Thursday, May 7
You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate from the loaves and were satisfied.—John 6:26.
A crowd that Jesus had fed were focused on satisfying their physical needs and desires. How so? The following day, they saw that Jesus and his apostles had left. So the crowd boarded some boats that had arrived from Tiberias and headed toward Capernaum to find Jesus. (John 6:22-24) Did they do that mainly to hear more about the Kingdom? No. They were primarily thinking about their physical need for bread. How do we know? Note what happened when the crowd caught up with Jesus near Capernaum. Jesus openly said that their priority was satisfying their temporary physical needs. He acknowledged that they “ate from the loaves and were satisfied” with “food that perishes.” He urged them to work instead for “food that remains for everlasting life.” (John 6:26, 27) Jesus said that his Father would provide such food. w24.12 48:8-9
Friday, May 8
The heart of the wise one gives his mouth insight and adds persuasiveness to his speech.—Prov. 16:23.
To be more effective as a teacher, brothers, base your public teaching and private counsel on God’s Word. Be a good student of the Bible and of our publications. (Prov. 15:28) As you study, take careful note of the proper application of the Scriptures. And when teaching, try hard to reach the heart of those in your audience. You can improve as a teacher if you ask for and apply suggestions from experienced elders. (1 Tim. 5:17) Elders need to be able to encourage their brothers and sisters; however, elders must at times counsel or even reprove them. In either case, elders must always be kind. If you are gentle and loving and you base your teaching on God’s Word, you will be effective because you will be imitating the Great Teacher, Jesus.—Matt. 11:28-30; 2 Tim. 2:24. w24.11 47:16
Saturday, May 9
Declare his glory among the nations.—Ps. 96:3.
We can glorify Jehovah by what we say about him. Jehovah’s people are invited to “sing to Jehovah,” to “praise his name,” to “proclaim the good news of his salvation,” and to “declare his glory among the nations.” (Ps. 96:1-3) All these are ways in which we can glorify our heavenly Father. (Acts 4:29) We can also glorify Jehovah with our valuable things. True worshippers have always honored Jehovah in that way. (Prov. 3:9) For example, the Israelites contributed toward building and maintaining the temple. (2 Ki. 12:4, 5; 1 Chron. 29:3-9) Caring disciples of Christ ministered to him and his apostles “from their belongings.” (Luke 8:1-3) First-century Christians also contributed relief aid for their spiritual brothers and sisters. (Acts 11:27-29) Today we too can glorify Jehovah by means of our voluntary donations. w25.01 1:8, 11