-
“Nourished With the Words of the Faith”Kingdom Ministry—2005 | January
-
-
“Nourished With the Words of the Faith”
1 Pursuing a life of godly devotion requires strenuous effort. (1 Tim. 4:7-10) In our own strength, we would soon grow weary and stumble in trying to follow such a course. (Isa. 40:29-31) One way we can draw strength from Jehovah is by being “nourished with the words of the faith.”—1 Tim. 4:6.
2 Rich Spiritual Food: Through his Word and through “the faithful and discreet slave,” Jehovah provides rich spiritual food. (Matt. 24:45) Are we doing our part to benefit from it? Do we read the Bible each day? Do we have set times for personal study and meditation? (Ps. 1:2, 3) Such a healthy spiritual diet invigorates us and protects us from the weakening effects of Satan’s world. (1 John 5:19) If we fill our mind with wholesome things and apply them in our lives, Jehovah will be with us.—Phil. 4:8, 9.
3 Jehovah also strengthens us by means of congregation meetings. (Heb. 10:24, 25) The spiritual instruction and wholesome association found at these gatherings fortify us to stand firm in the face of trials. (1 Pet. 5:9, 10) One Christian youth said: “I go to school all day long, and it tears me down. But the meetings are like an oasis in the desert, where I am refreshed to make it through the next school day.” How we are blessed for the effort we put forth to attend meetings!
4 Proclaiming the Truth: Preaching to others was like food to Jesus. It energized him. (John 4:32-34) Likewise, when we talk to others about the marvelous promises of God, we feel rejuvenated. Being busy in the ministry also keeps our heart and mind focused on the Kingdom and the blessings soon to come. That truly refreshes us.—Matt. 11:28-30.
5 How privileged we are to benefit from the rich spiritual nourishment that Jehovah is providing for his people today! May we continue crying out joyfully to his praise.—Isa. 65:13, 14.
-
-
Part 5—Conducting Progressive Bible StudiesKingdom Ministry—2005 | January
-
-
Part 5—Conducting Progressive Bible Studies
Determining How Much Material to Cover
1 When teaching, Jesus took into consideration his disciples’ limitations, speaking to them “as far as they were able to listen.” (Mark 4:33; John 16:12) In a similar way, teachers of God’s Word today need to gauge the pace at which they cover material on a Bible study. The amount of material that can be considered will depend on the ability and the circumstances of both the teacher and the student.
2 Build Solid Faith: Some students may require two or three sessions to grasp what other students can easily take in during one session. We do not want to sacrifice the student’s having a clear understanding for the sake of speed. Every student needs a solid basis for his newfound faith in God’s Word.—Prov. 4:7; Rom. 12:2.
3 As you conduct the study week by week, spend whatever time is necessary to help the student understand and accept what he is learning from God’s Word. Avoid a hurried pace that detracts from the richness of the truths being taught. Allow sufficient time to focus on the main points and to consider key scriptures that provide the basis for the teachings.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
4 Keep the Study Moving: While we want to avoid rushing through the study, we also want to avoid becoming sidetracked. If a student is inclined to speak at length about personal matters, we may need to arrange to discuss these after the study.—Eccl. 3:1.
5 On the other hand, our own enthusiasm for the truth can make it a challenge not to talk excessively during the study. (Ps. 145:6, 7) An occasional side point or experience can enrich a study, but we would not want these to become so numerous or lengthy that they hinder the student from acquiring an accurate knowledge of basic Bible teachings.
6 By covering a reasonable amount of material at each study session, we help Bible students to “walk in the light of Jehovah.”—Isa. 2:5.
-