1, 2. What is a goal for every Christian? Give an example.

WHAT does a housewife look for when selecting fresh fruit at the market? Likely, it is not the largest or cheapest pieces of fruit. Instead, she looks for fruit that smells good and is fresh and ready to eat. She wants the fruit to be ripe, that is, mature.

² After a person learns about Jehovah and decides to get baptized, his relationship with God continues to grow. His goal is to become a mature Christian. This maturity does not refer to becoming older in age. It refers to spiritual growth, that is, having a closer relationship with Jehovah. The apostle Paul wanted Christians in Ephesus to become mature. He encouraged them to be united in the faith and to keep learning about Jesus in order to become “a full-grown man, attaining the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ.”​—Ephesians 4:13.

3. How does the Ephesian congregation compare with Jehovah’s people today?

³ The Ephesian congregation had already existed for some years when Paul wrote his letter to them. Many in that congregation were already experienced, mature Christians. Yet, there were still some who needed their relationship with Jehovah to become much stronger. Similarly today, many brothers and sisters have served Jehovah for a long time and have become mature Christians. However, some in the congregations are not at that point. For example, thousands are baptized each year, so some still need to grow to maturity. What about you?​—Colossians 2:6, 7.

HOW CAN A CHRISTIAN GROW?

4, 5. How are mature Christians different from one another, but what do they all have in common? (See opening picture.)

⁴ When you look at ripe fruit at the market, you see that the pieces are not exactly the same. However, they do have certain things in common that identify them as ripe. The same is true of mature Christians. They are not exactly the same. They come from different countries and backgrounds. They are of different ages and have different likes and dislikes. Yet, all mature Christians have certain qualities in common that identify them as mature. What are some of these qualities?

⁵ A mature Christian imitates Jesus and follows “his steps closely.” (1 Peter 2:21) Jesus said that it is very important for a person to love Jehovah with his whole heart, soul, and mind and to love his neighbor as himself. (Matthew 22:37-39) A mature Christian tries hard to obey that counsel. The way he lives his life proves that his relationship with Jehovah and his deep love for others is most important to him.

6, 7. (a) What are some other qualities that identify a mature Christian? (b) What should we ask ourselves?

⁶ Love is just one of the many qualities that a mature Christian shows. (Galatians 5:22, 23) He also shows mildness, self-control, and patience. These qualities can help him to endure difficult situations without becoming annoyed and to endure disappointments without losing hope. In his personal study, a mature Christian keeps searching for Bible principles that help him to know what is right and what is wrong. Then, when he uses his Bible-trained conscience, he will be able to make wise decisions. A mature Christian is humble, so he believes that Jehovah’s direction and standards are always better than his own.a (See footnote.) He preaches the good news with zeal and does everything he can to help the congregation stay united.

⁷ No matter how long we have been serving Jehovah, each of us can ask: ‘Are there changes that I can make to imitate Jesus more closely? Are there ways that I can improve?’

“SOLID FOOD BELONGS TO MATURE PEOPLE”

8. How well did Jesus know and understand the Bible?

⁸ Jesus Christ knew and understood the Scriptures well. Even when he was 12 years old, he used the Scriptures when talking to teachers at the temple. “All those listening to him were in constant amazement at his understanding and his answers.” (Luke 2:46, 47) Later, when he was preaching, he skillfully used God’s Word to silence his enemies.​—Matthew 22:41-46.

9. (a) What study schedule does a mature Christian have? (b) Why do we study the Bible?

⁹ A person who wants to become a mature Christian imitates Jesus’ example and wants to understand the Bible as much as he can. He regularly searches the Scriptures for deep truths, because he knows that “solid food belongs to mature people.” (Hebrews 5:14) A mature Christian wants to have an “accurate knowledge” of the Bible. (Ephesians 4:13) So ask yourself: ‘Do I read the Bible daily? Do I have a schedule for personal study? Do I have family worship each week?’ When you study the Bible, search for principles that can help you to know how Jehovah thinks and feels. Then use these principles when you make decisions. That will help you draw even closer to Jehovah.

10. How does a mature Christian feel about God’s counsel and principles?

¹⁰ A mature Christian must do more than simply know what the Bible says. He must love God’s counsel and principles. Then he shows this love by his desire to do Jehovah’s will instead of his own. He even changes the way he lives, thinks, and acts. For example, he imitates Jesus and develops the new personality, which is “created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.” (Read Ephesians 4:22-24.) It is important to remember that God used his holy spirit to guide the Bible writers. So when a Christian studies the Bible, God’s holy spirit helps him to grow in knowledge, grow in love, and grow in his relationship with Jehovah.

PROMOTE UNITY

11. What did Jesus experience while on earth?

¹¹ Jesus was a perfect man. However, when he was on the earth, Jesus was surrounded by imperfect people. His parents and his brothers and sisters were all imperfect. Even Jesus’ closest followers showed qualities such as pride and selfishness. For example, on the night before his death, his disciples argued among themselves “over which one of them was considered to be the greatest.” (Luke 22:24) Despite their imperfect thinking, Jesus knew that his followers would soon become mature Christians and form a united congregation. That same night, Jesus prayed for them to be united. He asked his heavenly Father that they all be one, saying: “Just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you.” He added: “In order that they may be one just as we are one.”​—John 17:21, 22.

12, 13. (a) What is our goal as Christians? (b) How did one brother learn to promote unity?

¹² A mature Christian promotes unity in the congregation. (Read Ephesians 4:1-6, 15, 16.) As Christians, our goal is to be “harmoniously joined together,” that is, to work together in unity. To have this kind of unity, a Christian must be humble. So even when he is affected by the imperfections of others, a mature Christian works hard to keep the unity of the congregation strong. Therefore, ask yourself: ‘How do I react when a brother or a sister makes a mistake? How do I feel when someone hurts me? Do I usually stop talking to that person? Or do I try to repair the relationship?’ A mature Christian wants to overcome a problem rather than be a problem to others.

¹³ Consider the example of Uwe. In the past, he used to let the imperfections of brothers and sisters upset him. Then he decided to use the Bible and Insight on the Scriptures to study the life of David. Why David? Because David had also experienced problems with some of God’s servants. For example, King Saul tried to kill David, some of the people wanted to stone him, and even his own wife laughed at him. (1 Samuel 19:9-11; 30:1-6; 2 Samuel 6:14-22) But despite what others did to him, David loved Jehovah and trusted in him. David also showed mercy. Uwe admits that he needed to do the same. Through his study of the Bible, he learned that he needed to change how he felt about his brothers’ imperfections. He needed to stop remembering their mistakes and promote unity in the congregation. Is it your goal to do the same?

CHOOSE FRIENDS FROM AMONG THOSE DOING GOD’S WILL

14. How did Jesus choose his friends?

¹⁴ Jesus Christ was friendly toward people. Men and women, young and old, and even children, felt comfortable with Jesus. But he chose his close friends carefully. He told his apostles: “You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you.” (John 15:14) Jesus chose his close friends from among those who loyally followed him and who loved and served Jehovah. Do you choose friends who love Jehovah with their whole heart? Why is this important?

15. How can young ones benefit from friendship with mature Christians?

¹⁵ Most kinds of fruit ripen best in warm sunlight. In a similar way, the warm love of our brothers and sisters can help you to become a mature Christian. Are you a young person who is trying to decide what you will do with your life? If so, it is wise to choose friends who have been serving Jehovah for a while and who promote unity in the congregation. They may have had problems in their life and may have endured challenges while serving Jehovah. They can help you choose the best way of life. When you spend time with them, they can help you to make wise decisions and to grow as a Christian.​—Read Hebrews 5:14.

16. How did older ones in the congregation help one sister when she was young?

¹⁶ Helga remembers that during her last year of school, most of her classmates were talking about their goals for the future. Many of them wanted to go to a university in order to have a successful career. However, Helga spoke with mature friends in her congregation. She says: “Many of them were older than I was, and they helped me a lot. They encouraged me to take up the full-time ministry. Thereafter, I was able to spend five years in the pioneer service. Now, years later, I am happy that I focused much of my youth on Jehovah’s service. I have no reason to regret having done so.”

17, 18. How can we best serve Jehovah?

¹⁷ When we imitate Jesus, we will grow to become mature Christians. We will draw closer to Jehovah, and our desire to serve him will also grow. A person serves Jehovah best when he is mature. Jesus encouraged his followers: “Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.”​—Matthew 5:16.

¹⁸ We have learned how a mature Christian can be a powerful support to the congregation. A Christian also shows his maturity in the way he uses his conscience. How can our conscience help us to make wise decisions? And how can we respect the conscience of others? We will answer these questions in the next article.

1, 2. Who gave us our conscience, and why can we be thankful that we have it?

JEHOVAH GOD created humans with free will, that is, the freedom to make choices. To help us make the right choices, Jehovah gave us a guide. This guide is called the conscience, and it is the sense of right and wrong that we have inside us. When we use our conscience in the right way, it can help us to do what is good and to avoid what is bad. Our conscience is proof that Jehovah loves us and wants us to succeed.

² Some people today do what is good and hate what is bad even though they do not know Bible standards. (Read Romans 2:14, 15.) Why is that? It is because of their conscience. It prevents many people from doing evil things. Imagine how bad the world would be if no one had a conscience! We would likely hear about even more evil things than we already do. We can be thankful that Jehovah gave humans a conscience!

3. How can our conscience help us in the congregation?

³ Most people do not think about training their conscience. However, Jehovah’s people want their conscience to work properly because it can be a powerful help to promote unity in the congregation. We want our conscience to remind us of the Bible’s standards of right and wrong, good and bad. However, to train and use our conscience, we must do more than simply learn what the Bible says. We must love God’s standards and have faith that they are good for us. Paul wrote: “The objective of this instruction is love out of a clean heart and out of a good conscience and out of faith without hypocrisy.” (1 Timothy 1:5) When we train our conscience and follow it, our love for Jehovah and our faith in him will grow. How we use our conscience proves how close our relationship with Jehovah is and shows how much we want to please him. Our conscience also reveals what kind of person we really are.

4. How can we train our conscience?

⁴ But how can we train our conscience? We need to study the Bible regularly, meditate on what we read, and ask Jehovah to help us apply what we have learned. That means we must do more than simply learn facts and rules. When we study the Bible, our goal is to know Jehovah better. We come to know what kind of Person he is and what he likes and dislikes. As we learn more about Jehovah, our conscience will eventually be quick to recognize what he views as right and wrong. The more we train our conscience, the more we can begin to think like Jehovah.

5. What will we discuss in this article?

⁵ However, we might ask: How can a well-trained conscience help us when we need to make decisions? How can we respect the conscience of a fellow Christian? And how can our conscience move us to do what is good? Let us consider three areas in which we need a well-trained conscience: (1) health care, (2) recreation, and (3) our preaching work.

BE REASONABLE

6. What decisions do we make regarding our health care?

⁶ The Bible tells us to avoid things that will hurt us and to be reasonable in habits, such as in eating and drinking. (Proverbs 23:20; 2 Corinthians 7:1) When we obey the Bible’s counsel, it can help us to protect our health. But we still get sick and grow old. What decisions may we have to make? In some countries, both conventional and alternative medicine are available. Branch offices regularly receive letters from brothers and sisters asking about different treatments. Many ask, “Can a servant of Jehovah accept this or that treatment?”

7. How can we make decisions about blood?

⁷ A branch office or the local congregation elders do not have the authority to make medical decisions for a Christian, even if he asks what to do. (Galatians 6:5) However, the elders can share what Jehovah says in order to help a Christian make a wise decision. For example, God has commanded us to keep abstaining from blood. (Acts 15:29) This command clearly helps a Christian to understand that he cannot accept medical treatments that involve taking in whole blood or any of its four major components. This information could even affect a Christian’s conscience when he decides whether he will accept minor fractions, the smaller parts that come from the four major components of blood.a (See footnote.) What other Bible advice can help us make wise decisions about medical treatment?

8. How can Philippians 4:5 help us make wise choices regarding health care?

⁸ Proverbs 14:15 says: “The naive person believes every word, but the shrewd one ponders each step.” Today, there may be no known cure for some illnesses. So we need to be careful about treatments that claim to cure an illness but that have no proof of success. Paul wrote: “Let your reasonableness become known to all men.” (Philippians 4:5) Reasonableness will help us to stay focused on worshipping Jehovah rather than focusing our lives on health matters. If health care became the most important thing in our life, we could become self-centered. (Philippians 2:4) We know that we cannot have perfect health in this system. Therefore, make sure that serving Jehovah is the most important thing in your life.​—Read Philippians 1:10.

9. How does Romans 14:13, 19 affect our decisions about health, and how might our unity be put at risk?

⁹ A reasonable Christian will not try to force others to do what he thinks is best. In one country, a married couple were encouraging others to take certain food supplements and follow a specific diet. They persuaded some brothers to do so, but others chose not to. When the supplements and diet did not have good results, many brothers and sisters were upset. The couple had the right to choose for themselves whether to try the supplements and the diet. However, was it reasonable to risk the unity of the congregation because of health care? In ancient Rome, some Christians had different opinions about certain foods and celebrations. What advice did Paul give them? He said: “One man judges one day as above another; another judges one day the same as all others; let each one be fully convinced in his own mind.” Let us be careful to avoid stumbling others.​—Read Romans 14:5, 13, 15, 19, 20.

10. Why should we respect the personal decisions of others? (See opening picture.)

¹⁰ At times, we may not understand why someone in the congregation makes a certain decision on a personal matter. What should we do? We should not be quick to judge him or force him to change his mind. Perhaps he needs to train his conscience more, or maybe it is too sensitive. (1 Corinthians 8:11, 12) Or perhaps our own conscience is not fully trained. When it comes to health care and other matters, each of us needs to make a personal decision and accept responsibility for it.

ENJOY RECREATION

11, 12. How does the Bible help us choose our recreation?

¹¹ Jehovah created us in a way that we can enjoy recreation and benefit from it. Solomon wrote that there is “a time to laugh” and “a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4) However, not all recreation is beneficial, relaxing, or refreshing. We also need to avoid spending too much time in recreation. How can our conscience help us to enjoy and benefit from recreation that Jehovah approves?

¹² The Bible warns against “the works of the flesh.” These works include “sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these.” Paul wrote that “those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.” (Galatians 5:19-21) So we can ask ourselves: ‘Does my conscience help me to avoid sports that are aggressive, competitive, nationalistic, or violent? Does my conscience warn me when I am tempted to view a film that features pornographic scenes or one that encourages immorality, drunkenness, or spiritism?’

13. How can the advice at 1 Timothy 4:8 and Proverbs 13:20 help us with regard to recreation?

¹³ Bible principles can help us to train our conscience regarding recreation. For example, the Bible says that “physical training is beneficial for a little.” (1 Timothy 4:8) Many feel that regular exercise is refreshing and good for their health. Yet, what if we want to exercise with a group? Does it matter whom we exercise with? Proverbs 13:20 tells us: “The one walking with the wise will become wise, but the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly.” Clearly, it is important that we use our Bible-trained conscience when choosing recreation.

14. How did one family apply Romans 14:2-4?

¹⁴ Christian and Daniela have two teenage daughters. Christian says: “During our Family Worship evening, we discussed recreation. We agreed that some ways of having fun are acceptable whereas others are not. Who can be considered good association? One of our daughters complained that during recess at her school, some Witness youths behave in a way that she thought was not proper. And she felt under pressure to behave in the same way. We reasoned that each of us has a conscience, and we ought to be guided by it in choosing what we do and with whom.”​—Read Romans 14:2-4.

15. How can Matthew 6:33 help us when planning recreation?

¹⁵ How much time do you spend in recreation? Do you put activities such as meetings, service, and Bible study first in your life, or does recreation come first? What is most important to you? Jesus said: “Keep on, then, seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) When deciding how to spend your time, does your conscience remind you of Jesus’ advice?

WE ARE MOTIVATED TO PREACH

16. How does our conscience encourage us to preach?

¹⁶ A trained conscience not only warns us against doing wrong things, but it also motivates us to do good things. One of these is to preach from house to house and to those we meet informally. That is what Paul did. He wrote: “Necessity is laid upon me. Really, woe to me if I do not declare the good news!” (1 Corinthians 9:16) As we imitate Paul, we will have a good conscience, knowing that we are doing the right thing. And when we preach the good news to others, we appeal to their conscience. Paul said: “By making the truth manifest, we recommend ourselves to every human conscience in the sight of God.”​—2 Corinthians 4:2.

17. How did one young sister follow her Bible-trained conscience?

¹⁷ When Jacqueline was 16 years old, she studied biology in school. However, the students were learning about the theory of evolution. “My conscience would not let me share as fully in class discussions as I normally did. I could not support the theory of evolution. I approached the teacher and explained my position. To my surprise, he was very friendly and offered me the chance to speak to the whole class on the subject of creation.” Jacqueline felt satisfied knowing that she listened to and followed her Bible-trained conscience. Does your conscience move you to do what is right?

18. Why should we want to have a good, reliable conscience?

¹⁸ Our goal is to live according to Jehovah’s principles and standards. And our conscience can help us to reach that goal. When we regularly study God’s Word, meditate on it, and apply what we learn, we will train our conscience. Then this wonderful gift will be a reliable guide in our Christian life!

1. (a) What happened to Peter during a storm on the sea of Galilee? (See opening picture.) (b) Why did Peter start to sink?

ONE night, the apostle Peter and some of the disciples struggled to row across the Sea of Galilee during a storm. Suddenly, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. Peter called out to Jesus and asked if he could walk across the water to him. When Jesus told him to come, Peter got out of the boat and started walking toward him. But soon after, Peter started to sink. Why? Because he looked at the storm and the waves and became afraid. Peter shouted for help and Jesus quickly grabbed him and said: “You with little faith, why did you give way to doubt?”​—Matthew 14:24-32.

2. What will we now consider?

² Let us consider three things about faith that we can learn from Peter’s experience: (1) how Peter at first trusted that Jehovah could help him, (2) why Peter began to lose faith, and (3) what helped Peter to regain his faith. Examining these points can help us to see how we can “stand firm in the faith.”​—1 Corinthians 16:13.

FAITH THAT GOD WILL HELP US

3. Why did Peter climb out of the boat, and how have we done something similar?

³ Peter had strong faith. Why can we say that? When Jesus called him, Peter climbed out of the boat and walked on water. He trusted that God’s power would give him that ability in the same way it did for Jesus. Similarly, when Jesus invited us to follow him, we dedicated ourselves to Jehovah and got baptized. Why? Because of our faith in both Jehovah and Jesus and because we trusted that they would help us.​—John 14:1; read 1 Peter 2:21.

4, 5. Why is faith a precious possession?

⁴ Faith is something precious. Peter’s faith gave him the ability to walk on water, something that seemed impossible for a human. Faith can also help us to do what may seem impossible. (Matthew 21:21, 22) Some of us have changed our attitude and behavior so much that people who knew us before no longer recognize us. We made these changes because we love Jehovah and because he helped us to make them. (Read Colossians 3:5-10.) Faith motivated us to dedicate ourselves to Jehovah, and we became his friends, something we could never have done without his help.​—Ephesians 2:8.

⁵ Our faith makes us strong. For example, it helps us to fight against the attacks of the Devil, our powerful enemy. (Ephesians 6:16) Also, because we trust in Jehovah, we do not need to worry as much when we have problems. Jehovah has promised that he will give us what we need if we have faith in him and put his Kingdom first. (Matthew 6:30-34) And more than that, because of our faith, Jehovah will give us the wonderful gift of everlasting life.​—John 3:16.

LOSING OUR FOCUS CAN LEAD TO LOSING OUR FAITH

6, 7. (a) To what might we compare the wind and waves that scared Peter? (b) Why must we understand that it is possible to lose our faith?

⁶ As Peter walked on the Sea of Galilee, he became afraid. Why? Because of the wind and the waves. These might be compared to the many trials and temptations Christians experience today. Even if these problems are very difficult, we can be strong with Jehovah’s help. But remember what happened to Peter. He did not sink because of the wind and the waves hitting him. Instead, the Bible says: “Looking at the windstorm, he became afraid.” (Matthew 14:30) Peter stopped looking at Jesus and focused on the power of the storm. Then his faith started to weaken. In a similar way, if we focus on our problems, we can begin to doubt that Jehovah will help us.

⁷ We must understand that it is possible to lose our faith. Why? Because the Bible says that loss of faith is “the sin that easily entangles us.” (Hebrews 12:1) Similar to Peter, if we focus on the wrong things, our faith could quickly become weak. So how can we know if our faith is in danger? The following questions will help us to examine ourselves.

8. How might God’s promises seem less real to us than they once did?

⁸ Are God’s promises as real to me now as they were before? For example, God has promised to destroy Satan’s world. However, are we distracted by the many different types of entertainment his world offers? If so, we might start to doubt that the end is near. (Habakkuk 2:3) Think about another example. Jehovah provided the ransom, and he promised to forgive our mistakes. But if we keep focusing on our past mistakes, we may begin to doubt that Jehovah has really forgiven us. (Acts 3:19) As a result, we could lose our joy in God’s service and stop preaching to others.

9. What could happen if we focus our life on personal interests?

⁹ Do I still give Jehovah my very best? When we work hard for Jehovah, it helps us to focus on our hope for the future. However, what if we have started to focus more on our own interests? For example, we might accept a job that pays well but limits our service to Jehovah. This could weaken our faith, and we could “become sluggish,” doing less for Jehovah than we really can.​—Hebrews 6:10-12.

10. How do we show faith in Jehovah when we forgive others?

¹⁰ Is it hard for me to forgive? When others offend or hurt us, are we tempted to get angry with them or stop speaking to them? If so, we could be focusing too much on our own feelings. We show our faith in Jehovah when we forgive others. How so? If someone sins against us, they owe us a debt. When we sin against Jehovah, we owe him a debt. (Luke 11:4) So when we forgive others, we are trusting in Jehovah. We trust him to bless our attitude, and his blessing is much more valuable than making someone pay for what he did to us. Jesus’ disciples learned that faith is needed to forgive others. When Jesus told them to forgive even those who sinned against them many times, his disciples begged him: “Give us more faith.”​—Luke 17:1-5.

11. Why might we fail to learn from counsel?

¹¹ Am I offended when given counsel? Look for ways to learn from counsel instead of looking for mistakes in the counsel or weaknesses in the one who gave it. (Proverbs 19:20) Do not miss an opportunity to learn to think more like Jehovah!

12. What may be wrong if a person always complains about those taking the lead?

¹² Do I complain about those taking the lead in the congregation? When the Israelites focused on the bad report of the ten spies, they complained about Moses and Aaron. Then Jehovah asked Moses: “How much longer will they not put faith in me?” (Numbers 14:2-4, 11) Yes, Jehovah knew that the Israelites did not trust in him because they complained against Moses and Aaron, men whom he had appointed. In a similar way, if we always complain about those whom Jehovah uses to lead his people today, this may show that our faith in God has weakened.

13. Why should we not be disappointed if we see some weaknesses in our faith?

¹³ After considering these questions, do not be disappointed if you see that your faith has weakened. Remember that even the apostle Peter became afraid and began to doubt. And at times, Jesus counseled all the apostles for having “little faith.” (Matthew 16:8) Yet, we can learn an important lesson from Peter’s experience. Notice what he did after he started to doubt and sink into the sea.

FOCUS ON JESUS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

14, 15. (a) What did Peter do when he started to sink? (b) How can we “look intently” at Jesus?

¹⁴ What did Peter do when he started to sink? Peter was a good swimmer, so he could have decided to swim back to the boat. (John 21:7) But why did he not do that? Because he did not rely on himself for help. He focused on Jesus again and accepted his help. If we notice that our faith has weakened, we should imitate Peter. How can we do that?

¹⁵ Just as Peter focused on Jesus again for help, we too must “look intently” at Jesus. (Read Hebrews 12:2, 3.) But we cannot see him with our eyes the way Peter could. So how can we “look intently” at Jesus? We can study the things he taught and did and then imitate him very closely. When we do that, we will get the help we need to strengthen our faith. Let us consider some ways that we can imitate Jesus.

16. How can the Bible help us to strengthen our faith?

¹⁶ Strengthen your trust in the Bible. Jesus was convinced that the Bible is God’s Word and that it gives us the best advice. (John 17:17) To imitate Jesus, we must read the Bible every day, study it, and meditate on the lessons we learn. We must also search for answers to questions we might have. For example, do you strongly believe that we live in the last days? Strengthen your faith that the end is near by studying Bible prophecies that prove we are living in the last days. Do you want to strengthen your faith in God’s promises for the future? Then study Bible prophecies that have been fulfilled. Do you really believe that the Bible is practical today? You can read about brothers and sisters who changed their lives for the better with help from the Bible.a (See footnote.)​—1 Thessalonians 2:13.

17. Why was Jesus able to endure extreme tests, and how can you imitate him?

¹⁷ Focus on the blessings Jehovah has promised. Jesus focused on his future blessings, and this helped him to endure extreme tests. (Hebrews 12:2) He was never distracted by what the world could offer. (Matthew 4:8-10) How can we imitate Jesus’ example? Meditate on the wonderful promises Jehovah has made. Imagine yourself in the new world. Write about or draw what you will do in Paradise. Or make a list of resurrected people you would like to talk with and what you would like to say to them. See these as God’s promises, not just to people in general, but to you personally.

18. How can prayer help to strengthen your faith?

¹⁸ Pray for more faith. Jesus taught his disciples to ask Jehovah for holy spirit. (Luke 11:9, 13) As you ask for holy spirit, pray for more faith. It is one aspect of the fruitage of the holy spirit. You can be specific in your prayers. For example, if you notice that it is difficult for you to forgive others, ask Jehovah to keep your faith strong and to help you to be forgiving.

19. How can we choose good friends?

¹⁹ Choose friends with strong faith. Jesus chose his close friends carefully. His closest friends, the apostles, were faithful, loyal, and obedient to him. (Read John 15:14, 15.) Imitate Jesus and choose your friends carefully. They should be people with strong faith who are obedient to Jesus. True friends can be honest with each other, even when they need to give or accept counsel.​—Proverbs 27:9.

20. What will happen when we help others strengthen their faith?

²⁰ Help others build their faith. Jesus helped his disciples to strengthen their faith by what he said and did. (Mark 11:20-24) We should imitate Jesus’ example. When we do that, we will strengthen our own faith and the faith of others. (Proverbs 11:25) How can you help people in your territory? When you teach the Bible to others, emphasize the proof that God exists, that he cares about us, and that the Bible is God’s Word. How can you help your brothers and sisters to keep their faith strong? If you notice someone complaining about the brothers who take the lead, do not be quick to avoid him. Use tact to try to help him restore his faith. (Jude 22, 23) If you are still in school and your teacher talks about evolution, be bold and defend your faith in creation. The reaction of your teacher and your classmates might pleasantly surprise you.

21. What has Jehovah promised each of us?

²¹ Jehovah and Jesus helped Peter to overcome doubt and fear. Later in his life, Peter became a strong example of faith for others. In the same way, Jehovah helps each of us to stand firm in the faith. (Read 1 Peter 5:9, 10.) It takes effort to build strong faith, but Jehovah will reward us when we make that effort.

1. What did the apostle John encourage us to think about, and why?

THE apostle John encouraged us to think deeply about Jehovah’s great love for us. At 1 John 3:1, we read: “See what sort of love the Father has given us!” When we meditate on how much Jehovah loves us and how he shows his love for us, we draw closer to him and we love him even more.

2. Why is it difficult for some to understand that God loves them?

² Sadly, some do not understand how God can love them. They think that God does not care about people. They might believe that God only makes rules and punishes those who do not obey him. Because of false teachings, some even think that God is cruel and that it is impossible to love him. Others feel that God loves all people no matter what they do. But your study of the Bible has helped you to come to know the truth about Jehovah. You know that love is his greatest quality and that he gave his Son as a ransom for you. (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8) Yet, because of your experiences in life, it may be difficult for you to understand how much Jehovah loves you.

3. What will help us understand Jehovah’s love for us?

³ To help us understand Jehovah’s love for us, we first need to understand that Jehovah is the one who made us. He gave us life. (Read Psalm 100:3-5.) That is why the Bible describes the first human as a “son of God.” (Luke 3:38) And Jesus taught us to call Jehovah “our Father in the heavens.” (Matthew 6:9) So Jehovah is our Father, and he loves us the way a good father loves his children.

4. (a) What kind of Father is Jehovah? (b) What will we discuss in this article and in the next?

⁴ It is hard for some to think of a father as a loving person. They might have painful memories of their childhood because their father treated them cruelly. Jehovah would never do that to his children. He is the best Father we could have. (Psalm 27:10) He loves us very much and takes care of us in so many ways. The more we feel loved by Jehovah, the more we will love him. (James 4:8) In this article, we will discuss four ways that Jehovah shows his love for us. And in the next article, we will see four ways that we can express our love for him.

JEHOVAH IS LOVING AND GENEROUS

5. What does God give to all people?

⁵ When the apostle Paul was in Athens, Greece, he noticed that there were many idols and that people believed that their gods gave them life. So he told them about “the God who made the world and all the things in it.” He said that God “gives to all people life and breath and all things” and that “by him we have life and move and exist.” (Acts 17:24, 25, 28) Jehovah gives us everything we need to live and to enjoy life. Think about some of the things he has given us because of his love for us.

6. What kind of home did Jehovah give us? (See opening picture.)

⁶ For example, Jehovah prepared a beautiful home for us. (Psalm 115:15, 16) Out of all the planets that he created, the earth seems to be unique. Scientists have explored space and have discovered many planets, but they still cannot find another planet that has everything humans need to survive. Jehovah not only gave us everything we need to stay alive, but he also made the earth a beautiful, comfortable, and safe place where we can enjoy life. (Isaiah 45:18) When we think about the home that our Father, Jehovah, has given us, we truly feel how much he loves us.​—Read Job 38:4, 7; Psalm 8:3-5.

7. How does the way Jehovah created us show that he truly loves us?

⁷ Another way Jehovah has shown his love for us is by creating us with the ability to imitate him. (Genesis 1:27) This means that we can feel his love for us and then express our love for him. He knows that this is what makes us truly happy. After all, children are happiest when they feel that their parents love them. And remember, Jesus taught us that we will be happy if we are close to our Father, Jehovah. (Matthew 5:3) He gives us “all the things we enjoy.” Clearly, he is very generous and loves us very much.​—1 Timothy 6:17; Psalm 145:16.

JEHOVAH TEACHES US THE TRUTH

8. Why do we want Jehovah to teach us?

⁸ Fathers love their children and do not want them to be misled or deceived. But many parents today do not accept the Bible’s standards of right and wrong. So they cannot properly guide their children, which often results in unhappiness and confusion. (Proverbs 14:12) However, Jehovah gives his children the best guidance because he is “the God of truth.” (Psalm 31:5) He is pleased to teach us the truth about himself. He also teaches us how to worship him and shows us the best way to live. (Read Psalm 43:3.) So, what has Jehovah taught us that shows how much he loves us?

9, 10. (a) Why does Jehovah tell us about himself? (b) What does he teach us about his purpose for us?

⁹ First of all, Jehovah tells us about himself. He wants us to get to know him. (James 4:8) So he tells us what his name is. In fact, the Bible mentions his name more than any other name. Jehovah also tells us what kind of Person he is. When we look at the things he created, we learn that he is powerful and wise. (Romans 1:20) And when we read the Bible, we learn how fair he is and how much he loves us. As we get to know Jehovah’s beautiful personality, we feel closer to him.

¹⁰ Jehovah also teaches us what his purpose is. He tells us that we are part of his family. He also explains what he expects from us so that we can work unitedly and peacefully with everyone in his family. The Bible clearly shows that God did not create us with the right to decide for ourselves what is good and what is bad. (Jeremiah 10:23) Jehovah knows what is best for us. And only by accepting his authority and obeying him can we have a peaceful and satisfying life. Jehovah has taught us this important truth because he loves us.

11. What has our loving Father told us about the future?

¹¹ A loving father thinks seriously about the future of his children. He wants them to have a satisfying life. Sadly, most people today are worried about the future, and many waste their lives working for things that will not last. (Psalm 90:10) How grateful we are that our Father, Jehovah, has not only taught us how to live a satisfying life now but has promised us a wonderful future!

JEHOVAH GUIDES AND DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN

12. How did Jehovah try to help Cain and Baruch?

¹² When Jehovah saw that Cain was in danger of doing something very bad, he tried to help Cain by asking him: “Why are you so angry and dejected? If you turn to doing good, will you not be restored to favor?” (Genesis 4:6, 7) Cain refused Jehovah’s help, and he suffered as a result. (Genesis 4:11-13) Another time, Jehovah noticed that Baruch’s wrong attitude was making him feel tired and discouraged. So Jehovah told Baruch that his thinking was wrong and that he needed to change. Baruch listened to Jehovah’s counsel, and it saved his life.​—Jeremiah 45:2-5.

13. What did faithful servants of Jehovah learn from trials?

¹³ Jehovah guides and disciplines us because he loves us. He not only corrects us when necessary, but he also trains us. (Hebrews 12:6) In the Bible, we read of faithful servants whom Jehovah trained to become better people. For example, Joseph, Moses, and David went through extremely difficult times. During their trials, Jehovah was with them. And the things they learned during those trials helped them when Jehovah gave them greater responsibilities. As we read in the Bible how Jehovah supports and trains his people, we feel that Jehovah truly loves us.​—Read Proverbs 3:11, 12.

14. If we do something wrong, how does Jehovah show us love?

¹⁴ Even when we do something wrong, Jehovah continues to show us love. If we respond to his discipline and repent, he will forgive us “in a large way.” (Isaiah 55:7) What does that mean? David’s words about Jehovah’s forgiveness show us what a merciful Father we have: “He forgives all your errors and heals all your ailments; he reclaims your life from the pit and crowns you with his loyal love and mercy. As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.” (Psalm 103:3, 4, 12) Jehovah disciplines and guides us in different ways. Are you quick to make changes? Always remember that Jehovah disciplines us because he loves us.​—Psalm 30:5.

JEHOVAH PROTECTS US

15. What is another way Jehovah shows he loves us?

¹⁵ A loving father protects his family from danger. That is what our Father, Jehovah, does for us. The psalmist says about Jehovah: “He is guarding the lives of his loyal ones; he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10) Think about this: Just as you are quick to protect your eyes because they are precious to you, Jehovah is quick to protect his people because they are precious to him.​—Read Zechariah 2:8.

16, 17. How has Jehovah protected his people in the past and in our time?

¹⁶ One way Jehovah has protected his people, both in the past and today, is by means of his angels. (Psalm 91:11) One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night and saved God’s people. (2 Kings 19:35) In the first century, angels rescued Peter, Paul, and others from prison. (Acts 5:18-20; 12:6-11) Recently, there was a terrible war in one country in Africa. The country was in chaos because of all the fighting, stealing, raping, and killing. Although none of the brothers died, many lost everything they owned. But they all felt Jehovah’s love and knew that he was taking care of them. Despite everything they had suffered, they were still happy. When a headquarters representative visited them and asked the brothers and sisters how they were doing, they said, “All is well, thanks to Jehovah!”

¹⁷ Of course, some of Jehovah’s servants, such as the disciple Stephen and others like him, have died because they were faithful. Jehovah does not always prevent this from happening. But he does protect his people as a group by warning them about the different ways Satan tries to trick them. (Ephesians 6:10-12) We find these warnings in the Bible and in the publications from Jehovah’s organization. For example, we learn about the dangers of the Internet, of loving money, and of immoral and violent movies, books, or games. Clearly, Jehovah loves us and wants to protect us.

A GREAT HONOR

18. How do you feel about Jehovah’s love for you?

¹⁸ When Moses thought about all the years that he had been serving Jehovah, he was convinced that Jehovah loved him. Moses said: “Satisfy us with your loyal love in the morning, so that we may shout joyfully and rejoice during all our days.” (Psalm 90:14) We are blessed to be able to understand and to feel Jehovah’s love for us. What a great honor it is to be loved by Jehovah! We feel like the apostle John, who said: “See what sort of love the Father has given us!”​—1 John 3:1.

1, 2. How has Jehovah taught us to love him?

THE best way a father can teach his children is by his own example. When he shows love for his children, he teaches them how to love. No one else has ever loved us as much as our Father, Jehovah, does. So we learn how to love “because he first loved us.”​—1 John 4:19.

² In what way has Jehovah shown that he “first loved us”? The Bible says: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Our loving Father, Jehovah, gave his Son as a ransom to rescue us from sin and death. This precious gift made it possible for us to be close to Jehovah and to show our love for him. By making that great sacrifice, Jehovah set the example. He taught us that we should love by being unselfish and generous.​—1 John 4:10.

3, 4. How do we show that we love God?

³ Love is Jehovah’s main quality. So we can understand why Jesus said that the most important commandment is: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.” (Mark 12:30) Jehovah wants us to love him with our “whole heart.” It would hurt Jehovah if we loved someone or something else more than we love him. But our love for him should not be only an emotional feeling. Jehovah also expects us to love him with our “whole mind” and with our “whole strength.” This means that our love for Jehovah involves the way we think and what we do.​—Read Micah 6:8.

⁴ So we should love Jehovah with all we are and with all we have. By putting him first in our lives, we show him that we truly love him. In the previous article, we discussed four ways Jehovah shows his great love for his children. Let us now see how we can deepen our love for Jehovah and show that we love him.

SHOW JEHOVAH YOU ARE GRATEFUL

5. When we think of all that Jehovah has done for us, what do we want to do?

⁵ When someone gives you a gift, most likely you show that you are grateful. And because you value the gift, you also use it. James wrote: “Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows.” (James 1:17) We are so grateful that Jehovah gives us everything we need to live and to be happy. We realize how much he loves us, and we want to show him that we love him too. Is that how you feel?

6. What did the Israelites need to do if they wanted Jehovah to continue to bless them?

⁶ The Israelites received many good things from Jehovah. For hundreds of years, he guided them with his laws and gave them everything they needed to live. (Deuteronomy 4:7, 8) And the Israelites could show their gratitude to Jehovah by obeying these laws. For example, when they offered sacrifices to Jehovah, they had to give him “the best of the first ripe fruits” of the land. (Exodus 23:19) The Israelites knew that Jehovah would continue to bless them if they obeyed him and gave him their best.​—Read Deuteronomy 8:7-11.

7. How can we use our “valuable things” to show Jehovah that we love him?

⁷ We too can show Jehovah that we love him by giving him our “valuable things.” (Proverbs 3:9) We do this by using what we have to honor him. For example, we can make contributions to support the Kingdom work in our own congregation and all around the world. Whether we have a lot or a little, all of us can use what we own to express our love for Jehovah. (2 Corinthians 8:12) But there are other ways we can show Jehovah that we love him.

8, 9. What is another way we show Jehovah that we love him? What did Mike and his family do?

⁸ Jesus taught us to keep seeking first the Kingdom and not be anxious about food and clothing. Our Father promises to give us what we need. (Matthew 6:31-33) We trust in Jehovah and know that he will keep that promise. After all, when you truly love someone, you trust that person. In fact, the more we trust in Jehovah, the more we show him that we love him. (Psalm 143:8) So we might ask ourselves: ‘Do my plans and the way I use my time and energy show that I truly love Jehovah? Every day, do I rely on Jehovah to care for my needs?’

⁹ Mike and his family trusted in Jehovah. When Mike was young, he always wanted to preach in another country. Even after he got married and had two children, he still had that desire. When Mike and his family read about other brothers and sisters who served where the need is greater, they decided to simplify their lives. They sold their house and moved into a smaller place. Mike also reduced the number of customers he had in his cleaning business and found out how to manage it from another country by using the Internet. As a result, Mike and his family were able to move to another country, and they enjoyed their ministry there very much. Mike said, “We experienced the truthfulness of Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 6:33.”

MEDITATE ON WHAT JEHOVAH TEACHES YOU

10. Like King David, why is it good for us to meditate on what we learn about Jehovah?

¹⁰ King David once wrote: “The heavens are declaring the glory of God; the skies above proclaim the work of his hands.” He added: “The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring strength. The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy, making the inexperienced one wise.” As David meditated on Jehovah’s wise laws and beautiful creation, he drew closer to Jehovah and wanted to show his love for him. David said: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Jehovah, my Rock and my Redeemer.”​—Psalm 19:1, 7, 14.

11. How can we use the knowledge Jehovah gives us to show our love for him? (See opening picture.)

¹¹ Today, Jehovah teaches us a lot about himself, his purpose, his creation, and his Word. The world encourages people to learn, but higher education often makes them lose their love for God. In contrast, Jehovah not only wants us to have knowledge, but he also helps us to be wise. He wants us to use what we learn for our own good and to help others. (Proverbs 4:5-7) For example, he wants us to share the “accurate knowledge of truth” with others and to help them to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4) We show our love for Jehovah and for people by teaching as many as possible about God’s Kingdom and what it will do for mankind.​—Read Psalm 66:16, 17.

12. What did one young sister say about a gift from Jehovah?

¹² Young ones too can meditate on all that Jehovah has given them and taught them. Shannon still remembers how she felt at a convention she attended when she was 11 years old and her sister was 10. During a session of the “Godly Devotion” District Convention, all the young ones, including Shannon and her sister, were asked to sit in a special section. At first, she was nervous. But then she was surprised when each young person was given the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work. How did this beautiful gift make her feel about Jehovah? She says: “It was then that I finally realized that Jehovah is real and that he loves me personally very, very much. How happy we are that our great God, Jehovah, freely gives us such beautiful, perfect presents!”

ACCEPT DISCIPLINE FROM JEHOVAH

13, 14. How should we react when Jehovah disciplines us, and why?

¹³ The Bible reminds us: “Those whom Jehovah loves he reproves, just as a father does a son in whom he delights.” (Proverbs 3:12) When we accept Jehovah’s discipline and allow him to train us, we learn to do what is right and we have peace. Of course, “no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but it is painful.” (Hebrews 12:11) Even so, how should we react when Jehovah disciplines us? We should never ignore Jehovah’s counsel or continue to feel upset if we do not like what we hear. We love Jehovah, so we listen to him and make the changes needed.

¹⁴ In Malachi’s time, many Jews did not listen to Jehovah. They did not care that the sacrifices they offered did not please him. So Jehovah gave them very strong counsel about this. (Read Malachi 1:12, 13.) In fact, Jehovah gave them counsel many times, but they refused to listen. So he told them: “I will send on you the curse, and I will turn your blessings into curses.” (Malachi 2:1, 2) It is clear that if we keep refusing to listen to Jehovah’s counsel or feel that it is not important, we will lose his friendship.

15. What way of thinking should we avoid?

¹⁵ Satan’s world encourages people to be proud and selfish. Many do not like to be corrected or be told what to do. Some listen to advice only because they have to. We should not be like that. The Bible tells us to “stop being molded by this system of things.” Instead, we need to understand what Jehovah expects from us and do what pleases him. (Romans 12:2) He uses his organization to give us counsel at the right time. For example, we are reminded about how to behave with the opposite sex, how to choose our friends, and how to decide what we do for rest and relaxation. When we willingly accept Jehovah’s discipline and make changes to please him, we show that we are grateful for his guidance and that we truly love him.​—John 14:31; Romans 6:17.

RELY ON JEHOVAH TO HELP AND PROTECT YOU

16, 17. (a) Why should we find out what Jehovah thinks before we make decisions? (b) What did the Israelites do instead of trusting in Jehovah?

¹⁶ Little children rely on their parents to help them and protect them. Even adults might ask their parents for help. They realize that although they can make their own decisions, their parents can give them good advice. Our Father, Jehovah, allows us to make our own decisions. But because we really trust in him and love him, we always ask for his help and do all we can to find out what he thinks before we make a decision. If we rely on Jehovah, he will give us his holy spirit to help us do what is right.​—Philippians 2:13.

¹⁷ In Samuel’s time, the Israelites lost a battle against the Philistines. Instead of asking Jehovah what they should do next, they said: “Let us take the ark of Jehovah’s covenant with us from Shiloh, so that it may be with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.” What was the result of that decision? “The slaughter was very great; on Israel’s side, 30,000 foot soldiers fell. Moreover, the Ark of God was captured.” (1 Samuel 4:2-4, 10, 11) The Israelites thought that just by taking the Ark with them, Jehovah would help and protect them. But they did not ask Jehovah for help or try to find out what he thought. Instead, they did what they thought was right, and they suffered very much.​—Read Proverbs 14:12.

18. What does the Bible teach you about trusting in Jehovah?

¹⁸ A psalmist who deeply loved Jehovah and relied on him wrote: “Wait for God, for I will yet praise him as my Grand Savior. My God, I am in despair. That is why I remember you.” (Psalm 42:5, 6) Is that how you feel about Jehovah? Do you feel close to him and trust in him? You may be able to learn to trust in him even more. The Bible tells us: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.”​—Proverbs 3:5, 6.

19. How will you show Jehovah that you love him?

¹⁹ By loving us first, Jehovah has taught us how to love him. Let us always think about how much he has done for us and how much he loves us. And may we show him that we love him with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.​—Mark 12:30.