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Study Is RewardingBenefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education
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Study Is Rewarding
HAVE you ever watched people select fruit? Most observe its color and size to determine its ripeness. Some people smell the fruit. Others touch it, even squeeze it. Still others weigh it, putting one piece in each hand to detect which is heavier with juice. What are these people thinking? They are analyzing details, evaluating differences, remembering previous selections, and comparing what they now see with what they already know. A tasty reward awaits them because they give careful attention to the matter.
Of course, the rewards for studying God’s Word are far greater. When such study occupies an important place in our lives, our faith becomes stronger, our love deepens, our ministry becomes more productive, and decisions that we make give greater evidence of discernment and godly wisdom. Concerning such rewards, Proverbs 3:15 says: “All other delights of yours cannot be made equal to it.” Are you experiencing such rewards? The way that you study may be a factor.—Col. 1:9, 10.
What is study? It is more than superficial reading. It involves using your mental faculties in careful or extended consideration of a subject. It includes analyzing what you read, comparing it with what you already know, and taking note of reasons given for statements made. When studying, think deeply on any ideas expressed that may be new to you. Consider, too, how you might personally apply Scriptural counsel more fully. As a Witness of Jehovah, you will also want to think about opportunities to use the material to help others. Obviously, study includes meditation.
Getting Into the Right Frame of Mind
When preparing to study, you lay out such things as your Bible, whatever publications you plan to use, a pencil or pen, and perhaps a notebook. But do you also prepare your heart? The Bible tells us that Ezra “prepared his heart to consult the law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel regulation and justice.” (Ezra 7:10) What does such heart preparation involve?
Prayer enables us to approach the study of God’s Word with the proper attitude. We want our heart, our inmost self, to be receptive to the instruction that Jehovah gives us. At the beginning of each study session, petition Jehovah for the help of his spirit. (Luke 11:13) Ask him to help you understand the meaning of what you will study, how it relates to his purpose, how it can help you to discern between good and bad, how you should apply his principles in your life, and how the material affects your relationship with him. (Prov. 9:10) As you study, “keep on asking God” for wisdom. (Jas. 1:5) Honestly evaluate yourself in the light of what you learn as you seek Jehovah’s help in getting rid of erroneous thoughts or hurtful desires. Always “respond to Jehovah with thanksgiving” for the things he reveals. (Ps. 147:7) This prayerful approach to study leads to intimacy with Jehovah, since it enables us to respond to him as he speaks to us through his Word.—Ps. 145:18.
Such receptiveness differentiates Jehovah’s people from other students. Among those who lack godly devotion, it is fashionable to doubt and challenge what is written. But that is not our attitude. We trust Jehovah. (Prov. 3:5-7) If we do not understand something, we do not presumptuously conclude that it must be in error. While searching and digging for the answers, we wait on Jehovah. (Mic. 7:7) Like Ezra, we have the goal of acting on and teaching what we learn. With this inclination of heart, we are in line to reap rich rewards from our study.
How to Study
Instead of simply starting with paragraph 1 and working your way through to the end, first take time to preview the entire article or the chapter in the material. Begin by analyzing the wording of the title. This is the theme of what you will be studying. Then take careful note of how the subheadings relate to the theme. Examine any illustrations, charts, or teaching boxes that accompany the text. Ask yourself: ‘Based on this preview, what do I expect to learn? In what way will it be of value to me?’ This gives direction to your study.
Now get the facts. Watchtower study articles and some books include printed questions. As you read each paragraph, it is beneficial to mark the answers. Even if there are no study questions, you may still mark important points that you want to remember. If a thought is new to you, spend a little extra time on it to be sure that you understand it well. Be on the lookout for illustrations or lines of reasoning that will be useful to you in the field ministry or that might be incorporated in an upcoming talk assignment. Think of specific people whose faith might be strengthened if you share with them what you are studying. Mark the points that you want to use, and review them when you complete your study.
As you consider the material, look up the cited scriptures. Analyze how each scripture relates to the general thrust of the paragraph.
You may encounter points that you do not readily understand or that you would like to explore more thoroughly. Instead of letting them sidetrack you, make a note to give these further consideration later. Points are often clarified as you make your way through the material. If not, you can do additional research. What things might be noted for such attention? Perhaps there is a scripture quoted that you do not understand clearly. Or you may not readily see how it applies to the subject being discussed. Perhaps you feel that you understand a certain idea in the material but not well enough to explain it to someone else. Rather than simply passing these by, it may be wise to do research on them after you have finished what you started to study.
When the apostle Paul wrote his detailed letter to the Hebrew Christians, he paused midway through it to say: “This is the main point.” (Heb. 8:1) Do you give yourself a reminder like that from time to time? Consider why Paul did so. In the preceding chapters of his inspired letter, he had already shown that Christ as God’s great High Priest had entered heaven itself. (Heb. 4:14–5:10; 6:20) Yet, by isolating and emphasizing that main point at the beginning of chapter 8, Paul prepared the minds of his readers to think deeply on how it related to their lives. He pointed out that Christ had appeared before the person of God in their behalf and had opened the way for their own entry into that heavenly “holy place.” (Heb. 9:24; 10:19-22) The surety of their hope would help move them to apply the further counsel that this letter contained regarding faith, endurance, and Christian conduct. Similarly, when we study, focusing on the main points will help us discern the development of the theme and will impress on our minds the sound reasons for acting in harmony with it.
Will your personal study move you to act? This is a vital question. When you learn something, ask yourself: ‘How should this affect my attitude and my goals in life? How can I apply this information in solving a problem, making a decision, or reaching a goal? How can I use it with my family, in the field ministry, in the congregation?’ Consider these questions prayerfully, contemplating real situations in which you can put your knowledge to work.
After completing a chapter or an article, take time for a brief review. See if you can recall the main points and the supporting arguments. This step will help you to retain the information for future use.
What to Study
As Jehovah’s people, we have plenty to study. But where should we start? Each day, we do well to study the text and comments from Examining the Scriptures Daily. Each week, we attend congregation meetings, and study done in preparation for these will help us to benefit to a greater extent. In addition to this, some have wisely invested time in studying some of our Christian publications that were printed prior to their learning the truth. Others select some portion of their weekly Bible reading and do deeper study of those verses.
What if your circumstances do not permit you to study carefully all the information that will be considered at the weekly congregation meetings? Avoid the pitfalls of rushing through the material just to get it done or, worse, of not studying any of it because you cannot do it all. Instead, determine how much you can study, and do that well. Do it each week. In time, endeavor to broaden out to include the other meetings.
“Build Up Your Household”
Jehovah recognizes that family heads must work hard to provide for their loved ones. “Prepare your work out of doors,” says Proverbs 24:27, “and make it ready for yourself in the field.” Yet, your family’s spiritual needs cannot be overlooked. Hence, the verse continues: “Afterward you must also build up your household.” How can family heads do this? Proverbs 24:3 says: “By discernment [a household] will prove firmly established.”
How can discernment benefit your household? Discernment is the mental ability to look beyond the obvious. It could well be said that an effective family study begins with a study of your family itself. How are your family members progressing spiritually? Listen carefully during your conversations with them. Is there a spirit of complaint or resentment? Are materialistic pursuits the big thing? When you are in the field ministry with your children, do they feel comfortable identifying themselves before their peers as Jehovah’s Witnesses? Do they enjoy your program of family Bible reading and study? Are they really making Jehovah’s way their way of life? Careful observation will reveal what you, as a family head, need to do in order to establish and build up spiritual qualities in each family member.
Check The Watchtower and Awake! for articles that deal with specific needs. Then tell the family in advance what will be studied so that they can give thought to the information. Maintain a loving atmosphere during the study. Without chastising or embarrassing any family member, highlight the value of the material under consideration, making specific application to your family’s needs. Keep each member involved. Help each one to see how Jehovah’s Word is “perfect” in providing just what is needed in life.—Ps. 19:7.
Reaping the Rewards
Observant people without spiritual comprehension can study the universe, world events, and even themselves but fail to comprehend the real meaning of what they are seeing. On the other hand, with the help of God’s spirit, people who regularly study God’s Word can discern in these things the handiwork of God, the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, and the unfolding of God’s purpose for blessing obedient humans.—Mark 13:4-29; Rom. 1:20; Rev. 12:12.
Marvelous as that is, it should not cause us to become proud. Instead, daily examination of God’s Word helps us to remain humble. (Deut. 17:18-20) It also shields us from “the deceptive power of sin” because when God’s Word is alive in our hearts, the appeal of sin is less likely to overpower our determination to resist it. (Heb. 2:1; 3:13; Col. 3:5-10) Thus, we will “walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work.” (Col. 1:10) Doing so is our objective in studying God’s Word, and accomplishing it is the greatest reward.
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How to Do ResearchBenefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education
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How to Do Research
KING SOLOMON “pondered and made a thorough search, that he might arrange many proverbs in order.” Why? Because he was interested in writing “correct words of truth.” (Eccl. 12:9, 10) Luke “traced all things from the start with accuracy” in order to narrate in logical order the events of Christ’s life. (Luke 1:3) Both of these servants of God were doing research.
What is research? It is a careful search for information about a particular matter. It includes reading, and it requires the application of the principles of study. It may also involve interviewing people.
What circumstances call for research? Here are a few examples. Your personal study or Bible reading may give rise to questions that are important to you. Someone to whom you witness may raise a question on which you would like to have specific information for a reply. You may have been assigned to give a talk.
Consider that assignment to give a talk. The material that you have been asked to cover may seem quite general. How can you apply it locally? Enrich it by doing research. When supported with a statistic or two or with an example that fits your material and that touches the lives of those in your audience, a point that may have seemed obvious becomes informative, even motivating. The published material with which you are working may have been prepared for readers worldwide, but you need to amplify, illustrate, and apply the points to one congregation or to one person. How should you proceed?
Before running in search of information, consider your audience. What will they already know? What do they need to know? Then identify your objective. Is it to explain? to convince? to refute? or to motivate? Explaining requires providing further information to make a matter clear. Although the basic facts may be understood, you may need to expand on when or how to do what is stated. Convincing calls for giving reasons outlining why a thing is so, including presentation of evidence. Refuting requires a thorough knowledge of both sides of an issue along with a careful analysis of evidence used. Of course, we seek not simply strong arguments but ways to present facts in a kindly manner. Motivating involves reaching the heart. It means giving your audience incentive and building up their desire to act on what is being discussed. Real-life examples of those who have taken such action, even in the face of difficulty, can help to reach the heart.
Are you now ready to begin? Not quite. Consider how much information you need. Time may be an important factor. If you are going to present the information to others, how much time will be available for you to do it? Five minutes? Forty-five minutes? Is the time fixed, such as at a congregation meeting, or is it flexible, such as on a Bible study or a shepherding call?
Finally, what research tools are available to you? In addition to what you have at home, are there more in the library at your Kingdom Hall? Would brothers who have been serving Jehovah for many years be willing to let you consult their research tools? Is there a public library in your area where reference books can be used if necessary?
Using Our Foremost Research Tool—The Bible
If your research project involves the meaning of a scripture, start with the Bible itself.
Examine the Context. Ask yourself: ‘To whom was this text directed? What do the surrounding verses indicate as to the circumstances leading up to the statement or the attitude of the people involved?’ Such details can often help us understand a text, and they can also add life to a talk in which you might use them.
For example, Hebrews 4:12 is often quoted to show the power of God’s Word to touch hearts and influence lives. The context adds depth to our appreciation of how that can be so. It discusses the experiences of Israel during the 40 years in the wilderness before entering the land that Jehovah had promised to Abraham. (Heb. 3:7–4:13) “The word of God,” his promise to bring them into a place of rest in harmony with his covenant with Abraham, was not dead; it was alive and moving toward fulfillment. The Israelites had every reason to show faith in it. However, as Jehovah led them from Egypt to Mount Sinai and on toward the Promised Land, they repeatedly showed a lack of faith. Thus, by their reaction to the way that God carried out his word, what was in their hearts was made manifest. In a similar way in our day, God’s word of promise shows up what is in the hearts of men.
Check the Cross-References. Some Bibles have cross-references. Does yours? If so, these may help. Note an example from the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. First Peter 3:6 points to Sarah as an example worthy of imitation by Christian wives. A cross-reference to Genesis 18:12 reinforces that by disclosing that Sarah spoke of Abraham as lord “inside herself.” Her submission, therefore, was heartfelt. In addition to such insights, cross-references may refer you to texts that show the fulfillment of a Bible prophecy or of a Law covenant pattern. Realize, however, that some cross-references are not meant to give such explanations. They may simply refer to parallel thoughts or to biographical or geographic information.
Search With a Bible Concordance. A Bible concordance is an alphabetic index of words used in the Bible. It can help you locate scriptures that relate to the subject on which you are doing research. As you explore them, you will learn other helpful details. You will see evidence of “the pattern” of truth set forth in God’s Word. (2 Tim. 1:13) The New World Translation contains a basic listing of “Bible Words Indexed.” The Comprehensive Concordance is much more extensive. If it is available in your language, it will direct you to all the texts containing each of the principal words in the Bible.
Learning to Use Other Research Tools
The box on page 33 lists a number of other research tools that have been provided by “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45-47) Many of these have a table of contents, and many have an index in the back, which is designed to help you pinpoint specific information. At the end of each year, subject indexes are published in both The Watchtower and Awake! for that year’s collection of articles.
Being familiar with the type of information offered in these Bible study publications can accelerate the research process. Say, for instance, that you want to know about prophecy, doctrine, Christian conduct, or the application of Bible principles. The Watchtower will likely contain what you seek. Awake! deals with current events, contemporary problems, religion, science, and peoples of various lands. Commentary on each account in the Gospels in chronological order appears in The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived. A verse-by-verse discussion of entire Bible books is found in such publications as Revelation—Its Grand Climax At Hand!, Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!, and the two volumes of Isaiah’s Prophecy—Light for All Mankind. In Reasoning From the Scriptures, you will find satisfying answers to hundreds of Bible questions that are commonly raised in the field service. For a clearer understanding of other religions, their teachings, and their historical backgrounds, see Mankind’s Search for God. A detailed account of the modern-day history of Jehovah’s Witnesses is contained in Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. For a report on current developments in the global preaching of the good news, check the latest Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Insight on the Scriptures is a Bible encyclopedia and atlas. If you need details about people, places, things, languages, or historical events associated with the Bible, this is an excellent resource.
“Watch Tower Publications Index.” This Index, published in more than 20 languages, will direct you to information in a wide variety of our publications. It is divided into a subject index and a scripture index. To use the subject index, locate a word representing the subject you want to investigate. To use the scripture index, locate in the list of scriptures the one you would like to understand better. If something has been published in your language on that subject or that scripture in the years covered by the Index, you will find a list of references to consult. Use the key in the front of the Index to decipher the abbreviations for the names of cited publications. (With that help, for example, you would learn that w99 3/1 15 refers to The Watchtower for 1999, March 1 issue, page 15.) Main headings such as “Field Ministry Experiences” and “Life Stories of Jehovah’s Witnesses” can be helpful in preparing motivating presentations for the congregation.
Since doing research can be very absorbing, be careful not to get sidetracked. Stay focused on your objective to search out the material needed for the task at hand. If the Index refers you to a certain source, turn to the page(s) cited, then use subheadings and opening sentences of paragraphs to guide you to the material that fits your needs. If you are searching for the meaning of a particular Bible verse, first locate the citation on the page to which you are referred. Then examine the surrounding comments.
“Watchtower Library” on CD-ROM. If you have access to a computer, you may benefit from using the Watchtower Library on CD-ROM, which contains a vast collection of our publications. The easy-to-use search program enables you to look for a word, a combination of words, or a scripture citation in any of the publications in the Watchtower Library. Even if this research tool is not available in your language, you may be able to benefit from it in a widely used international language with which you are familiar.
Other Theocratic Libraries
In his second inspired letter to Timothy, Paul asked the young man to bring “the scrolls, especially the parchments,” to him at Rome. (2 Tim. 4:13) Paul valued certain writings and kept them. You can do the same. Do you save your personal copies of The Watchtower, Awake!, and Our Kingdom Ministry even after these have been considered at congregation meetings? If so, you will have them available to use as research tools, along with the other Christian publications you have acquired. Most congregations maintain a collection of theocratic publications in a library at the Kingdom Hall. These are for the benefit of the entire congregation, for their use while at the Kingdom Hall.
Maintain Personal Files
Keep alert to items of interest that you can use when you are speaking and teaching. If you find in a newspaper or a magazine a news item, statistic, or example that you can use in your ministry, clip it out or copy the information. Include the date, the title of the periodical, and perhaps the name of the author or publisher. At congregation meetings, jot down reasoning points and illustrations that may help you to explain the truth to others. Have you ever thought of a good illustration but did not have an opportunity to use it right away? Write it down, and keep it in a file. After you have been in the Theocratic Ministry School for some time, you will have prepared a number of presentations. Instead of throwing away your notes from these talks, save them. The research you have done may prove useful later.
Talk to People
People are a rich source of information. When Luke was compiling his Gospel account, he evidently gathered much information by interviewing eyewitnesses. (Luke 1:1-4) Perhaps a fellow Christian can shed light on a matter on which you have been endeavoring to do research. According to Ephesians 4:8, 11-16, Christ uses “gifts in men” to help us grow in “the accurate knowledge of the Son of God.” Interviewing those with experience in serving God may yield useful ideas. Conversing with people may also reveal what they are thinking, and this can help you to prepare material that is truly practical.
Evaluate Your Results
After wheat is harvested, the grain needs to be removed from the chaff. So it is with the fruitage of your research. Before it is ready for use, you need to separate what is valuable from what is superfluous.
If you are going to use the information in a talk, ask yourself: ‘Does the point I plan to use really contribute something worthwhile to my presentation of the subject? Or, even though it is interesting material, does it tend to divert attention from the subject that I ought to be talking about?’ If you are considering using current events or material from the ever-changing fields of science or medicine, make sure that the information is up-to-date. Realize, too, that some points in older publications of ours may have been updated, so consider what has most recently been published on the topic.
There is a special need to be cautious if you choose to compile information from secular sources. Never forget that God’s Word is truth. (John 17:17) Jesus occupies the key role in the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Therefore, Colossians 2:3 says: “Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge.” Evaluate the fruits of your research from that perspective. With regard to secular research, ask yourself: ‘Is this material exaggerated, speculative, or shortsighted? Was it written with a selfish or commercial motive? Do other authoritative sources agree with it? Above all, does it harmonize with Bible truth?’
Proverbs 2:1-5 encourages us to keep searching for knowledge, understanding, and discernment “as for silver, and as for hid treasures.” That implies both exertion and rich rewards. Research takes effort, but doing it will help you to find God’s thoughts on matters, to correct mistaken ideas, and to make firm your grasp of the truth. It will also add substance and life to your presentations, making them a pleasure to deliver and a delight to hear.
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