1, 2. (a) What challenges do some of our brothers and sisters have? (b) What questions arise?

“WHEN the civil war started in Burundi, our family was at an assembly,” says a brother named Lije. “We could see people running, shooting. My parents and 11 of us siblings fled for our lives with only the clothes on our backs. Some of my family finally made it to a refugee camp in Malawi, a journey of over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles). The rest of us were scattered.”

² Around the world, there are more than 65 million refugees who have been forced to leave their homes because of war or persecution. This is the highest number of refugees ever recorded.a (See footnote.) Thousands of these refugees are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Many have lost loved ones and almost everything they own. What other challenges have they had? How can we help our brothers and sisters serve Jehovah and keep their joy when they suffer such trials? (Psalm 100:2) And what is the best way to preach to refugees who do not yet know Jehovah?

THE LIFE OF A REFUGEE

3. How did Jesus and many of his disciples become refugees?

³ Jesus and his parents became refugees in Egypt after Jehovah’s angel warned Joseph that King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. They stayed there until Herod died. (Matthew 2:13, 14, 19-21) Many years later, Jesus’ disciples “were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria” because of persecution. (Acts 8:1) Jesus knew that many of his followers would be forced to leave their homes. He said: “When they persecute you in one city, flee to another.” (Matthew 10:23) Fleeing home for any reason is never easy.

4, 5. What are some of the dangers when refugees (a) are fleeing? (b) are living in a camp?

⁴ When refugees are fleeing from their home or are living in a refugee camp, they face various dangers. “We walked for weeks, passing hundreds of dead bodies,” says Gad, Lije’s younger brother. “I was 12 years old. My feet were so swollen that I told my family to go on without me. My father​—not about to abandon me to the rebel forces—​carried me. We survived day by day, praying to Jehovah and trusting in him, sometimes eating only mangoes that were growing along the way.”​—Philippians 4:12, 13.

⁵ Most of Lije’s family spent many years in United Nations refugee camps. But there were dangers there too. Lije, who is now a circuit overseer, explains: “Most people had no work. They gossiped, drank, gambled, stole, and were immoral.” To protect themselves from the bad influences, the Witnesses needed to stay busy in the congregation. (Hebrews 6:11, 12; 10:24, 25) They used their time wisely so that they could stay strong in the truth, and many began pioneering. They reminded themselves that eventually their time in the refugee camp would end, just as Israel’s time in the wilderness ended. This helped them keep a positive attitude.​—2 Corinthians 4:18.

SHOW LOVE TO REFUGEES

6, 7. (a) How does “the love of God” motivate us to treat our brothers? (b) Give an example.

⁶ “The love of God” motivates us to show love to our brothers, especially when they experience difficulties. (Read 1 John 3:17, 18.) For example, when the early Christians in Judea needed food because of a famine, the congregation organized help for them. (Acts 11:28, 29) The apostles Paul and Peter also encouraged Christians to be hospitable to one another. (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9) Since Christians are encouraged to show kindness to brothers who are visiting from other places, we should certainly show kindness to our brothers who are in danger or who have been persecuted for their faith!b (See footnote.)​—Read Proverbs 3:27.

⁷ Recently, thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses were forced to leave their homes because of war and persecution in eastern Ukraine. Sadly, some of them were killed. But most of the fleeing brothers were welcomed into the homes of brothers and sisters in other parts of Ukraine and in Russia. In both countries, the brothers remained neutral, “no part of the world,” and continued zealously preaching “the good news of the word.”​—John 15:19; Acts 8:4.

HELP REFUGEES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH

8, 9. (a) What challenges may refugees have in a new country? (b) Why do they need our patient help?

⁸ Some refugees are forced to live in another part of their own country. However, many others must go to a new country that is not familiar. It is true that governments may give refugees some food and clothing and a place to live, but there are still challenges. For example, the food may be very different from what they are used to. Some refugees who come from warm countries may not know how to dress for cold weather. Others may have to learn how to use modern appliances for the first time.

⁹ Some governments have programs to help refugees adjust to life in a new country. But often the refugees are expected to care for themselves after a few months. This can be very difficult. Imagine the things they are expected to learn all at once: a new language, new customs, and new laws about such things as paying bills and taxes, school attendance, and even child discipline! Can you patiently and respectfully help our brothers and sisters who have challenges like these?​—Philippians 2:3, 4.

10. How can we strengthen the faith of refugees when they arrive? (See opening picture.)

¹⁰ Sometimes authorities make it difficult for our brothers who are refugees to contact the local congregation. Some government organizations threaten to stop helping our brothers. They may say that they will not allow them to live in the country if they refuse to accept a job that prevents them from attending meetings. Because they are afraid and feel helpless, some have taken those jobs. So it is urgent to meet our refugee brothers as soon as possible after they arrive. They need to see that we care about them. Such concern and practical help can strengthen their faith.​—Proverbs 12:25; 17:17.

GIVE REFUGEES PRACTICAL HELP

11. (a) What do refugees need at first? (b) How can refugees show gratitude?

¹¹ At first, we may need to give our brothers food, clothing, or other basic things.c (See footnote.) Even small gifts, such as a necktie for a brother, can mean a lot. Of course, refugees would not want to be demanding but would want to show that they are grateful for what others do. This will result in happiness for the brothers who are giving. Yet, it is important that refugees eventually try to care for their own needs. Doing this will help them to keep their self-respect and to have a good relationship with their brothers. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10) Still, refugees do need our practical help.

12, 13. (a) How can we offer refugees practical help? (b) Give an example.

¹² We do not need a lot of money to help refugees. What they need most is our time and love. For example, you can show them how to use public transportation or how to shop for healthy but inexpensive foods. You can also show them how to get things such as a sewing machine or a lawn mower so that they can use them to earn a regular income. Most important, you can help them to become a part of their new congregation. If possible, offer them transportation to meetings. You can also explain the best way to preach to people in the territory, and you can work with them in the ministry.

¹³ When four young refugees arrived in one congregation, various elders gave them practical help. They taught them how to drive a car, how to type a letter, and how to apply for a job. They also showed them how to schedule their time so that they could put Jehovah’s service first. (Galatians 6:10) Soon, all four became pioneers. Because of the elders’ help and their own efforts to set goals in Jehovah’s service, they progressed as Christians and avoided becoming part of Satan’s world.

14. (a) What temptation do refugees need to resist? (b) Give an example.

¹⁴ Like all other Christians, refugees need to resist the temptation and pressure to put material things before their relationship with Jehovah.d (See footnote.) Lije, mentioned earlier, and his brothers and sisters remember the important lessons about faith their father taught them while they were fleeing. They say: “One by one, he threw away the few nonessential belongings we carried. Finally, he held up the empty bag and said with a smile: ‘You see? This is all you need!’”​—Read 1 Timothy 6:8.

CARE FOR THE GREATEST NEEDS OF REFUGEES

15, 16. (a) How can we strengthen our brothers’ faith? (b) How can we help them emotionally?

¹⁵ Refugees need more than food and clothing. They need emotional support and encouragement from the Bible. (Matthew 4:4) Elders can help by getting literature in the language of the refugees and by helping them to contact brothers who speak their language. This is very important because many refugees have been forced to leave behind everything they were familiar with. They are missing their family, community, and congregation. They need to sense Jehovah’s love and compassion among their fellow Christians. If they do not, refugees may look for help from others who are from the same country but who do not serve Jehovah. (1 Corinthians 15:33) When we make them feel part of the congregation, we work with Jehovah to protect “the foreign residents.”​—Psalm 146:9.

¹⁶ Jesus and his family could not return to their home as long as those persecuting them were still ruling. For similar reasons, refugees today may not be able to return home. Others, however, may not want to return home. Lije says that many parents who saw family members raped and murdered in their country do not want to take their children back there. To help our brothers, we need to show “fellow feeling, brotherly affection, tender compassion, and humility.” (1 Peter 3:8) Persecution has caused some refugees to avoid associating with others, and they may feel ashamed to talk about their suffering, especially if their children are near. Ask yourself, ‘If I experienced such pain, how would I like to be treated?’​—Matthew 7:12.

WHEN WE PREACH TO NON-WITNESS REFUGEES

17. How does our preaching bring relief to refugees?

¹⁷ Many of today’s refugees come from countries where our preaching work is restricted. Thanks to zealous Witnesses, thousands of refugees are hearing “the word of the Kingdom” for the first time. (Matthew 13:19, 23) Many who are “loaded down” are finding comfort and relief at our meetings and are quick to say: “God is really among you.”​—Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 14:25.

18, 19. How can we be wise when we preach to refugees?

¹⁸ We need to be wise and “cautious” when we preach to refugees. (Matthew 10:16; Proverbs 22:3) Be patient as you listen to refugees when they speak, but do not discuss politics. We should follow directions we receive from the branch office as well as local authorities so that we do not put ourselves or others at risk. Because refugees come from different religions and cultures, we need to learn about and respect their feelings and opinions. For example, people from some countries have very strong opinions about how women should dress. So when we preach to them, it is good to dress in a way that will not offend them.

¹⁹ We want to help people who are suffering, even those who do not serve Jehovah. When we do, we are imitating the good example of the Samaritan in Jesus’ illustration. (Luke 10:33-37) The best way to help people is to teach them the good news. One elder who has helped many refugees said that it is important to tell them right away that we are Jehovah’s Witnesses. We should let them know that we are there first of all to help them understand the wonderful hope offered in the Bible rather than to provide them with material assistance.

JOYFUL RESULTS

20, 21. (a) What good comes from showing refugees genuine love? (b) What will we learn in the next article?

²⁰ When we show genuine love to “foreign residents,” it brings good results. A Christian sister related that her family had to flee the persecution in Eritrea. Four of her children had to travel for eight days across the desert. Finally, after an exhausting journey, they arrived in Sudan. She said: “The brothers there treated them like close relatives, providing food, clothes, shelter, and transportation. Who else would welcome strangers into their home just because they worship the same God? Only Jehovah’s Witnesses!”​—Read John 13:35.

²¹ What about the many children who arrive with their parents? In the next article, we will learn how all of us can help these families to serve Jehovah joyfully.

1, 2. (a) What problem do many immigrant children experience? (b) What questions will this article discuss?

“FROM infancy, I spoke my immigrant parents’ language at home and in the congregation,” says Joshua. “But after I started school, I began to prefer the local language. Within a few years, the shift was complete. I couldn’t understand the meetings, and I didn’t identify with my parents’ culture.” Joshua’s experience is not uncommon.

² Today, more than 240,000,000 people do not live in the country where they were born. If you are an immigrant parent, how can you give your children the best possible opportunity to learn to love Jehovah and to “go on walking in the truth”? (3 John 4) And how can others help?

PARENTS, SET A GOOD EXAMPLE

3, 4. (a) How can parents set a good example for their children? (b) What should parents not expect of their children?

³ Parents, your example is very important if you want your children to have a personal relationship with Jehovah and live forever. When your children see you “seeking first the Kingdom,” they learn to depend on Jehovah for their daily needs. (Matthew 6:33, 34) Make your service to Jehovah a priority rather than seeking more and more material things. Live modestly and try to avoid debt. Seek “treasure in heaven,” that is, Jehovah’s approval, rather than seeking money or “the glory of men.”​—Read Mark 10:21, 22; John 12:43.

⁴ Never get so busy that you do not have time for your children. Let them know that you are proud of them when they decide to put Jehovah first instead of seeking fame or money, either for themselves or for you. Avoid the wrong view that children should provide their parents with a very comfortable life. Remember, “children are not expected to save up for their parents, but the parents for their children.”​—2 Corinthians 12:14.

PARENTS, TRY TO OVERCOME LANGUAGE PROBLEMS

5. Why must parents speak with their children often about Jehovah?

⁵ As foretold, people “out of all the languages of the nations” are coming to Jehovah’s organization. (Zechariah 8:23) But if your children do not understand your language well, it can be difficult for you to teach them the truth. They are the most important Bible students you will ever have, and their “coming to know” Jehovah means their everlasting life. (John 17:3) In order for your child to learn Jehovah’s teachings, you must “speak of them” often.​—Read Deuteronomy 6:6, 7.

6. How may your children benefit from learning your language? (See opening picture.)

⁶ Your children will likely learn the local language at school and from others. But they learn your language when you regularly talk with them. When your children speak your language, it will be easier for them to talk to you and tell you how they feel. But there are other benefits. When your children speak more than one language, it improves their thinking ability and helps them to understand the viewpoints of others. It may also give them opportunities to do more in the ministry. “Being in a foreign-language congregation has been fun,” says Carolina, whose parents are immigrants. “And it’s cool to be helping where there is a greater need.”

7. What can you do if language is a challenge in your family?

⁷ Yet, as children of immigrants learn the local culture and language, some of them may lose their desire and even their ability to communicate in their parents’ language. Parents, if that describes your children, can you learn at least some of the local language? It will be easier to raise your children as Christians if you understand their conversations, entertainment, and schoolwork and if you can talk directly with their teachers. It is true that learning a new language takes time, effort, and humility. But it is worthwhile. For example, if your child somehow became deaf, would you not try to learn sign language in order to communicate with him? A child who communicates best in another spoken language deserves the same concern, would you not agree?a​—See footnote.

8. How can you help your children if you do not speak the local language well?

⁸ It may be very difficult for some immigrant parents to become fluent in their children’s new language. This may make it hard for parents to help their children to understand “the holy writings.” (2 Timothy 3:15) If that is your situation, you can still help your children to come to know and love Jehovah. “Our single mom’s grasp of the language we understood best was limited, and my sisters and I didn’t speak her language very well,” says an elder named Shan. “But when we saw her studying, praying, and doing her best to conduct family worship every week, we understood that getting to know Jehovah was very important.”

9. How can parents help children who may need to study in two languages?

⁹ Some children may need to learn about Jehovah in two languages. Why? Because they speak one language at school and another language at home. For that reason, some parents use literature, audio recordings, and videos in both languages. Clearly, immigrant parents must work harder in order to help their children become close to Jehovah.

TO WHICH LANGUAGE CONGREGATION SHOULD YOU BELONG?

10. (a) Who must decide which language congregation to attend? (b) What should family heads do before making a decision?

¹⁰ When “foreign residents” live far from other Witnesses who speak their language, they need to associate with a congregation that speaks the local language. (Psalm 146:9) But if there is a congregation nearby that uses their native language, the family head must decide which language congregation is best for the family. Before making the decision, he will carefully think and pray about it. He will also talk with his wife and children. (1 Corinthians 11:3) What will he consider? What Bible principles can help him make the decision?

11, 12. (a) How does language affect how much a child benefits from the meetings? (b) Why do some children not want to learn their parents’ language?

¹¹ Parents must consider what their children truly need. To understand Bible truths well, children need more than just a few hours of Bible instruction each week at the meetings. But consider this: At meetings conducted in the language they understand best, children may benefit simply by being there, perhaps learning more than their parents realize. That may not be the case when children do not fully understand the language. (Read 1 Corinthians 14:9, 11.) And a child’s native language will not necessarily remain the language that affects the way he thinks and feels. In fact, some children can learn to give comments, presentations, and talks in their parents’ language but without really expressing their own thoughts and feelings.

¹² Also, a child’s heart is influenced by more than just language. That was the case with Joshua, mentioned earlier. His sister, Esther, says: “To young children, their parents’ language, culture, and religion come bundled together.” If children do not feel that they are part of their parents’ culture, they may not want to learn their parents’ language and religion. What can immigrant parents do?

13, 14. (a) Why did one immigrant couple move their family to a congregation that spoke the local language? (b) How did the parents maintain a strong relationship with Jehovah?

¹³ Christian parents put their children’s needs ahead of their own personal preferences. (1 Corinthians 10:24) Joshua and Esther’s father, Samuel, says: “My wife and I observed our children to see in which language they thrived spiritually, and we prayed for wisdom. The answer was not what we personally found convenient. But when we saw that they were getting little benefit from the meetings in our language, we decided to move to the local-language congregation. Together, we regularly attended meetings and shared in the ministry. We also invited local friends to join us for meals and excursions. All of this helped our children to get to know the brothers and to get to know Jehovah, not only as their God but also as their Father and Friend. We considered this to be much more important than their mastering our language.”

¹⁴ Samuel adds: “To keep ourselves spiritually strong, my wife and I also attended meetings in our language. Life was very busy, and we were tired. But we thank Jehovah for blessing our efforts and sacrifices. Our three children are all serving Jehovah in the full-time ministry.”

WHAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN DO

15. Why did a sister named Kristina feel that she could do better in a congregation that spoke the local language?

¹⁵ When children grow up, they may realize that they could better serve Jehovah in a congregation that uses the language they understand best. If so, their parents should not feel that their children are rejecting them. “I knew the basics of my parents’ language, but the language spoken at the meetings was over my head,” recalls Kristina. “When I was 12, I attended a convention in my school language. For the first time, I understood that what I was hearing was the truth! Another turning point came when I began to pray in my school language. I could speak to Jehovah from my heart!” (Acts 2:11, 41) When she turned 18, Kristina discussed the matter with her parents and decided to move to a congregation that spoke the local language. She says: “Learning about Jehovah in my school language moved me to action.” Kristina soon became a regular pioneer and is very happy.

16. Why is Nadia glad she stayed in the foreign-language congregation?

¹⁶ Young people, do you think that you would prefer being part of a local-language congregation? If so, ask yourself why. Is it because moving to such a congregation would help you draw closer to Jehovah? (James 4:8) Or is it because you do not want your parents to watch everything you do or because you do not want to make any effort? “When my siblings and I got into our teens, we wanted to switch to the local-language congregation,” says Nadia, who now serves at Bethel. But her parents knew that such a move would not be good for their children’s relationship with Jehovah. “Now we’re grateful that our parents worked hard to teach us their language and kept us in the foreign-language congregation. It has enriched our lives and broadened our opportunities to help others get to know Jehovah.”

HOW OTHERS CAN HELP

17. (a) To whom did Jehovah give the responsibility to raise children? (b) How can parents get help in teaching their children the truth?

¹⁷ Jehovah has given parents the responsibility to teach their children the truth. He did not give it to grandparents or anyone else. (Read Proverbs 1:8; 31:10, 27, 28.) Still, parents who do not know the local language may need help to reach their children’s heart. When the parents ask for help, it does not mean that they are trying to avoid the responsibility to raise their children. Rather, it can be part of raising their children “in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah.” (Ephesians 6:4) For example, parents may ask elders in the congregation for suggestions on conducting family worship and for help in finding good friends for their children.

18, 19. (a) How can other Christians help young ones? (b) What must parents continue to do?

¹⁸ To help their children, parents may invite other families to join them in family worship from time to time. Also, many young people learn from other Christians when they go out preaching with them and do other things together. (Proverbs 27:17) “I well remember the brothers who took me under their wing,” says Shan, quoted earlier. “When they helped me with student talk assignments for the meeting, I always learned more. And I enjoyed the leisure activities we shared in as a group.”

¹⁹ Of course, those chosen by the parents to help their children should always encourage them to respect their parents. This can be done by speaking positively about the parents and not taking over the parents’ responsibility to raise their children. Also, those who help should avoid any conduct that could be misunderstood by some inside or outside the congregation as morally wrong. (1 Peter 2:12) Although parents may request the help of others, it is still their responsibility to teach the truth to their children. They must monitor the help given by other Christians.

20. How can parents help their children to become faithful servants of Jehovah?

²⁰ Parents, pray to Jehovah for help, and try your best. (Read 2 Chronicles 15:7.) Put your child’s friendship with Jehovah ahead of your own interests. Do whatever you can to make sure that God’s Word reaches your child’s heart. Never stop believing that your child can become a servant of Jehovah. When your children follow God’s Word and your good example, you will feel as the apostle John did about his figurative children: “No greater joy do I have than this: that I should hear that my children go on walking in the truth.”​—3 John 4.

1, 2. (a) To whom did Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:12 first apply? (b) How does the book of Acts show that most early Christians kept their love strong? (See opening picture.)

WHEN Jesus was on earth, he explained how people would identify “the conclusion of the system of things.” Among other things, he foretold: “The love of the greater number will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:3, 12) The Jews in the first century claimed to be God’s people but had allowed their love for God to grow cold.

² However, most Christians at that time had a different attitude. They were zealously preaching “the good news about the Christ” and showing love for God, for fellow believers, and even for those who did not yet know the truth. These Christians kept their love for God strong. (Acts 2:44-47; 5:42) Sadly, though, there were some early Christians whose love did grow cold. How do we know this?

3. What may have caused the love of some Christians to grow cold?

³ Jesus told the early Christians who lived in Ephesus: “You have left the love you had at first.” (Revelation 2:4) It could be that the Ephesian Christians were being influenced by people around them who mainly wanted to please themselves. (Ephesians 2:2, 3) Ephesus was a wealthy city where people cared more about comforts and luxuries than anything else. Many in Ephesus were also very immoral and showed no respect for God’s laws. They cared more about enjoying themselves than showing unselfish love for God and others.

4. (a) How has love grown cold in our day? (b) In what three areas must we keep our love strong?

⁴ Jesus’ words about love growing cold also apply to our day. People today have less and less love for God. Instead of looking to God to solve the problems in the world, millions of people look to human organizations. Their love continues to grow cold. Even the love of Jehovah’s servants could grow cold, as it did in the congregation in ancient Ephesus. So let us discuss three areas in which we must keep our love strong: (1) love for Jehovah, (2) love for Bible truth, and (3) love for our brothers.

LOVE FOR JEHOVAH

5. Why must we love God?

⁵ Whom should we love the most? Jesus said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.” (Matthew 22:37, 38) Our love for God helps us to obey his commandments, to endure, and to hate what is bad. (Read Psalm 97:10.) But Satan and his world try to weaken and destroy our love for God.

6. What happens when people lose their love for God?

⁶ The world has a distorted view of love. Rather than loving God, many people are “lovers of themselves.” (2 Timothy 3:2) They focus on “the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life.” (1 John 2:16) The apostle Paul warned about what can happen if we please ourselves first. He said: “Setting the mind on the flesh means death.” Why? Because those who do this actually become God’s enemies. (Romans 8:6, 7) People who spend their lives focusing on making money or satisfying sexual desires end up very disappointed.​—1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10.

7. What dangerous ideas could affect Christians today?

⁷ Many atheists, agnostics, and evolutionists try to convince others not to love God or even believe that he exists. They make it seem as if only a person who is foolish or uneducated would believe in a Creator. In addition, many people have more respect for human scientists than for the Creator. (Romans 1:25) Even a Christian could be affected by these ideas. Our relationship with Jehovah could weaken, and our love could grow cold.​—Hebrews 3:12.

8. (a) What circumstances could discourage Jehovah’s people? (b) How can Psalm 136 comfort us?

⁸ Since we are living in Satan’s wicked system, there are many reasons we could feel discouraged at times. (1 John 5:19) But if we allow ourselves to become too discouraged, our faith could weaken and our love for God could grow cold. For example, we may face problems because we are getting older, have bad health, or have financial problems. Or we may feel sad because we are not able to do some things as well as we wish we could. We might be disappointed that certain things in life have not turned out as we hoped. No matter what challenges we face, we should never feel that Jehovah has left us. Think about these comforting words found at Psalm 136:23: “He remembered us when we were low, for his loyal love endures forever.” We can be sure that Jehovah listens to our “pleas for help” and will answer them.​—Psalm 116:1; 136:24-26.

9. What gave Paul the strength to keep his love for God strong?

⁹ The apostle Paul was a servant of God who thought deeply about how Jehovah supported him, and this helped him remain strong. He wrote: “Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6) Paul’s confidence in Jehovah helped him to deal with life’s challenges. When Paul had difficult circumstances, he did not lose his confidence in Jehovah. Even when he was in prison, he helped fellow Christians by writing encouraging letters to the congregations. (Ephesians 4:1; Philippians 1:7; Philemon 1) No matter what problems Paul faced, he kept his love for Jehovah strong. He relied on “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials.” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4) How can we imitate Paul?

10. How can we keep our love for Jehovah strong?

¹⁰ Paul explained one way we can keep our love for God strong when he wrote: “Pray constantly.” Later he also wrote: “Persevere in prayer.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 12:12) Why does prayer bring us closer to God? When we pray, we communicate with Jehovah. This makes it possible for us to have a good relationship with him. (Psalm 86:3) When we tell our heavenly Father about our deepest thoughts and feelings, we draw closer to him. (Psalm 65:2) Also, our love for Jehovah grows as we see how he answers our prayers. We are confident that “Jehovah is near to all those calling on him.” (Psalm 145:18) Our confidence in Jehovah’s love and support will help us handle any problems we may face now and in the future.

LOVE FOR BIBLE TRUTH

11, 12. How can we increase our love for Bible truth?

¹¹ As Christians, we love truth. God’s Word is where we find truth. Jesus told his Father: “Your word is truth.” (John 17:17) To love Bible truth, we must know what is in the Bible. (Colossians 1:10) But there is more. Notice how the writer of Psalm 119 helps us understand what we need to do. (Read Psalm 119:97-100.) Throughout the day, we need to ponder, or think deeply about, what we read in the Bible. As we meditate on how we benefit from applying Bible truth in our own lives, we will love it more and more.

¹² The psalmist also said: “How sweet your sayings are to my palate, more so than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103) The Bible-based publications that God’s organization prepares are like delicious food. When we eat food we like, we want to take our time enjoying it. In a similar way, we want to take our time studying. Then we will really enjoy the “delightful words” of truth, and it will be easier to remember what we read and use it to help others.​—Ecclesiastes 12:10.

13. What helped Jeremiah to love God’s words? How did it affect him?

¹³ The prophet Jeremiah loved God’s words. He said: “Your words were found, and I ate them; and your word became to me the exultation and the rejoicing of my heart, for your name has been called on me, O Jehovah God of armies.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Jeremiah thought deeply about God’s precious words, and he loved them. He appreciated being able to represent Jehovah and proclaim his message. If we love Bible truth, we will realize what a special privilege we have to be Witnesses of Jehovah and to preach about the Kingdom in these last days.

14. What else can we do to increase our love for Bible truth?

¹⁴ What else will help us to deepen our love for Bible truth? We need to be regular at our congregation meetings, where we are taught by Jehovah. The weekly study of the Bible using The Watchtower is one of the main ways we are taught. If we want to benefit fully from this meeting, we need to prepare ahead of time. For example, we can look up each of the cited Bible texts. Today, many can easily read or download The Watchtower electronically because it is available in many languages on the jw.org website and in the JW Library app. Some electronic formats let us find the cited scriptures quickly. However we choose to study each article, when we read the scriptures carefully and think deeply about them, our love for Bible truth will grow.​—Read Psalm 1:2.

LOVE FOR OUR BROTHERS

15, 16. (a) According to John 13:34, 35, what command did Jesus give us? (b) How is our love for God and the Bible connected to our love for our brothers?

¹⁵ On his last night on earth, Jesus said to his disciples: “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples​—if you have love among yourselves.”​—John 13:34, 35.

¹⁶ Loving our brothers and sisters is connected to loving Jehovah. If we do not love God, we cannot love our brothers. And if we do not love our brothers, we cannot love God. The apostle John wrote: “The one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:20) Our love for Jehovah and our brothers is also connected to our love for the Bible. Why? Because if we love what we learn from the Bible, we will want to obey the commandments we find there to love God and our brothers.​—1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 4:21.

17. What are some ways in which we can show love?

¹⁷ Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 10. What are some practical ways that we can show love to those in our congregation? An elderly brother or sister might need help traveling to and from the congregation meetings. A widow might need help repairing something in her home. (James 1:27) Brothers and sisters who are discouraged, depressed, or facing other problems need our attention, encouragement, and comfort. (Proverbs 12:25; Colossians 4:11) We show that we love “those related to us in the faith” by what we say and do.​—Galatians 6:10.

18. What will help us to solve disagreements with our brothers?

¹⁸ The Bible said that in “the last days” of this wicked system, many people would be selfish and greedy. (2 Timothy 3:1, 2) As Christians, we need to work hard to keep growing in our love for Jehovah, his Word, and one another. Since we are imperfect, we might at times have small disagreements with our brothers. But because we love one another, we will try to settle any differences as kindly and quickly as possible. (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:14) Let us never allow our love to grow cold! Instead, let us continue to have intense love for Jehovah, his Word, and our brothers.

1, 2. After spending a night fishing, what lesson did Peter learn?

SEVEN of Jesus’ disciples had spent the night fishing in the Sea of Galilee. But they had not caught a single fish. Now it was morning, and the resurrected Jesus stood on the beach, watching them. Then he said to them: “‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ So they cast it, but they were not able to haul it in because of the large number of fish.”​—John 21:1-6.

² Jesus served his disciples bread and fish for breakfast. Then he turned to Simon Peter and asked: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” Jesus knew that Peter loved fishing. It could be that Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Jesus and the things he taught more than he loved his fishing business. Peter answered Jesus: “Lord, you know I have affection for you.” (John 21:15) From that day on, Peter proved that he meant what he said. He showed his love for Christ by keeping busy in the preaching work, and he became an important member of the Christian congregation.

3. What do Christians need to be aware of?

³ What can we learn from Jesus’ words to Peter? We need to be careful not to let our love for Christ become weak. Jesus knew that life in this system would be stressful and that we would face anxieties and challenges. In his illustration of the sower, Jesus said that some people would accept “the word of the Kingdom” and at first would be zealous. But later, “the anxieties of this system of things and the deceptive power of riches” would “choke the word,” and those people would lose their zeal. (Matthew 13:19-22; Mark 4:19) If we are not careful, the daily anxieties of life could interfere with our service to Jehovah. So Jesus warned his disciples: “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life.”​—Luke 21:34.

4. What will help us to know if our love for Christ is strong? (See opening picture.)

⁴ Like Peter, we can show that we love Christ by giving the preaching work first place in our lives. How can we make sure that we continue to do this? We can ask ourselves: ‘What do I love the most in life? Does my joy come from serving Jehovah or from other activities?’ To help us answer this, let us examine three areas of life that could weaken our love for Christ. These are secular work, recreation, and material things.

KEEP SECULAR WORK IN ITS PROPER PLACE

5. What responsibility do family heads have?

⁵ For Peter, fishing was not just something he enjoyed doing. It was the work he did to support his family. Today, too, Jehovah has given family heads the responsibility to support their family. (1 Timothy 5:8) They must work hard to do this. However, in these last days, secular work can cause much anxiety.

6. Why can secular jobs be stressful?

⁶ There are often more people who need jobs than there are jobs available. Because of this, people compete to find work. Many feel that they need to work extra hours, often for less pay. Businesses are trying to produce more goods with fewer workers than ever before. So workers may become stressed, exhausted, and even ill. Many worry that they will lose their job unless they do whatever their boss demands.

7, 8. (a) To whom are we most loyal? (b) What valuable lesson did a brother in Thailand learn about his work?

⁷ As Christians, we are more loyal to Jehovah than to anyone else, including our employer. (Luke 10:27) Our secular job is a way to provide for our basic needs and to support our ministry. But if we are not careful, our responsibilities at work could interfere with our worship. We can learn from the experience of a brother in Thailand. He said: “My secular work of repairing computers was very interesting, but it involved working long hours. As a result, it left me almost no time for spiritual matters. I finally realized that in order to put Kingdom interests first, I needed to change my line of work.” What did this brother do?

⁸ “After planning for about a year,” he explained, “I decided to become a street vendor and sell ice cream. In the beginning, I struggled financially and got discouraged. When I met my former workmates, they would laugh at me and ask why I thought selling ice cream was better than working with computers in an air-conditioned environment. I prayed to Jehovah, asking him to help me to cope and to reach my goal of having more time for spiritual activities. Before long, things began to improve. I got better acquainted with my customers’ tastes and became more skillful in making ice cream. Soon, I was selling all my ice cream every day. Actually, I was better-off financially than when I worked with computers. It has made me happier because I do not have the stress and worry that I had with my former job. And most important, I now feel closer to Jehovah.”​—Read Matthew 5:3, 6.

9. How can we continue to have a balanced view of secular work?

⁹ Jehovah appreciates it when we work hard. Hard work is rewarding. (Proverbs 12:14) But we need to make sure that our secular work does not become more important to us than our service to Jehovah. Speaking about our basic material needs, 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) But how do we know if we have a balanced view of secular work? We can ask ourselves, ‘Do I find my job interesting and exciting but view my service to God as ordinary or even boring?’ Thinking about this question can help us to see clearly what we really love.

10. What valuable lesson did Jesus teach?

¹⁰ Jesus taught us what should be first in our life. One time, he visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Right away, Martha began to prepare a meal for him, but Mary sat near Jesus and listened to him teach. Martha complained that Mary was not helping her. Jesus said to Martha: “Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42) Here, Jesus taught a valuable lesson. To avoid being distracted by our own needs and to prove our love for Christ, we must choose “the good portion.” This means that our relationship with Jehovah must always be the most important thing in our life.

OUR VIEW OF RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT

11. What does the Bible say about rest and relaxation?

¹¹ Our lives are very busy, so at times we need to rest and relax. We read in the Bible: “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in his hard work.” (Ecclesiastes 2:24) Jesus knew that it was important for his disciples to rest. For example, after they had been working very hard in the preaching work, Jesus told them: “Come, you yourselves, privately into an isolated place and rest up a little.”​—Mark 6:31, 32.

12. Why do we need to be careful about recreation and entertainment? Give an example.

¹² Recreation and entertainment can help us to rest and relax. But we must be careful that enjoying ourselves does not become the most important thing in our life. In the first century, many had this attitude: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we are to die.” (1 Corinthians 15:32) This same attitude is also common today. For example, a young man in Western Europe began to attend Christian meetings. But he liked entertainment so much that he stopped associating with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Later, though, he realized that his focus on entertainment had caused him many problems. He began to study the Bible again, and in time, he was able to start preaching the good news. After his baptism, he said: “The only regret I have is that I lost so much time before I realized that serving Jehovah brings far more happiness than pursuing the entertainment offered by this world.”

13. (a) Give an illustration that shows why too much recreation and entertainment is not good. (b) What could help us have a balanced view of recreation and entertainment?

¹³ Recreation should help us relax and regain energy. So how much time should we spend in recreation? To help us answer that, we could think of it this way. Many people like to eat cakes and sweets. But we know that if we eat these all the time, it will damage our health. If we want to be healthy, we must eat food that is good for us. In a similar way, if we spend most of our time in recreation and entertainment, it will affect our relationship with Jehovah. What can help us know whether we have a balanced view of recreation or not? One thing we could do is to choose a week and write down the number of hours we spent in activities related to our service to Jehovah, such as Christian meetings, the preaching work, and Bible study. Then we could write down the number of hours we spent that same week in recreation, such as sports, television, or video games. When we compare the two numbers, what do we learn? Do we need to make a change?​—Read Ephesians 5:15, 16.

14. What can help us to choose good recreation and entertainment?

¹⁴ Jehovah allows us to choose our recreation, and family heads can also choose recreation for their family. In the Bible, Jehovah gives us principles that reveal how he thinks. These principles help us make good decisions.a (See footnote.) Good recreation is a “gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13) It is true that different people prefer different kinds of entertainment. (Galatians 6:4, 5) But whatever entertainment we choose, we still need to be careful. Jesus said: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Our love for our King, Jesus, moves us to think, speak, and act in a way that shows that the Kingdom is more important to us than anything else.​—Philippians 1:9, 10.

OUR FIGHT AGAINST MATERIALISM

15, 16. (a) How could materialism become a trap for us? (b) What wise advice did Jesus give about material things?

¹⁵ Many today feel that they must have the latest clothes, phones, computers, and so on. They are affected by materialism, a way of life in which material things and money are more important than anything else. As a Christian, what is most important to you? Ask yourself: ‘Do I spend more time thinking about the latest cars or fashions than I do preparing for congregation meetings? Have I become so busy with daily activities that I spend less time praying or reading the Bible?’ If we are not careful, love for material things could become more important than our love for Christ. We should think about Jesus’ words: “Guard against every sort of greed.” (Luke 12:15) Why did he say this?

¹⁶ Jesus stated that “no one can slave for two masters.” He added: “You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” It is not possible to give Jehovah our best and at the same time be focused on material things. Jesus explained that we will either “hate the one and love the other” or “stick to the one and despise the other.” (Matthew 6:24) Because we are imperfect, we must continue to fight against “the desires of our flesh,” including materialism.​—Ephesians 2:3.

17. (a) Why do some find it difficult to have a balanced attitude about material things? (b) What helps us to fight materialism?

¹⁷ Many people are so focused on their own desires and pleasures that they find it difficult to have a balanced view of material things. (Read 1 Corinthians 2:14.) Because they are not thinking clearly, it may be difficult for them to tell the difference between right and wrong. (Hebrews 5:11-14) Their desire for material things may get stronger and stronger. And the more they get, the more they want. (Ecclesiastes 5:10) But there is something we can do to fight this way of thinking. Regularly reading God’s Word will strengthen us so that we can resist materialism. (1 Peter 2:2) Jesus meditated on Jehovah’s wisdom, and that helped him to resist the Devil’s temptations. (Matthew 4:8-10) Today, too, if we want to resist materialism, we need to apply Jehovah’s wisdom in our life. This will show Jesus that we love him more than material things.

18. What are you determined to do?

¹⁸ When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” he was teaching Peter that serving Jehovah needed to be his focus in life. It is interesting that Peter’s name means “A Piece of Rock.” Peter’s good qualities can be compared to a rock. (Acts 4:5-20) Today, we too want our love for Christ to be firm. So we make sure that secular work, recreation, and material things have the correct place in our life. Then it will be as if we, like Peter, are saying: “Lord, you know I have affection for you.”

DANIEL AND MIRIAM were married in September 2000 and had a comfortable life in Barcelona, Spain. Daniel explains: “Our jobs allowed us to eat in fine restaurants, travel abroad, and wear quality clothes. We also shared regularly in the field ministry.” But then something happened.

At a convention in 2006, Daniel heard a talk that asked the question: “Are we doing all we can to help those who are ‘staggering to the slaughter’ to get on the road to everlasting life?” (Proverbs 24:11) The talk explained that we have the responsibility to preach the Bible’s message because the lives of people depend on it. (Acts 20:26, 27) Daniel remembers, “I had the feeling that Jehovah was talking to me.” The talk also mentioned that we are happier when we do more in Jehovah’s service. Daniel knew that this was true because he could see that Miriam, who had already begun pioneering, was very happy.

This talk affected Daniel so much that he decided that it was time to make a big change in his life. He started to work fewer hours, began pioneering, and thought about how happy he and Miriam could be if they served where the need for Kingdom preachers is greater.

FIRST THE DIFFICULTIES​—THEN THRILLING NEWS

In May 2007, Daniel and Miriam quit their jobs and moved to Panama, a country they had visited before. Their territory was made up of several islands in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. Most of the people who live there are Ngabe. Daniel and Miriam thought that they could stay in Panama for about eight months with the money they had already saved.

They traveled the islands by boat and bicycle. They still remember the first time they rode their bikes about 30 kilometers (20 miles) up steep hills in very hot weather. Daniel was so exhausted that he almost fainted. Yet, the Ngabe families whom they met were very hospitable, especially after the couple learned some expressions in the local language. Soon they had 23 Bible studies.

What happened after they spent all their savings? Daniel says: “With tears in our eyes, we began thinking about our return to Spain. We were so sad to leave our Bible students behind.” But then, a month later, they received thrilling news. Miriam says: “We were invited to serve as special pioneers. What a joy to be able to stay in our assignment!”

THEIR GREATEST JOY

Because of changes in the organization, Daniel and Miriam had to stop serving as special pioneers in 2015. What would they do now? They trusted in the promise found at Psalm 37:5: “Commit your way to Jehovah; rely on him, and he will act in your behalf.” They found work so that they could support themselves as regular pioneers, and today they serve in a congregation in Veraguas, Panama.

Daniel says: “Before we left Spain, we were not sure if we would be able to live a simple life. Today we do, and we lack nothing of real importance.” What is their greatest joy? They say: “To help humble people learn about Jehovah is a joy beyond compare!”

ABOUT the year 1910, my parents moved from Tbilisi, Georgia, to Canada. They lived in a small farmhouse near Pelly, Saskatchewan, in western Canada. I was born in 1928, and I was the youngest of six children. My father died six months before I was born, and my mother died while I was still an infant. Shortly after that, my oldest sister, Lucy, died at the age of 17. So my uncle Nick took care of me and my siblings.

One day when I was a toddler, my family saw me pulling the tail of one of our horses. They were terrified that the horse might kick me, so they screamed at me to stop. However, my back was turned toward them, and I did not hear their screams. Happily, I did not get hurt. But that was the day my family discovered that I was deaf.

A family friend said that it might be better for me to go to school with other deaf children. So Uncle Nick sent me to a school for the deaf in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This school was far away from my family, and because I was only five years old, I was terrified. I could visit my family only on holidays and during the summer. Eventually, I learned sign language and had fun playing with the other children.

LEARNING BIBLE TRUTH

In 1939, my older sister Marion married Bill Danylchuck, and they began to care for me and my sister Frances. They were the first in my family to start studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses. During my summer vacations, they tried as best they could to share with me what they were learning from the Bible. It was not easy for us to communicate because they did not know sign language. But they could still see that I really loved what I was learning about Jehovah. I understood that what they were doing must be connected to what the Bible says, so I went along with them as they preached. Soon after that I wanted to get baptized, and on September 5, 1941, Bill baptized me in a steel container filled with water from a well. The water was very, very cold!

In 1946, when I returned home for the summer, we attended a convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. On the first day, my sisters wrote notes for me so that I could follow the program. But on the second day, I was thrilled to learn that there was a deaf group with a sign-language interpreter at the convention. Finally, I could enjoy the program, and it was wonderful at last to understand clearly what the Bible teaches!

TEACHING THE TRUTH

At that time, World War II had just ended, and people wanted to show that they were loyal to their country. But as I returned from the convention and went back to school, I was determined to remain faithful to Jehovah. So I stopped participating in the flag salute, in the national anthem, and in holiday celebrations. I also stopped going to church with the rest of my schoolmates. The school staff were not happy, and they tried to bully me and told me lies to make me change my mind. My schoolmates noticed what was happening, and because of this, I had many opportunities to witness to them. Some of my schoolmates, including Larry Androsoff, Norman Dittrick, and Emil Schneider, eventually accepted the truth, and they are still serving Jehovah.

When I visited other cities, I always made a special effort to witness to the deaf. For example, in Montreal, I went to a place where deaf people in the community gathered. There, I witnessed to Eddie Tager, a young man who was a gang member. Until his death last year, he was in the sign-language congregation in Laval, Quebec. I also met young Juan Ardanez. Like the ancient Beroeans, he did research to make sure that what he was learning was based on the Bible. (Acts 17:10, 11) He too came in the truth, and he served as an elder in Ottawa, Ontario, until he died.

In 1950, I moved to Vancouver. Although I love to preach to the deaf, I will never forget an experience I had with a hearing woman named Chris Spicer, whom I witnessed to on the street. She accepted a magazine subscription and wanted me to meet her husband, Gary. I visited their home, and we had a long conversation by writing notes back and forth. We did not see one another after that until a few years later when, to my surprise, they came to greet me at a convention in Toronto, Ontario. Gary was getting baptized that very day. That experience reminded me of how important it is to keep preaching, because we never know if someone we witness to will eventually come into the truth.

Later, I moved back to Saskatoon. There I met a woman who asked me to study the Bible with her deaf twin daughters, Jean and Joan Rothenberger. They were students at the same school for the deaf that I had attended. Soon, the two girls were telling their classmates about what they were learning. Eventually, five from their class became Jehovah’s Witnesses. One was Eunice Colin. I had first met Eunice in my last year at the school for the deaf. At that time, she gave me a piece of candy and asked if we could be friends. Later, she became a very important part of my life. She became my wife!

When Eunice’s mother found out that she was studying the Bible, she asked the school principal to convince Eunice to stop. Although he tried and even took away her study materials, Eunice was determined to remain faithful to Jehovah. When she wanted to get baptized, her parents told her, “Become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and you will have to leave our home!” So when she was 17 years old, Eunice left home and moved in with a Witness family. She continued her study and later got baptized. When we got married in 1960, her parents did not come to our wedding. However, as the years passed, their respect for us grew because of our beliefs and the way we raised our children.

JEHOVAH HAS CARED FOR ME

As deaf parents, it was challenging to raise seven hearing boys. But we made sure that they knew sign language so that we could communicate well and teach them the truth. Brothers and sisters in the congregation helped us a lot. For example, a parent wrote us a note to tell us that one of our boys was saying bad words in the Kingdom Hall. We were able to take care of the matter right away. Four of my sons​—James, Jerry, Nicholas, and Steven—​are elders and serve Jehovah faithfully with their wives and families. Also, Nicholas and his wife, Deborah, help with sign-language translation in the Britain branch, and Steven and his wife, Shannan, are part of the sign-language translation team in the United States branch.

Sadly, a month before our 40th wedding anniversary, Eunice died from cancer. Throughout that difficult time, her faith in the resurrection kept her strong. I look forward to the day when I will see her again.

In February of 2012, I fell and broke my hip. I realized that I would need help, so I moved in with one of my sons and his wife. We are now part of the Calgary Sign-Language Congregation, where I continue to serve as an elder. Actually, this is the very first time that I have been part of a sign-language congregation! So how did I keep my relationship with Jehovah strong all those years that I was in an English congregation? Jehovah helped me. He kept his promise to care for fatherless children. (Psalm 10:14) I am thankful to all those who were willing to write notes, learn sign language, and help interpret for me as best they could.

There were times when I could not understand what was being said or when I felt that no one understood how to help the deaf. At times like those, when I felt frustrated and wanted to give up, I would think of Peter’s words to Jesus: “Lord, whom shall we go away to? You have sayings of everlasting life.” (John 6:66-68) Like many other deaf brothers and sisters who have been in the truth for a long time, I have learned to be patient. I have learned to trust in Jehovah and his organization, and this has resulted in many benefits. Now there are plenty of our publications in my own language, and I am happy that I can attend meetings and conventions in American Sign Language. Truly, I have had a happy and rewarding life serving Jehovah, our great God.