for them, isn’t it?— We thank him for the food we eat. But have you ever thanked him for the blue sky, the green trees and the pretty flowers?— He made those too.
Jesus’ disciples once asked him to teach them how to pray. And the Great Teacher showed them what were the most important things to pray for. Do you know what these things are?— Get your Bible and open it to Matthew chapter 6. In Mt 6 verses 9 through 13 we find what many persons call “the Lord’s Prayer.” Let’s read it together.
Here we learn that Jesus told us to pray about God’s name. He said to pray that God’s name be sanctified or treated as holy. What is God’s name?— The Bible tells us that it is Jehovah, and we should love that name.
Second, Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come. This kingdom is so important because it will bring peace to the earth and make it a paradise.
Third, the Great Teacher said to pray for God’s will to be done on earth just as it is done in heaven. That means that we should do God’s will.
Jesus also taught us to pray for the food we need for the day. And he said that we should tell God that we are sorry when we do things that are wrong. We should ask God to forgive us. But before he will, we must forgive others if they do wrong to us. Do you do that?—
Finally, Jesus said, we should pray that Jehovah God will protect us from the wicked one, Satan the Devil. So, all of these are good things to pray to God about.
We should believe that Jehovah hears our prayers and we should keep on thanking him, besides asking him to help us. Jehovah likes to hear us pray to him. He is happy when we mean what we say in prayer and when we ask him for the right things. And he will give us these things. Do you believe that?—
(More good counsel about prayer is found at 1 Peter 3:12, 1 John 5:14 and Romans 12:12.)
Tempted by the Devil
Chapter 12
Tempted by the Devil
DID anyone ever ask you to do something that was wrong?— Did he dare you to do it? Or did he say it would be fun and that it would not really be wrong to do it?— When someone does this to us, he is trying to tempt us.
What should we do when we are tempted? Should we give in and do what is wrong?— That would not please Jehovah God. But do you know whom it would make happy?— Satan the Devil.
Satan is the enemy of God and he is our enemy. We cannot see him, because he is a spirit. But he can see us. One day the Devil talked with Jesus, the Great Teacher, and tried to tempt him. Let’s find out what Jesus did. Then we will know the right thing to do when we are tempted.
Jesus had gone away to the mountains to pray to God. He wanted to think about the work God gave him to do.
While Jesus was there in the mountains, forty days and nights went by! All of this time Jesus did not eat anything. Jesus was now very hungry.
This is when Satan tried to tempt Jesus. The Devil said: “If you are a son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” How good some bread would taste!
But could Jesus have turned a stone into a loaf of bread?— Yes, he could. For Jesus is the Son of God. He has special powers.
Would you have made the stone a loaf of bread if the Devil asked you to do it?— Jesus was hungry. So would it have been all right to do it just once?— Jesus knew that it would be wrong to use his powers in this way. Jehovah gave him these powers to draw people to God, not to use them on himself.
So, instead, Jesus told Satan that it is written in the Bible: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from Jehovah’s mouth.’ Jesus knew that doing what pleases Jehovah is even more important than having food to eat.
But the Devil tried again. He took Jesus into Jerusalem and had him stand up on a high part of the temple. Then the Devil said to Jesus: ‘If you are a son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written that God’s angels will keep you from hurting yourself.’ What did Jesus do?—
Again, Jesus did not listen to Satan. He told Satan that it was wrong to test Jehovah by taking chances with his life.
Still Satan did not give up. He took Jesus along to a very high mountain. He showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Then Satan said to Jesus: ‘All these things I will give you if you bow down and do an act of worship to me.’ What would you have done?—
Jesus would not do it. He knew it would be wrong to worship the Devil no matter what he would get. So Jesus said to the Devil: ‘Go away, Satan! For the Bible says, It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and you must serve only him.’—Luke 4:1-13; Matthew 4:1-10.
We are faced with temptations too. Do you know how?— Here is an example.
Your mother may make a delicious pie or cake for dinner. But she may tell you not to eat any of it until mealtime. You may be very hungry. So you may feel tempted to eat it. Will you obey your mother?— Satan wants you to disobey.
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