The Watchtower — March 1, 1970

Bible Truth About the Dead Gives Hope

Can you give real comfort to mourning ones?

WHEN a loved one lies between life and death, there is still hope that the body may yet successfully fight off the effects of disease or accident. But when that one is stilled in death, what then? Has hope gone forever? When you visit such a bereaved household, are you able to share with the sorrowing ones some strong hope? Or do you feel somewhat helpless when faced with their tragedy?

Hope lightens the burden of grief. Hope brightens the darkness that descends upon mourners like a pall. But it must be a genuine hope, one that is well-founded. It needs to be a hope that is based on unquestionable authority. It must be the truth. Do you believe that such a comforting hope is available?

It may be that, when faced with such a need for comfort, you offer the same expressions of condolence that you have heard offered by clergymen at funeral services. It is true that many people look to their church for comfort in time of sorrow. But many are plunged into a deeper sense of loss by what they have been taught to believe about death.

VAIN COMFORTERS

Put yourself in the position of parents who are mourning the death of a child. How would you react if a clergyman came and told you not to grieve, because God took your child? This statement is not uncommon. Many clergymen adopt the view expressed by one religious writer, namely: ‘Who knows but that God took your baby home to Heaven in order to turn your heart to Heaven also?’ Would that comfort you? Rather, it has actually embittered some, as they kept wondering why a God of love would inflict such a loss.

And what comfort can be given to the multitudes of persons who look upon death’s approach with terror? They have been taught that death really is not death, but is instead a time of punishment of wrongdoers in terrible torments. Some clergymen have vividly portrayed the flames of hell and harangued their congregations about the endlessness of the miseries that will be suffered by the “damned.” What kind of comfort can you offer to mourners who have been subjected to this kind of religion of terrorism?

Perhaps some feel that they have lived a fairly decent life. They may take comfort in the thought that “all good persons go to heaven.” This is what they have been taught to expect, but they may have their misgivings. Really, how many persons do you know who profess to have such a prospect and who are anxious to die? Most persons feel that the present life is preferable to the uncertainty of the future.

However, what if such one at death does not really go to heaven? Then the bereaved ones are being misled. You would not want to be thus misled, would you? Besides, even if you did get some measure of comfort from the deception, surely it would only be of a temporary nature! Real comfort that is lasting, to which we may cling with assurance, must be in harmony with the truth. If we cling to a lie, to something that is contrary to God’s Word of truth, then all our worship of God will be to no purpose, for Christ declared that “those worshiping [the Father] must worship with spirit and truth.”​—John 4:23, 24.

One is truly placed in a very awkward position when he enters the house of mourning and can only say to the bereaved ones: “Oh, your beloved dead one will eventually get to heaven. Just have faith.” Is it not likely that the minds of some Catholic mourners will be distressed at the thought that the deceased may first have to undergo a lengthy period of affliction in purgatory before he qualifies for heaven?

WHY THE DILEMMA?

Has it ever occurred to you why you may be in such a dilemma​—wanting to console your sorrowing friends and relatives, yet without any clear message of hope to offer? You may have been taught that man has some kind of invisible soul that leaves the body at death and takes up residence elsewhere as a conscious creature, whether in heaven, purgatory or a “hot hell.” Then, too, you have probably been taught that there is a resurrection of the dead. Jesus Christ gave assurance of resurrection from the dead.​—John 11:25.

But pause, now, and consider the matter. If the dead are really not dead, but quite alive in another sphere, why would they need to be resurrected? If the dead soul has been consigned to a “hot hell” forever, how could the person be resurrected? Yet the Bible says that both “the righteous and the unrighteous” will be resurrected. (Acts 24:15) And if the dead soul has gone to heaven, there would be less reason for restoring it in the resurrection. One who is in heaven would surely want to stay there!

Of course, if it is true that man has an “immortal soul,” then we might agree that at death the soul must go somewhere. But even clergymen who have long clung to the idea are now expressing doubts about the matter. One Presbyterian minister in Australia, for example, is reported as saying: “In our theological training it was pointed out fairly clearly, and to me conclusively, that the doctrine of the immortality of the soul was not one which is derived from the New Testament; that it was a concept which originated, it seems, in Greek philosophy, particularly with Plato.” Can any genuine comfort be derived from a pagan philosophy?

THE BIBLE GIVES HOPE

The authoritative source of religious truth is the Bible, God’s written Word. (John 17:17) If your worship is to be acceptable to God, then it must be in harmony with Bible truth. Worship that is tied in with confusing teachings about death and the hope for the dead cannot be pleasing to God. How vital then for those who would gain favor and blessings from God to find out what his Book truly says on such vital matters!

The Bible declares that every ‘soul that is sinning will die.’ (Ezek. 18:4, 20) And in the Bible the word “soul” very often is used in the same sense as the words “being,” “person,” “creature.” God’s Word refers to a “dead soul” or a “living soul” just as we would speak about a dead person or a living one. (See Leviticus 23:30; 21:1, 11; Numbers 5:2 and Genesis 2:7, in which verses in the King James Version the same Hebrew word is variously translated “soul,” “dead” and “body.”) In the same way you yourself may refer to some “poor soul” and really mean the person​—not something inside the person.

And why do souls or persons die? The Bible answer, as given at Romans 5:12, is: “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” So people die, the young and the old, the wise and the unwise, because of the unavoidable inheritance of sin. And when they die they are really dead, out of existence, conscious of nothing at all. The dead are represented in the Holy Scriptures as being in a deep, dreamless sleep. They know nothing and will be conscious of nothing again until the day they are resurrected.

In proof of those statements consider these significant Bible texts: “For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they any more have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.” (Eccl. 9:5) “For David, on the one hand, served the express will of God in his own generation and fell asleep in death and was laid with his forefathers and did see corruption.” (Acts 13:36) “O that in Sheol [Hebrew for “the grave”] you would conceal me, that you would keep me secret until your anger turns back, that you would set a time limit for me and remember me! If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait, until my relief comes. You will call, and I myself shall answer you.”​—Job 14:13-15.

Those words of Job are in full agreement with the prophecy uttered by Christ Jesus, namely: “The hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear [my] voice and come out.” (John 5:28, 29) All the human dead whom God through Christ mercifully raises to life on earth again, just as Lazarus was raised to life, will have no recollection of their sleep in death, whether its duration was four days or four thousand years. (John 11:11-17, 43, 44) Those resurrected ones, however, will come back to life under an entirely different state of affairs.

THE DEAD RETURN TO LIFE​—IN PARADISE!

Christ’s thousand-year reign will then have commenced, he having crushed all enemies of peace and righteousness. Under his heavenly government marvelous things will be accomplished on earth. For example, earth is to be transformed into a Paradise, a place of beauty, peace and fruitfulness. All the debris resulting from the “war of the great day of God the Almighty” will be cleared away. The soil, with God’s blessing, will become productive. Its fruitage will help mankind to grow to perfect health.​—Rev. 16:14; 20:4; 21:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:25.

Now perhaps you can understand why Jesus answered the way he did when an evildoer being executed alongside him requested: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your kingdom.” Note that Jesus did not promise him that he would be in the heavenly kingdom or a part of it​—a privilege accorded only to a few select ones from among humankind. No, but Jesus promised that evildoer that he would be in Paradise. He said nothing whatever about a “hot hell” or purgatory. His promise is in full accord with the fact that even unrighteous persons will be resurrected from the grave and offered the opportunity, under paradisaic conditions, to prove their worthiness of everlasting life.​—Luke 23:39-43; 12:32; Acts 24:15.

Is not that a wonderful expectation? Imagine your beloved dead restored to life on earth under those grand conditions! A whole new future thus opens up for vast multitudes who have gone into the sleep of death. That there will be a vast crowd of unrighteous ones, as well as righteous ones, resurrected from the grave is also borne out by the words at Revelation 20:13: “And the sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades [Greek for “the grave”] gave up those dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds.”

Not a mass trial and judgment, it should be noted, but each one “individually.” That will take time. Also, we may be sure that they will not be judged on their past record, for on that basis the evildoer who received Christ’s promise would have little chance. Rather, “he who has died has been acquitted from his sin.” (Rom. 6:7) How they respond to the loving rule of Christ’s heavenly kingdom after their resurrection will be the basis for judging each one. Those who yield themselves willingly to its direction will make marvelous progress toward human perfection and the gift of life unending.

COMFORTING OTHERS

Can you see how comforting to multitudes of bereaved ones this message of Bible truth can be? Yet only those who believe and accept God’s Word can be convinced of these truths. No one who continues in association with church organizations that go on teaching doctrines that hide or deny this wonderful hope can possibly convey this message with conviction to others. Surely you can see that there can be nothing in common with those who accept God’s Word as the basis for truth and those who mix God’s Word with human traditions and theological theories!​—2 Tim. 3:2-5.

All the developments of these times show that the day draws near when Jehovah God will bring about the destruction of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. Those who want to attain life in a paradise earth must act swiftly to get out of her many religious systems, whether these are labeled “pagan” or “Christian.” These have all misrepresented and dishonored the true God and have failed to give genuine comfort to the mourning ones of earth.​—Rev. 18:4-8.

You, too, can flee out of the midst of Babylonish religious associations. How? By associating with Jehovah’s witnesses, a great crowd of Christians who have already separated themselves from the doomed system that has perpetuated Satan’s lies and kept people in ignorance of Bible truth. You, too, can become equipped to ‘comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which Jehovah’s worshipers are themselves being comforted by God.’ (2 Cor. 1:4) Jehovah’s witnesses will be happy to conduct a home Bible study with you free of charge. They will also welcome you at Bible-study meetings in their Kingdom Halls. You will be wonderfully encouraged to learn all about the Bible’s thrilling message of hope for the dead.

Why They Left Their Church

TODAY thousands are leaving their respective churches. Many are doing this because they have found that true Christianity is not taught nor practiced in their church. From England and the United States come two experiences that illustrate this:

“For over seventy years I was an active supporter of the Salvation Army in their fight to aid the poor and needy. Many times I joined the preaching and singing on the promenade at Brighton, England, with my tambourine and banner. Though many of the doctrines of the Salvation Army puzzled me, I read my Bible and continued to pray for God’s help.

“About five years ago I had a stroke, which confined me to my home for about a year. It was toward the end of this confinement that I received a letter from the Salvation Army. I had not seen nor heard from them since my stroke. To my surprise, when I opened their letter, I found enclosed a reminder of the accumulated threepence-a-week membership fee, an envelope for ‘self-denial week’ and an envelope for the ‘harvest festival.’ Here after so many years of regular attendance and support I realized that they were more interested in my money than my welfare.

“Soon after this I met one of Jehovah’s witnesses outside my house. Her warm smile and happy outlook for the future moved me to accept her offer to study the Bible with me in my home without cost. I must say that I have learned more about the Bible in just a short time than I did in my more than seventy years in the Salvation Army. So on October 25, 1968, at 82 years of age, I was baptized in Brighton in symbol of my dedication to serve the true God, Jehovah. Now I know what held me in the Salvation Army. It was fear, fear of their false doctrine of eternal torment. How often the Salvation Army captains reminded us that failure to attend the Congress Hall could mean fiery torment after death!

“What a joy to know the Bible truth on such matters! (Eccl. 9:5) Yes, and what a wonderful future God has in store for those who love him and faithfully serve him.”

A California man writes: “In 1964 we joined the True Baptist Church in Paramount, California. The preacher seemed more interested in how much money we put in the collection plate than in teaching us the Bible. A friend and I repeatedly asked him to start a Bible study class, but he kept putting us off. Every Sunday after he preached a sermon, we found ourselves wondering what his sermon was supposed to mean.

“When my wife got sick and had to go to the hospital, the minister told me that I could visit her but that I was to do my duty to the church first. He told me that as the church mechanic, I had to repair the bus and the assistant pastor’s truck. I had to do this right away. Although I did not know too much about God’s truth, I could easily see that he was not setting a good example nor was he teaching God’s Word. I told my wife that I was going to quit the church.

“So on Sunday morning I went to the church early and told the minister that I could not honestly come to church any longer as I did not agree with his teachings and his conduct. I told him that I certainly did not need him to tell me when I could visit my wife in the hospital. I declared that I was resigning from his church. He tried to talk me out of this. When he saw that I would not change my mind, he offered to read from the Bible, saying that I would go to hellfire if I did not come back to his church.

“When I heard this, I said, ‘I have heard you say from your own pulpit that the Devil quotes scriptures to his own advantage.’ At this he accepted my resignation.

“During all this time Jehovah’s witnesses were teaching my wife the Bible. Later when we moved to Romoland, sixty miles away, the Witnesses lovingly made arrangements to continue helping my wife study the Bible and invited me to do so also. I accepted their offer, and what I learned was amazing! I could not help but be impressed by the Witnesses’ sincerity in wanting only to teach the Bible and their going through so much trouble to help us learn it. Now my wife and I are Jehovah’s witnesses too.”

What Are You Doing About What You Have Learned?

AN OFFICE worker was asked whether any letters of appreciation had been received from people who have read the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, released by the Watch Tower Society in June 1968. His response was enthusiastic. The book has been received with extraordinary appreciation.

Interest in it has been so great that it has been difficult to keep the book in stock. More than 23,095,000 bound volumes in thirty-one languages have been printed in just the first year and a half. Already, in number of copies published, it is second only to the Bible in the Western world. And this represents just a beginning!

Readers’ reactions are overwhelmingly favorable. They say: “The Truth book is a gold mine of information”; “an eye-opener”; “the best book I have ever read on the Bible”; it “helps one very quickly to see the difference between true religion and false religion”; “it presents the information so clearly and right to the point that I was just compelled to arrange my life to serve Jehovah”; “this is the truth!”

The Truth book was not designed mainly for sheer pleasure in reading, although much pleasure can be gained by simply reading it. The book is primarily a Bible-study aid. Its purpose is to make plain what true religion is in this world of little faith and many religions. The book sets forth from the Bible the right way to worship God. It is written in a simple, clear and pointed way so that any sincere reader can see whether his own religion or way of worship is right or not.

But, doubtless, the book’s most outstanding feature is the way it lends itself to home Bible study and family Bible study. In fact, when Jehovah’s witnesses offer it to the public, they also invite the contributor to accept a free, six-month systematic course of Bible study with the aid of this book in the householder’s own home. To date, literally hundreds of thousands of people have availed themselves of this provision, with rewarding benefits to themselves.

THE REWARDING EFFECT OF BIBLE STUDY

The blessings of a Bible study can be seen in the changes for good that it makes in people’s lives. (Heb. 4:12) For example, a woman, after only three studies in the Truth book, became aware that God is to be worshiped “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:23, 24) She noted particularly such Scripture texts as “guard yourselves from idols” and “flee from idolatry.” (1 John 5:21; 1 Cor. 10:14) The very next week she removed the religious pictures from her walls, pictures that she and her family had idolized for years. Why did she do this? Her reply: “Only God is to be worshiped.”​—Matt. 4:10.

A Catholic woman who was very active in church affairs went to her priest and asked him about the use of God’s name. “He acknowledged God’s name to be Jehovah,” she said, “but he felt it was not necessary to use it. What about images and medals? He said they were all superstitions. He encouraged me to read the Bible, as he said, ‘there is power in it. If it puts the love of Jesus Christ in your heart to become one of Jehovah’s witnesses, then you must do it.’ Two weeks later I dropped completely out of the Roman Catholic Church when I realized I couldn’t worship in a hypocritical way.”

A Sunday-school teacher, after a few studies in the Truth book, went to her minister and informed him of her desire to become one of Jehovah’s witnesses. She resigned as the Sunday-school teacher and asked that her name be removed from the church membership rolls. Her husband also had his name removed.

A drug addict tells about living communally with six other addicts when a minister of Jehovah’s witnesses began to study the Bible with him. “What a wonderful change it made in our lives!” he says. “The so-called drug-induced ‘spiritual experiences’ look hollow when compared to any hour of our present lives. Now eight months have passed and my wife and I are eagerly approaching baptism, and are participating in the Theocratic Ministry School and the field ministry.”

These are but a few of many instances of the marvelous good that results from a Bible study. But before reaping the benefits, there had to be spiritual growth. Each student had to manifest a sincere desire to bring his life into harmony with God’s will, and then the blessings followed.

WHAT PROGRESS HAVE YOU MADE?

What about you? What have you done with the book The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life since you received it? If you have read the book, you have done fine and, no doubt, you have enjoyed it. But the book has infinitely more to offer. It holds out the Bible’s promise of the grand rewards for a life lived in harmony with God’s will and purpose. This can mean rich happiness to you now and eventually everlasting life.​—John 17:3.

If you are having a study in the Truth book, what has been your progress? Are you satisfied with what you are learning? Has it made a change in your life? The Christian apostle Paul encouraged the young man Timothy to ponder over the things he learned: “Be absorbed in them, that your advancement may be manifest to all persons. Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Stay by these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.” (1 Tim. 4:15, 16) Are you following this inspired advice? Are you pondering over the things you have learned and are learning? Are you absorbed with their meaning to you and your way of life? These are important questions, because they reveal to what extent one is allowing the truth of God’s Word to activate his life.​—2 Cor. 13:5.

If one is dissatisfied with the progress he is making spiritually by means of his Bible study, what, then, might be the problem? Quite often the difficulty lies in the matter of personal interest and preparation. If anyone does not prepare his lessons beforehand, underlining the answers and thinking of ways to express in his own words the thoughts learned, then progress will be slow. Says a minister concerning a young couple with whom he began a home Bible study: “Each week they studied their lesson carefully and discussed the information with each other in preparation for our study.” This couple made rapid progress spiritually, and you can see why.

Ministers of Jehovah’s witnesses who offer their time and services freely to conduct Bible studies in the homes of people, do so because they believe that people who request such studies sincerely desire to worship and serve the true God, Jehovah. But if the student does not prepare his lessons in advance, what is a minister to think? Can he believe that such one is sincere? Does such a student fully appreciate the effort and sacrifice that the minister is making in his behalf? One might even doubt the student’s awareness of what a unique and precious privilege it is to learn about the Creator of the universe. If one’s progress is slow, reflect on these thoughts. Be absorbed in them.

When persons respond wholeheartedly to a Bible study, few things in life are more enjoyable to a minister than that. He literally thrills in the privilege of helping others grow in spiritual understanding. When the student prepares in advance and freely comments in his own words, what joy is generated! For this reflects interest, advancement and spiritual growth.​—1 Thess. 1:6, 9, 10.

ARE YOU APPLYING WHAT YOU LEARN?

Often progress is hindered, not because of a failure to learn, but because some lack the will to apply to their lives what they learn. They fail to realize that there must be a close relationship between God’s Word and the way they live. Are you applying in your life the things learned from God’s Word? Remember, there will be little or no progress unless this is done. “Indeed, as the body without breath is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”​—Jas. 2:26.

What are some of the things you should find yourself doing? Having learned who God is and that it is possible to approach him in prayer, are you really taking advantage of this marvelous provision? Are you praying to Jehovah?

Having learned what the Bible says about the use of images and idolatry, what have you done to bring your life into harmony with these requirements for pure worship?

Chapter seven in the Truth book is entitled “Are There Wicked Spirits?” Are you applying what you have learned by avoiding those practices that the demons use to mislead mankind?

And, too, if you as a result of your study of the Bible have found that the church with which you have associated has not been teaching you the truth of God’s Word, are you still attending church or allowing your membership to stand? If so, why? Can remaining a part of such an organization be pleasing to God? (Jas. 1:6-8) In the examples cited earlier, in each instance those persons applied to their lives the truth learned from their Bible study. They made the necessary changes. Then advancement was made manifest.

ARE YOU ATTENDING MEETINGS?

A minister writes about a young woman he had met in the door-to-door ministry and with whom he began studying the Truth book: “The very first study was just amazing! It was very evident this person was going to make rapid spiritual progress! On the second study we covered two chapters. By the time the third study was conducted she was attending all the Thursday and Sunday meetings. This was the truth, she knew it and she wanted it.”

Those who make fast spiritual progress invariably are those who attend congregation meetings. They take pleasure in the association of God’s people and look forward to being with them at their local Kingdom Halls. This is a fine thing, because it is in fulfillment of the Scriptural injunction that says: ‘Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together, as some have the custom, but encourage one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.’ (Heb. 10:24, 25) Those who follow this advice unquestionably have God’s blessing.

Have you attended a meeting of Jehovah’s witnesses yet? If not, why? Has it been inconvenient for you to do so? Do you think you might feel out of place? Are you perhaps concerned about what others in the community might think? Really, there is no valid reason to hold back. If Jehovah’s witnesses are truly God’s people, then it is vital that you associate with them. And certainly there could be no better way to find out precisely what kind of people they are than by going to their meetings where it is possible to come in direct contact with a cross section of them.​—Mark 8:38; Matt. 25:40.

ARE YOU SHARING THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS?

Jesus Christ said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Now, what have you learned that you could freely share with others? The truth of God’s Word. And what could be more pleasant and precious to give to relatives, friends and neighbors than words that can mean everlasting life to them?

If you have enjoyed what you have learned, have you tried as yet to share it with anyone? Why not do so? “For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.” (Rom 10:10) Sharing the good news of God’s kingdom is that vital.

THE PRINCIPAL POINTS TO REMEMBER

There are primarily four things to keep in mind: the first has to do with your preparation for your home Bible study. How much of it are you doing? The Bible principle applies here: “He that sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; and he that sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” (2 Cor. 9:6) If one does not put forth much effort, then he should not expect much in return. The greater the effort, the greater the spiritual blessing received.

The second point is that things learned from God’s Word must also be applied in one’s daily life. As the disciple James says: “If one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.” (Jas. 4:17) So applying the things learned plays a great part in Christian growth and living.

Thirdly, there should exist a desire to associate with God’s people. One should want to attend the meetings provided by the local congregation. Such association shows that one desires to identify oneself with the people of God.​—Ps. 22:22.

And lastly, if what is learned leads to everlasting life and is available to all, the unselfish Christian thing would be to share it. And the most logical persons with whom to start sharing it would be one’s loved ones, relatives and neighbors.​—John 1:35-42.

Now ask yourself, “What am I doing about what I have learned from my study of God’s Word the Bible?” Are you pleased with the progress you have made? If Yes, happy are you! If adjustments need to be made, then make them. “Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door,” said Jesus, “because many, I tell you, will seek to get in but will not be able.” (Luke 13:24) That narrow door leads to everlasting life. Do all in your power to realize the promised hope of eternal life.

Change of Heart

Referring to the effect of the Watchtower magazine upon him, an African man wrote to the Watch Tower Society’s branch in South Africa, saying: ‘The Bible is the book in the world I hated most, but since I read your magazine it is the book I like best.”

What Is the Future of Today’s Youth?

“Remember, now, your grand Creator in the days of your young manhood.”​—Eccl. 12:1.

1, 2. What has marked the period since 1914?

TODAY’S youth were born into the most violent period of human history. It began with man’s first world war in 1914, a holocaust that snuffed out the lives of more than 13 million persons, military and civilian. The frightful bloodshed and raw violence of that war seemed to open a door to even more shocking acts of man’s inhumanity to man.

² In less than twenty years after World War I ended fiendish concentration camps had been established in Nazi Germany where millions of prisoners were systematically murdered. Then World War II erupted with even greater violence and ruthlessness than World War I, taking the lives of 22 million persons. This has been followed by smaller wars that have been breaking out periodically like erupting volcanoes.

3. What seems to have been the moral effect of the world wars upon the people?

³ The inhumanity that men have shown to fellow humans seems to have had a lasting and detrimental effect upon adults and the youth that have been born into this violent period. Respect for human life, law and order and good morals has plummeted. It is not unusual now for delinquent youths to engage in senseless acts of destruction and lawlessness. It is not unusual to see among them, year by year, a steady increase of murders, muggings, rapes, thefts, and other crimes. Increasing, too, are the riots that are turning cities in many countries into virtual battlefields. We are seeing what was long ago foretold in the Bible: “Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse.”​—2 Tim. 3:13.

4. Why are the hearts of many people fearful?

⁴ In view of this trend the hearts of many people are fearful for the future. They can see no letup in the growing violence and lawlessness. They are also keenly aware of the constant threat of a catastrophic nuclear world war. As foretold, they are becoming “faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth.”​—Luke 21:26.

5. What are some questions that young people might have about their future?

⁵ So what will be the future of today’s youth? Will it be a violent death or physical mangling in one of the many wars that keep breaking out? Will it be an uncertain and fearful existence in a violent system of things where law and order have broken down completely? Will it be annihilation in an earth-encompassing nuclear war that some persons estimate will take the lives of hundreds of millions of persons? Or will it be a peaceful and secure future in a worldwide system of things that is better than what we have today?

6. Why is it well for young people to pay close attention to what their Creator says?

⁶ It is not possible for man to foresee the future, but his Creator can. By paying close attention to what he says, young people can learn how it is possible for them to have a secure and peaceful future, a future that will be beyond their fondest dreams. But before we go into that, let us see what our Creator, Jehovah God, has purposed for the present, violent world of sinful mankind. Its future will also be the future of a great many of today’s youths.

AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

7. With what time can the period since 1914 be compared, and how are the two similar?

⁷ The period since 1914 can be compared with another period in human history that became noted for its violence and lawlessness. It too was a time when people abandoned good moral standards and did whatever their selfish desires moved them to do without regard for the interests or the welfare of others. Turn to the Bible book of Genesis and read the Ge fifth verse in chapter six. It states that the thoughts of the people were “bad all the time.” Now notice what Ge 6 verse eleven says: “The earth came to be ruined in the sight of the true God and the earth became filled with violence.” That is precisely the situation we have earth wide today. Thus the age immediately before the great flood of Noah’s day compares well with the one since 1914.

8. How did Jehovah react to the badness of the world of that time?

⁸ Take note now how Jehovah God reacted to the widespread badness of that world. “After that God said to Noah: ‘The end of all flesh has come before me, because the earth is full of violence as a result of them; and here I am bringing them to ruin together with the earth. And as for me, here I am bringing the deluge of waters upon the earth to bring to ruin all flesh in which the force of life is active from under the heavens. Everything that is in the earth will expire.”’ (Gen. 6:13, 17) And that is precisely what happened. All humans and other air-breathing creatures on the land surfaces that were not in the safety of the great waterproof craft that Noah had built were drowned in the deluge of waters. (Gen. 7:17-23) But Noah and the seven other persons with him were preserved and began repopulating the earth after the waters subsided.

9. What is the significance to us of what happened in the days of Noah?

⁹ What does this history of events that happened more than four thousand years ago mean to us? It is an example of how our Creator reacted to a world that gave itself over to violence and everything he regarded as being bad. Is not the present world of sinful mankind just as bad, if not worse? Is it not reasonable to expect him to show his indignation toward it too? As his patience ran out for that world, so it will soon run out for the present one.

10. What has Jehovah promised to do to the present violent system of things?

¹⁰ Forewarning what he will do, Jehovah God promised that he will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Rev. 11:18) When he acted against the world of Noah’s day, the people were taken by surprise because of the suddenness of it. Although Noah had warned them, they did not believe him. So will be the experience of this present world of sinful mankind. Notice what God’s Word foretells: “For you yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. Whenever it is that they are saying: ‘Peace and security!’ then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.” (1 Thess. 5:2, 3) As a thief strikes when his victim is not expecting it, catching him by surprise, so will the destruction God has purposed for the present system of things catch the people by surprise.

11. Why can the destruction of the world before the Flood be regarded as a forewarning of what is coming upon the present system of things?

¹¹ Comparing this period with the days of Noah, Jesus Christ said: “Moreover, just as it occurred in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of man.” (Luke 17:26, 27, 30) There is a striking similarity in conduct of the people, their faithlessness, their immorality, their violence and their indifference to divine warnings. Jesus would not have made that comparison if he had not intended his listeners to conclude that the destruction of the world before the Flood was a forewarning of what the present world of disobedient people faces at God’s hands. The apostle Peter shows this to be so by pointedly comparing what happened to that world with what will happen to this one. He then said that the present “heavens” and “earth” are “reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.”​—2 Pet. 3:5-7.

“LAST DAYS”

12. (a) What can this period since 1914 rightly be called? (b) What does this mean for young people who ignore God’s purposes and his commands?

¹² These and other prophecies definitely mark this exceptionally violent period since 1914 as the “time of the end,” the “last days” of the present system of things. This means that the young people of today who ignore God’s purposes and commands will have a very short future. How can they expect to survive the end of this system of things while clinging to it and ignoring God’s arrangement for survival? They can be compared with the people who cling to a sinking ship despite warnings of disaster and perish with it.

13-15. (a) What is the course to survival today, and what does it involve for many young people? (b) Why must there be a change?

¹³ During these “last days” is the time to flee from the course of the present world of wicked mankind, separating yourself from it. (2 Cor. 6:14-17) Its violence, its lawlessness, its immorality, its political and commercial corruption and its disrespect for the will of God must be left behind for the clean, Christian course of obedience and faithfulness to Jehovah God. This is the course to survival today as it was for Noah and his companions.

¹⁴ This involves a change in thinking and a change in personality for many of today’s youths. No longer can they be past all moral sense and expect to survive. Why should God preserve young people who think his laws against fornication and other forms of moral uncleanness are out-of-date? He did not preserve those who loved the badness of the world before the Flood, and it is not reasonable to expect him to preserve people who love the badness of this present world. Such persons, the Bible says, have “come to be past all moral sense” and have given “themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness.” (Eph. 4:19) So a change in personality is necessary.

¹⁵ How can a young person who practices moral uncleanness, shows disrespect for parents, rebels against lawful authorities, greedily pursues sensual pleasures that may include the use of mind-warping drugs and embraces ungodly views of atheistic adults expect to survive the end of this world of sinful mankind? Is he not like the people of Noah’s day who were destroyed in the Flood? His whole way of thinking and way of life manifests contempt for God’s righteous laws. He will have to allow God’s Word to transform him if he wants to survive. God cannot be expected to preserve anyone who loves what is unrighteous. (Eph. 4:23, 24) The life of such a young person will be cut short at the foretold “war of the great day of God the Almighty,” which will soon come upon the present system of things.​—Rev. 16:14.

16. Are all young people indifferent to God’s laws and purposes?

¹⁶ But not all young people today are indifferent to the purposes of God and his fine laws. Not all of them are involved in the distorted thinking of worldly youths or in their lawless acts. There are some who are remembering their “Creator in the days of [their] young manhood” and young womanhood. (Eccl. 12:1) They have a different future.

YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A FINE FUTURE

17. How are some young people today different?

¹⁷ There were eight persons living before the great Deluge who did not follow the majority but who chose to live lives in harmony with the will of God. None were participants in the violence and immoral acts of that period. So today there are people who are not going along with the godlessness and lawlessness of the majority. These include fine, young boys and girls who think more of being acceptable to God than of being acceptable to the other young people in their age-groups. Notwithstanding what other young people may think or say, they guide their actions by the righteous laws of God.

18. What good counsel does Jehovah give young people, and as a result of it what are they able to do?

¹⁸ Respecting his wisdom these young people listen to his wise counsel as he recommends in his written Word. Notice what he says to them: “My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure up my own commandments with yourself, so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear, that you may incline your heart to discernment; in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God.” They will also understand “righteousness and judgment and uprightness, the entire course of what is good.”​—Prov. 2:1, 2, 5, 9.

19. (a) Why are they not confused by world events or disillusioned by the actions of world leaders? (b) What do they have the courage to do?

¹⁹ By paying attention to the wisdom of God’s written Word these young people are not confused by the course of world events or disillusioned by the failure of world leaders to do what is just. They are able to recognize in these events the evidence that marks this period as the “last days.” Knowing what the unpleasant future will be for those who cling to this violent world of sinful men, they have the courage to strike out on a different path, one that is in harmony with the laws and purposes of God. This is not easy. It means they must act differently from what is popular, and for doing this others may speak abusively of them.​—1 Pet. 4:4.

20. Why should it be obvious that going along with the world of mankind that is alienated from God is not the wise thing to do?

²⁰ It would be much easier to go along with the crowd and have its approval. But what if Noah’s three sons had done that instead of standing firm for what was right in God’s eyes? Their future would have ended with that old system of things at the Deluge. Is it not obvious when we look back to that time that they did the right thing by refusing to do what was pleasing in the eyes of the majority?

21. (a) What will many young people be able to do in the future? (b) What is more important than being concerned about what others say about you for obeying God?

²¹ The time is not far away when many young people of today will be able to look back and rejoice that they stood firm for what is right in the eyes of God despite what others said and did. That certainly must have been the feeling of Noah’s sons after the Deluge destroyed the generation of their time, but they were still alive. Is not being alive more important than the unpleasant things other people might think and say about you or even what they might do to you? Is it not better to do what is right in God’s eyes, despite what they say, and be alive long after they have ceased to be? Although they may now regard you as if a lowly dog, it is well to remember that “a live dog is better off than a dead lion.”​—Eccl. 9:4.

22. What is the future before the young people who gain God’s approval?

²² When this old system of things passes away, the young people who gain God’s approval will have the prospect of continuing to live on this earth forever. What a marvelous future that is! This is what the Bible assures them: “Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.”​—1 John 2:17.

23. Why should a future of eternal life not be regarded as unrealistic?

²³ Perhaps it seems unrealistic to you to talk of an indefinite future, one of eternal life. Because you have not seen anyone who did not grow old and die, does that mean it is impossible for a human to have eternal youth and life? Remember, it is Jehovah God, who created mankind in the beginning, who promises this for those who obey and serve him and his royal Son, Jesus Christ. (John 3:16; Heb. 5:9) Look how long a tree is able to live. Some of the giant sequoias are more than 3,000 years old and still have many more years ahead of them. Since he can give a tree such long life, is it not reasonable for him to give eternal life to intelligent creatures who love, worship, obey and serve him?

SERVING THE CREATOR WHILE YOUNG

24, 25. (a) What is better for a young person to pursue than material things? (b) Explain the folly of living for material things.

²⁴ There are many pursuits in the commercial world to which these young people could devote their youthful strength and keen minds for selfish benefits. But what lasting good would that do them? The material things that the people of Noah’s day hungrily pursued were of no help to them when the Deluge came upon them. Would it not be wiser to put the preservation of your life ahead of the pursuit of money and material possessions? In these “last days” in which we are now living, young people can do this by putting the service of their Creator before their desire for material things.​—Luke 12:15, 22, 23.

²⁵ Material possessions deteriorate with time and wear out with use, and so their benefit to a person is of limited duration. Consider, for example, the person who expends his youthful strength and vigor in a business that eventually brings him a fine income. He has a large account in the bank and holds many securities, but how safe is it all? An economic crisis can cause the value of his securities to tumble, and the bank can close its doors, leaving him with nothing. This is possible in a severe monetary crisis even in countries where savings accounts are government insured. On the other hand runaway inflation can eat away the value of his savings. Even if neither of these eventualities happened to him, he can still die suddenly, leaving behind all that he had worked for and saved. What benefit could all his money and other material possessions do him then?​—Luke 12:16-21.

26. Why is serving God better than pursuing material things?

²⁶ A young person can devote his energies to a much more beneficial purpose by serving his Creator. He will then be following a course of action that brings God’s favor, which is essential for preservation through the end of the present system of things. This would be like storing up “treasures in heaven” that do not deteriorate with time, wear out or cease to be of benefit upon the person’s death. Noah and his sons obeyed God and served him and thus laid up treasures that preserved their lives through the Deluge. Those treasures were God’s approval, blessing and protection. Since we are in the last days of the present world of disobedient mankind, would that not be the wise thing for young people to do?​—Matt. 6:19, 20.

27, 28. How are the youth among Jehovah’s witnesses serving their Creator, and why is their future much superior to that of young people who are not serving him?

²⁷ The young people among Jehovah’s witnesses are doing this by engaging in the Christian ministry. In obedience to Scriptural commands they are preaching and teaching the liberating truths of God’s Word “publicly and from house to house.” (Acts 20:20; Matt. 28:19, 20; Heb. 13:15) It is a fine work that turns the hearts of people to their Creator and puts them on a course that leads to the preservation of their lives.

²⁸ Although these young people are receiving no material benefits from their ministry, they are receiving spiritual benefits that last indefinitely. They are storing up for themselves “treasures in heaven.” Certainly the future that God has purposed for these young people who serve and obey him is much better than the short future ahead of the young people who are ignoring him. Is not eternal life much better than selfishly living for only a short time pursuing sensual pleasures, material riches and personal fame? They think so.

29, 30. In what kind of system of things can God-fearing young people expect to live?

²⁹ Do not conclude that the young people who choose to be different from the majority of young people by serving their Creator will be living indefinitely in a violent, selfish and insecure system of things as we have today. That will not be the case. When God brings the present violent system to an end and all who persistently cling to it, a new system of things will replace it. Surviving mankind will be under the righteous rule of God’s kingdom.

³⁰ As its King, Jesus Christ will rule in justice and righteousness. Then men toward whom Jehovah God has goodwill are going to have on earth eternal peace and security. (Luke 2:14; Isa. 9:6, 7) This is what our Creator has purposed, and whatever he purposes never fails to become reality.​—Isa. 55:11.

GRAND PRIVILEGES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

31. What do the privileges of service in God’s organization enable young people to do, and what is one of those privileges?

³¹ Within Jehovah’s earthly organization today there are grand privileges of service for dedicated young people. These privileges enable them to do meaningful work that benefits their fellowman. But, more important than that, it honors their Creator. One of the privileges is that of spending a large portion of their time in proclaiming God’s purposes and teaching people the liberating truths of his written Word. This is called the pioneer service. It might be compared with the ministerial work that Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, did. Most of his time was devoted to this fine way of serving his Creator.

32. How do pioneers support themselves, and how are they accumulating “letters of recommendation”?

³² As Paul worked part time at a secular occupation so as to pay for his own expenses, so do pioneers today. (Acts 18:3; 20:34) These full-time servants of Jehovah take on part-time secular jobs so they can devote at least 100 hours a month actually to preaching and teaching God’s purposes in the homes of the people. This unselfish work by young pioneers is helping a great number of fine people to start following the way that has Jehovah’s approval and that leads to a marvelous future for them after the end of the present system of things. In this manner these young people are accumulating “letters of recommendation,” living letters that are evidence of their good works.​—2 Cor. 3:1-3.

33. What fine prospect for additional service privileges do young pioneers have?

³³ For young people who have entered the pioneer service there is the grand prospect of attending the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, where they will be prepared to do missionary work in foreign lands. This is a privilege of service by which young people can be of real service to people who have not heard of God’s purposes. They will learn the language of those people so they can teach them the liberating truths of God’s written Word right in their own homes, whether those homes be mud huts or palaces. Some of the young people who receive this special training will eventually be used in a special capacity as traveling representatives of the Watch Tower Society or they might be given the responsibility of supervising this ministerial work for a whole country.

34. What privileges await those young people who desire to serve their Creator in one of the branches of the Watch Tower Society?

³⁴ For other young people there is the excellent privilege of doing special work in one of the more than ninety branches of the Watch Tower Society. Some of these branches have printing facilities for producing publications useful in teaching people the life-giving truths of God’s Word. These branches in particular can make good use of dedicated young men and women who want to devote their youthful energies to God’s service. At the headquarters of the Watchtower Society in Brooklyn, New York, and at its farms there are about 1,400 dedicated witnesses of Jehovah, of which there are about 900 young persons under the age of thirty who are devoting all their time in manufacturing Bibles and Bible-study aids or working at one of the many other tasks that keep this huge establishment functioning. They also spend evenings and weekends in engaging in the Christian ministry. What a fine way for young people to serve their Creator in the few remaining years of this present violent system of things!

35. What are young people encouraged to do?

³⁵ If you are a young person, why waste your life in pursuing sensual pleasures or trying to gain riches and a position in the present system of things that will soon pass away? Why be like the young people of Noah’s day who pursued the wrong things and had their lives cut short in the Deluge? Consider the evidence that marks this period since 1914 as the “last days.” Pay attention to the wise counsel God has put in his written Word for you and trust him to do what he has said he will do. Serve your Creator and enjoy the marvelous future he has purposed for obedient mankind.

[Picture on page 145]

Youths who look to the future lay up “treasures in heaven” by engaging in the Christian ministry

Youths, Prove Yourselves Christ’s Disciples

“Keep proving what you yourselves are.”​—2 Cor. 13:5.

1. Why is it often difficult for young persons to serve their Creator?

YOUNG people who have chosen to serve their Creator are not finding it easy to do in this turbulent age. They are under constant pressure to conform to the world of sinful mankind. In their contacts with other young people at school and in their neighborhood they see the spirit of rebellion that is taking hold of worldly youth. They see other young people turning to outlandish clothing and hairstyles, and they feel conspicuous because they are different. They hear speech that is without good taste. They see disrespect for good moral standards. They see young people abusing themselves with narcotics and hallucinogenic drugs. They feel constant pressure to walk in step with these other young people. Certainly they would not prove themselves as Christ’s disciples if they did.

2. What does it mean to be one of Christ’s disciples, and why must a young person who is one be different?

² To be one of Christ’s disciples means to accept his teachings and to assist in spreading them. Young persons who do this must necessarily be different from the young people who are part of the world, because the thinking and actions of the latter are out of harmony with Christ’s teachings. Pointing out how a person can show that he has accepted Christ’s teachings and has permitted them to mold his way of life, the Scriptures state that he needs to deaden his body to immoral actions, hurtful desires and other bad actions that mark this world of men alienated from God. “But now really put them all away from you, wrath, anger, injuriousness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth. Do not be lying to one another. Strip off the old personality with its practices, and clothe yourselves with the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new according to the image of the One who created it.”​—Col. 3:5-10.

TWO ROADS

3, 4. Describe the road before Christian young people and the one before worldly youths.

³ There are two roads stretching out in front of today’s youths. The one Christian young people have chosen to follow is a narrow and difficult one. Its boundaries are set by the laws and principles of God’s written Word. That is why its width is limited. As Jesus Christ stayed within those boundaries so they strive to do.

⁴ The other road is a broad one without boundaries because the young people who walk it have no respect for the laws of God. They imagine themselves to be free to do whatever they please, and they think they can decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. Actually God reserves to himself the right to decide that for mankind. Consequently they have a mental state that God disapproves. Many of them are “haters of God, insolent, haughty, self-assuming, inventors of injurious things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, false to agreements, having no natural affection, merciless.” (Rom. 1:28-31) The future of the young people who walk this road is eternal death, but the future of those walking the narrow road as Christ’s disciples is just the opposite​—eternal life.​—Matt. 7:13, 14.

5. Why must those on the narrow road be watchful?

⁵ Watchfulness is necessary on the part of the young people walking that narrow road. All that separates them from the descending, broad road are the protective boundaries of God’s laws and principles. It is possible for the bad influence of worldly young people to cause a young person on this road to violate those boundaries and fall to the broad road. Getting back on the narrow one can be very difficult. Once off it he can be swept along with the crowd that is alienated from God, being drawn farther and farther from the narrow road to life until it is lost from sight. Would it not be better for him to exercise foresight and not permit the bad influence of worldly young people to cause him to take a wrong step?

6. How might a Christian youth unwisely begin acting like worldly youths, and what is God’s counsel to him?

⁶ He will want to watch how he walks so he does not unintentionally begin acting like worldly youths. He might do this by repeatedly showing disrespect for his parents and refusing to obey them. This would be contrary to God’s counsel to young people. At Colossians 3:20, Jehovah’s Word says: “You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.” Notice that it says to be “obedient to your parents in everything.” It is understood here that such parents are “in union with the Lord,” as is stated in Ephesians 6:1-4. Otherwise “everything” would include things that might displease the Lord.

7. How should he react to restrictions placed on him by his Christian parents? Why?

⁷ If Christian parents place unpleasant restrictions on a child of minor age, such as the time he is to be home at night, the way he grooms himself, his manner of dress, his associations, and so forth, he will prove that he is a Christian by obeying his parents “in union with the Lord.” He will recognize God’s arrangement that gives parents authority over their offspring, and he will accept the fact that his parents have the legal right to make decisions for him until he reaches the age when he is free to make them for himself. To rebel against their authority would be going against God’s specific instructions to be obedient. That would hardly be the conduct one would expect to find in a youthful follower of Jesus Christ.

8, 9. What line of thinking followed by many young people of the world will a Christian youth want to avoid? Why?

⁸ Out of love for what is righteous he will sincerely strive to do what is right in the eyes of God. He will, therefore, avoid the thinking of law-defying youths who believe it is all right to do something wrong if they are not seen or caught at it. Shoplifting, for example, has become a popular practice among many of them. It is taking place in nearly every city and town in the United States. Ten years ago there were only a few teen-age shopliftings a week; now there are about 100,000 a week. Most of the teen-agers involved think of it as a game and fail to see that it is morally wrong. One judge observed that “it’s an indication of how their moral values have decayed.”

⁹ Notwithstanding the warped judgment of the young people who justify stealing, a Christian youth knows that it is wrong. He knows that God’s written Word plainly forbids it, commanding, “You must not steal.” (Ex. 20:15) He also knows that the Scriptural command to persons who become Christians is: “Let the stealer steal no more.” (Eph. 4:28) So he refuses to participate in any youthful fad that involves stealing or anything else that is contrary to the good morals of God’s Word.

10, 11. (a) How will love for righteousness help a young person? (b) What is good to remember when one is tempted to do something bad in secret?

¹⁰ Any young person who has love for what is right in the eyes of God will not entertain the thought of doing something wrong because it does not appear that he will be seen doing it or that he will be caught. For him Jehovah’s righteous laws govern his actions at all times, whether he is with someone or is by himself, whether someone sees him or not. The only question he considers is whether it is right or wrong.

¹¹ He keeps in mind what is written at Isaiah 29:15: “Woe to those who are going very deep in concealing counsel from Jehovah himself, and whose deeds have occurred in a dark place, while they say: ‘Who is seeing us, and who is knowing of us?”’ Even when no one sees a person commit a wrong, God sees him and will take it into account when judging him. There is nothing that a person can do in secret that can be hidden from God. Remembering this ought to help a young Christian to resist the temptation to join worldly young people in any popular practice that is not good in God’s eyes.

ATTITUDES

12. What bad attitude would a Christian youth want to avoid?

¹² Many worldly youths egotistically imagine that they have a sounder and more practical judgment of life than do their parents who begot them and reared them. This is a bad attitude that gets them into a lot of trouble, as police records the world over clearly show. But is that the attitude to be expected from young Christians? How could it be? It reflects the rebellious spirit of the world and not the spirit of Christ. God’s Word commands children to be obedient to their parents, and that includes respect for the judgment and decisions of their parents. So a young Christian will not want to permit the bad attitudes of worldly youths to influence his attitude. He will want to be receptive to whatever his Christian parents teach him.

13. Why is more than superficial obedience necessary for God’s approval?

¹³ It is possible, however, that a youth who professes to be a Christian may pretend to be obedient to his parents and to God’s laws while being rebellious underneath. This superficial obedience does not make him a Christian. What he appears to be outwardly is not what counts with Jehovah God but, rather, what he is inside, and Jehovah is capable of searching his heart. He would do well to examine himself and take steps now, while there is time, to correct his wrong attitude. He needs to pray for more faith and to make a diligent effort to cultivate it.

14. What quality is necessary for a person to be receptive to the instruction he needs in order to cultivate faith and love of God?

¹⁴ A child is not born with a good attitude and a love for God. Both must be cultivated, along with faith. Christian parents help him to do this, but if he has the worldly attitude that he knows more than they do, he will not make progress. The humility that Jesus manifested set the example for his followers. Persons who have it are receptive to instruction and therefore will grow in knowledge and understanding. But how can a person who thinks more of himself than he ought to think make such progress? How can he prove himself to be one of Christ’s followers?​—Mic. 6:8; Rom. 12:3.

WATCHING ONE’S CONDUCT

15. Why have a few young persons in God’s organization gotten into trouble?

¹⁵ There have been a few young persons in Jehovah’s organization who have not been watchful so as to avoid slipping into the way of life of worldly youths. Having close companionship with them has caused these young people to begin thinking and acting like them. They did not succeed in proving the Bible wrong when it says, “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Cor. 15:33) Their Christian habits were spoiled. They discontinued the habit of studying God’s Word and taking in spiritual food from his theocratic organization. They discontinued the habit of regular meeting attendance, and they discontinued the habit of living by Christian principles. Because of conduct unbecoming of a Christian they brought reproach upon themselves, their parents and the Christian organization.

16. To what has bad conduct led for some young persons who professed to be Christians?

¹⁶ In some instances the conduct of a few young people who had professed to be followers of Christ was so bad that they had to be disfellowshiped from God’s organization. By their bad conduct they showed that they were not in harmony with the high moral standards that guide Jehovah’s dedicated servants. They had to be put out of the organization as the apostle Paul instructed, in order to keep the organization clean and free from reproach. He said: “But now I am writing you to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man.”​—1 Cor. 5:11.

17. How has their conduct reflected on God’s organization, and what is their prospect for the future?

¹⁷ Such persons have brought reproach upon the name of Christianity just as the many professed Christians of Christendom have done. They have chosen to manifest the same unclean conduct. Speaking of such persons, the scripture at 2 Peter 2:2 states: “Furthermore, many will follow their acts of loose conduct, and on account of these the way of the truth will be spoken of abusively.” Unless these young people turn around by changing their course of conduct, repenting for what they have done, they will remain outside God’s organization. Their future will be that of the worldly youths who are following the broad road to destruction.

18. What course have most young people in Jehovah’s organization followed?

¹⁸ But the majority of young people within God’s organization have followed a different course. Like Jesus’ disciples of the first century, they strive to conduct themselves in a way that reflects favorably on true Christianity. It is not their desire to be a reason for abusive speech to come from outsiders upon Jehovah’s organization and the truth. When such abuse does come they want it to be for the truths and the fine principles for which they stand and not because of bad conduct on their part. At all times they seek to prove themselves Christ’s disciples by good conduct, wholesome speech and sensible manners and dress. They want it to appear evident that they are not like worldly youths but are persons who have been taught by God’s organization.

WANTING TO DO RIGHT

19. What desire will Christian young people want to have, and how will it help them every day?

¹⁹ When we turn to the Scriptural account of Christ’s faithful followers in the first century we find that they were persons who wanted to do what is right in God’s eyes. This, then, is the desire Christian youths will always want to have. When they are confronted with situations that they know are not Scripturally right, because of this desire they will not permit themselves to become involved. Thus when worldly students urge them to join in protest demonstrations, or acts of vandalism or a wild party, they will have the courage to refuse because they want to do what is right in Jehovah’s eyes. Getting involved in such things could not be pleasing to him. It would not be seeking peace, righteousness and meekness.​—1 Pet. 3:11; Zeph. 2:3.

20. What can they show by the companions they choose?

²⁰ By the companions Christian youths choose they show that they want to do what is right and that they are, therefore, true Christians who are living by Christian principles. Can you imagine the young man Timothy, mentioned by the apostle Paul in his inspired letters, seeking the companionship of young, licentious, foul-mouthed Romans? Would he have sought the company of persons who had no respect for the laws of Jehovah God and who were worshipers of false gods? Definitely not! He preferred the companionship of persons who loved Jehovah and who respected his laws and fine principles. Should not that be the preference of young people today who want to prove that they are Christ’s disciples?

21. Why is it unwise to seek the companionship of worldly persons or to marry one?

²¹ They will want to do what is pleasing to God by avoiding the companionship of worldly young people who lack respect for what is righteous. Even if one of these worldly youths did live by good moral standards, how could he be a good influence if he lacked love for Jehovah God and was involved with a false religion? What Jehovah said to the nation of Israel about not marrying such persons is a good guide for young persons today in choosing companions as well as marriage mates. “You must form no marriage alliance with them. Your daughter you must not give to his son, and his daughter you must not take for your son. For he will turn your son from following me, and they will certainly serve other gods.” (Deut. 7:3, 4) Since this happened to wise Solomon, a young Christian should not think it cannot we happen to him. (Neh. 13:26) Further advice is given at 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.”

22. Why is it unwise for Christian youths to imitate worldly entertainers, and whom would it be well for them to imitate?

²² What about the popular practice among worldly youths of imitating prominent people in the entertainment world? Is that for Christian youths? Is it not as unwise as choosing bad companions? The hearts of such persons are not on the high standards of God’s Word but on the money they are making as teen-age idols. Would it not be more in keeping with fine Christian principles for a young Christian to imitate persons having God’s approval instead of those who have the approval of worldly youths? The Scriptures give wise counsel when they say: “Remember those who are taking the lead among you, who have spoken the word of God to you, and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith.” (Heb. 13:7) Such persons set a fine example for them in godly devotion.

APPLYING BIBLE COUNSEL

23. What are some situations in which young persons may have to give a Scriptural reason for what they do or do not do, and what will determine their ability to do this?

²³ All sorts of situations can arise in which Christian young people must allow Bible counsel to guide their actions in order to avoid doing something wrong in God’s eyes. Consequently they may find it necessary to give a Scriptural reason to outsiders for the actions they take or refuse to take. This may be at school when requested by a teacher to do something contrary to the Scriptures and their Christian conscience, or it may be in their relations with their fellow students. Their ability to give a Scriptural reason for what they do or refuse to do will depend on how well they have taken in the Bible instruction given them by their parents and God’s organization. These are opportunities in which they can prove that they are Christ’s disciples by being able to give a sound and Scriptural “reason for the hope” in them.​—1 Pet. 3:15.

24. When in the presence of someone of the opposite sex, how can young Christians prove that they are Christ’s disciples?

²⁴ A situation in which they could get themselves into a lot of trouble if they failed to apply Bible counsel is when they find themselves alone in the presence of someone of the opposite sex. By showing respect for Christian moral laws and principles they can prove in this situation that they are Christians. They will, therefore, not forget those principles under the pressure of fleshly desires. Neither will they try to see how close they can come to immorality without violating a moral law. If the other person attempts to entice them into acts of sexual uncleanness or immorality they will get away from that person as quickly as possible just as Joseph did. (Gen. 39:7-12) They will not care what that person thinks or whether ridicule is heaped upon them for being different from worldly youths. Preserving their moral integrity is more important to them than personal pride.

25, 26. Why would young Christians avoid driving a car in the reckless manner that many worldly youths do, and why would they drive cautiously at all times?

²⁵ Another situation that tests their claim to being Christian is when driving a car. Many worldly youths seek thrills by reckless and fast driving that endangers the lives of others. Some have played a dangerous game in which they drive two cars toward each other at high speed to see who will be first to turn out of the way. Too often this game has ended in a frightful collision. How could young persons consider themselves Christ’s disciples if they threatened the lives of people in this manner? Christ’s true followers do not do things that injure, maim and kill. They respect human life. None of them want bloodguilt on their hands.​—Acts 20:26.

²⁶ Not desiring to be like worldly youths, Christian young people will want to demonstrate that they respect the laws of men as well as the laws of God when they drive a car. Out of love for their fellowman they will drive cautiously, having concern for the safety of all in their own car as well as for those in other cars. They will want to drive in a manner that will not give outsiders cause to speak reproachfully of the young people in Jehovah’s organization.

THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

27. Why does the ministry outstandingly mark a young person as one of Christ’s disciples?

²⁷ In an outstanding way the Christian ministry can identify a person as one of Christ’s followers. It is the work Christ did and the work he commanded his followers to do. (Matt. 28:19, 20) People in the neighborhood will hear the young person talk about God’s purposes when he calls at their door, and they will see him coming and going while engaging in the ministry. In this manner he publicly makes known that he is a follower of Jesus Christ and a witness of Jehovah God. His good conduct and way of life when not in the ministry will confirm this in their eyes.

28. How did Christians of the first century show that they were followers of Christ, and how is this also true of young Christians today?

²⁸ In the first century the followers of Jesus Christ publicly proclaimed the distinctive message he had taught them, and this marked them as his followers. When they spoke on Scriptural matters they spoke with authority, as he did. Young Christians today can do the same because of the fine training they receive from Jehovah’s earthly organization of witnesses. So by the distinctive message about God’s kingdom, the end of the world of sinful mankind and the resurrection of the dead that they proclaim and by the way they use the Bible to lend authority to what they say, they show that they are Christ’s followers in this twentieth century.​—Mark 1:22; Acts 4:13.

29. To maintain their prospect for the future, what must young Christians not forget?

²⁹ These young people have good reason to think of the future. They have the marvelous prospect of an indefinite future ahead of them as they continue to walk the narrow road of obedience to God. To maintain that prospect they cannot afford to forget for a moment that they are dedicated, baptized servants of Jehovah God who are following Christ’s example. They cannot permit the fads and unchristian thinking of worldly youths to distort their own thinking and moral standards. At all times they will want their conduct to reflect the fact that they are servants of Jehovah and followers of Christ.

30. How can they keep proving that they are Christ’s disciples?

³⁰ In the few remaining years of the old system of things they will want to do as the Scriptures admonish: “Keep proving what you yourselves are.” (2 Cor. 13:5) By their conduct, by their companions, by their manner of speech, by their wanting and always striving to do what is right in God’s eyes and by their activity in the ministry, they can prove what they are, that they are Christ’s disciples. Are you one of these fine, young people? Are you proving that you are different from worldly young people and have “put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty”? (Eph. 4:24) If you are, you have a magnificent future.

Youths, Do You Respect Your Parents?

“Honor your father and your mother.”​—Eph. 6:2.

1. What can young Christians be expected to prove inside their home?

IS IT not reasonable to expect young persons who prove themselves to be Christ’s disciples outside their home to prove it also inside their home? Being his disciples is a way of life that is reflected by speech and actions at all times. It does not end when a young Christian enters his home and is questioned by his parents about his activities or is denied permission to do something he wants to do.

2. How do many worldly youths react to the authority of their parents, and how does this fulfill prophecy?

² Many young people of the world react rebelliously and abusively when their parents forbid them to do something or correct them. Some have even run away to live as they please. Such children show lack of respect for their parents and lack of natural affection. They may talk about love, but how much love do they show their parents when they run away, causing their parents to worry until sick about them? They think only of their own selfish desires. Is this showing gratitude for what their parents have done for them? Is this showing respect for them? What we see here is what was foretold at 2 Timothy 3:1-4, where it says that youths in “the last days” would be “disobedient to parents,” “unthankful,” and have “no natural affection.” Young people who want to prove themselves Christ’s disciples will show more respect for their parents than this.

3. Why is it better to obey parents than to insist on your own way?

³ It is only natural for you young people to find your parents forbidding you to do something from time to time. Although you may not see why your parents say No, is it not better for you to respect the mature decision of your parents than to insist on your own way? From the time when you were infants your parents have been protecting you from yourselves by forbidding you to play with knives, to put your finger in the light socket, to run into the street without looking both ways and to associate with bad companions. Since they were right in forbidding such things because they could see dangers you could not see, is it not possible that they are right about things they forbid you to do now that you are a youth? Is it not possible that they can see things now by which you can hurt yourself that you cannot see?

4. What example can we consider that shows the wisdom of respecting the wishes of parents?

⁴ A young girl, for example, may become infatuated with a boyfriend and want to marry him, but her parents say No. She believes that she is madly in love with him and cannot understand why her parents will not permit her to get married. She feels indignant at their refusal and may even think rebelliously of eloping. She fails to realize that her parents have a clearer understanding of marriage and its problems than she does. They want her to be happily married, but they know that this requires a maturity she does not as yet have. They are well aware that the possibility of a happy marriage for her is much greater when she is a few years older. Statistics show that marriages of persons who are twenty years old and younger are four times as likely to end in divorce as marriages of those over twenty-one.

5. What is God’s will for youths?

⁵ Although this young girl may feel disappointed and fail to understand why her parents refused permission for her to get married, she will show respect for their decision if she wants to prove herself one of Christ’s disciples. It is God’s will for youths to obey their parents even when they disagree with a parental decision. “You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.” (Col. 3:20) When she is older she may be grateful that she did and may realize then that once again her loving parents protected her from seriously hurting herself.

6, 7. How might a boy of legal age be faced with parental wishes to curtail certain activities and be obligated to obey those wishes?

⁶ As another example, consider a boy who has reached the age of twenty-one and has become engaged, but he still lives at home. Although he contributes financially toward the expenses of the house, his father provides the home and most of his needs. His father objects to his repeatedly staying out late at night with his fiancée. The boy cannot see why he cannot see his fiancée as often as he wants and to stay out as late as he wants, because he is of legal age. Knowing the physical dangers to his son’s health from keeping late hours, not to mention moral dangers, his father thinks it is best to put limitations on his son for his own good. The girl will not love the boy less for respecting the wishes of his father but should respect him more.

⁷ But since the boy is of legal age, is he obligated to obey his father? The Bible sets no legal age when a son can stop listening to the discipline of his father while living in his father’s house. It says: “Listen, O sons, to the discipline of a father and pay attention, so as to know understanding.” (Prov. 4:1) Since the boy is in his father’s house, he is Scripturally required to respect his father’s wishes even though he is of legal age.

FAMILY HEADSHIP

8. Who is the Scriptural head of a family, and how might this headship be illustrated?

⁸ Jehovah has made it clear in his written Word that the father is the head of a family. (Eph. 5:23) This is necessary for the family to function peacefully and unitedly. The one who is second in charge of the family is, of course, the mother. We might compare a family with a ship. The father is like the captain, whom everyone in the ship is obligated to obey. The captain is responsible to maintain order and keep the ship on course and running. So is a father in a family. The mother is like the first mate, who is second in command. As these officers of a ship are obeyed and honored by the crew, so parents are to be obeyed and honored by their children. (Eph. 6:1) The function of the family can be endangered by rebellious children just as the function of a ship can be endangered by a rebellious crew.

9, 10. (a) What good advice does the Bible give youths, and how does Abraham’s family illustrate parental headship? (b) How did Jesus show that sons and daughters should honor their parents?

⁹ So under God’s arrangement children are required to honor and obey their father and mother. “Observe, O my son, the commandment of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.” (Prov. 6:20) Isaac did this while he was in the house of his father. Although he was about forty years of age at the time he was married, he respected his father’s headship and submitted to his father’s choice of a wife for him. Since Abraham had the right to select a wife for Isaac, who was of legal age but living in his father’s house, does not a father today have the right to put restrictions on a son living in his house who is of legal age? As head of the house he most certainly does.

¹⁰ In Bible times the authority of the parents, particularly of the father, was broad in scope. As long as the father was alive and able to manage the household his sons and daughters were subject to him. If a son set up an independent household, then he became the head of his own household. Although he was no longer under the authority of his father, he was still required to honor his parents. Jesus condemned the religious leaders of his day for claiming that they did not have to honor their father and mother by giving them financial support when they needed it if they gave the money to the temple. He said they “made the word of God invalid” because of traditions such as this.​—Matt. 15:3-9.

11. Why would Christian youths today want to respect the headship of their father, and how should a father exercise his headship?

¹¹ Youths today who want to be Christians will respect the headship of their father in the family and will be obedient to him. From Biblical examples they see that this is how God wants it, and it is their desire to do God’s will. (Col. 3:20) In a Christian home, of course, the father will endeavor to avoid misusing his authority and exasperating his children. (Col. 3:21) By not disciplining with understanding and love he could break their spirit, causing them to become exasperated and downhearted. He can gain their confidence and respect by being fair-minded, firm for Scriptural principles and loving in his treatment of them.

DIVIDED HOUSEHOLD

12. Why should believing children respect an unbelieving father?

¹² But suppose the mother and children are dedicated Christians but the father is not. Are the children obligated to respect him and obey him? Even though he is not a servant of Jehovah God, he is still head of the family and entitled to honor and obedience. Just as a believing wife is Scripturally required to be subject to an unbelieving husband, so Christian children are required to be subject to an unbelieving father. “You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord.”​—Col. 3:18.

13. If a Christian youth wants to enter the full-time ministry but his unbelieving father wants him to go on to college, what will he do?

¹³ If it is the father’s wish that his son go to college but the son would rather spend his time in the Christian ministry, what should he do? He can explain his desire to his father, and it may be that his father will give consent for him to spend all his time in the ministry. If not, he is obliged to submit to the wishes of his father until he reaches the legal age and as long as he is living in his father’s house. His father has the right to decide on his education. But while in college the son will want to keep his faith strong so that his spirituality will not be damaged by the atheistic thinking he finds there.

14, 15. Why would believing children be concerned if their unbelieving father made them go to a church of Babylon the Great, and what would they do?

¹⁴ Now, what will believing children do when their unbelieving father insists that they attend religious services at one of the churches of Babylon the Great? This touches upon a very serious matter that involves their loyalty to Jehovah God. They know that a true Christian will not disloyally worship a false god or participate in a false religious service. They know that the Scriptures command Christians to “flee from idolatry” and to “get out” of Babylon the Great. (1 Cor. 10:14; Rev. 18:4) So what will they do?

¹⁵ They will be obedient to their father and go to the church, but once they are there, a personal decision will have to be made by them as to whether they will engage in the religious service or not. They have reached the point where there is a direct conflict between the commands of God and the commands of their father. Their father has pushed them to the point where they are compelled either to disobey him or to disobey God. When the apostle Peter was faced with a somewhat similar decision because of having been commanded by the legal authorities in Jerusalem to stop talking about Jesus Christ, he said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) He was willing to take whatever punishment they might give him for obeying the Supreme Sovereign.

16. How can a youth view punishment he receives from an unbelieving parent because he refused to disobey God?

¹⁶ A Christian youth who obediently goes as far as is Scripturally possible in obeying his unbelieving father may be punished by his father for refusing to engage in an act of false worship. Although it is unpleasant, he can find comfort in the fact that he is suffering for doing what is right in the eyes of God. “For if someone, because of conscience toward God, bears up under grievous things and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being slapped, you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God.”​—1 Pet. 2:19, 20.

SPEAKING RESPECTFULLY

17. Why would a young Christian refuse to speak disrespectfully of this parents when with other youths?

¹⁷ It is a common practice among young people in the world to speak disrespectfully of their parents when in the company of other young people. How could a Christian youth do this and still be obeying the Scriptural command to honor his father and mother? As he speaks respectfully of them in their presence, should he not also do so when not in their presence? Since he came from them, would he not be dishonoring himself if he dishonors them? Should he allow his respect for them to decline just because he is in the presence of youths who lack respect for their parents?

18. Why would a Christian youth never curse his parents?

¹⁸ Some worldly youths are so rebellious and disrespectful of their parents that they curse them to their face. How could a youth who does this regard himself as a Christian? God’s Word does not teach young people to treat their parents in this manner regardless of how angry they may become over something. Love is not shown by screaming and abusive speech. Note the counsel the Bible gives in this respect: “Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all injuriousness.” (Eph. 4:31) Since screaming and abusive speech have no place in the Christian way of life, how can they be used by a Christian youth at any time, much less toward his parents?

19, 20. (a) How does God view disrespect of parents? (b) What does a youth actually request if he curses his father or mother?

¹⁹ Jehovah’s law to the nation of Israel shows that he considers disrespectful speech to one’s parents a serious matter. His law states: “One who strikes his father and his mother is to be put to death without fail. And one who calls down evil upon his father and his mother is to be put to death without fail.” (Ex. 21:15, 17) God does not require such punishment under the Christian arrangement of things, but the fact that he did under the Mosaic law makes it evident that he is not pleased with such gross disrespect.

²⁰ When a young person curses his father or mother and asks God to damn them, is he not calling down evil upon them? He is asking God to condemn them to everlasting punishment. What ingratitude for their care of him! What rebellion against divinely constituted authority! How can a youth who does this imagine that God uses him for anything? He by no means is following the example of Jesus, who had the deepest respect for his Father and obediently did his will.​—John 5:30.

21. How will a Christian youth react when abused by an unbelieving father, and what can help him maintain a respectful attitude?

²¹ A youth who wants to be a follower of Jesus Christ will respect his parents, giving them proper honor. Even if they may not be dedicated servants of Jehovah, he will speak respectfully of them at all times. If his unbelieving father speaks abusively to him, would he be showing a Christian spirit by answering in like manner? By exercising self-control he will wisely refrain from saying anything bad. His good conduct might win his father to become one of Jehovah’s servants, just as the good conduct of a Christian wife can win her husband. (1 Pet. 3:1, 2) Remembering what the apostle Paul said can help him maintain a respectful attitude: “When being reviled, we bless; when being persecuted, we bear up; when being defamed, we entreat.” (1 Cor. 4:12, 13) At Romans 12:17 he also said: “Return evil for evil to no one.”

WHY REASONABLE

22. Why is it especially important for a Christian youth to show respect for this parents?

²² If you are a Christian youth, it may not be easy for you always to show respect for your parents and to give them the honor due them. All around you are young people who are rebelling against their parents, and it is difficult to combat their spirit of rebellion. But how can you be one of Christ’s disciples and receive the benefits of his Kingdom rule if you reject God’s arrangement for law and order within the family? If you disrespect it now, are you not likely to disrespect Jehovah’s arrangement for law and order under his kingdom? You can prove to Jehovah that you will be an obedient subject of his Kingdom rule after Armageddon by showing obedience to parental rule now, before Armageddon.

23. Rather than becoming upset when one’s parents hold a different view, what can a Christian youth consider?

²³ Because of your being of a different generation than your parents it is only natural that you may not think the same as they do on everything. You may think they are narrow in their views, but did you ever consider that you are likely to be narrow in yours because of lack of maturity and experience in life? Is not a person who has lived twice as long as you, or more, more likely to have a balanced view of things and be better able to perceive the problems that a certain course of action may encounter? Young people tend to be more rash in their decisions because of lacking the balanced thinking that maturity in years brings. A good example of this is young King Rehoboam shortly after he ascended the throne. The older men who counseled his father gave him sound, mature advice, but he rejected it for the rash counsel of the young men who had grown up with him. The result was disaster for his kingdom. Ten tribes broke away and set up a separate kingdom.​—1 Ki. 12:6-8.

24. How can a youth benefit from listening to his parents?

²⁴ It is with good reason that God’s Word says to you: “Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.” (Prov. 1:8) You can benefit from their maturity and greater experience in life. They may not know as much as you do about scientific things that you have learned in school, but they know more about living and its problems. If you are blessed with parents who respect the laws and counsel of Jehovah, the guidance and counsel they can give is especially beneficial.

25. Give an example that shows why youths need the counsel and guidance of their parents.

²⁵ When you are young your physical desires are very strong, and those desires can overcome your ability to think and reason clearly. So the counsel of your parents and their decisions can prevent you from making foolish mistakes that can ruin your life. For example, when they tell you not to “pet” someone of the opposite sex, they know why it is dangerous for you. They know that God designed your body so that when you are caressed by someone of the opposite sex your sexual desires are aroused, preparing you for sexual relations. Not being married you do not have the right to engage in such relations. So when you permit someone to arouse your sexual desires in this manner, there is a strong likelihood that you may commit the sin of fornication. (1 Cor. 6:9, 10) If you do not go that far, you may be left frustrated and emotionally upset. Is it not reasonable, then, to listen to your parents and postpone lovemaking until you are older and married?

26. What are Christian youths admonished to do?

²⁶ In view of what we have considered, it is the wise course for youths to heed the counsel of God’s Word: “Be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord.” (Eph. 6:1) Do not permit the rebellious attitude of worldly youths to influence your attitude toward your father and mother. Recognize the love your parents have for you and their concern for your welfare. Respect their maturity and more balanced thinking. Be submissive to their headship. Heed the Scriptural command: “‘Honor your father and your mother’; which is the first command with a promise: ‘That it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth.’”​—Eph. 6:2, 3.

“Men of Good Will” District Assemblies

If you are a person who appreciates the importance of having God’s goodwill, you will be glad to know that the Watch Tower Society is making arrangements for a series of “Men of Good Will” District Assemblies during June, July and August in the northern hemisphere.

Each assembly will feature an upbuilding and thoroughly enjoyable four-day program. To benefit from it to the full, plan to be on hand when it begins early Thursday afternoon, and stay until the conclusion on Sunday afternoon.

The assemblies are scheduled for thirty-three cities in the United States, ten in Canada and eight in Britain, in addition to assemblies in other lands. So there should be an assembly city near you.

Check the list and select the one that you will attend. Then make definite arrangements to be there, and seek Jehovah’s blessing on your efforts to that end. Unless otherwise indicated, the programs for the assemblies listed here will be in English, but, as you will notice, some of the assemblies include other languages or, in some cases, are exclusively in another tongue. Assemblies for the United States, Canada, Bermuda and the British Isles are listed below.

UNITED STATES

June 25-28: Eugene, Ore.

July 2-5: Salt Lake City, Utah.

July 9-12: Bloomington, Minn.; Boston, Mass.; Charlotte, N.C.; Hallandale, Fla. (Spanish also); Hampton, Va.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Macon, Ga.; Pittsburgh, Pa. (tentative); San Bernardino, Calif. (Spanish only).

July 16-19: Anchorage, Alaska; Anaheim, Calif. (tentative); Bismarck, N. Dak.; Detroit, Mich. (Spanish also); Laurel, Md.; Monroe, La.; Oakland, Calif. (tentative); Philadelphia, Pa. (tentative); Seattle, Wash.; Tuscaloosa, Ala.

July 23-26: Amarillo, Tex. (Spanish also); Butte, Mont.; El Paso, Tex.; Jersey City, N.J. (Spanish only).

July 30–August 2: Alexandria, La.; Fort Worth, Tex.; Fresno, Calif.; Hilo, Hawaii; St. Louis, Mo.; San Antonio, Tex.

August 6-9: Corpus Christi, Tex. (Spanish only).

August 13-16, also 27-30: Honolulu, Oahu.

BERMUDA

July 30–August 2.

BRITISH ISLES

July 16-19: Cardiff; Birmingham; Manchester (tentative).

July 23-26: Birmingham; Manchester (tentative).

July 30–August 2: Leicester.

August 6-9: London; Leeds.

August 20-23: Dundee; Glasgow (tentative).

CANADA

July 2-5: Sault Sainte Marie, Ont.

July 9-12: Regina, Sask.

July 16-19: Prince George, B.C.

July 23-26: Vancouver, B.C.

July 30–August 2: Toronto, Ont. (Italian also).

August 6-9: Edmonton, Alta.; Sherbrooke, Que. (French only).

August 13-16: St. John’s, Nfld.; Winnipeg, Man.

August 20-23: Amherst, N.S. (tentative).

Building Other Ministers on a Right Foundation

Who constitute the right foundation for building other ministers?

The apostle Paul tells us at Ephesians 2:20: “You have been built up upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, while Christ Jesus himself is the foundation cornerstone.”a Yes, what the Christian apostles and prophets taught and wrote serves as a secondary foundation, even as Jesus Christ himself, as well as what he taught and did for us, constitutes the primary foundation.

To build other ministers, what else is needed besides giving them an intellectual appreciation of Bible truths?

We cannot truly love Jehovah God unless we know him well. So during the study the instructor should continually seek to build up in his student an appreciation of Jehovah God, his greatness and his qualities. He should strive to instill in the student the heart appreciation that will cause him to exclaim: “Look! This is our God. We have hoped in him, and he will save us. This is Jehovah. We have hoped in him. Let us be joyful and rejoice in the salvation by him.”​—Isa. 25:9.

Only by your building in the student such a heart appreciation of Jehovah God will he be moved to put to work in his life the truths he learns. And only then will he be able to weather the storms of personal difficulties that arise in the life of each individual and ultimately weather the storm of Armageddon.

Of what value are questions in true catechetical teaching?

Basically questions help in three ways. First, by means of additional questions the teacher can draw out the student so as to ascertain if he really understands the points being made in the book. Such questions should call for the student to express himself in his own words instead of just reading the answers from the textbook.

By asking questions the teacher can also ascertain whether the student has actually accepted as his own the truths being taught and whether he has replaced the false doctrines he once believed with the Bible truths he is learning or not. Is what the book says the way he himself feels about it?

And thirdly, by means of questions one can also ascertain whether the student understands what bearing the truths learned have on his own personal life and whether he is desirous of following through with them.

What are some of the points a teacher should consider before inviting his student to share in the Christian field ministry?

Does the student believe the Bible to be the Word of God? Does he know and believe at least the basic teachings of the Scriptures? Is he associating with Jehovah’s people at their meetings? Does he apply Bible principles in his life? Has he severed his connections with Babylon the Great? Is he free from involvement in politics? Does he want to be one of Jehovah’s witnesses? All such things the teacher must take into consideration if he would build other ministers on a right foundation.

[Footnotes]

Announcements

LORD’S EVENING MEAL

In obedience to the instructions given by Jesus Christ, Jehovah’s faithful servants will be assembling on March 22, after 6 p.m. Standard Time, to commemorate the 1937th anniversary of his death. You are invited to be present at this most important occasion, known as the Lord’s Evening Meal or Lord’s Supper. (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:20-34) Though there will be relatively few who, as heirs of the heavenly kingdom, will partake of the emblematic bread and wine, those of the “other sheep” who are present as respectful observers will be benefited spiritually by the discussion that will take place and by the wholesome association with others of like precious faith.

AN ALL-TIME HIGH!

Since the beginning of their publication, The Watchtower and Awake! have been growing in popularity, as evidenced by their mounting circulations. Now, the combined circulation of these companion magazines is 12,100,000 copies each issue. This growth has paralleled a mounting interest in the Bible on the part of honest-hearted persons who are concerned with the rising tide of delinquency and immorality and the failure of the orthodox religions to provide an adequate solution. For many years The Watchtower has warned of the approach of these unparalleled conditions, citing Bible prophecies in support, and Awake! has repeatedly produced factual evidences of the dissolution of the present system of things, while both magazines have consistently maintained a unique position as true champions of the Bible and of God’s Messianic kingdom as the only hope for beleaguered mankind. Read them regularly. Both for one year, $2. Send now and receive free six timely booklets on Bible subjects.

FIELD MINISTRY

When a building is constructed, diligent effort is exerted to make certain that there is a good foundation. Likewise a solid, right kind of foundation is necessary on which to build Christian faith. Thus what Jesus Christ taught and did for us serves as the primary foundation for true faith. (Eph. 2:20) Ever since this journal was first published in 1879, The Watchtower has endeavored to help others build upon this right spiritual foundation. To build up faith in others during the month of March, Jehovah’s witnesses will happily offer a year’s subscription for The Watchtower, along with three booklets, for $1.

“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS

March 22: What Is the Future of Today’s Youth? Page 140. Songs to Be Used: 77, 73.

March 29: Youths, Prove Yourselves Christ’s Disciples. Page 147. Songs to Be Used: 8, 18.

April 5: Youths, Do You Respect Your Parents? Page 153. Songs to Be Used: 26, 14.