Thursday, February 1
Love one another just as I have loved you.—John 15:12.
What does today’s text mean? As Jesus went on to explain, this is self-sacrificing love—love that moves a Christian even to die for a fellow believer if necessary. God’s Word places a lot of emphasis on love. Many people include among their favorite Bible verses the following: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:39) “Love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8) “Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:8) These verses and others should make it plain to anyone how important it is to cultivate and display this beautiful quality. Genuine love comes from Jehovah—from having his spirit and blessing on a group of worshippers. (1 John 4:7) Is it any wonder, then, that Jesus said that unselfish love would identify his true followers? Just as Jesus foretold, many have recognized his true followers by the genuine love they show among themselves. w23.03 27-28 ¶5-8
JANUARY 29–FEBRUARY 4
JOB 40-42
Song 124 and Prayer | Opening Comments (1 min.)
1. Lessons Learned From Job’s Experience
(10 min.)
Recognize that your viewpoint is limited in comparison with Jehovah’s (Job 42:1-3; w10 10/15 3-4 ¶4-6)
Readily accept counsel from Jehovah and his organization (Job 42:5, 6; w17.06 25 ¶12)
Jehovah rewards those who remain loyal to him despite trials (Job 42:10-12; Jas 5:11; w22.06 25 ¶17-18)
Jehovah rewarded Job for his integrity
2. Spiritual Gems
(10 min.)
3. Bible Reading
(4 min.) Job 42:1-17 (th study 11)
4. Starting a Conversation
(3 min.) HOUSE TO HOUSE. The person is from a non-Christian background. (lmd lesson 5 point 3)
5. Making Disciples
6. Talk
(4 min.) lmd appendix A point 2—Theme: The Earth Will Never Be Destroyed. (th study 13)
Song 108
7. Help Others to Feel Jehovah’s Love
(15 min.) Discussion.
We are glad to worship a God who is the very essence of love. (1Jo 4:8, 16) Jehovah’s loving personality draws us to him and motivates us to stay close to him. As Jehovah’s sheep, we all feel loved by Jehovah.
We do our best to reflect Jehovah’s love by how we treat our family members, fellow worshippers, and others. (Job 6:14; 1Jo 4:11) By showing love, we help others come to know Jehovah and draw close to him. In contrast, if we fail to show love to others, they may find it difficult to sense Jehovah’s love.
Play the VIDEO We Found Christian Love in Jehovah’s Family. Then ask the audience:
What did you learn from Lei Lei and Mimi’s experience about the importance of showing love?
What can we do to help fellow worshippers feel Jehovah’s love?
View them as Jehovah’s precious sheep.—Ps 100:3
Speak to them in a way that builds up.—Eph 4:29
Treat them with fellow feeling.—Mt 7:11, 12
8. Congregation Bible Study
(30 min.) bt chap. 5 ¶1-8, box on p. 39