Watchtower May 19 through May 25
[For the opening song before the Public Talk, select the song number announced, on the 'Sing Out Joyfully' Page or click here]
Watchtower Study Article 11 [Press play below to hear the MP3 Watchtower audio]
Song 57 Preaching to All Sorts of People. Based on 1 Timothy 2.4
1. We really want to imitate our God,
To be impartial, as we know he is.
To save all sorts of people is his will;
He welcomes all to come and to be his.
It’s the person, not the place;
It’s the heart and not the face.
God’s message to all people we extend.
So because we really care,
We keep preaching ev’rywhere.
“All sorts of people can become God’s friend.”
2. It doesn’t matter where they may be found
Or what at first they might appear to be.
What really counts is what they are at heart
The inner self, the one Jehovah sees.
It’s the person, not the place;
It’s the heart and not the face.
God’s message to all people we extend.
So because we really care,
We keep preaching ev’rywhere.
“All sorts of people can become God’s friend.”
3. Jehovah welcomes all who make the choice
To leave the world and all its ways behind.
This we have learned, and this we want to share,
And so we preach to people of all kinds.
It’s the person, not the place;
It’s the heart and not the face.
God’s message to all people we extend.
So because we really care,
We keep preaching ev’rywhere.
“All sorts of people can become God’s friend.”
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
Imitate Jesus’ Zeal for Preaching (May 19 through 25)
“The Lord ... sent them out by twos ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go.” Luke 10.1.
[Box] Focus.
Four ways in which you can imitate Jesus’ zeal in your ministry. [End of box]
Question 1. What is one quality that sets Jehovah’s people apart from the world?
1. One thing that sets Jehovah’s servants apart from imitation Christians is their zeal* [Footnote] Expression Explained: In this article, “zeal” refers to the enthusiasm and eagerness with which Christians worship Jehovah. [End of footnote] for the ministry.
[Quotation] Titus 2.14: who gave himself for us to set us free from every sort of lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people who are his own special possession, zealous for fine works. [End Quotation]
At times, though, you may find it hard to feel enthusiastic about preaching. Perhaps you can identify with one hardworking elder who admitted, “Sometimes, my desire to preach is just not there.”
Question 2. What can sometimes make it hard to maintain zeal for the ministry?
2. We may be more excited about engaging in other forms of sacred service than we are about sharing in the public preaching work. Why? We may see immediate results and feel a sense of accomplishment when we build and maintain theocratic buildings, assist with disaster relief, or encourage our brothers. We enjoy the atmosphere of peace and love that we experience when working with our brothers, and we know that what we do for them is appreciated. On the other hand, we may have been preaching for years in the same territory with little positive response. Or we may meet people who reject the message. We also know that as the end draws near, our message may become more unpopular.
[Quotation] Matthew 10.22: And you will be hated by all people on account of my name, but the one who has endured to the end will be saved. [End Quotation]
What can help us to maintain or even increase our zeal for the preaching work?
Question 3. How does Luke 13.6 through 9 illustrate Jesus’ zeal?
3. We can learn something about having zeal in our preaching work by considering Jesus’ example. During his ministry, he never let up in his zeal. In fact, as time went on, he increased his activity. (Read Luke 13.6 through 9) Like the vinedresser who had spent three years trying to cultivate a fig tree that did not yield any fruit, Jesus spent about three years preaching to the Jews, most of whom did not respond favorably. However, just as the vinedresser refused to give up hope on the fig tree, Jesus did not give up on people or slow down in his ministry. On the contrary, he intensified his efforts to reach their heart.
[Read scripture] Luke 13.6 through 9: Then he went on to tell this illustration: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. 7 Then he said to the vinedresser, ‘Here it is three years that I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, but have found none. Cut it down! Why should it keep the ground useless?’ 8 In reply he said to him, ‘Master, leave it alone for one more year until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 If it produces fruit in the future, well and good; but if not, then cut it down.’” [End of Read scripture]
Question 4. What four aspects of Jesus’ example will we consider?
4. In this article, we will discuss how Jesus showed zeal, especially during the final six months of his ministry. (See “After these things” study note on Luke 10.1) Learning from what he taught and imitating what he did will help us to remain zealous today. Let us consider Jesus’ example in four areas: (1) He focused on Jehovah’s will, (2) he paid attention to Bible prophecy, (3) he relied on Jehovah for support, and (4) he remained positive that some would listen to him.
[Inserted scripture] Luke 10.1: After these things the Lord designated 70 others and sent them out by twos ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go. [End of inserted scripture]
[Study Note]: After these things: The events recorded from Luke 10:1 to 18:14 are not mentioned in the other Gospels. However, some of the subjects in these chapters were recorded by the other Gospel writers, apparently in connection with earlier occasions during Jesus’ ministry. It seems that the events mentioned by Luke took place after the Festival of Tabernacles (or Booths) in the autumn of 32 C.E. (See Appendix A7) At this time, Jesus apparently moved the focus of his activity southward, to the area in and around Jerusalem and the districts of Judea and Perea. He concentrated his preaching in that area during the last six months of his earthly ministry. [End of Study Note]
He Focused on Jehovah’s Will
Question 5. How did Jesus show that he was focused on doing God’s will?
5. Jesus zealously preached “the good news of the Kingdom” because he knew it was the work God wanted him to do.
[Quotation] Luke 4.43: But he said to them: “I must also declare the good news of the Kingdom of God to other cities, because for this I was sent.” [End Quotation]
Jesus made the ministry his primary focus in life. Even late into his ministry, he traveled “from city to city and from village to village,” teaching others.
[Quotation] Luke 13.22: And he traveled from city to city and from village to village, teaching and continuing on his journey to Jerusalem. [End Quotation]
He also trained additional disciples to work with him as preachers.
[Quotation] Luke 10.1: After these things the Lord designated 70 others and sent them out by twos ahead of him into every city and place where he himself was to go. [End Quotation]
Question 6. How does the preaching work relate to other assignments we might have? (See also picture)
6. Today, too, preaching the good news is the primary work that Jehovah and Jesus want us to do.
[Quotation] Matthew 24.14: And 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. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Matthew 28.19 and 20: 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, 20 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.” [End Quotation]
There is a direct connection between the preaching work and other theocratic assignments. For example, we build theocratic facilities or serve at Bethel to support the needs in the field. We provide disaster relief not only to render aid to our brothers and sisters but also to help them resume their spiritual routine, which includes preaching. When we recognize the importance of the preaching work and remember that it is the main work that Jehovah wants us to do, we will be motivated to have a regular share in the ministry. Janos, an elder in Hungary, says, “I remind myself that no theocratic activity can replace the preaching work; it is our primary assignment.”
![[Image:] Collage: 1. A brother works on a theocratic construction project. 2. Another brother works from home as a remote volunteer for Bethel. 3. Later, the two brothers work together in the field ministry.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_e68fcfa7c9994ea9986ed7f3d37ecf42~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_962,h_515,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpeg)
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. A brother works on a theocratic construction project. 2. Another brother works from home as a remote volunteer for Bethel. 3. Later, the two brothers work together in the field ministry. Caption: Today, preaching the good news is the primary work that Jehovah and Jesus want us to do
Question 7. Why does Jehovah want us to keep on preaching? (1 Timothy 2.3 and 4)
7. We can strengthen our zeal for the ministry by viewing people as Jehovah does. He wants as many as possible to hear the good news and to respond to it. (Read 1 Timothy 2.3 and 4) To that end, he trains us to be more effective in sharing this lifesaving message. For example, the brochure Love People Make Disciples provides practical suggestions that can help us to start conversations with the goal of making disciples. Even if people do not respond now, they may have an opportunity to do so before the end of the great tribulation. What we say to them now may well be what moves them to respond in the future. But that can only happen if we keep on preaching.
[Read scripture] 1 Timothy 2.3 and 4: This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. [End of Read scripture]
He Paid Attention to Bible Prophecy
Question 8. How did knowing Bible prophecy influence the way Jesus used his time?
8. Jesus understood how Bible prophecies would be fulfilled. He knew that his ministry would last just three and a half years.
[Quotation] Daniel 9.26 and 27: “And after the 62 weeks, Messiah will be cut off, with nothing for himself. “And the people of a leader who is coming will destroy the city and the holy place. And its end will be by the flood. And until the end there will be war; what is decided upon is desolations. 27 “And he will keep the covenant in force for the many for one week; and at the half of the week, he will cause sacrifice and gift offering to cease. “And on the wing of disgusting things there will be the one causing desolation; and until an extermination, what was decided on will be poured out also on the one lying desolate.” [End Quotation]
He also knew what was prophesied concerning when and how he would die.
[Quotation] Luke 18.31 through 34: Then he took the Twelve aside and said to them: “Look! We are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things written by means of the prophets about the Son of man will be accomplished. 32 For instance, he will be handed over to men of the nations and will be mocked and treated insolently and spat on. 33 And after scourging him, they will kill him, but on the third day he will rise.” 34 However, they did not get the meaning of any of these things, for these words were hidden from them, and they did not understand the things said. [End Quotation]
Jesus let what he knew influence how he used his time. As a result, he preached with zeal in order to finish the work he had been given to do.
Question 9. Why do Bible prophecies motivate us to preach with zeal?
9. Our understanding of Bible prophecy can move us to preach with zeal. We know that the time left for this system is short. We recognize that current events and the attitude of people today reflect what the Bible foretold would mark the last days. We perceive how the rivalry between the Anglo-American World Power and Russia and its allies fulfills the prophecy about the king of the south and the king of the north “in the time of the end.”
[Quotation] Daniel 11.40: “In the time of the end the king of the south will engage with him in a pushing, and against him the king of the north will storm with chariots and horsemen and many ships; and he will enter into the lands and sweep through like a flood. [End Quotation]
We also understand that the Anglo-American World Power is represented by the feet of the image described at Daniel 2.43 through 45.
[Quotation] Daniel 2.43 through 45: Just as you saw iron mixed with soft clay, they will be mixed with the people; but they will not stick together, one to the other, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. And this kingdom will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it alone will stand forever, 45 just as you saw that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and that it crushed the iron, the copper, the clay, the silver, and the gold. The Grand God has made known to the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.” [End Quotation]
We are convinced that as the prophecy indicates, soon, very soon, God’s Kingdom will destroy human governments. All these prophecies reveal where we are in the stream of time and spur us on to preach with a sense of urgency.
Question 10. In what other ways can Bible prophecies stimulate our zeal?
10. Bible prophecies also provide us with a message that we are eager to share. “Jehovah’s heartwarming promises of a better future motivate me to share the truth with others,” says Carrie, a sister serving in the Dominican Republic. She adds: “When I see what people are dealing with today, I realize that these promises are, not just for me, but for them too.” Bible prophecies encourage us not to hold back because we know that Jehovah is behind our preaching work. Leila, who lives in Hungary, says: “Isaiah 11.6 through 9 motivates me to share the good news even with those who do not look like they will accept it. I know that anyone can change with Jehovah’s help.”
[Quotation] Isaiah 11.6 through 9: The wolf will reside for a while with the lamb, And with the young goat the leopard will lie down, And the calf and the lion and the fattened animal will all be together; And a little boy will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will feed together, And their young will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the bull. 8 The nursing child will play over the lair of a cobra, And a weaned child will put his hand over the den of a poisonous snake. 9 They will not cause any harm Or any ruin in all my holy mountain, Because the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah As the waters cover the sea. [End Quotation]
And Christopher, a brother from Zambia, says: “As Mark 13.10 foretold, the good news is spreading worldwide, and I feel honored to help in fulfilling this prophecy.” What Bible prophecies motivate you to keep preaching?
[Quotation] Mark 13.10: Also, in all the nations, the good news has to be preached first. [End Quotation]
He Relied on Jehovah for Support
Question 11. Why did Jesus need to rely on Jehovah for help to keep zealously preaching? (Luke 12.49 and 53)
11. Jesus relied on Jehovah for support to keep zealously preaching. Although Jesus was tactful, he knew that the good news of the Kingdom would cause heated controversy and bring on strong opposition. (Read Luke 12.49 and 53) As a result of Jesus’ preaching, the religious leaders repeatedly tried to kill him.
[Quotation] John 8.59: So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid and went out of the temple. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 10.31: Once again the Jews picked up stones to stone him. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 10.39: So they tried again to seize him, but he escaped from their reach. [End Quotation]
But Jesus kept preaching because he knew that Jehovah was with him. He said: “I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me. ... He did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.”
[Quotation] John 8.16: And yet even if I do judge, my judgment is truthful, because I am not alone, but the Father who sent me is with me. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 8.29: And the One who sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.” [End Quotation]
[Read scripture] Luke 12.49: “I came to start a fire on the earth, and what more is there for me to wish if it has already been lit? [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Luke 12.53: They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” [End of Read scripture]
Question 12. How did Jesus prepare his disciples to keep preaching in the face of opposition?
12. Jesus reminded his disciples that they could rely on Jehovah for support. He repeatedly assured them that Jehovah would help them even when they faced persecution.
[Quotation] Matthew 10.18 through 20: And you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations. 19 However, when they hand you over, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; 20 for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Luke 12.11 and 12: When they bring you in before public assemblies, government officials, and authorities, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak in defense or what you will say, 12 for the holy spirit will teach you in that very hour the things you should say.” [End Quotation]
Accordingly, he urged them to be cautious.
[Quotation] Matthew 10.16: “Look! I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; so prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Luke 10.3: Go! Look! I am sending you out as lambs in among wolves. [End Quotation]
He instructed them not to force their message on those who did not want to listen.
[Quotation] Luke 10.10 and 11: But wherever you enter into a city and they do not receive you, go out into its main streets and say: 11 ‘We wipe off against you even the dust that sticks to our feet from your city. Nevertheless, know this, that the Kingdom of God has come near.’ [End Quotation]
And he told them to flee if they were persecuted.
[Quotation] Matthew 10.23: When they persecute you in one city, flee to another; for truly I say to you, you will by no means complete the circuit of the cities of Israel until the Son of man arrives. [End Quotation]
Although Jesus was zealous and trusted in Jehovah, he did not needlessly expose himself to danger.
[Quotation] John 11.53 and 54: So from that day on they conspired to kill him. 54 Therefore, Jesus no longer walked about publicly among the Jews, but he departed from there to the region near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and he stayed there with the disciples. [End Quotation]
Question 13. Why can you be certain that Jehovah will help you?
13. We need Jehovah’s help to keep zealously preaching in the face of opposition today.
[Quotation] Revelation 12.17: So the dragon became enraged at the woman and went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her offspring, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness concerning Jesus. [End Quotation]
Why can you be certain that Jehovah will support you? Consider Jesus’ prayer recorded in John chapter 17. Jesus asked Jehovah to watch over the apostles, and Jehovah answered that request. The book of Acts reports how he helped the apostles to preach zealously despite persecution. In his prayer, Jesus also asked Jehovah to watch over those who would put faith in the apostles’ preaching. That includes you. Jehovah has not stopped answering Jesus’ prayer; He will help you just as He helped the apostles.
[Quotation] John 17.11: “I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them on account of your own name, which you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are one. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 17.15: “I do not request that you take them out of the world, but that you watch over them because of the wicked one. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] John 17.20: “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word, [End Quotation]
Question 14. How do we know that we will be able to keep preaching with zeal? (See also picture)
14. Even if it turns out to be more difficult to preach the good news with zeal as the end draws close, we will receive all the support we need.
[Quotation] Luke 21.12 through 15: “But before all these things happen, people will lay their hands on you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors for the sake of my name. 13 It will result in your giving a witness. 14 Therefore, resolve in your hearts not to rehearse beforehand how to make your defense, 15 for I will give you words and wisdom that all your opposers together will not be able to resist or dispute. [End Quotation]
Like Jesus and his disciples, we let people decide whether to listen or not, and we avoid needless conflict. Even when our work is restricted, our brothers have been able to keep declaring the good news because they rely on Jehovah, not on their own strength. Just as in the first century Jehovah gave power to his servants, today he gives us power so that “the preaching might be fully accomplished” to his satisfaction.
[Quotation] 2 Timothy 4.17: But the Lord stood near me and infused power into me, so that through me the preaching might be fully accomplished and all the nations might hear it; and I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. [End Quotation]
You can be certain that if you rely on Jehovah, you will be able to keep preaching with zeal.
![[Image:] Picture Description: A brother discreetly gives a witness to a man at a gas station.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_d495bc40a7e943bf9fa5ce1f677a0f45~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_960,h_540,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpeg)
[Image Alt:] Picture Description: A brother discreetly gives a witness to a man at a gas station. Caption: Even when our work is restricted, zealous publishers find discreet ways to share their faith
He Remained Positive
Question 15. What shows that Jesus had a positive view of the ministry?
15. Jesus maintained a positive attitude about the preaching work. That helped him to stay enthusiastic about his ministry. For example, late in 30 C.E., Jesus saw that many were ready to respond to his preaching activity, and he likened them to a ripe field ready to be harvested.
[Quotation] John 4.35: Do you not say that there are yet four months before the harvest comes? Look! I say to you: Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting. Already [End Quotation]
About a year later, he told his disciples: “The harvest is great.”
[Quotation] Matthew 9.37 and 38: Then he said to his disciples: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” [End Quotation]
And later he again emphasized: “The harvest is great ... Beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”
[Quotation] Luke 10.2: Then he said to them: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest. [End Quotation]
Jesus never lost sight of the potential for people to respond to the good news, and he rejoiced when they did.
[Quotation] Luke 10.21: In that very hour he became overjoyed in the holy spirit and said: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have carefully hidden these things from wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children. Yes, O Father, because this is the way you approved. [End Quotation]
Question 16. How did Jesus’ illustrations convey a positive view of the ministry? (Luke 13.18 through 21) (See also picture)
16. Jesus taught his disciples to keep a positive view of their message, which would encourage them to maintain their zeal. For example, consider two of his illustrations. (Read Luke 13.18 through 21) Jesus used a mustard grain to teach that the Kingdom message would expand in an amazing way and have unstoppable growth. And he used leaven to illustrate how the Kingdom message would spread widely and cause changes that might not be immediately apparent. Consequently, Jesus helped his disciples to see that the message they preached would indeed have success.
[Read scripture] Luke 13.18 through 21: So he went on to say: “What is the Kingdom of God like, and with what can I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard grain that a man took and planted in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of heaven nested in its branches.” 20 And again he said: “With what can I compare the Kingdom of God? 21 It is like leaven that a woman took and mixed with three large measures of flour until the whole mass was fermented.” [End of Read scripture]
![[Image:] Two sisters standing beside public witnessing carts on a busy sidewalk. Many people walk by without stopping.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_37b5f06bd8b840949717fd5ee432bda4~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_964,h_542,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495.jpeg)
[Image Alt:] Two sisters standing beside public witnessing carts on a busy sidewalk. Many people walk by without stopping. Caption: Like Jesus, we remain positive that some will respond to the preaching work
Question 17. What reasons do we have to remain positive about the ministry?
17. We are moved to keep zealously preaching by considering what is being accomplished worldwide today. Each year, millions of interested ones attend the Memorial and study the Bible with us. Hundreds of thousands get baptized and join us in the preaching work. We do not know how many may yet respond to our preaching work, but we do know that Jehovah is gathering a great crowd who will survive the coming great tribulation.
[Quotation] Revelation 7.9: After this I saw, and look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Revelation 7.14: So right away I said to him: “My lord, you are the one who knows.” And he said to me: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [End Quotation]
The Master of the harvest continues to see potential in the field, so we have good reason to keep preaching.
Question 18. What do we want others to observe about us?
18. Jesus’ disciples have always been identified by their zealous preaching. When people witnessed the outspokenness of the apostles, “they began to realize that they had been with Jesus.”
[Quotation] Acts 4.13: Now when they saw the outspokenness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were astonished. And they began to realize that they had been with Jesus. [End Quotation]
As people observe us in the ministry, may they see that we too have been influenced by Jesus’ zealous example.
[Box] How Can We Remain Zealous by Imitating the Way Jesus ...
viewed the ministry?
relied on Jehovah?
remained positive? [End of box]
Song 58 Searching for Friends of Peace. Based on Luke 10.6
1. Jesus commanded. ‘Let the truth be heard.’
In summer heat, on dusty roads,
He let all hear Jehovah’s word.
He loved God’s sheep and called to ev’ryone.
He searched the land from the sunrise
‘til the day was done.
From door to door and in the street,
We share with ev’ryone we meet
The news that soon man’s troubles all will be gone.
Searching the world
For friends of peace in ev’ry nation,
Searching to find
A heart inclined toward salvation,
Wanting to leave
No stone unturned.
2. Time waits for no one, so the search goes on.
A million hearts, a million lives,
We give our all to save just one.
Love is the force that makes us call again.
A wounded heart can be healed,
and broken lives can mend.
We search the towns and city squares,
And when we find someone who cares,
The joy we feel inspires us to go on.
Searching the world
For friends of peace in ev’ry nation,
Searching to find
A heart inclined toward salvation,
Wanting to leave
No stone unturned.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
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