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True Christians Are Kingdom PreachersThe Watchtower—1985 | August 1
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True Christians Are Kingdom Preachers
“This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”—MATTHEW 24:14.
1, 2. (a) Why must the Kingdom message now be declared worldwide? (b) What questions might each witness of Jehovah ask?
ANNOUNCING JEHOVAH’S KINGDOM. For decades, that has been the main objective of this journal. In fact, it is part of its copyrighted title. And it is vital that the Kingdom message now be declared worldwide. Why? Because of what Jesus Christ said after citing other features comprising “the sign” of his invisible “presence” and the end of this system. Jesus said: “This Good News of the kingdom will be proclaimed to the whole world as a witness to all the nations. And then the end will come.”—Matthew 24:3, 14, The Jerusalem Bible.
2 Today, “the end” is near indeed. Hence, each dedicated witness of Jehovah might well ask: How do I feel about the Kingdom-preaching work? Am I participating in it regularly? And is my ministry being carried out with skill and zeal?
The Commission to Preach
3. Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 5:14-16 indicate what about his followers?
3 No genuine Christian can rightly shun the privileged work of proclaiming the “good news” to others. Jesus told his disciples: “You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. Likewise let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.” (Matthew 5:14-16) That indicated that Jesus’ disciples would be Kingdom preachers.
4. What has been said about the foremost Kingdom proclaimer?
4 Concerning the foremost Kingdom preacher, it has been said: “As our Lord preached the kingdom He proceeded . . . to prepare and organize its Ministry . . . He began the prophetic ministry . . . and made both the Twelve and the Seventy partakers of the same. As He preached the coming kingdom and wrought ‘signs,’ He sent them before His face with a like message and like powers. By a wonderful course of minute teaching, . . . He trained them the meanwhile for positions of higher trust afterwards to be given.”—A Church History, by Milo Mahan.
5. As regards Kingdom preaching, what did Jesus do?
5 Jesus provided fine instruction for his apostles and the 70 disciples he sent out. (Luke 6:12-16; 10:1-22) Moreover, our Exemplar himself “went journeying from city to city and from village to village, preaching and declaring the good news of the kingdom of God.” With him were the apostles and certain women “who were ministering to them from their belongings.” (Luke 8:1-3) Yes, Jesus was a zealous proclaimer of the good news and took steps to initiate a Kingdom-preaching organization.
6. Before ascending to heaven, what commission did Jesus give his followers?
6 After a three-and-a-half-year ministry, Jesus finished his earthly course. But before he ascended to heaven, he gave his followers this commission: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) They would, indeed, be Kingdom preachers.
7. Although Jesus’ disciples originally lacked accurate knowledge about the Kingdom, why would they succeed in being his witnesses?
7 When Jesus was about to leave the earth, his disciples asked: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” In reply, he told them: “It does not belong to you to get knowledge of the times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction.” Even though the disciples then lacked accurate knowledge about the Kingdom, Jesus could assign them to be its proclaimers, for they would have the needed help to carry out their commission. “But you will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you,” Jesus added, “and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8) Under the guidance of the holy spirit, Jesus’ followers eventually would realize that the Kingdom would be a heavenly government. (John 16:12, 13) And in time the facts about that Kingdom would be proclaimed “to the most distant part of the earth.”
8. How successful was the first-century preaching work?
8 Those witnesses did their work very well. Of course, Jehovah was with them, and they had the support of the glorified Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:1-8; 11:19-21) No wonder that as early as 60 to 61 C.E. the apostle Paul could say that the “good news” had already been ‘preached in all creation under heaven’!—Colossians 1:23.
9. As here noted, what is the chief work of the Christian congregation?
9 Regarding the work of witnessing, it has been written: “The proclamation of the gospel is . . . not one activity among many in which the Church of the N[ew] T[estament] engages, but it is her basic, her essential activity. . . . Note well, Jesus did not say [at Acts 1:8], You shall witness to me, or, You shall bear witness to me, but, You shall be my witnesses. The use of the verb ‘to be’ here has a value which must be taken with full and literal seriousness. The expression [in Greek] does not merely state what the Church would do, but what the Church would be. . . . The Church of Jesus Christ is . . . a witnessing body.” (Pentecost and the Missionary Witness of the Church, by Harry R. Boer, pages 110-14) Yes, witnessing is the chief work of the true Christian congregation.
By Divine Providence
10, 11. (a) Basically, how were first-century Kingdom proclaimers organized? (b) What happened when new circumstances developed?
10 First-century Kingdom proclaimers received direction from a governing body. Traveling elders served within the organization, and congregational duties were shouldered by overseers and ministerial servants. (Acts 15:1, 2, 22-36; Philippians 1:1) But what happened when new circumstances developed?
11 Well, consider what took place shortly after Pentecost of 33 C.E. Greek-speaking Jews began murmuring against Hebrew-speaking Jews “because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.” To solve the problem, the apostles appointed “seven certified men” to care for this food distribution. (Acts 6:1-8) Concerning this we read: “At first, the care that the daily public meals were impartially distributed was all, so far as we are told, for which the ‘seven’ were set apart, but, of course, other duties would be added as they rose, for while the principles of the new faith were unchangeable, the machinery and modes of presentment, by which these might be most effectually established and extended, were left to the wisdom and practical experience of successive generations . . . Adaptation and modification of non-essential details . . . is imperative in any great organisation.”—Hours With the Bible, New Testament Series, volume II, by Cunningham Geikie.
12. (a) What contributed to the progress of early Christianity? (b) Where and how did Jesus’ followers come to be called Christians?
12 Prayerful reliance upon God, along with “the wisdom and practical experience” of the governing body, contributed to the progress of early Christianity. And things certainly were happening by divine providence. For instance, Jesus’ early followers were said to belong to “The Way.” (Acts 9:1, 2) But perhaps as early as 44 C.E. at Antioch, Syria, “the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.” (Acts 11:26) This was a God-given name that they readily accepted.—1 Peter 4:16.a
13. As Jehovah’s Witnesses now use modern publishing methods, what did the early Christians put to use in their Kingdom-preaching work?
13 Among those early Christians, other developments also were within the divine providence. For instance, as Jehovah’s Witnesses now use modern publishing methods, so the early Christians pioneered the use of the codex—a real boon to their zealous Kingdom-preaching work. In this regard, C. C. McCown wrote: “The Christians’ religious books, both the Old Testament and the new writings . . . were not for the leisurely reading of the well-to-do. Hard-working business people wanted as much as they could get into a book. They and the earnest Christian missionaries wished to be able to refer to this or that proof text quickly, without having to unroll many feet of papyrus.”—The Biblical Archaeologist Reader, page 261.
14. Jesus’ apostles were eager to preach under what circumstances?
14 Being “able to refer to this or that proof text quickly” was very important because of the Kingdom-preaching methods employed by the early Christians. At times, of course, they witnessed to people informally, as Jehovah’s Witnesses often do today. Of this it has been said: “One of the peculiar features of the apostolic preaching was its incidental character. There was no waiting of an apostle for a great opportunity. His only state occasion was when, like Paul before Felix, he was led as a prisoner before a ruler in purple to give an account of himself and answer the charge of infraction of the laws. He was not without his opportunities, but they were furnished him in the prison, by the wayside, and in the humble home where he might be sheltered for the night. . . . He felt that his message was largely to human units, though equally ready to present it to the multitude. He was equally at home with any audience. He had not forgotten the example of Christ, . . . [whose] stoa was the dusty highway, or the crowded street, or the pebbly shore of Jewish Galilee . . . [The apostles] had not forgotten that he had given them early in their companionship with him special instructions as to the best methods of preaching his doctrines, had reinforced these first lessons by others, and, just before his ascension, pointed them to the world as their field and every creature as their auditor.”—History of the Christian Church, by John F. Hurst, volume I, page 96.
“From House to House”
15. How were the apostles carrying out the preaching work in the days following Pentecost of 33 C.E.?
15 In the days following Pentecost of 33 C.E., Jesus’ disciples were already using a superb method of preaching the “good news.” After the persecuted apostles had been dishonored because of Jesus Christ’s name, what did they do? Why, “every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus”! (Acts 5:41, 42) Yes, the apostles witnessed from house to house.
16. In what kind of preaching activity did Paul give training to the elders in Ephesus?
16 Later, the apostle Paul could remind appointed elders from Ephesus: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house. But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:20, 21) Paul did not mean that he was teaching appointed elders in their homes. Rather, he was witnessing to unbelieving Jews and Greeks about repentance toward Jehovah God and faith in Jesus Christ. Without question, Paul also taught those elders how to witness from house to house.
17. What have various scholars said about Paul’s house-to-house ministry in Ephesus?
17 Concerning the apostle’s ministry in Ephesus, it has been said: “Paul’s general practice was to work at his trade from sunrise till 11 a.m. (Acts 20:34-35) at which hour Tyrannus had finished his teaching; then from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to preach in the hall, hold conferences with helpers and private talks with candidates, plan extensions into the interior; then lastly to make a house-to-house evangelistic canvass that lasted from 4 p.m. till far into the night (Acts 20:20-21, 31).” (A. E. Bailey) Other scholars have stated: “He was not content merely to deliver discourses in the public assembly, and dispense with other instrumentalities, but zealously pursued his great work in private, from house to house, and literally carried home the truth of heaven to the hearths and hearts of the Ephesians.” (A. A. Livermore) “Publicly and from house to house, in the city and throughout the province, he had preached the gospel.” (E. M. Blaiklock) “It is worth noting that this greatest of preachers preached from house to house and did not make his visits merely social calls.”—A. T. Robertson.
18. (a) Why would you say that there is a solid Scriptural basis for the house-to-house ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses? (b) Like Jesus and his early disciples, where and how do Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the Kingdom message?
18 House-to-house witnessing was done by Jesus’ apostles in 33 C.E. It was part of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus and undoubtedly elsewhere. So there is a solid Scriptural basis for the house-to-house ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And this is true of various other methods they use to spread the Kingdom message. Interestingly, McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopedia states: “Our Lord and his apostles found places for preaching wherever people could be assembled. The mountain-side, the shores of seas and rivers, the public street, private houses, the porch of the Temple, the Jewish synagogue, and various other places were found available for the proclamation of the Gospel.” (Volume VIII, page 483) Like Jesus and his early disciples, Jehovah’s Witnesses preach the Kingdom message in “the public street, private houses, . . . and various other places.” For instance, they engage in magazine street work (with this journal and its companion Awake!) and are especially known for their house-to-house witnessing.
19. How are decisions made regarding the preaching methods now used by Jehovah’s Witnesses?
19 The basic forms of the ministry now used by Jehovah’s Witnesses were well established in the first century, and, besides this, it is proper for the present-day Governing Body of anointed Christians to decide what preaching methods are suitable at this time. Such decisions can partly be based on “the wisdom and practical experience” of these men. Especially, however, do they make decisions as did the first-century Christian governing body. God’s direction and the guidance of his holy spirit are sought in prayer, and Scriptural precedents are followed when determining what preaching methods are most suitable in these “last days.”—2 Timothy 3:1; Acts 15:23, 28.
20. (a) Why can we be sure that there is divine approval of the preaching methods used by Jehovah’s Witnesses? (b) What attitude should all of Jehovah’s servants have toward the Kingdom-preaching work?
20 It is evident that the preaching methods used by Jehovah’s Witnesses are within the divine providence, for God has crowned these efforts with abundant success and blessing. (Proverbs 10:22) Throngs are embracing true worship and joining the remnant of Jesus’ anointed followers as part of the only organization that honors Jehovah’s holy name and fearlessly declares the good news of the established heavenly Kingdom. May all of Jehovah’s servants therefore continue exerting themselves in the disciple-making work as this system nears its end. This we must do faithfully, for true Christians unquestionably are Kingdom preachers.
[Footnotes]
a See page 316 of Aid to Bible Understanding, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
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Teach With Skill and ZealThe Watchtower—1985 | August 1
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Teach With Skill and Zeal
“Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”—MATTHEW 28:19, 20.
1. What is encouraged by Proverbs 22:29, and how so?
JEHOVAH’S WORD encourages skill and industriousness. For instance, it states: “Have you beheld a man skillful in his work? Before kings is where he will station himself; he will not station himself before commonplace men.” (Proverbs 22:29) Of course, there is nothing demeaning about working for “commonplace men.” But the skillful artisan’s fine work will not remain a secret. Why, news of his skill may reach the ears of a king, who may well seek his services!
2. (a) To develop skill in any profession, what is necessary? (b) Why is a Christian minister’s effectiveness as a teacher so important?
2 Knowledge and skill are needed in any profession. A man may study carpentry and may also learn much by observing those skilled in that trade. But to develop skill himself, he must put acquired knowledge to work on the job. A surgeon needs to be educated. But to become competent, he must put his knowledge to use in the operating room. And in that profession skill is vital, for competence can often make the difference between life and death for the patient. Yet, of far greater importance is proficiency as a minister. Why? Because the minister’s effectiveness as a teacher can well affect the way that people respond to the good news. In turn, their response can make the difference between everlasting life and eternal death for them.—Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; John 17:3.
3. The making of disciples requires what?
3 The commission that Jesus Christ gave his followers involves teaching. He said: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) Of course, skill is required to teach the honest-hearted all the things Jesus commanded.
4. (a) Skillful teaching should be done with what attitude? (b) How did Apollos benefit from being in the company of Aquila and Priscilla?
4 Such skillful teaching should be done with zeal. Yes, Christians should be “zealous for fine works,” and these certainly include the imparting of spiritual instruction in the ministry and in the congregation. (Titus 2:14) As skillful teachers, Aquila and Priscilla “took [Apollos] into their company [at Ephesus] and expounded the way of God more correctly to him.” This benefited Apollos greatly, for later in Achaia “with intensity he thoroughly proved the Jews to be wrong publicly, while he demonstrated by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” (Acts 18:24-28) Clearly, Apollos taught with both skill and zeal.
‘Pay Attention to Your Teaching’
5. According to 1 Timothy 4:16, why should we teach skillfully and zealously?
5 The apostle Paul told his Christian associate Timothy: “Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 Timothy 4:16) Since the very salvation of both teacher and student is at stake, surely such instruction should be imparted skillfully and zealously.
6. How can you become adept in handling the Scriptures, and what appropriate questions can be considered?
6 Carpenters and surgeons surely must pay attention to themselves. They must be able to use their tools or instruments competently. So must the Christian minister, whose chief implement is ‘the sword of the spirit, God’s word.’ (Ephesians 6:17) How can you become adept in handling the Scriptures? Through regular study and use, of course. So, have you read the Bible from cover to cover, taking time to meditate on its superb counsel? Do you read it daily? Are you using it regularly in the field ministry? And are you taking full advantage of the rich spiritual food being provided by Jehovah through “the faithful and discreet slave”?—Matthew 24:45-47.
7. What suggestions are offered regarding time for study, and how can the need for study be shown Scripturally?
7 Be sure to set aside time for study of God’s Word and true Christian publications. This will fill your mind with wholesome information that will benefit you and that can be used to answer sincere inquirers. (1 Peter 3:15; Colossians 4:6) Times for study and meditation vary with families and with individuals. Some may find it beneficial to study at day’s end. Others may be more alert upon arising. Still others may find a midday hour to be most suitable for them. In any case, regularity and diligence are of utmost importance. Joshua and kings of Israel were to read God’s Word daily.—Joshua 1:7, 8; Deuteronomy 17:18-20.
Work to Become a Better Teacher
8. How can the use of mental association improve your teaching skill?
8 Improvement of teaching skill calls for hard work. One way to enhance your ability as a teacher is to use mental association when studying the Bible or Christian publications. Associate new ideas with those you already know. This will help you to outline information in your mind so that you can explain matters clearly when teaching others. Doubtless, you have used association when studying in the past. For instance, at one time you may not have realized that Christians are to be in relative subjection to governmental “superior authorities.” But you now know that obedience to God must come first. (Romans 13:1-8; Mark 12:17; Acts 5:29) You understand this because you have associated new points with those already known.
9. Illustrate how you can visualize an incident recorded in the Bible.
9 Another way to enhance your teaching ability is by visualizing incidents recorded in the Bible. Why not do this now with Judges 7:19-22? Under the cover of darkness, Gideon and 300 men surround a Midianite camp where sentries have just been posted. Suddenly, you hear Gideon’s band of 100 blow their horns, and you see them smash the large water jars they have been carrying. The 200 other Israelites do the same thing. And as they all raise flaming torches aloft, you hear them shout: “Jehovah’s sword and Gideon’s!” As the terrorized Midianites begin to flee, Gideon’s three companies continue blowing their horns, and you find that Jehovah has set the swords of the fleeing enemies against one another. Because you have visualized this event, doubtless you will remember it well and will be able to use it when teaching others. Surely, one lesson it teaches is that Jehovah can deliver his people without a powerful human military force.—Psalm 94:14.
10. In teaching, how might you use the illustration found at Judges 9:8-15?
10 Fine illustrations, including those in the Scriptures, can also enhance your skill as a teacher. As an example, consider Judges 9:8-15. Gideon’s son Jotham told of a time when the trees went to anoint a ruler over them. Whereas the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine refused a position of rulership, the lowly bramble eagerly accepted it. The valuable plants represented worthy persons who did not seek kingship over their fellow Israelites. However, the bramble, useful only as fuel, represented the kingship of arrogant, murderous Abimelech, who wanted to dominate others but met a bad end in fulfillment of Jotham’s prophecy. (Judges 9:50-57) This illustration might be used to emphasize the need to do what is right and to be humble, not arrogant.—Psalm 18:26, 27; 1 Peter 5:5.
11. (a) What points are emphasized by Jesus’ illustration recorded at Matthew 13:45, 46? (b) The nature of that illustration suggests what about the illustrations used by Christian teachers?
11 The Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, is well known for his excellent illustrations. For example, consider his words: “The kingdom of the heavens is like a traveling merchant seeking fine pearls. Upon finding one pearl of high value, away he went and promptly sold all the things he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45, 46) Jesus thus illustrated the preciousness of the Kingdom and showed that a person appreciating the true value of gaining it would be willing to part with anything in order to do so. There was nothing complicated about that illustration, and Christian teachers do well to keep that standard in mind when using illustrations as a teaching aid.
Meetings Can Make Us More Skillful
12. How can attending public talks help you to improve your teaching ability?
12 Christian meetings play a significant role in making Jehovah’s servants skillful and zealous teachers. As Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount shows, public talks are a fine means of providing spiritual instruction. (Matthew 5:1–7:29) Hence, public talks are among the meetings of Jehovah’s Witnesses today. Do you attend regularly? Are you an attentive listener? Do you consult your Bible when texts are read by the speaker? Is it your practice to take notes? These are ways to improve your ability as a teacher, and the fine Scriptural instruction should increase both your skill and your zeal as a disciple maker.
13, 14. (a) When did the disciple-making work take on particular significance among Jehovah’s servants? (b) What questions can well be asked regarding the Watchtower Study and the Congregation Book Study?
13 The disciple-making work took on particular significance among Jehovah’s servants with the call to ‘Advertise the King and Kingdom,’ first sounded during their convention at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1922. Also in that year, group studies of The Watch Tower were first organized. This journal certainly has kept Bible teaching and Kingdom preaching to the fore, its very name being The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. Are you an avid reader of God’s Word with The Watchtower as an aid? Do you actively participate in the weekly Watchtower Study?
14 The weekly Congregation Book Study also provides opportunities to improve your ability as a teacher of the good news. When answering questions at these smaller gatherings, as well as at the Watchtower Study, do you express matters in your own words? Do your comments reflect what you believe in your heart?
15. What is the purpose of the Service Meeting, and how is guidance provided for it?
15 Prior to 1922, Jehovah’s servants customarily gathered for a midweek Prayer, Praise, and Testimony Meeting. It was an occasion for singing, giving testimonies, and engaging in prayer. But with the increased emphasis on house-to-house Kingdom proclamation, this gathering developed into the Service Meeting, which stresses the preaching work. Of particular help was the Bulletin, which contained field service instructions and “canvasses,” or testimonies, that could be used in the ministry. Today, Our Kingdom Ministry provides similar assistance, as well as guidance for weekly “Meetings to Help Us Make Disciples.” Do you regularly participate in such meetings? Are you applying the counsel designed to help you teach with skill and zeal?
16. As stated at its inception, what is the purpose of the Theocratic Ministry School?
16 To promote skillful teaching, the Theocratic Ministry School was instituted in the congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1943. Regarding the school’s chief purpose, its first guidebook stated: “This course is not provided to take away from your time spent in field service, but is arranged to make you more proficient therein. Stated in more specific terms, the purpose of this ‘Course in Theocratic Ministry’ is to prepare all ‘faithful men’, those who have heard God’s Word and proved their faith therein, to ‘be able to teach others’ by going from door to door, by making back-calls [return visits], by conducting model studies and book studies, and, in short, by engaging in every phase of the Kingdom service. It is to the one end of making each one a more efficient Theocratic minister to the honor of the Lord’s name; that he may be better equipped to publicly present the hope that is within him; that he may be ‘apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing’. (2 Tim. 2:24, 25) Let no one lose sight of this primary purpose of the course.” (Course in Theocratic Ministry, page 4) This remains the principal purpose of the Theocratic Ministry School. Have you been applying the fine information on teaching, reading, public speaking, and the like, that appears in this school’s textbooks?a Are you an enrollee? Do you gratefully accept and fulfill your assignments on the school program? This provision of Jehovah through his organization can help to make you a skillful and zealous minister.
Training for Zealous Teaching
17. What spiritual provisions has Jehovah made for those who teach others his sacred truth?
17 Jehovah is making abundant spiritual provisions for those privileged to teach others his sacred truth. Among other things, he provides Bible literature, weekly meetings, and larger assemblies. Such fine provisions enable his dedicated Witnesses to become skillful and zealous teachers.
18. Following the examples of Jesus and Paul, what arrangements may elders make to advance field ministry today?
18 But what if we are appointed as elders or are more experienced witnesses of Jehovah? Then love for others should move us to help new and less experienced Christians to become more skillful and zealous teachers. Surely this is proper, for Jesus sent out the 70 disciples only after giving them instructions for their ministry. (Luke 10:1-24) Paul taught the overseers of Ephesus “publicly and from house to house,” and this would involve training them to witness to unbelievers while going from door to door in the field ministry. (Acts 20:20, 21) Similarly, elders, pioneers, and others may gladly train fellow Witnesses in the field ministry today. Do you sense a need for such training? Then by all means seek it and accept it. Are you an elder? Then make arrangements for training others in the ministry while you yourself take a zealous lead in the field service.
Continue Developing Skill
19. Why should we pray about our ministry?
19 Surgeons, carpenters, and others can become more skillful through continued study and application of acquired knowledge. The same is true of Christian ministers. Therefore, how vital it is that each dedicated witness of Jehovah work hard to increase his skill as a teacher of the good news! And since this is Jehovah’s work, it should be the subject of our earnest prayers. If we seek God’s help and guidance, we can be confident that he will bless our zealous ministry. As the apostle John said: “Whatever we ask we receive from [Jehovah God], because we are observing his commandments and are doing the things that are pleasing in his eyes.”—1 John 3:22.
20. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, what should be our determination as this system nears its end?
20 As the present wicked system of things nears its end, therefore, may we exert ourselves vigorously in the ministry. May we ‘pay attention to ourselves and our teaching,’ to our own salvation and to that of those who heed the Kingdom message. Yes, let us make every effort to teach with skill and zeal.
[Footnotes]
a For instance, please see Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook and Qualified to Be Ministers (Revised Edition), published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.
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