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Planting and Watering—Steps Toward Making DisciplesKingdom Ministry—1991 | August
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The seeds of truth thus sown hold tremendous potential for producing new disciples, but do we, as God’s fellow workers, feel moved to make return visits on these people and cultivate their interest in Bible topics? Congregation publishers in the United States now average 0.5 Bible studies. We are confident that this average would improve if each publisher would assess more accurately his personal responsibility to go beyond the initial step of just planting seeds of truth and reach out to conduct progressive home Bible studies. Although some, because of various limitations, may not be able to conduct one or more home Bible studies, it is good for each one to review his personal circumstances.
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Planting and Watering—Steps Toward Making DisciplesKingdom Ministry—1991 | August
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5 Our motivation to conduct Bible studies should be our love for people who respond to the Kingdom message we preach. We must sincerely share Jehovah’s loving concern for people and appreciate that their salvation is connected with spiritual growth. (1 Pet. 2:2) Like literal plants that require water to nurture their progress, people who show an initial interest in the Kingdom message will not usually start attending meetings unless through home Bible studies they are regularly directed to God’s organization.
6 Obedience on our part also enters into the picture. Jesus said that those on the side of the truth listen to his voice. (John 18:37) He commanded his disciples to preach and to teach, and he equipped them to carry out that work. By his outstanding example as a teacher and by his deep concern for people, Jesus set the pattern for us to follow in helping others. (Luke 6:40; John 13:13; 14:12) Our efforts can contribute toward the salvation of both ourselves and those we teach.—1 Tim. 4:16.
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Planting and Watering—Steps Toward Making DisciplesKingdom Ministry—1991 | August
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11 Maybe you are not making return visits or conducting a Bible study because you feel inadequate. Likely, this is due to your attitude more than to a lack of ability. Jehovah has not sent his people out to do a work without adequately equipping and qualifying them. Through his holy Word and organization, he prepares us for “every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17; 2 Cor. 3:5, 6) By holy spirit, printed page, and oral instruction and demonstrations from the platform, not to mention living examples of skilled and devoted servants ready to help us, He gives us what we need. We do not need the higher education of the world in order to conduct a Bible study. We do need to respond to the superior spiritual education given through Jehovah’s organization.—Compare Acts 4:13.
12 Personal application of what is provided in Our Kingdom Ministry, the Theocratic Ministry School, Service Meetings, and other avenues of instruction is necessary. The apostle Paul straightforwardly told the Hebrew Christians: “For, indeed, although you ought to be teachers in view of the time, you again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God.” (Heb. 5:12) A person working at a trade for several years is expected to have gained a measure of skill in the use of his tools. Progress in learning how to carry on Bible discussions will be evident when we show sincere interest and put forth diligent effort.—Prov. 12:24; 22:29.
13 Calling back and further discussing Bible topics with those who show interest in the Kingdom message costs something in the way of time and effort. But we should appreciate that our being in the truth is an expression of Jehovah’s love and undeserved kindness. This was expressed through someone who spent many hours patiently teaching us the truth. Likewise, love should compel us to buy out the necessary time and devote it to this more important work of making disciples.—2 Cor. 5:14, 15; Eph. 5:15, 16.
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