The Watchtower, March 1, 1969

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The Watchtower — March 1, 1969

Source: jw.org

Contents

Righteous Rule for All the Earth

How God Will Free Mankind from Sickness and Death

Earth Becomes a Paradise

Laying a Foundation for the Right Kind of Ministers

‘Sounding Down’ the Truth into Minds and Hearts of Learners

Over 10,000 More Responded for Full-Time Service!

Joys Through Perseverance in Good Work

Answering the Challenge to True Worship

Providential Care

Questions From Readers

Announcements

Righteous Rule for All the Earth

HOW much mankind needs a righteous rule over all the earth! Everyone must agree that this planet today is no paradise. Poverty and hunger are the daily experience of millions of persons. Ugly cities rob earth of much of its natural beauty and poison the air and water around them. More and more cities are becoming “jungles” of crime, where people are afraid to leave their homes at night.

How different this is from God’s original purpose for man! But how good it is to know that God has not abandoned his purpose! For he assures us: “My word that goes forth from my mouth . . . will not return to me without results.” (Isa. 55:11; see also Genesis 2:8, 15; 1:28.) He will yet make this earth a glorious paradise.

Jehovah will soon bring to its end all the present wicked system. If you gain Jehovah’s approval now, you may be privileged to survive into God’s new system. What will this mean for you?

A RIGHTEOUS ADMINISTRATION

Mankind’s greatest need, for nearly six thousand years, has been to be brought back into full harmony with Jehovah God, his Creator. (2 Cor. 5:20) To restore righteousness to this planet Jehovah himself has made provision for “an administration at the full limit of the appointed times.” This administration or rule is by Christ’s kingdom. Evidence from the Bible reveals that the Kingdom has already come to power in the heavens and will soon take full charge of earth’s affairs. What is its main purpose in doing this?

The Bible answers: “To gather all things together again in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth.” (Eph. 1:9, 10) This administration is God’s means for bringing all those living on earth into full harmony with his heavenly rule. This is what we pray for when we say: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.”—Matt. 6:10.

What will this mean with regard to human relations? United in pure worship of their heavenly Father, people of all races and nationalities will live together as one family of brothers and sisters! (Acts 10:34, 35; 17:26) With God’s kingdom by his “Prince of Peace” ruling over the entire globe, the earth will no longer be divided politically. There will be no proud nationalism to arouse hatred, conflict and bloodshed.—Isa. 9:6, 7.

This will mean, then, that wars and fighting will cease. When God brings this present wicked system to its end, even the death-dealing weapons of war will be destroyed forever. The Bible says: “He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire.” (Ps. 46:8, 9; Ezek. 39:9, 10) So there will be no more newspaper lists of war casualties, no more war widows or war orphans, no more homes and cities bombed into ruins. What a blessing this will be for mankind!

From his heavenly throne Jesus Christ will administer earth’s affairs in a way that will bring lasting benefits. How wonderfully he has already demonstrated his qualifications, even laying down his own life on behalf of those who will be his subjects! Furthermore, the Bible record shows that nothing—temptations, pressures, reproach, even death itself—could turn Jesus aside from doing what is right. We can be sure, then, that under his rule there will be no oppression, injustice or corruption.—Isa. 11:2-5.

Would you not appreciate, also, a ruler who always speaks the truth? Jesus is that kind of person. (John 1:14; 18:37) And who would not feel drawn to one who shows genuine warmth and sincere interest in others? When Jesus traveled about declaring the good news, the Bible tells us, “on seeing the crowds he felt pity for them, because they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:35, 36) He freely used the power that God had given him to heal the sick, both physically and in a spiritual way. While it would have been grand to live during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, it will be far grander to live on earth when he uses this power on behalf of all mankind.

Associated with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom will be 144,000 kings and priests taken from among mankind and made perfect by God. (Rev. 5:10) These, too, are persons who prove their love of righteousness down to the death.—Rev. 14:1, 4, 5; 2:10.

But will this heavenly government have any visible representatives? Yes, indeed! Why, even now the heavenly administration appoints faithful men as its representatives in the Christian congregation, doing so by means of God’s holy spirit. (Isa. 32:1, 2; Acts 20:28) So we can be confident that Christ will see to it that the right men on earth are assigned to represent the Kingdom government, for then he will be taking a direct hand in earth’s affairs.

Because these men represent the King in a special way, the Bible calls them “princes.” And Psalm 45, which is a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, shows that some of these men will be from among Jesus’ earthly forefathers. These he will resurrect and appoint as “princes in all the earth.” (Ps. 45:16) Whether from among God’s servants of ancient times or from among those now serving the King, these will all have proved their loyalty to God and their love for their fellowmen. The same spirit of God that motivates their heavenly King will also guide them.

Neither race, nor color, nor place of birth will have any bearing on the way these princely representatives apply God’s righteous laws. (Deut. 10:17; Rom. 2:11) Following the example of their King, the “princes” will serve humbly and helpfully, bringing refreshment to their fellowmen. Yet they will be firm in upholding God’s righteousness.—Matt. 11:29; 20:25-28.

The earth having been cleansed of all evildoers, crime will never be allowed to take root again. (Ps. 37:9-11) Never again will there be a need for policemen, jails, handcuffs, burglar alarms, safes, locks and keys. Under the Kingdom’s righteous rule, you will know that anyone knocking at your door is a friend. There will be complete freedom from fear of any harm. Nevermore will anyone be afraid to stroll through a park at night to view the starry handiwork of the Creator. Even as is true of God’s congregation today in a spiritual way, so then in a literal way, “they will actually dwell in security, with no one to make them tremble.”—Ezek. 34:28.

But what of sickness and death? Will these, too, be removed? Let us examine the Bible answer.

How God Will Free Mankind from Sickness and Death

THE initial program of the Kingdom will cover a period of one thousand years. During that time Jesus Christ and the members of his heavenly government will serve not only as kings but also as priests of God on behalf of all their human subjects. (Rev. 20:6) Why?

Because all persons on earth will need to be “set free from enslavement to corruption” in order to have “the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21) Even after the wicked have been destroyed, the earthly survivors will still be imperfect due to sin inherited from Adam. The wrong desires of their imperfect flesh will still be warring against the right desires of mind and heart. (Rom. 7:21-23) So, to be accepted fully in God’s family of sons, they first need the services of the heavenly priests of God. What will these do?

They will have a power that has been lacking in all human governments till now: the power to cleanse persons of sin and imperfection. This power rests in God’s heavenly priesthood by means of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. God’s Son and his associate priests will then apply the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice directly to all obedient ones. (John 1:29; 1 John 2:2) This provision is pictured in the Bible by the symbolic “river of water of life” that flows from the “throne of God and of the Lamb” and “the leaves of the trees . . . for the curing of the nations.”—Rev. 22:1, 2.

By making continual progress in righteousness and with the help of the heavenly priesthood, the subjects of God’s kingdom will then progressively grow young and strong, until they reach perfection of health in mind and body. They will be set completely free from the bondage to sin and death inherited from Adam. At that time the words of Jesus to Martha will be fulfilled: “Everyone that is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all. Do you believe this?”—John 11:26.

Yes, in this way, God will “wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4) How marvelous it will be to enjoy perfect health! Even as God’s Son cured lepers and healed the lame and blind when on earth, so his righteous rule will bring an end to all disease and suffering. (Mark 1:40-42; John 5:5-9; Matt. 9:35) Gone then will be the need for hospitals and health insurance! With sickness and death removed, a worldwide cause for tears will be gone. (1 Cor. 15:25, 26) How wonderful it will be to enjoy full freedom from sin and to be able to measure up perfectly to God’s righteous standards in speech, thought and conduct!

WELCOMING PERSONS BACK FROM THE DEAD

There is also the happy prospect that your loved ones who have died will be able to enjoy the blessings of the righteous rule of God’s Son over the earth. Jesus revealed the hope for the countless millions who have died, saying: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28, 29) What a time of thrilling joy it will be when first the news is flashed around the earth: “The dead are being raised up!”

We can have full confidence that this will be a reality. Keep in mind that, while on earth, Jesus not only cured the sick and crippled; he also brought dead persons back to life. (Matt. 11:2-6) This demonstrated God’s wonderful power of resurrecting the dead, a power he has granted to Jesus Christ.

Perhaps you recall the occasion when Jesus came to the house of a man whose twelve-year-old daughter had died. Addressing himself to the dead girl, Jesus said: “Maiden, I say to you, Get up!” What was the result? The Bible tells us: “Immediately the maiden rose and began walking.” How did her parents and the other observers react to this miracle? “At once they were beside themselves with great ecstasy.” They could hardly contain their happiness.—Mark 5:35, 38-42; see also John 11:38-44; Luke 7:11-16.

When paradise is restored to earth, Jesus will again use his power to raise the dead. For the Bible assures us that “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) What joy there will be earth wide when group after group of dead persons come back to life! Imagine what happy reunions of loved relatives there will be! Instead of obituary columns that bring sadness, there may well be announcements of newly resurrected ones to bring joy to their loved ones.

Many millions of persons have died, but that poses no problem for God. He can remember them all. Why, the Bible tells us that God “is counting the number of the stars; all of them he calls by their names.” (Ps. 147:4) Consider what that means.

There are said to be hundreds of millions of galaxies, each galaxy containing hundreds of millions of individual stars, and yet God knows each star by name. The number of all the humans that have ever lived is small by comparison. So it will not be difficult for God to remember all who have died and who come under Christ’s ransom provision. (Matt. 19:26) They will be restored to life right here on earth. What a thrilling privilege to be on hand to welcome them back from the dead!

When they come back will they be the same persons? Will we know them? Yes! Even man can indefinitely preserve pictures and voices on magnetic tape for later use on television. God can do even more than that. At resurrection time he can provide each one with a suitable body, just as he did in creating the first man, and then reimplant in the brain the exact memories of all that the person leaned and experienced during his former life. Thus in the resurrection that person will come forth with the same personality that he had at death, just as the resurrected Jesus retained his own personality. (Heb. 13:8) You will recognize those you knew before. What a wonderful prospect!—Job 14:13-15.

The apostle John was given a vision of these thrilling events that will take place during Christ’s reign, and it is found in the book of Revelation. His vision shows that death and Hades (mankind’s common grave) will ‘give up those dead in them.’ None will be left there. Then death due to inherited sin will be gone forever. “He will actually swallow up death forever,” the Bible promises, “and the Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces.” (Rev. 20:13, 14; Isa. 25:8) Gone will be funeral parlors and tombstones! No graveyards will remain.

Those resurrected to life on earth will come forth to the opportunity of gaining eternal life. It will be a time of education for them. “Scrolls” containing instruction from God will be opened, and they will need to follow these in making their minds over in harmony with God’s will. They will be “judged individually according to their deeds”; that is, the deeds they do after being resurrected and after learning the contents of the “scrolls.” (Rev. 20:11-13) By responding to the education provided, even those who were once as dangerous as wild animals will change their ways, just as many have already done upon coming into association with the Christian congregation.—Isa. 11:9; 26:9; 35:8, 9.

Earth Becomes a Paradise

HOW delightful it will be to live among peaceful people who have kind, pleasant dispositions! The application of God’s righteous principles will bring about this wonderful condition of peace everywhere. But as progress in righteousness is made, material blessings will also be realized by the earthly inhabitants of God’s new system.

There will be a literal fulfillment of the prophetic words of Isaiah 25:6: “And Jehovah of armies will certainly make for all the peoples, in this mountain, a banquet of well-oiled dishes.” None will ever again know the gnawing pain and weakness of starvation. But how will God provide this banquet?

When the Israelites were God’s chosen people, his blessing brought them great prosperity. Their lands produced fine crops of grain. Their orchards grew excellent fruits. Jehovah opened up to them his “good storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain on [their] land in its season.” (Deut. 28:12; see also De 28 verse 8.) Similar blessings will abound in fullest measure under the rule of Christ’s kingdom.—Ps. 67:6, 7.

The earthly subjects of the Kingdom will fulfill the command that Adam and Eve never carried out. They will “subdue” the earth, making the entire globe a paradise garden like the original garden of Eden. It was concerning such a prospect, and with the hope of resurrection in view, that Jesus said to the sympathetic evildoer who was executed with him: “Truly I tell you today, You will be with me in Paradise.”—Luke 23:39-43.

Then the whole earth will radiate happiness. It will be as if its meadows and mountains, its trees and flowers, its rivers and seas, are all rejoicing at Jehovah’s righteous rule. (Ps. 96:11-13; 98:7-9) The fresh air will no longer suffer contamination. Every river and stream will sparkle with fresh, pure water. There will be no more ruining of the land.

All earth—its forests, its fields, its mountains—will be one beautiful park, alive with colorful varieties of animals and birds. These, too, will be subject to the wise control of Jehovah’s Son. And in that “inhabited earth to come” he will bring them all into harmless subjection to mankind.—Heb. 2:5-8; Ps. 8:4-8.

FINAL TEST DETERMINES WORTHINESS FOR ETERNAL LIFE

God’s kingdom by Christ will rule for all eternity. However, by the close of the first thousand years it will have accomplished a particular purpose toward the earth. It will have removed every trace of unrighteousness. All humankind on earth will stand as perfect creatures before the throne of the Supreme Judge, Jehovah God. In every respect they will be equal to the first perfect humans in Eden. (1 Cor. 15:24) Will they be worthy to have God grant them the right to everlasting life?

First it will be proper that the Kingdom subjects be tested as to their devotion to God’s righteous rule. Jehovah will give them the opportunity to show their loyalty. How? By releasing Satan and his demons from their condition of restraint in the “abyss.” (Rev. 20:7) By this test each one in God’s earthly family may individually have the privilege of giving a personal answer to the challenge made to their heavenly Father by Satan.

Those who stay loyal to God will be judged worthy of everlasting life. Jehovah will give this right to them, writing their names in his “book of life.” Any who rebelliously turn against God will be destroyed in the “second death.” Then, Satan the Devil, along with his demons, will be destroyed forever. (Rev. 20:7-10, 15) Never, no, never, will the earth, or any other part of God’s vast universe, be disturbed again by sin and rebellion. Made into a paradise where righteousness prevails, the earth will serve for all time to come as a jewel of praise to Jehovah’s name.

Does God’s purpose for a righteous rule over a paradise earth deepen your respect for his righteousness? Does it increase your appreciation of his wisdom? Does it move you to express your love for him? If so, then you should do all you can now to serve him wholeheartedly. Share in telling others of Jehovah’s name and purpose. (Ps. 89:14-16; 1 John 4:19) Live now according to God’s righteous principles and so prepare for life eternal in the paradise earth under the Kingdom’s righteous rule.

Laying a Foundation for the Right Kind of Ministers

“Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass.”—Matt. 7:24.

1. What does the “rock-mass” in Jesus’ illustration at Matthew 7:24-27 represent? What is built on it?

A HOUSE built on a rockmass or a house built on sand, which would you prefer? Jesus used this vivid contrast to illustrate the difference between the wise course of ‘hearing and doing’ Jesus’ sayings, and the foolish course of hearing them but not doing them. (Matt. 7:24-27) But, wait—did you note clearly that the “rock-mass” in his illustration does not represent simply accepting or believing in Christ Jesus and his teachings? Rather, it represents obedience to his teachings. This is the one solid foundation on which to build our hopes and prospects for the future, particularly so if we hope to gain life as God’s ministers in his coming new order.—Jas. 2:26.

2. What does the storm in this illustration picture? How only can one’s ‘building’ keep standing?

2 Storms are sure to threaten one’s building work. Not just the impending storm of Armageddon that is hovering on the world’s horizon but, more presently, the storms of personal difficulties and crises that arise in the life of each individual builder. These put to the critical test his foundation, his adherence to a course of obedience. Will his hopes and prospects for the future be able to weather these storms of a personal nature and, ultimately, the storm of Armageddon? Or will they be dashed to pieces, perhaps bringing spiritual ruin or literal destruction to him as well? This will depend on how deeply into his heart the truths communicated through God’s Son have penetrated, and whether or not his heart has moved him to put those truths to work in his life.—Compare Matthew 13:18-23.

3. What has happened to the figurative ‘houses’ of millions of persons in Christendom, and why?

3 Look around you today and you can see the figurative wreckage of innumerable ‘houses.’ Throughout the scene of Christendom, where Jesus’ words have been heard the most, the tempests brought about by increasing modern-day pressures, the flood of propaganda and troubles, and the surging winds of change have wreaked havoc with the hope of millions of professed Christians. They can well say with the apostate people of ancient Judah: “There was a hoping for peace, but no good came; for a time of healing, but, look! terror!” To them the future in this last half of the twentieth century now looks filled with “distress and darkness, obscurity, hard times and gloominess with no brightness.” (Jer. 8:15; Isa. 8:22) Why? Because they built on sand.

4. (a)How do present-day conditions demonstrate that such ones have built on sand? (b) Who bear the basic responsibility?

4 Materialism, dishonesty, delinquency, immorality and even homosexuality all give mounting testimony to the abandonment of even the pretense of adherence to Christian teachings among many such professed Christian ‘builders.’ Fierce nationalism, racial strife and lawless conduct add to the evidence that, although being members of Christendom’s churches, millions have failed to build on the sure foundation of obedience. The religious organizations themselves must bear much of the responsibility for this general collapse. They failed to carry out the true sense of Jesus’ teachings and even undermined the people’s confidence in the Bible as God’s Word and in Jesus as God’s Son and appointed Spokesman. For these they substituted the shifting, unstable philosophies and traditions of men. (Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9) Yet, the individuals cannot place all the blame on their leaders. They themselves bear the fundamental responsibility. They at least heard some of Jesus’ words from the Bible in their churches or read them in their homes. But they simply did not do them.

5. What great contrast to Christendom’s spiritual wreckage can be seen both in the past and in the present?

5 The situation is certainly very different from the days of the early Christian congregation. Then its members were willing to suffer imprisonment and death rather than compromise on adherence to Christian principles. (Acts 4:18-21; 5:27-32, 40-42; 21:11-14) And it is very different from the condition prevailing within one Christian organization today, whose members are found in all the earth, living in 200 lands and islands of the sea. Those Christians known as Jehovah’s witnesses are going through the same tempestuous times as others; their individual Christian ‘houses’ have been buffeted by the same destructive forces. They have even had to face additional tempests in the form of severe persecution and opposition in many places. (1 Pet. 2:21) Yet, despite this, they have been able to weather the storm. How? By holding on with full confidence to a course of obedience to Christ’s teachings and of following his example and way. They are building their lives and their hopes for the future around service to God, even as Jesus did. (John 4:32-34) Not that every individual among them has continued firmly founded, even as not all of Jesus’ own disciples held firm. But the overall picture they present is strikingly sound and in great contrast to the shaky condition prevailing within Christendom’s churches today. What is the underlying cause of such a contrast?

NEED OF REAL INSTRUCTION AND GENUINE COMMITMENT

6. How did the apostle Paul describe Colossian Christians, and how does this compare with most church members today?

6 Well, what does it take today to become a member of one of Christendom’s churches? Is it not true that in the majority of cases it requires not much more than to join a social club or other organization? Little if any commitment is required of the individual. No particular expression of the qualities of knowledge, faith, conviction, love or appreciation is expected of him. Yet when the apostle Paul wrote to members of the Christian congregation at Colossae, he could say to them: “As you have accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, go on walking in union with him, rooted and being built up in him and being stabilized in the faith, just is you were taught, overflowing with faith in thanksgiving.”—Col. 2:6, 7.

7. What is one of the major reasons for the solid foundation evident among true Christians in the past and the present?

7 It was not after their baptism, but before that these Christians began to be “taught.” The Bible shows, too, that, particularly from 36 C.E. onward, Christian baptism stood as a symbol of one’s complete dedication to do Jehovah’s will as taught and exemplified by Christ Jesus. (Luke 9:23, 24) Yes, it was by first ‘teaching them to observe all the things Christ had commanded’ that persons of all the nations were made into disciples. And only then were they to be baptized and recognized as members of the Christian congregation. (Matt. 28:19, 20) The teaching, of course, continued on after baptism and formed a vital part of the congregational arrangement. (Eph. 4:11-13) This thorough teaching of persons to observe Christ’s instruction is a major reason for the solid foundation found among genuine Christians, then and now.

8. What is the Biblical meaning of “catechism”?

8 The apostle Paul laid great stress on teaching. In his writings not only did he use the common Greek word for teaching (didaʹskō, as in Jesus’ command at Matthew 28:20), but he also made use of a special term, katēkheʹō, from which comes the English word “catechism.” This special Greek term is called a “technical term for Christian instruction” by some authorities. It literally means “to sound down,” that is, by oral instruction. Thus, at Galatians 6:6, Paul wrote: “Moreover, let anyone who is being orally taught [Greek, katēkhouʹmĕnŏs, from which comes the English “catechumen”] the word share in all good things with the one who gives such oral teaching [katēkhounʹ].” So, by such oral instruction the truths of God’s Word and the teachings of his Son, Jesus Christ, were ‘sounded down’ into the mind and heart of the learner, qualifying him to become a teacher of still others.—Acts 18:25.

9, 10. (a) Has the foremost religious organization of Christendom continued true Christian “catechism”? (b) What of the Protestant organizations?

9 This was true “catechetical” instruction. It prepared the learner for building on the sure foundation, obedience to God’s Son. History shows, however, that following the death of the apostles such careful instruction of learners did not continue in effect. Apostasy set in. Thus, we read that, after several centuries, when “the Church [that is, the Catholic Church] had become established, and its increase was obtained by the birth and baptism of children rather than by conversions from heathendom, the idea of catechetical instruction passed from being that of a preparation for baptism to that of a culture of baptized children. . . . In the missions to heathens, in the Middle Age, it became usual to baptize converts at once, and the ancient catechumenate fell into disuse. Nor was great attention given to the catechizing of baptized children in the Roman Church up to the time of the Reformation; the confessional took the place of the Catechism.”

10 During the Protestant Reformation, Luther, called by religious authorities “the father of modern catechetics,” taught that such instruction of learners “should not merely include the hearing of a recitation from the book, but also an explanation and application of it to the hearts of the pupils.” Yet, as time went by, in Germany, England and elsewhere, “the catechetical instruction degenerated into a mere formal routine of preparation for confirmation [not baptism, which had already taken place].” In the Protestant systems the aim of catechism was not to draw out what was in the mind of the pupil but merely to convey the desired teachings. The pupil was to “learn the words of the Catechism by heart.” So it became a ritual of memorizing words and repeating them by rote. There was little room for expression of the real thoughts and feelings within the heart and mind of the pupil. Furthermore, attention was concentrated almost entirely upon children.—M’Clintock and Strong’s Cyclopædia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. II, pp. 148-154.

11. Contrast the above methods with those of Jehovah’s witnesses.

11 Contrast this with the methods used by Jehovah’s witnesses. Their methods are based on the Bible accounts of the ministry of Jesus and his apostles and upon other Bible principles. Newly interested persons, usually adults, are located by active ministry to the homes of the public. (Acts 20:20) These interested persons are then provided with free home Bible study, at times entire families joining in. This hour-long weekly study deals with the fundamental teachings of the Bible and is developed around questions drawn from a Bible textbook. The one studying is encouraged to answer on the basis of his understanding and belief and has the opportunity to ask additional questions. (Rom. 10:10) Throughout the study, the Witness conductor is conscious of the importance of directing attention to Jehovah God as the Source of life, and of laying Christ as a foundation by teaching the truth about him. (John 17:3; 1 Cor. 3:11) He endeavors to aid the student to make belief in that truth a part of his own life, in fact, to build his life around that sure pattern.

12. In what way do both the one instructing and the one learning do a building work?

12 So there is a joint building work involved. The conductor, as one of Jehovah’s witnesses, wants to build up the learner with durable, fire-resistant materials: true wisdom from God’s Word, faith, conviction, devotion to Bible principles, love of God and love of neighbor, and an overpowering desire to stand for and speak on behalf of what is true and righteous, especially on behalf of God’s kingdom. He works with these materials in his spiritual building work so that the person studied with can become a genuine Christian, able to stand up under fiery tests, including the corroding influence of doubts. (1 Cor. 3:10-15; Jude 22, 23) On the other hand, the student also does a building work. Knowledge alone is not the sure foundation on which to build his hopes and prospects for the future. It is by doing, by putting that knowledge to work, that he can build on a solid foundation, obedience to Christ. There is no other way.—Phil. 1:27-30; 2:12, 13.

13. How can persons be helped to put on the new personality?

13 Rather than just convey knowledge of basic Bible doctrine, then, Jehovah’s witnesses realize that the person needs to be “made new in the force actuating [his] mind, and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.” (Eph. 4:23, 24) So, as the study progresses, they try to help the person to begin to think in terms of Bible principles as these govern our daily lives. It is not a matter of the student’s just restating some points from a certain textbook. It is a question of seeing the Bible reason for these points and of coming to accept the principles set forth in God’s Word as the only sure guide for life. Then, and then only, can the student truly say that God’s Word “is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway.”—Ps. 119:105; Prov. 3:5, 6.

14. Why is it important to build up appreciation for Jehovah God in the student’s heart? How can this be done?

14 You cannot love a person unless you know him well, know his qualities, his ways, what he has done and what he purposes to do. So, during the study, the minister who conducts seeks to build up in the student an appreciation of God’s grandness and goodness. It is his hope that someday the student, like the faithful Israelite of old, will be able to say jubilantly: “Look! This is our God. We have hoped in him, and he will save us. This is Jehovah. We have hoped in him. Let us be joyful and rejoice in the salvation by him.” (Isa. 25:9) This means directing attention, not only to the student’s mind, but also to his heart or seat of motivation. (Prov. 4:23) How can this be done? By pausing at appropriate points to draw attention to the significance of what God has done and how the point involved or the scripture cited highlights God’s love, wisdom, justice or power. Then, if the person’s heart is right, in course of time he too will feel a deep loyalty to Jehovah and a desire to be among those praising His name among all peoples.—Isa. 12:3, 4.

15, 16. Why is it so urgent that we be effective in laying a foundation for the right kind of ministers today?

15 How well is this being done at the present time? What are some of the problems involved? As world conditions get ever worse and spirituality weakens earth wide, such instruction work becomes increasingly important. In the year 70 C.E. the calamitous destruction of Jerusalem cut a mammoth swath through the Jewish population and smashed to bits the hopes and prospects around which millions of them had built their lives. Why? Because they failed to build on the rock-mass of obedience to Christ’s teachings. But a small remnant of that nation escaped destruction through flight at the right time, the time that Jesus had indicated. (Luke 21:20-22) So in our day, on a far vaster scale, the destroying forces of Armageddon will bring disaster to all who have built on a sandlike foundation, being led by their own desires and reasonings or those of other imperfect men. They will see their hopes and prospects disintegrate before them, because they did “not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.” (2 Thess. 1:7-10) But a “great crowd” of persons will come through that storm virtually unscathed. As God’s faithful ministers, they will live to enjoy life in a new order of God’s making where their hearts will thrill to see their hopes and prospects realized to their eternal satisfaction and delight.—Prov. 1:24-33; Rev. 7:9, 10, 14.

16 Those of us who have a share in ‘sounding down’ the truths of God’s Word into the ears, minds and hearts of others now do well to consider carefully our teaching methods.

‘Sounding Down’ the Truth into Minds and Hearts of Learners

1. What sad experience do Christian ministers sometimes have?

WHAT a sad thing it is when a child is born and then, after a few months or a year, having barely begun to live, it suddenly sickens and dies. The feeling in the hearts of bereaved parents experiencing such a tragedy is similar to the feeling in the hearts of Christian ministers who spend months and perhaps years in aiding some person to come to a knowledge of the Bible, feeding such one the “milk” of God’s Word, nurturing him in the truth, seeing him take a stand for righteousness, even engage in the ministry of the Word himself—and then, suddenly, weaken spiritually and go into deathlike inactivity. (Gal. 4:19; 1 Cor. 3:2; 1 Thess. 2:7, 8) Unfortunately this does happen, sometimes to the extent that for every two persons starting out in the active ministry, one person ceases to share therein. Why does this happen? Can anything be done about the situation?

2. What weakness is noted in many who abandon the road to life, and what questions does this raise?

2 Case histories indicate that there has often been a lack of genuine understanding of God’s Word on the part of many persons who begin to walk in the path that leads to life and then turn aside. During the year 1968, Jehovah’s witnesses world wide were conducting an average of 977,503 free home Bible studies. As a result, 82,842 individuals indicated that they were building on the rock foundation of obedience by submitting to water baptism, thereby symbolizing their dedication to do God’s will as his Son set the example. Will these go on? Or will some of them drop away as others have in the past? Since hundreds of thousands more are even now studying, those of us sharing in giving such Bible education to truth seekers can seriously ask ourselves: Are these persons who may become the new Kingdom proclaimers of tomorrow really understanding the Bible’s message and what its principles mean for them in their daily life? The answer to that question depends to a great extent on how we answer other questions: Why are we studying with these persons? How deeply do we have their interests at heart? (2 Cor. 12:15; Phil. 2:17; 1 Thess. 2:8) How effectively are we ‘sounding down’ the truth into their minds and hearts?

3. What should be our aim in having a Bible study with interested persons?

3 We should, and probably do, have the same desire for these newly interested persons as the apostle Paul expressed for believers of the truth in Ephesus. His prayer for them was that “the Christ dwell through your faith in your hearts with love; that you may be rooted and established on the foundation, in order that you may be thoroughly able to grasp mentally with all the holy ones what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of the Christ which surpasses knowledge.” (Eph. 3:17-19) Paul, of course, was not interested in just being able to ‘report a home Bible study to meet a goal.’ Nor was he satisfied that those he helped got just a superficial view of God’s will. He wanted them to see the truth in its full dimensions, breadth, length, height and depth. He wanted to help them be persons of faith; to have Christ dwell, not just in their minds, but in their hearts, with love. Certainly we want the same for the sheeplike persons of our day, do we not? We, too, want to help them broaden their view of God’s purposes, deepen their understanding, develop a long-range outlook toward the future, and lift up their minds and ways to God’s standards as they heighten their appreciation of his provisions. Of course, they cannot do this overnight; first they need our help to begin getting “rooted and established on the foundation.” How can we effectively help them?

4. Why is it not advisable to insist on a fixed routine for conducting Bible studies?

4 We should never forget that each person is an individual; so he needs individual attention and help according to his own particular needs and personal situation. (Compare Romans 14:1-8; 1 Corinthians 9:20-23.) That is why among Jehovah’s witnesses there is no fixed routine set out by which they must conduct their home Bible studies with interested persons. Their “catechetical” teaching is not stereotyped. Their recent publication entitled “Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot” (page 94) says: “There is no arbitrary ruling as to how the study should be conducted, but be sure that the student really understands the points discussed.” Surely where the proper motive exists, one does not need numerous rules in order to aid another to come to an understanding of God’s Word.

5. (a) How has the practicality of the suggestions given through God’s organization been demonstrated? (b) What is the finest source of guidance in this matter?

5 At the same time, many very fine, practical suggestions on teaching and Bible education are provided for Jehovah’s witnesses at their assemblies, and through their monthly publication Kingdom Ministry. These suggestions have helped greatly toward equipping them for the splendid work they have accomplished in helping more than 650,000 persons in the past ten years come to the point of dedicating their lives to God, symbolizing this by water immersion. But over and above these helpful and practical suggestions, we have actual Bible examples and counsel to guide us. How much thought have we given to considering these? How deep is our concern to apply them to the greatest advantage in view of the fact that lives are at stake?—1 Tim. 4:16.

THE SUPERLATIVE TEACHER

6. In what aspects was Jesus’ teaching notable?

6 What better example could we have than that of Christ Jesus, God’s own Son and the perfect Teacher of sheeplike persons? His teaching methods were recorded in the Bible, surely for a good reason. When you read the record of his ministry, what impresses you? Perhaps the simplicity of his teaching. His methods were not complicated, but he always showed a deep concern for the people, a loving desire to teach them the truth of his Father’s purposes. (Matt. 9:35, 36; Mark 6:34) This is the first essential; without it nothing else would be of value. (1 Cor. 13:1, 8) This loving interest made Jesus reliable in his educational work. When he told Zacchaeus to ‘come down out of that tree, for today I am going to be at your house,’ Zacchaeus could be sure that Jesus would be there without fail.—Luke 19:1-6.

7. What else did Jesus always keep in focus while teaching?

7 Outstanding also is the genuine interest Jesus showed in people as individuals. Though he often taught large groups, he knew that each person had his own problems and needs. Each one, too, would have to render an account for himself before God. (Rom. 14:12) So, whether it was Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, Mary, Martha or one of the apostles, Jesus gave careful consideration to them as individuals. (John 3:1-21; 4:7-26; Luke 10:38-42; 22:31-34; John 20:24-29) His teaching was not matter-of-fact nor a stereotyped routine. He was interested not only in their minds but in their hearts. We, too, should give serious consideration as to how we can best help the particular individuals with whom we study.

‘SOUNDING DOWN’ THE TRUTH WITH DISCERNMENT

8. Speech consists basically of what two things, and which of these often needs more attention in teaching?

8 Did you ever stop to think that, basically, there are just two things you can do when you talk to another person? One is: you can give information. The other is: you can ask questions. Though there are all kinds of information and many types of questions, all speech resolves itself basically into these two things. Now, in the home Bible studies that we conduct the really important information is found in the Bible and also in the Bible-study aids we use. But much of our success in helping that Bible information reach deep into the mind and heart of the student depends on our use of questions. There is real value in questions, perhaps more than we generally realize.

9, 10. (a) How do adults differ from children in receiving instruction? (b) What need does this emphasize in teaching?

9 Children, by nature, will usually ask “why” whenever they don’t understand something, as any parent can testify. But adults are often different; some express themselves readily but many hold back from asking the questions in their minds. They may appear to be agreeing to points considered in a certain Bible-study aid or to what we ourselves explain to them or even to what they personally read from their own Bibles. They may even say, “Yes, I understand.” But they may not really understand. (John 11:11-14) Such lack of understanding may not become apparent until much later. Then, when more advanced points are considered, the person’s inability to grasp these makes it very evident that right understanding was not gained in earlier studies when the more basic things of God’s Word were considered.—1 Cor. 3:1, 2.

10 What does this show? It emphasizes the importance of encouraging students to express themselves, the importance of drawing them out with additional questions besides those in the textbook. The student is helped much more by well-framed questions that lead his mind to the Bible answer than by your simply telling him the answer. (Compare Paul’s method at Galatians 3:1-6.) Nor does it really help the student greatly simply to direct him to the place in the textbook where the answer is found and then have him read it word for word as though it were his answer. He may read it, but does he understand what he read? And does he believe it? What does Matthew 24:15 show to be the important thing to do when reading God’s Word?—See also Acts 8:30-35.

11, 12. (a) The false “catechetical” teaching of Christendom has left her members with what disability? (b) In what way can the wise use of questions aid in overcoming this?

11 As the apostle Peter put it, we want to ‘arouse the student’s clear thinking faculties.’ (2 Pet. 3:1) There are millions of people on earth today who claim to be Christians and yet who have little or no understanding of the Bible. Most of them would find it difficult even to explain the basic tenets of their particular religion. Any “catechetical” teaching they had was not the true kind; rather, it was religion by rote. False religion has never taught the people to think, to reason on right principles. (Matt. 15:7-9; Luke 11:52) True Christians need to help honest-hearted persons to learn how to use their minds in harmony with God’s Word so as to “know wisdom and discipline, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive the discipline that gives insight, righteousness and judgment and uprightness, to give to the inexperienced ones shrewdness, . . . knowledge and thinking ability.”—Prov. 1:2-5; 2:10, 11.

12 Helpful questions stimulate and train a person’s thinking. They can guide one’s mind in an orderly way from one point to another so that a conclusion can be reached. (Compare Jesus’ questions at Matthew 16:5-12 and Paul’s seventeen questions in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14.) Such questions help to ‘plow up the ground’ so that the seeds of Bible truth can sink down deep and begin to reach the person’s heart. Also, at the close of a study period, the use of questions to review the principal Bible truths learned is similar to the practice of lightly tapping with a hammer the rivets in the steel structure of a building to test whether they are solid or not.

13, 14. (a) Give examples showing Jesus’ appreciation of the value of questions. (b) What does this example encourage us to do?

13 Jesus made remarkable use of questions. Remarkable not merely in the frequency of his use of questions, but in the way in which he taught by them, doing so when it might have seemed much easier and less time-consuming simply to tell the person the point. Note, for instance, the occasion when tax collectors came to Peter, asking him if his teacher paid the temple tax. (Matt. 17:24-27) Peter, often impulsive, answered, “Yes.” Then he went inside, perhaps to inquire of Jesus about the matter or to obtain the money for payment. However, “when he entered the house Jesus got ahead of him by saying: ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive duties or head tax? From their sons or from the strangers?’ When he said: ‘From the strangers,’ Jesus said to him: ‘Really, then, the sons are tax-free.’” True, Jesus then helped Peter out of his dilemma so that the tax was paid; but do we see the point of Jesus’ questions? Certainly they made Peter think, reason and remember.

14 Consider the night of Jesus’ arrest. Amid those turbulent conditions, Peter impetuously used his sword. Jesus then asked Peter three questions: “The cup that the Father has given me, should I not by all means drink it?” “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than twelve legions of angels? In that case, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must take place this way?” (John 18:11; Matt. 26:52-54) Think of it: Jesus was there faced with a mob, under tremendous tension, knowing his arrest was imminent and that before the day was over he would be dying on a torture stake—yet he took the time to impress those truths on Peter’s mind by questions. (Mark 14:33; Luke 22:44) Should not his example make us pause and reconsider when we start thinking we are too busy to prepare ourselves properly for conducting a home Bible study, or feel we must hurry through the material of the study, or perhaps leave abruptly afterward due to other matters to which we want to attend?

15. To use questions effectively in a study what is required, and what problems are often faced?

15 Teaching, of course, is not merely a matter of asking questions just to be asking them. A teacher must first know his material well and then use questions with a purpose, endeavoring to reach not only the student’s mind but also his heart. Certain problems commonly face us as we endeavor to aid sheeplike persons to get rooted on the foundation of Bible truth and the rock-mass of obedience to Christ’s teachings and example. The student has preconceived ideas, likely false teachings from prior religious association. There is a great advantage in knowing what these are so as to give needed assistance. While some persons express themselves openly, others do not. Tactful questions can help in the latter case.

16, 17. In the account at Luke 24:17-27, what did Jesus’ questions accomplish?

16 Consider Luke 24:17-27. As you may recall, two disciples were walking to Emmaus, discussing Jesus’ death and the report of his resurrection. Jesus approached. What did he do first? He asked a question: “What are these matters that you are debating between yourselves as you walk along?” Cleopas countered with the question: “Are you dwelling as an alien by yourself in Jerusalem and so do not know the things that have occurred in her in these days?” Jesus, in turn, asked: “What things?”

17 Now did Jesus ask these questions because he did not know the answers? Obviously not, for he was the very one of whom these disciples had been talking; he had personally experienced the things they discussed. But his questions caused them to express what was in their minds and their view of matters. They told of Jesus’ death, the guilt of the religious leaders, and how they, these disciples, had themselves been “hoping that this man was the one destined to deliver Israel,” as well as the report by certain women that Jesus had been resurrected. They showed not only how their minds were working but, more importantly, what was in their hearts. They had some doubts about Jesus’ resurrection, for they had been “debating” the matter. Jesus now said: “O senseless ones and slow in heart to believe on all the things the prophets spoke! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory? And commencing at Moses and all the Prophets he interpreted to them things pertaining to himself in all the Scriptures.”

18, 19. (a) How can similar questions help us to give better aid to learners? (b) Give a practical example.

18 Being “senseless” relates to the mind, but they were also “slow in heart,” as their answers to Jesus’ questions revealed. True, Jesus could read men’s hearts without questions; but we cannot. (John 1:47-50; 2:25) So, questions similar to these can help us find out something of what a student thinks about a certain Bible subject and at the same time perhaps gain some idea of his heart attitude. We can then give better help according to that person’s needs.

19 How we do this, of course, will vary with the person and the subject. But, as a practical example, you might be about to consider the subject of the “trinity” at a person’s home, perhaps using the publication “Things in Which It Is Impossible for God to Lie,” with its twelfth chapter, entitled “God a Person—or Three Persons in One God, Which?” Before even going into the material, you might first ask: “From what you have heard about the ‘trinity,’ what does it mean?” After the student expresses his view, you might add questions such as: “Does that sound reasonable to you? Do you find it understandable?” Whether he responds one way or another, you can simply say: “Well, let us see what the Bible actually teaches about this.” You have already gained your initial objective, that of learning something of his knowledge, views and attitude on this subject and so are in a far better position to aid him to gain real understanding.

20, 21. (a) Show how Jesus’ method at Matthew 16:13-16 can be used in dealing with another common problem in Bible education. (b) How might we use a like approach to this problem?

20 Another problem is to help those who study to see the real difference, the strong contrast, between Bible truth and religious error. Some seem slow to see this or to arrive at conclusions as to what is true, and so the call to ‘get out of Babylon the Great’ has no significance; their lives continue in danger. (Rev. 18:4) Rather than bluntness or harshness, tactful questions may aid them to see that contrast and also test their understanding. Turn now to the well-known account at Matthew 16:13-16. Jesus, in Caesarea Philippi, “went asking his disciples: ‘Who are men saying the Son of man is?’” Perhaps one by one, they answered: “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Having got them to express the ideas then current among the public, Jesus then asked: “You, though, who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered up: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Now, what did Jesus’ questions accomplish? By first asking what the public thought, he made it possible to contrast the wrong view sharply with the correct one. He also tested the progress of his disciples’ understanding and their development of true faith.

21 Similarly, we may have completed the study of some subject, such as “Your ‘Soul’ Is You,” in the publication mentioned earlier. At the study’s close, you might ask the one studying: “What do most persons today believe happens to one who dies?” After the student’s reply, you may ask: “Well, now, from what we’ve read in the Bible, what would you say happens? Why do you say so?” Questions such as these may aid the person not only to see the contrast but also to make up his mind as to what he really believes on any particular Bible subject. Of course, in some cases his reply may show he has not properly grasped the meaning of points studied earlier, making it necessary to review these points or even restudy them so that he may be solidly grounded and able to advance to further truths.

22. Why is it not enough that students be able to understand well in a Bible study?

22 But believing is not enough; action is also required. (Rom. 10:10) To be Jesus’ true disciple the student must begin to build on the rock foundation, doing so by putting to work in his life the truths learned. (John 13:17) Some persons seem able to grasp quickly what they study; their answers in the study are good and correct. But perhaps they do not seem to come to any decision as to what they are going to do in view of the truths learned. (Jas. 1:6-8) Questions, combined with an illustration, may help.

23-25. (a) How does Jesus’ illustration of the “Good Samaritan” show one way we can encourage learners to begin building on the rock-mass of obedience? (b) Show how we can do this today and explain why this method is beneficial.

23 Jesus’ illustration of the “Good Samaritan” is well known. (Luke 10:29-37) He gave it in answer to a man who wanted to prove himself righteous and who asked, “Who really is my neighbor?” Jesus then told of three different men, a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan, and the reaction of each to his individual opportunity to help a man beaten by robbers, only the Samaritan rendering actual aid. Jesus concluded by posing this question to his questioner: “Who of these three seems to you to have made himself neighbor to the man that fell among the robbers?” The man replied: “The one that acted mercifully toward him.” Jesus then told him: “Go your way and be doing the same yourself.”

24 The answer to Jesus’ question was rather obvious, was it not? Yet Jesus had led the man’s mind to a certain conclusion, caused him to search his own motives, thereby aiding him to make a decision as to future action. In our case, let us suppose a study is in progress on pages 211, 212 of the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God. These pages discuss the opposition and harsh treatment the apostles underwent due to official pressure to get them to stop their preaching activity. Here we might introduce Matthew 24:14 into the discussion, have the student read the verse, and then make clear that this is the work indicated for our day. We might then use an illustration, perhaps of three persons in a country where an official ban is placed on such preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom. Of the three persons, one stops his preaching immediately. The second is arrested and thereafter agrees to cease all preaching. The third is also arrested, but when finally released he keeps on preaching by whatever means he can. “Now,” we might ask the student, “which one would you say is proving himself a true Christian, one like the apostles were?” The answer, of course, is the last one; but after such answer we might inquire, “Why do you say so?”

25 True, the answer to the question based on this illustration is quite obvious, yet it may cause the person to search his own mind and heart on the matter, thinking of what he would do under similar circumstances. Posing a problem from real life is very useful. It aids persons to consider seriously just how they would apply Bible principles in their lives and what their future course will be. (Ps. 119:33-37) Also, it is human nature for persons to be more ready to accept conclusions that they themselves express, rather than a conclusion expressed for them by someone else.

26. What attention should be given to the conscience of the learners?

26 Kindred to the above is the matter of helping to educate the conscience of those with whom we study, to help them think seriously in terms of right and wrong. We want to aid them to come to love what is right and hate what is wrong. (Heb. 1:9; Ps. 119:101-104) Jesus raised questions, searching questions that should have helped persons to think seriously in terms of right or wrong, though their lack of response at times caused him to feel indignation, “being thoroughly grieved at the insensibility [not of their minds, but] of their hearts.”—Matt. 12:10-12; Mark 3:1-5.

27. (a) What is the intended purpose of the questions on page 108 of the book “Your Word is a Lamp to My Foot”? (b) How can the one conducting a Bible study arrive at an answer to these questions?

27 The recent publication “Your Word Is a Lamp to My Foot” (page 108) contains a list of ten questions that the conductor of a Bible study is urged to consider before inviting a student to share in the ministry. Among these are questions such as, Does he believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God? (2 Tim. 3:16) Does he apply in his life what the Bible says about honesty? (Eph. 4:25, 28) Does he know what the Bible says about fornication and adultery, and live in harmony with it? (Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:9) Note, however, that it is not the student who is expected to give a direct answer to these questions; it is the one conducting the study and extending the invitation to share in the ministry who is to answer these questions about the student. This means that it is not intended that the conductor boldly pry into the student’s personal life with direct questions. How, then, can the conductor answer the questions to his own satisfaction? Simply having the student read the Scripture texts and then comment on what he understands them to mean will often enable you to see whether or not he comprehends what is required of one engaging in the ministry of God’s Word. Also, the use of illustrations followed by questions based on the illustration will likewise aid the student to see the point without embarrassing him by point-blank questions.

28. How can we show genuine discernment in the use of these teaching methods?

28 One more final question, one asked by Jesus at Matthew 13:51: “Did you get the sense of all these things?” We certainly do not want to bombard students with a steady barrage of questions, but use them judiciously where they will help the most and really serve to sound down the key points of Bible truth into their minds and hearts. Nor should we push for an answer if the person indicates a reluctance to express himself on certain points. When a question brings a negative response or some illustration does not seem to ‘sit well’ with the person, rather than try to convince him then and there, we might do well simply to say, “Well, that is something to think about, isn’t it?” and then go on with the study. Jesus, too, exercised patience and forbearance.—John 16:12.

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The Watchtower, March 1, 1969