Watchtower June 9 through June 15
[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 14 [Press play below to hear the MP3 Watchtower audio]
Song 8 Jehovah Is Our Refuge. Based on Psalm 91
1. Jehovah is our refuge,
Our God in whom we trust.
His shadow is our shelter;
Remain in it we must.
His faithful ones he will defend,
On this we know we can depend.
Jehovah is a stronghold,
Ever faithful, loyal, and just.
2. Though thousands will have fallen
And many at our side,
The righteous and the meek ones
Will never be denied.
So in our hearts we need not fear;
Calamity will not come near.
From danger he will shield us,
For beneath God’s wings we’ll reside.
3. He’ll keep us and protect us
From snares along our way,
From terrors in the nighttime,
And arrows by the day.
Yes, there will be no cause for dread,
No place where we will fear to tread.
Jehovah is our refuge,
Ever guarding us on our way.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
“Choose for Yourselves ... Whom You Will Serve” (June 9 through 15)
“As for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.” Joshua 24.15.
[Box] Focus.
To remind us of the reasons why we have chosen to serve Jehovah. [End of box]
Question 1. What must we do to be genuinely happy, and why? (Isaiah 48.17 and 18)
1 Our heavenly Father loves us deeply, and he wants us to enjoy life now and in the future.
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 3.12 and 13: I have concluded that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good during their life, 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment for all his hard work. It is the gift of God. [End Quotation]
He created us with some outstanding talents, but he did not give us the ability to be successful at ruling ourselves or at setting our own criteria of right and wrong.
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 8.9: All of this I have seen, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, during the time that man has dominated man to his harm. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Jeremiah 10.23: I well know, O Jehovah, that man’s way does not belong to him. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step. [End Quotation]
He knows that in order for us to be genuinely happy, we must serve him and live by his standards. Read Isaiah 48:17 and 18.
[Read scripture] Isaiah 48.17 and 18: This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. 18 If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river And your righteousness like the waves of the sea. [End of Read scripture]
Question 2. What would Satan have us believe, and how has Jehovah responded to that false claim?
2. Satan would have us believe that we can be happy without Jehovah, that humans can successfully rule themselves.
[Quotation] Genesis 3.4 and 5: At this the serpent said to the woman: “You certainly will not die. 5 For God knows that in the very day you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and bad.” [End Quotation]
Jehovah responded to that false claim by allowing rebellious humans to rule themselves for a limited time. We do not need to look far to see the sad outcome of human rule. On the other hand, the Scriptures abound with examples of men and women who led satisfying lives in Jehovah’s service. Foremost among these is Jesus Christ. First, let us look at the reasons why he chose to serve Jehovah. Then, we will examine why our heavenly Father deserves our worship. Finally, we will review some of the reasons why we choose to serve Jehovah.
Why Jesus Chose to Serve Jehovah
Question 3. What offer did Jesus receive, and what choice did he make?
3. While on earth, Jesus had to make a choice as to whom he would serve. Shortly after Jesus got baptized, Satan offered him all the kingdoms of the earth in exchange for just one act of worship. Jesus replied: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”
[Quotation] Matthew 4.8 through 10: Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” [End Quotation]
Why did Jesus make that choice? Consider some of the reasons.
Question 4 and 5. What are some reasons why Jesus chose to serve Jehovah?
4. The primary reason why Jesus chose to serve Jehovah is love, Jesus has a deep and unbreakable affection for his Father.
[Quotation] John 14.31: But for the world to know that I love the Father, I am doing just as the Father has commanded me to do. Get up, let us go from here. [End Quotation]
In addition, Jesus serves Jehovah because it is the right thing to do.
[Quotation] John 8.28 and 29: Jesus then said: “After you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me, I speak these things. 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]
[Quotation] Revelation 4.11: “You are worthy, Jehovah our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they came into existence and were created.” [End Quotation]
He knows that Jehovah is the Source of life and that He is trustworthy and generous.
[Quotation] Psalm 33.4: For the word of Jehovah is upright, And everything he does is trustworthy. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Psalm 36.9: With you is the source of life; By your light we can see light. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] James 1.17: Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows. [End Quotation]
Jehovah had always spoken the truth to Jesus and had given him everything he possessed.
[Quotation] John 1.14: So the Word became flesh and resided among us, and we had a view of his glory, a glory such as belongs to an only-begotten son from a father; and he was full of divine favor and truth. [End Quotation]
Satan, by contrast, has caused death. He is a liar who is motivated by greed and self-interest.
[Quotation] John 8.44: You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie. [End Quotation]
Knowing these facts, Jesus never even considered imitating Satan by rebelling against Jehovah.
[Quotation] Philippians 2.5 through 8: Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, did not even consider the idea of trying to be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and became human. 8 More than that, when he came as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, yes, death on a torture stake. [End Quotation]
5. Another reason why Jesus chose to serve Jehovah is that he looked forward to what his loyal service would accomplish.
[Quotation] Hebrews 12.2: as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [End Quotation]
He knew that if he remained faithful, he would sanctify his Father’s name and provide the means to undo all the suffering caused by the Devil.
Why Jehovah Deserves Our Worship
Question 6 and 7. Why do many today not serve Jehovah, but why does he deserve our worship?
6. Many today do not serve Jehovah because they have not yet come to know about his appealing qualities and they are unaware of all that he has done for them. That was true of those whom the apostle Paul preached to in Athens.
[Quotation] Acts 17.19 and 20: So they took hold of him and led him to the Areopagus, saying: “Can we get to know what this new teaching is that you are speaking about? 20 For you are introducing some things that are strange to our ears, and we want to know what these things mean.” [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 17.30: True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance; but now he is declaring to all people everywhere that they should repent. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 17.34: but some men joined him and became believers. Among them were Dionysius, who was a judge of the court of the Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and others besides them. [End Quotation]
7. Paul explained to his listeners that the true God “gives to all people life and breath and all things.” He added: “By him we have life and move and exist.” God is the Creator, who “made out of one man every nation of men,” so he has the right to our worship.
[Quotation] Acts 17.25 and 26: nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. 26 And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell, [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 17.28: For by him we have life and move and exist, even as some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his children.’ [End Quotation]
Question 8. What will Jehovah never do? Explain.
8. As the Creator and the Sovereign of the universe, Jehovah could force people to serve him. However, Jehovah will never do that. Instead, he provides us with evidence that he exists and that he loves each one of us dearly. He wants as many people as possible to be his friends forever.
[Quotation] 1 Timothy 2.3 and 4: This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, whose will is that all sorts of people should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth. [End Quotation]
To that end, Jehovah has trained us to teach others about his purposes and to tell them about the good things he will do for mankind.
[Quotation] Matthew 10.11 and 13: “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving, and stay there until you leave. 12 When you enter the house, greet the household. 13 If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you. [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]
He has organized us into congregations and has arranged for loving overseers to care for us.
[Quotation] Acts 20.28: Pay attention to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the holy spirit has appointed you overseers, to shepherd the congregation of God, which he purchased with the blood of his own Son. [End Quotation]
Question 9. How is Jehovah’s love evident?
9. Jehovah’s remarkable love is evident in the way he treats those who choose to ignore his existence. Consider these facts: Throughout history, billions of people have chosen to live by their own standards of right and wrong. Even so, Jehovah has kindly given them what they need to sustain their life and enjoy it.
[Quotation] Matthew 5.44 and 45: However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Acts 14.16 and 17: In past generations he permitted all the nations to go on in their ways, 17 although he did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and filling your hearts with gladness.” [End Quotation]
He has given them the capacity to have loving relationships, to raise a family, and to reap the rewards of their hard work.
[Quotation] Psalm 127.3: Look! Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah; The fruit of the womb is a reward. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Ecclesiastes 2.24: There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work. This too, I have realized, is from the hand of the true God, [End Quotation]
The evidence clearly shows that our heavenly Father loves all humans.
[Quotation] Exodus 34.6: Jehovah was passing before him and declaring: “Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and abundant in loyal love and truth, [End Quotation]
Let us now remind ourselves of some of the reasons why we choose to serve Jehovah and how he responds to us.
Why We Choose to Serve Jehovah
Two parts: Question 10a. What is the primary reason why we serve Jehovah? (Matthew 22.37)
Question 10b. How have you benefited from Jehovah’s patience? (Psalm 103.13 and 14)
10. Like Jesus, we serve Jehovah primarily out of deep love and affection for Him. (Read Matthew 22.37) We feel drawn to Jehovah when we learn about his qualities. For example, consider Jehovah’s patience with us. When the Israelites disobeyed him, he pleaded with them: “Turn back, please, from your bad ways.”
[Quotation] Jeremiah 18.11: “Now say, please, to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, ‘This is what Jehovah says: “Here I am preparing a calamity and devising a scheme against you. Turn back, please, from your bad ways, and reform your ways and your practices.”’” [End Quotation]
Jehovah remembers that we are imperfect, that we are dust. (Read Psalm 103.13 and 14) When you meditate on Jehovah’s patience and his other appealing qualities, are you not moved to serve him forever?
[Read scripture] Matthew 22.37: He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Psalm 103.13 and 14: As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. 14 For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust. [End of Read scripture]
Question 11. What are some other reasons why we choose to serve our heavenly Father?
11. We are also motivated to serve Jehovah because it is the right thing to do.
[Quotation] Matthew 4.10: Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written: ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” [End Quotation]
Moreover, we know what our loyal service will accomplish. Our faithful course helps sanctify Jehovah’s name, prove the Devil a liar, and make our Father’s heart glad. And if we choose to serve Jehovah today, we have the prospect of serving him forever!
[Quotation] John 17.3: This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. [End Quotation]
Question 12 and 13. What do we learn from the experience of Jane and Pam?
12. While still very young, we can develop a deep love for Jehovah, a love that will keep burning as we grow old. Note the example of two fleshly sisters named Jane and Pam.* [Footnote] Some names have been changed. [End of footnote] They were 11 and 10 years old respectively when they first started studying the Bible. Though their parents were not interested in studying, they gave Jane and Pam permission to associate with the Witnesses as long as the girls attended church services with the family on the weekend. “What the Witnesses taught me from the Bible,” says Jane, “helped me to resist the pressure from my peers to get involved in drugs and immorality.”
13. When they reached their late teens, both girls became publishers. Later, they entered pioneer service while caring for their aging parents. Looking back on their experience, Jane says: “I learned firsthand that Jehovah faithfully cares for his friends and that, as 2 Timothy 2.19 says, ‘Jehovah knows those who belong to him.’”
[Quotation] 2 Timothy 2.19: Despite that, the solid foundation of God remains standing, having this seal, “Jehovah knows those who belong to him,” and, “Let everyone calling on the name of Jehovah renounce unrighteousness.” [End Quotation]
There is no doubt that Jehovah cares for those who choose to love and serve him!
Question 14. How do our words and actions help clear Jehovah’s name of reproach? (See also pictures)
14. We want to help clear Jehovah’s name of all reproach. Consider this scenario: You have a close friend who is kind, generous, and forgiving. One day, you hear someone accuse your friend of being cruel and dishonest. How do you react? You defend him. Similarly, when Satan and those under his influence try to ruin Jehovah’s reputation by spreading lies about Him, we respond by telling the truth about Jehovah, vigorously defending His name.
[Quotation] Psalm 34.1: I will praise Jehovah at all times; His praise will be on my lips constantly. [End Quotation]
[Quotation] Isaiah 43.10: “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none. [End Quotation]
We show that we want to serve Jehovah whole-souled by our words and actions.
[Image Alt:] Collage: 1. A woman observes a group of apostates who are protesting in front of a convention venue. 2. Later, the woman talks with a couple who are at a witnessing cart. Picture Description: After a woman hears our opposers outside a convention venue, she approaches a literature cart and hears words of truth.
Caption: Will you help defend Jehovah’s name?
Question 15. How did the apostle Paul benefit from adjusting his goals? (Philippians 3.7 and 8)
15. We willingly adjust our goals in life so that we can serve Jehovah acceptably or more fully. For example, the apostle Paul chose to give up prominence in his community in order to follow Christ and serve Jehovah.
[Quotation] Galatians 1.14: and I was making greater progress in Judaism than many of my own age in my nation, as I was far more zealous for the traditions of my fathers. [End Quotation]
As a result, he led a rewarding life and received the opportunity to rule with Christ in heaven. He never regretted his decision to serve Jehovah, and neither will we. Read Philippians 3.7 and 8.
[Read scripture] Philippians 3.7 and 8: Yet, the things that were gains to me, I have considered loss on account of the Christ. 8 What is more, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ [End of Read scripture]
Question 16. What do we learn from Julia’s experience? (See also pictures)
16. If we make serving Jehovah our main focus, we can have a rewarding life now and in the future. Consider the experience of a sister named Julia. Before learning the truth, Julia sang in a church choir from the time she was a young girl. A professional opera singer recognized her talent and trained her. Julia soon gained a reputation as a prodigy and performed in prestigious music halls. While she was attending a famous music school, a classmate started talking to her about God and explained that God has a name, Jehovah. Before long, Julia began studying the Bible twice a week. Eventually, she decided to focus her life on serving Jehovah instead of on pursuing a music career. That decision wasn’t easy. “Many people told me that I was wasting my gift,” she says, “but I wanted to use my life fully to serve Jehovah.” How does she feel today about that choice she made more than 30 years ago? “I have peace of mind, and I trust that Jehovah will fulfill all my heart’s desires in the future.”
[Quotation] Psalm 145.16: You open your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. [End Quotation]
![[Image:] Collage: A reenactment of the choice Julia made. 1. She sings on stage before an audience. 2. She sings with her husband at a congregation meeting. Picture Description: A reenactment of the choice Julia made to focus her life on serving Jehovah.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/266a77_2e4ca92098c84eb08abe887946e057b6~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_960,h_540,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/495_edited_edited.jpeg)
[Image Alt:] Collage: A reenactment of the choice Julia made. 1. She sings on stage before an audience. 2. She sings with her husband at a congregation meeting. Picture Description: A reenactment of the choice Julia made to focus her life on serving Jehovah. Caption: When serving Jehovah is our main focus, we enjoy the most rewarding life possible
Continue Serving Jehovah
Question 17. How does the urgency of our times affect those who have chosen to serve God and those who have not yet done so?
17. We live in urgent times. The apostle Paul wrote: “For yet ‘a very little while,’ and ‘the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay.’” (Hebrews 10.37) How does this affect us? For one thing, the time left for people to choose to serve Jehovah is reduced.
[Quotation] 1 Corinthians 7.29: Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced. From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, [End Quotation]
And if we have already made the choice to serve God, we know that although we will have to endure trials, it will be only for “a very little while.”
Question 18. What do Jesus and Jehovah want us to do?
18. Jesus encouraged his disciples not merely to start following him but also to keep following him.
[Quotation] Matthew 16.24: Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me. [End Quotation]
So if we have been serving Jehovah for years, may we be resolved not to give up. We have to work hard to keep living up to our decision to serve him. It may not be easy, but what blessings and satisfaction we can enjoy, even now!
[Quotation] Psalm 35.27: But let those who take pleasure in my righteousness shout joyfully; May they constantly say: “May Jehovah be magnified, who takes pleasure in the peace of his servant.” [End Quotation]
Question 19. What do we learn from Gene’s experience?
19. Some feel that serving Jehovah involves too much sacrifice. If you are young, do you feel that you may be losing out on something if you serve Jehovah? One young brother named Gene says: “I felt that being one of Jehovah’s Witnesses was restrictive. It seemed that many of the kids I grew up with enjoyed things like partying, dating, or playing violent video games, while I had to spend my time at meetings and in the ministry.” How did this thinking affect Gene? “I started living a double life,” he says, “and for a while I had fun. But it didn’t bring me any lasting happiness. I began to think about the Bible truths I had chosen to ignore and decided to serve Jehovah wholeheartedly. Ever since then, it seems that Jehovah has responded to every one of my prayers.”
Question 20. What should be our resolve?
20. A psalmist sang to Jehovah: “Happy is the one whom you choose and bring near to reside in your courtyards.”
[Quotation] Psalm 65.4: Happy is the one whom you choose and bring near To reside in your courtyards. We will be satisfied with the goodness of your house, Your holy temple. [End Quotation]
May we keep the same resolve that Joshua expressed: “As for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.”
[Quotation] Joshua 24.15: Now if it seems bad to you to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods that your forefathers served on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are dwelling. But as for me and my household, we will serve Jehovah.” [End Quotation]
[Box] How Would You Answer?
Why did Jesus choose to serve Jehovah?
Why does Jehovah deserve our worship?
Why do you choose to serve Jehovah? [End of box]
Song 28 Gaining Jehovah’s Friendship. Based on Psalm 15
1. Who is your friend, O God?
Who in your tent may dwell?
Who gains your friendship? Who gains your trust?
Who really knows you well?
All who embrace your Word,
All who have faith in you,
All who are loyal, all who are just,
Living the truth for you.
2. Who is your friend, O God?
Who may approach your throne?
Who brings delight and makes you rejoice?
Whose name to you is known?
All who exalt your name,
All who your Word obey,
All who are faithful, honest in heart,
Truthful in all they say.
3. Throwing our cares on you,
Baring our hearts in prayer,
Drawing us closer, bonding in love,
Feeling your daily care,
We yearn to be your friend.
Long may our friendship grow.
No greater Friend could we ever gain,
No greater Friend we’ll know.
[End of Song. Press Play below to play this song with Audio Description]
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