Saturday, April 6
The one walking with the wise will become wise.—Prov. 13:20.
Parents, help your children develop wholesome friendships. God’s Word makes it clear that our friendships have an influence on us—either for good or for bad. Do you know your children’s friends? What can you do to help your children make friends with those who love Jehovah? (1 Cor. 15:33) You can help them make wise choices by inviting some who are doing well spiritually to join you in your family activities. (Ps. 119:63) A father named Tony explains: “Over the years, my wife and I have invited to our home brothers and sisters of different ages and backgrounds. They share a meal with us and join in our family worship. This is a great way to get to know those who love and serve Jehovah with joy. . . . Their experiences, zeal, and self-sacrificing spirit have had a tremendous impact on our children and have helped them draw close to Jehovah.” w22.05 29-30 ¶14-15
Sunday, April 7
Whatever things you may bind on earth will be things already bound in heaven.—Matt. 18:18.
When the elders meet with a wrongdoer, their goal is to reach the same decision on earth that has already been reached in heaven. How does this arrangement benefit the congregation? It ensures that unrepentant wrongdoers who might harm Jehovah’s precious sheep are removed. (1 Cor. 5:6, 7, 11-13; Titus 3:10, 11) It may also help a sinner to repent and benefit from Jehovah’s forgiveness. (Luke 5:32) The elders pray in behalf of a repentant one and ask Jehovah to help him recover spiritually. (Jas. 5:15) Suppose that a person is not repentant when the elders meet with him. In that case, he will be disfellowshipped from the congregation. Yet, if the person later comes to his senses and sincerely repents and turns around, Jehovah is willing to pardon him. (Luke 15:17-24) That is true even if his sins were very serious.—2 Chron. 33:9, 12, 13; 1 Tim. 1:15. w22.06 9 ¶5-6
Monday, April 8
Keep your senses, be watchful! Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.—1 Pet. 5:8.
With Jehovah’s help, Christians earth wide have overcome challenging situations and have been successful in opposing the Devil. (1 Pet. 5:9) You can too. Very soon, Jehovah will direct Jesus and his corulers “to break up the works of the Devil.” (1 John 3:8) After that, God’s people serving him on earth will “fear nothing and have no cause for terror.” (Isa. 54:14; Mic. 4:4) Until then, though, we need to work hard to overcome our fears. We must continue to strengthen our confidence that Jehovah loves and protects his servants. We will be helped to do this by meditating on and talking about how Jehovah has protected his servants in the past. And we can bear in mind how he has helped us personally to face distressing situations. With Jehovah’s help, we can overcome our fears!—Ps. 34:4. w22.06 19 ¶19-20