1, 2. (a) What can result from a lack of self-control? (b) Why do we need to discuss the subject of self-control?

SELF-CONTROL is a quality that Jehovah God can help us to cultivate. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Jehovah has perfect self-control. However, we do not because we are imperfect. Actually, a lack of self-control is responsible for many of the problems people have today. It may cause a person to delay doing things that are important or cause him to perform poorly at school or at work. A lack of self-control may also lead to verbal abuse, drunkenness, violence, divorce, unnecessary debt, addiction, time in jail, emotional pain, sexually transmitted disease, and unwanted pregnancy.​—Psalm 34:11-14.

² People who do not have self-control cause problems for themselves and for others. And as time goes by, it is clear that people have less and less self-control. This should not surprise us, though, because God’s Word foretold that a lack of self-control would be one proof that we are living in “the last days.”​—2 Timothy 3:1-3.

3. Why do we need self-control?

³ Why do we need self-control? There are two important reasons. First, people who can control their feelings and emotions generally have fewer problems. It is also easier for them to have wholesome relationships and to avoid feeling angry, anxious, or depressed. Second, to remain God’s friends, we need to resist temptation and control wrong desires. That is what Adam and Eve failed to do. (Genesis 3:6) Like them, many people today have terrible problems because they do not have self-control.

4. What should be encouraging to any who are struggling to control their wrong desires?

⁴ Jehovah understands that we are imperfect and that it is difficult for us to have self-control. But he wants to help us dominate our wrong desires. (1 Kings 8:46-50) As a loving Friend, he kindly encourages those who sometimes find it difficult to control their feelings and desires. In this article, we will learn from Jehovah’s example of self-control. We will also discuss examples from the Bible, both good and bad, and review practical suggestions that can help us.

JEHOVAH SETS THE EXAMPLE

5, 6. What example of self-control does Jehovah set for us?

⁵ Jehovah’s self-control is perfect because he is perfect in every way. (Deuteronomy 32:4) We, however, are imperfect. But we still need to examine his example of self-control so that we can better imitate him. This will help us to know how to react in the right way when things happen that could upset us. What are some examples of Jehovah’s self-control?

⁶ Think about how Jehovah reacted when Satan rebelled in Eden. Likely, the Devil’s claim caused all of God’s loyal servants in heaven to feel shock, anger, and contempt. Maybe you feel the same way when you think about all the suffering Satan has caused. But Jehovah did not overreact. He responded in just the right way. Jehovah has been slow to anger and fair in dealing with Satan’s rebellion. (Exodus 34:6; Job 2:2-6) Why? Jehovah has allowed time to pass because he does not want anyone to be destroyed but “desires all to attain to repentance.”​—2 Peter 3:9.

7. What can we learn from Jehovah’s example?

⁷ Jehovah’s example teaches us that we need to think carefully before we speak and not react too quickly. So when you need to make an important decision, give yourself time to think. Pray for wisdom to say or do the right thing. (Psalm 141:3) When we are angry or upset, it is very easy to overreact. And that is why many have come to regret things they said or did without thinking!​—Proverbs 14:29; 15:28; 19:2.

GOOD AND BAD EXAMPLES AMONG GOD’S SERVANTS

8. (a) Where can we find good examples of self-control? (b) What helped Joseph to resist temptation when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him? (See opening picture.)

⁸ What Bible examples highlight the value of self-control? One you may think of is Jacob’s son Joseph. He resisted temptation when he was serving in the house of Potiphar, the chief of Pharaoh’s guards. Potiphar’s wife found Joseph attractive because he was “well-built and handsome,” and she tried to seduce him several times. What helped Joseph to resist temptation? He probably took time to think carefully in advance about what would happen if he were to give in to her. Then, when she grabbed him by his clothes, he ran away from her. He said: “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?”​—Genesis 39:6, 9; read Proverbs 1:10.

9. How can you prepare yourself to resist temptations?

⁹ What do we learn from Joseph’s example? If we are tempted to break one of God’s laws, we need to resist the temptation. Before becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses, some struggled with overeating, heavy drinking, smoking, drug abuse, sexual immorality, or other problems. Even after baptism, they may at times be tempted by those things. If this happens to you, stop and think about how your relationship with Jehovah would be damaged if you gave in to the temptation. You can try to identify situations that might be tempting for you and decide how you can avoid them. (Psalm 26:4, 5; Proverbs 22:3) If you are ever tested like that, ask Jehovah to give you the wisdom and self-control to resist the temptation.

10, 11. (a) What happens to many young ones at school? (b) What can help young Christians to resist the temptation to break God’s laws?

¹⁰ Something similar to what happened to Joseph happens to many young Christians today. One example is Kim. Her classmates would often brag about having sex over the weekend. Kim did not have any stories like that to tell. She admits that being different made her feel “abandoned and alone” at times and that her classmates thought that she was stupid because she did not date. But Kim was actually wise. She knew that the temptation to have sex can be very strong when we are young. (2 Timothy 2:22) Other students would often ask whether she was still a virgin. That gave her the opportunity to explain why she chose not to have sex. We are proud of young Christians who are determined to resist pressure to be sexually immoral, and Jehovah is proud of them too!

¹¹ The Bible also gives us examples of people who did not resist the temptation to be sexually immoral. And it shows the bad results when we do not have self-control. If you are in a situation similar to Kim’s, think about the foolish young man described in Proverbs chapter 7. Think, too, about Amnon and the terrible results of his behavior. (2 Samuel 13:1, 2, 10-15, 28-32) Parents can help their children to develop self-control and wisdom by discussing those examples during family worship.

12. (a) How did Joseph control his feelings toward his brothers? (b) In what situations do we have to control our feelings?

¹² On another occasion, Joseph again set a good example of self-control. This was when his brothers came to Egypt to buy food. To understand what they were really thinking, Joseph did not tell them that he was their brother. And when his feelings became very intense, he left his brothers so that he could cry in private. (Genesis 43:30, 31; 45:1) If a brother or a sister does something that upsets you, imitating Joseph’s example of self-control will help you to avoid saying or doing something you might later regret. (Proverbs 16:32; 17:27) Or maybe you have disfellowshipped relatives. If so, you will need to control your feelings in order to avoid unnecessary contact with them. This can be difficult to do. But it will be easier if you remember that you are imitating Jehovah’s example and doing what he commands.

13. What lessons can we learn from events in King David’s life?

¹³ We also benefit from King David’s example. When Saul and Shimei provoked him, David did not get angry or use his power against them. (1 Samuel 26:9-11; 2 Samuel 16:5-10) Yet, David did not always have self-control. We know this from reading about his sin with Bath-sheba and his reaction to Nabal’s greed. (1 Samuel 25:10-13; 2 Samuel 11:2-4) We can learn valuable lessons from David. First, overseers among God’s people especially need self-control so that they do not misuse their authority. Second, no one should be overconfident, thinking that he will never give in to temptation.​—1 Corinthians 10:12.

PRACTICAL THINGS YOU CAN DO

14. What experience did one brother have, and why are our reactions in similar situations important?

¹⁴ What can you do to improve your self-control? Consider what happened to Luigi. A vehicle hit the back of his car. Even though the other driver caused the accident, that driver began yelling at Luigi and tried to start a fight. Luigi prayed to Jehovah to remain calm and tried to calm the other driver. But the man continued to yell. So Luigi wrote the man’s insurance details down and left while the man was still shouting. A week later, Luigi was making a return visit on a woman. Her husband was the other driver! The man was embarrassed and apologized for his bad behavior. He offered to contact Luigi’s insurance company so that Luigi could get his car fixed sooner. The man joined the Bible discussion and really enjoyed it. Because of this, Luigi realized how important it was that he had remained calm after the accident and how devastating the results could have been if he had become angry.​—Read 2 Corinthians 6:3, 4.

15, 16. How can Bible study help you and your family to develop self-control?

¹⁵ Regular and meaningful Bible study can help Christians to develop self-control. Remember what God told Joshua: “This book of the Law should not depart from your mouth, and you must read it in an undertone day and night, in order to observe carefully all that is written in it; for then your way will be successful and then you will act wisely.” (Joshua 1:8) But how can Bible study help you to develop, or cultivate, self-control?

¹⁶ We have learned that the Bible contains examples that show how we benefit when we have self-control and how we suffer when we do not. Jehovah had these examples written down for a reason. (Romans 15:4) It would be wise for us to read, study, and think carefully about them. Try to understand how they apply to you and your family. Ask Jehovah to help you to apply the counsel from his Word. If you realize that you lack self-control in some area, admit it. Then pray about it, and work hard to see how you can improve. (James 1:5) Do research in our publications to find practical advice that can help you.

17. In what ways can parents help their children to develop self-control?

¹⁷ How can you help your children to develop self-control? Parents know that their children were not born with this quality. So they need to teach their children good qualities by their own example. (Ephesians 6:4) If you see that your children are lacking self-control, ask yourself whether you are setting a good example. You can set a good example by being regular in the ministry, in attending meetings, and in conducting family worship. And do not be afraid to say no to your children when necessary! Jehovah set limits for Adam and Eve. Those limits could have helped them to learn respect for Jehovah’s authority. In a similar way, when parents discipline their children and set a good example for them, it can teach children self-control. Love for God’s authority and respect for his standards are some of the most valuable things that you can help your children to have.​—Read Proverbs 1:5, 7, 8.

18. Why do we need to choose our friends wisely?

¹⁸ Whether we are parents or not, all of us should choose our friends wisely. If your friends love Jehovah, they will encourage you to set meaningful goals and avoid trouble. (Proverbs 13:20) Their good example will motivate you to imitate their self-control. And no doubt your good conduct will encourage them as well. The self-control we will gain will help us to have God’s approval, enjoy our life, and share good things with those we love.

1. How did Jehovah reveal himself to Moses? Why is this important?

ON ONE occasion, God revealed himself to Moses by declaring His name and some of His qualities. Jehovah could have emphasized his power or wisdom, but instead, he first spoke of his mercy and compassion. (Read Exodus 34:5-7.) Moses needed to know if Jehovah would support him. So Jehovah emphasized qualities that show that he really wants to help his servants. (Exodus 33:13) How does it make you feel to know that Jehovah cares so much for us? This article will focus on compassion, which is sympathy for the suffering of others and the desire to help them.

2, 3. (a) What shows that it is natural for humans to feel compassion? (b) Why should you be interested in what the Bible says about compassion?

² Jehovah is compassionate, and humans were made in his image. So it is natural for humans to care about others. Even those who do not know Jehovah often show compassion. (Genesis 1:27) In the Bible, we find many accounts of people who showed compassion. For example, when Solomon needed to find out which of two women was the mother of a baby, he tested them by ordering that the baby be cut in half. The mother felt deep compassion for her baby, so she pleaded with the king to let the other woman have him. (1 Kings 3:23-27) Another example of compassion is Pharaoh’s daughter. When she found baby Moses, she realized that he was a Hebrew and was supposed to be killed. But “she felt compassion for him,” and she decided to raise him as her own son.​—Exodus 2:5, 6.

³ Why should we learn more about compassion? Because Jehovah wants us to imitate him. (Ephesians 5:1) Even though we were created to be compassionate, we are imperfect and tend to be selfish. Sometimes it may not be easy for us to decide whether to help other people or to focus on ourselves. What can help us to be more interested in others? First, let us examine how Jehovah and others have shown compassion. Second, let us see how we can imitate God’s compassion and why it is good for us to do so.

JEHOVAH​—THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF COMPASSION

4. (a) Why did Jehovah send angels to Sodom? (b) What can we learn from the experience of Lot’s family?

⁴ The Bible contains many examples of Jehovah’s compassion. For example, think of what he did for Lot. Lot was a righteous man who was “greatly distressed” by the immoral people in Sodom and Gomorrah. Those people had no respect for God, and Jehovah decided that they deserved to die. (2 Peter 2:7, 8) Jehovah sent angels to Lot to tell him that Sodom and Gomorrah would be destroyed and that he needed to flee. The Bible says: “When [Lot] kept lingering, then because of Jehovah’s compassion for him, the [angels] seized hold of his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, and they brought him out and stationed him outside the city.” (Genesis 19:16) Just as Jehovah understood Lot’s situation, we can be sure that he understands any difficulties we go through.​—Isaiah 63:7-9; James 5:11, footnote; 2 Peter 2:9.

5. How does God’s Word teach us how to show compassion?

⁵ Jehovah has also taught his people to show compassion. Think about one of the laws that he gave to Israel. If someone owed money to a lender, the lender could take the person’s garment as a guarantee that he would pay the money back. (Read Exodus 22:26, 27.) But the lender had to return the garment to the person by sunset so that he could stay warm during the night. Someone who was not compassionate might not have wanted to give the garment back, but Jehovah taught his people to be compassionate. What does the principle behind this law teach us? Never ignore the needs of a fellow Christian. When we can help a brother or a sister who is suffering, we want to do so.​—Colossians 3:12; James 2:15, 16; read 1 John 3:17.

6. What can we learn from Jehovah’s compassion for the sinful Israelites?

⁶ Jehovah felt compassion for the Israelites even when they sinned against him. We read: “Jehovah the God of their forefathers kept warning them by means of his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place.” (2 Chronicles 36:15) In a similar way, we should feel compassion for those who do not yet know Jehovah but who may still repent and become his friends. Jehovah does not want anyone to be destroyed in the coming judgment. (2 Peter 3:9) So while there is still time, we want to share his warning message with everyone we can and help as many as possible to benefit from God’s compassion.

7, 8. Why did one family believe that Jehovah had shown compassion to them?

⁷ Today, many of Jehovah’s servants have experienced his compassion. For example, during the 1990’s in Bosnia, various ethnic groups were fighting and killing one another. One family living there included a 12-year-old boy we will call Milan. Milan, his brother, his parents, and other Witnesses were traveling on a bus from Bosnia to Serbia. They were going to a convention, where Milan’s parents were planning to get baptized. At the border, some soldiers noticed that the family was from a different ethnic group and made them get off the bus. Then they let the rest of the brothers on the bus continue their trip. For two days, the soldiers would not let the family go. Finally, the officer in charge called his superior officer and asked what he should do with them. The family was standing right there and could hear the superior officer reply, “Just take them out and shoot them!”

⁸ As the soldiers were talking, two strangers approached the family. They whispered that they were Witnesses too and that the brothers on the bus had told them what had happened. The two Witnesses told Milan and his brother to get into their car to cross the border because the soldiers were not checking children’s papers. Then the brothers told the parents to walk around the back of the border post and meet them on the other side. Milan was so scared that he did not know whether to laugh or cry. His parents asked, “Do you think they are just going to let us walk off?” But as they walked away, it seemed as if the soldiers did not even see them. Milan and his brother met their parents on the other side of the border, and they went on to the convention. They were convinced that Jehovah had answered their prayers! We know from the Bible that Jehovah does not always directly protect his servants in such a way. (Acts 7:58-60) But in this case, Milan said: “It seemed to me that the angels blinded the soldiers and that Jehovah rescued us.”​—Psalm 97:10.

9. How did Jesus feel about the crowds who followed him? (See opening picture.)

⁹ Jesus was an excellent example of compassion. He felt pity for the people because he saw that “they were skinned and thrown about like sheep without a shepherd.” So, what did he do? “He started to teach them many things.” (Matthew 9:36; read Mark 6:34.) In contrast, the Pharisees were not compassionate and did not want to help the people. (Matthew 12:9-14; 23:4; John 7:49) Like Jesus, do you have a deep desire to help people and teach them about Jehovah?

10, 11. Is it always appropriate to show compassion? Explain.

¹⁰ This does not mean that it is always appropriate to show compassion. For example, King Saul may have thought that he was showing compassion when he did not kill Agag, who was the king of Amalek and an enemy of God’s people. Saul also did not kill all the animals of the Amalekites. But Jehovah had told Saul to kill all the Amalekites and all their animals. Because of Saul’s disobedience, Jehovah rejected him as king. (1 Samuel 15:3, 9, 15, footnote) Jehovah is the righteous Judge. He can read people’s hearts, and he knows when compassion should not be shown. (Lamentations 2:17; Ezekiel 5:11) Soon he will bring judgment on all those who refuse to obey him. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) That will not be the time for Jehovah to show compassion to the wicked. However, by destroying them, he will show compassion for the righteous, whom he will save.

¹¹ Of course, it is not our job to judge whether people should live or die. Instead, we need to do all we can now to help people. What are some practical ways that we can show compassion to others? Here are a few suggestions.

HOW WE CAN SHOW COMPASSION

12. How can you show compassion in how you treat others?

¹² Be helpful in everyday life. Jehovah requires that Christians show compassion to their neighbors and to their brothers. (John 13:34, 35; 1 Peter 3:8) One meaning of compassion is “to suffer together.” A person who shows compassion tries to help those who are suffering. So we should look for opportunities to help others, perhaps by offering to do a necessary chore or errand for them.​—Matthew 7:12.

13. What do God’s people do after natural disasters?

¹³ Share in relief work. When we see people suffering because of a disaster, we want to show them compassion. Jehovah’s people are well-known for helping others at such times. (1 Peter 2:17) For example, a Japanese sister lived in an area that was damaged in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. She said that she was “very encouraged and comforted” when she saw volunteers come from different parts of Japan and from other countries to repair homes and Kingdom Halls. She added: “This experience helped me to realize that Jehovah cares. And fellow Witnesses care about one another. Many brothers and sisters all over the world are praying for us.”

14. How can you help the sick and elderly?

¹⁴ Help those who are sick and elderly. When we see people suffering from sickness and old age, we feel compassion. We long to see the end of these problems, so we pray for God’s Kingdom to come. In the meantime, we do all we can to help the sick and the elderly. One author wrote that one day his elderly mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, soiled her clothes. While she was trying to clean up, her doorbell rang. Two Witnesses who regularly visited her were there. The sisters asked if they could help. The woman said: “It is embarrassing but yes.” The sisters helped her to clean up. Then they made her a cup of tea and stayed to chat with her. The son was very thankful and said that the Witnesses “practice what they preach.” Does your compassion for the sick and the elderly move you to do all you can to help them?​—Philippians 2:3, 4.

15. How does our preaching work help others?

¹⁵ Help people to know Jehovah. The best way we can help people is to teach them about God and his Kingdom. Another way is to help them see why obeying Jehovah’s standards is good for them. (Isaiah 48:17, 18) The ministry is a wonderful way to honor Jehovah and show compassion to others. Could you do more in the ministry?​—1 Timothy 2:3, 4.

COMPASSION IS GOOD FOR YOU TOO!

16. How do we benefit when we are compassionate?

¹⁶ Mental-health experts say that showing compassion can improve our health and our relationships with others. When you help those who are suffering, you will feel happier, more hopeful, less lonely, and less negative. Showing compassion is good for you. (Ephesians 4:31, 32) When love moves us to help others, we have a good conscience because we know that we are doing what Jehovah wants us to do. Compassion will help us to be better parents, marriage mates, and friends. In addition, people who show compassion to others usually receive help when they need it.​—Read Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:38.

17. Why do you want to be compassionate?

¹⁷ Although showing compassion is good for us, the main reason we show compassion is that we want to imitate Jehovah and bring glory to him. He is the Source of love and compassion. (Proverbs 14:31) He sets the perfect example for us. So let us do all that we can to imitate God by showing compassion. Then we will draw closer to our brothers and sisters and have better relationships with the people around us.​—Galatians 6:10; 1 John 4:16.

1, 2. (a) What would life be like without the Bible? (b) What helps us to benefit from God’s Word?

WHAT would your life be like if you did not have the Bible? You would not have wise advice to guide you each day. You would not know the truth about God, life, or the future. And you would not have any idea what Jehovah did for humans in the past.

² Thankfully, we are not in this sad situation. Jehovah has given us his Word, the Bible. He has promised that its message will last forever. The apostle Peter quoted Isaiah 40:8. Even though that verse is not specifically about the Bible, it applies to the Bible’s message. (Read 1 Peter 1:24, 25.) We can benefit the most from the Bible if we read it in our own language. Those who love God’s Word have always known this. Over the centuries, people have worked hard to translate the Bible and make it available, despite great opposition and difficulty. Jehovah wants as many people as possible to “be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.”​—1 Timothy 2:3, 4.

3. What will we discuss in this article? (See opening picture.)

³ In this article, we will discuss how God’s Word has endured in spite of (1) changes in language, (2) political developments that changed the common language, and (3) opposition to Bible translation. How will this discussion help us? Our appreciation for the Bible and its Author will become deeper.​—Micah 4:2; Romans 15:4.

CHANGES IN LANGUAGE

4. (a) How do languages change over time? (b) How do we know that God does not prefer a specific language? How does that make you feel?

⁴ As time passes, languages change. Words and expressions may come to mean something very different from what they once did. Perhaps you can think of an example in the language you speak. This is also true of ancient languages. The Hebrew and Greek that people speak today are different from the Hebrew and Greek in which the Bible was written. Most people are not able to understand the Bible in the ancient languages it was written in, and they need a translation. Some have thought that if they learned ancient Hebrew and Greek, they could understand the Bible better. But that might not help them as much as they think.a (See footnote.) We are very grateful that the Bible or parts of it have been translated into nearly 3,000 languages. It is Jehovah who wants people of “every nation and tribe and language” to benefit from his Word. (Read Revelation 14:6, footnote.) Surely, this makes us feel even closer to our God, who is loving and impartial.​—Acts 10:34.

5. What made the King James Version important?

⁵ The fact that languages change also affects Bible translations. A translation that was easy to read when it was first produced may not be so clear later on. An example of this is the King James Version, first produced in 1611. It became one of the most popular English Bibles. The wording used in the King James Version even affected the English language.b (See footnote.) However, this translation used the name Jehovah only a few times. In most places in the Hebrew Scriptures where God’s name was originally found, it used the word “LORD” in capital letters. Later printings also used the word “LORD” in capital letters in some verses in the Christian Greek Scriptures. In this way, the King James Version acknowledged that God’s name belonged in the so-called New Testament.

6. Why are we grateful for the New World Translation?

⁶ When the King James Version first appeared, the English words it used sounded modern. But as time went by, some of those words began to sound old-fashioned, and today they are difficult to understand. The same thing happened with early Bible translations in other languages. So we are very grateful to have the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, which uses modern language. This translation is available in whole or in part in more than 150 languages. This means that most people in the world can now read this translation in their own language. The modern and clear words it uses make it easy for God’s message to reach our heart. (Psalm 119:97) But what makes the New World Translation truly special is that it puts God’s name in the places where it was originally found.

THE COMMON LANGUAGE

7, 8. (a) Why were many Jews in the third century B.C.E. not able to understand the Hebrew Scriptures? (b) What is the Greek Septuagint?

⁷ Political developments in the world have sometimes changed what language people spoke at a certain time. But Jehovah has made sure that the Bible would be available to people in a language they could understand. For example, the first 39 books of the Bible were written by the Jews, or Israelites. They were the ones first “entrusted with the sacred pronouncements of God.” (Romans 3:1, 2) They originally wrote these books in either Hebrew or Aramaic. But by the third century B.C.E., many Jews no longer understood Hebrew. Why not? When Alexander the Great conquered a large part of the world, the Greek Empire spread. As a result, Greek became the common language in the areas that Greece ruled, and many people began to speak Greek instead of their own language. (Daniel 8:5-7, 20, 21) This included many Jews, so it became difficult for them to understand the Bible in Hebrew. What was the solution?

⁸ About 250 years before Jesus was born, the first five books of the Bible were translated into Greek. Later, the rest of the Hebrew Scriptures were also translated. This translation became known as the Greek Septuagint. It is the first known written translation of the whole Hebrew Scriptures.

9. (a) How did the Septuagint and other early translations help people who read God’s Word? (b) What is your favorite part of the Hebrew Scriptures?

⁹ The Septuagint made it possible for Greek-speaking Jews to read the Hebrew Scriptures in Greek. Can you imagine how excited they were to be able to hear or read God’s Word in their own language? Eventually, parts of the Bible were translated into other commonly spoken languages, such as Syriac, Gothic, and Latin. As more people were able to read and understand God’s Word, they too came to love it. And they could have their favorite verses, just as we do today. (Read Psalm 119:162-165.) Yes, God’s Word has endured despite political changes and changes to the common language.

OPPOSITION TO BIBLE TRANSLATION

10. In John Wycliffe’s time, why were most people not able to read the Bible?

¹⁰ Over the years, many powerful leaders tried to prevent people from reading the Bible. But God-fearing men did not stop working to make the Bible available to all. One of these was John Wycliffe, who lived in England during the 14th century. He believed that everyone should be able to read the Bible. During his lifetime, most people in England had never heard the Bible’s message in their language. Bibles were very expensive, and each copy had to be written out by hand. So, very few people owned a Bible. Also, most people at that time could not even read. Those who went to church may have heard the Bible read out loud in Latin, but that was an old language that ordinary people did not understand. How did Jehovah make sure that people would have the Bible in their own language?​—Proverbs 2:1-5.

11. What was the effect of the Wycliffe Bible?

¹¹ In 1382, John Wycliffe and others translated the Bible into English. The Wycliffe Bible became very popular among a group known as the Lollards. Those people loved the Bible. They traveled on foot from village to village all over England. The Lollards read the Bible to people and gave them handwritten copies of parts of it. Their work made the Bible very popular again.

12. How did the clergy feel about Wycliffe and his work?

¹² The clergy hated Wycliffe, his Bible, and his followers. They persecuted the Lollards and destroyed all the Wycliffe Bibles they could find. Even though Wycliffe had already died, the clergy declared him a heretic, or an enemy of the Church. They dug up his bones, burned them, and threw the ashes into the river Swift. But many people wanted to read and understand God’s Word, and the Church could not stop this. In the hundreds of years that followed, people in Europe and other parts of the world began to translate and print the Bible in languages that many could understand.

“THE ONE TEACHING YOU TO BENEFIT YOURSELF”

13. What can we be sure of? How does this make our faith stronger?

¹³ The Bible is inspired by God. But this does not mean that the work of translating the Septuagint, Wycliffe’s Bible, the King James Version, or any other version is directly inspired by God. Yet, when we examine how these translations were produced, it is clear that just as Jehovah promised, his Word has endured. This strengthens our faith that everything else that Jehovah has promised will also come true.​—Joshua 23:14.

14. How does what we learn about the Bible make our love for God deeper?

¹⁴ When we learn how Jehovah protected his Word, our faith in him becomes stronger and our love for him becomes deeper.c (See footnote.) Why did Jehovah give us the Bible in the first place and then promise to protect it? Because he loves us and wants to teach us how to benefit ourselves. (Read Isaiah 48:17, 18.) This moves us to love and obey him.​—1 John 4:19; 5:3.

15. What will we discuss in the next article?

¹⁵ We deeply love God’s Word, so how can we get the most from our personal Bible reading? How can we help those we meet in the ministry to appreciate the Bible? How can teachers in the congregation make sure that everything they teach is based on God’s Word? We will discuss these questions in the next article.

1. What convinces you that God’s Word has power? (See opening picture.)

JEHOVAH’S people are convinced that his word, his message to humans, “is alive and exerts power.” (Hebrews 4:12) We have seen the Bible’s power in our own life and in the lives of others. Before becoming Witnesses, some were thieves, drug addicts, or sexually immoral. Others had fame or money but still felt that something was missing in their life. (Ecclesiastes 2:3-11) Happily, many who were hopeless and lost now have direction and hope. In The Watchtower, we have read and enjoyed many such experiences in the series of articles “The Bible Changes Lives.” And even after becoming Christians, people must continue to strengthen their relationship with Jehovah with the help of the Bible.

2. How did the power of God’s Word affect people in the first century?

² It is not surprising that many people make big changes when they learn the truth. Our brothers and sisters in the first century who had the heavenly hope made such changes. (Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.) When Paul spoke of those who would not inherit God’s Kingdom, he added: “That is what some of you were.” God’s Word and his holy spirit helped those people to change. But even after becoming Christians, some of them made serious mistakes that affected their relationship with Jehovah. For example, the Bible mentions one anointed brother who had to be disfellowshipped. Later, he made changes so that he could again be part of the Christian congregation. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:5-8) It is encouraging that our brothers and sisters have been able to make so many changes because of the power of God’s Word.

3. What will we discuss in this article?

³ God’s Word is very powerful. Since Jehovah has given it to us, we want to make sure that we use it well. (2 Timothy 2:15) This article will discuss what we can do to use the power of the Bible (1) in our own life, (2) in our ministry, and (3) when we teach from the platform. What we learn here will help us show our love and gratitude to our heavenly Father, who teaches us to benefit ourselves.​—Isaiah 48:17.

IN OUR OWN LIFE

4. (a) What can we do so that God’s Word will affect us? (b) How do you make time to do your Bible reading?

⁴ To allow God’s Word to affect us, we need to read it regularly. We should try to read it every day. (Joshua 1:8) Most of us have very busy lives, but we should not let anything, including our responsibilities, stop us from reading the Bible. (Read Ephesians 5:15, 16.) We may find the time early in the morning, sometime during the day, or later on at night. We agree with the psalmist who wrote: “How I do love your law! I ponder over it all day long.”​—Psalm 119:97.

5, 6. (a) Why do we need to meditate? (b) How can our meditation be effective? (c) How has reading the Bible and meditating on it helped you?

⁵ However, just reading the Bible is not enough. We need to meditate on, or think carefully and deeply about, what we have read. (Psalm 1:1-3) Only then we will be able to apply the Bible’s wisdom in our life. So whether we read the Bible in printed form or on an electronic device, we want to allow God’s Word to change and motivate us.

⁶ How can our meditation be effective? When we read the Bible, we should pause and ask ourselves: ‘What does this tell me about Jehovah? How am I already applying what I read in my life? What changes do I still need to make?’ When we meditate on God’s Word and pray about what we read, we will want to apply it. Then we can experience the power of the Bible in our lives.​—2 Corinthians 10:4, 5.

IN THE MINISTRY

7. How can we use God’s Word well in our ministry?

⁷ It is important that we use God’s Word frequently when we preach and teach. One brother said, “If you were preaching from house to house with Jehovah himself, would you do all the talking or would you let him speak?” When we read from the Bible to someone, we are letting Jehovah speak to him. A well-chosen scripture is more powerful than anything we might say. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) When you are in the ministry, do you try to read from the Bible as often as you can?

8. Why do we need to do more than just read scriptures when we preach?

⁸ However, reading a Bible verse to those to whom we preach is not enough. Most people do not understand the meaning of the Bible. This was true in the first century, and it is true today. (Romans 10:2) We should not assume that the householder understands the scripture we read. We can help him by repeating main words or ideas from the verse and then explaining what these mean. In this way, God’s Word can reach people’s mind and heart.​—Read Luke 24:32.

9. How can we help people respect the Bible by what we say before reading a scripture? Give an example.

⁹ What we say before we read a scripture can also help the householder to respect the Bible. For example, we might say, “Let’s see what our Creator says on this subject.” Or if we are speaking to someone from a non-Christian background, we could say, “Let’s see what the Holy Writings tell us.” If we meet a person who does not care about religion, we could ask, “Have you ever heard this ancient saying?” If we remember that every person has his own background and beliefs, we will do all we can to make our introduction appealing.​—1 Corinthians 9:22, 23.

10. (a) What happened to one brother? (b) How have you seen the power of God’s Word in your ministry?

¹⁰ Many have found that using God’s Word can have a powerful effect on people to whom they preach. For example, one brother visited an elderly man who had read our magazines for many years. One day, instead of just giving him the latest Watchtower, the brother decided to read a scripture. He read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, which says: “The Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort . . . comforts us in all our trials.” These words touched the elderly man so much that he asked the brother to read the verses again. Then the man said that he and his wife really needed comfort. Because of this scripture, he wanted to know more about the Bible. Using God’s Word in our ministry is very powerful!​—Acts 19:20.

WHEN TEACHING FROM THE PLATFORM

11. What responsibility do brothers who teach from the platform have?

¹¹ We love to attend our meetings, assemblies, and conventions. The main reason we attend is to worship Jehovah. We also benefit from what we learn. For this reason, the brothers who teach from the platform have a great privilege and a serious responsibility. (James 3:1) They must make sure that their teaching is based on God’s Word. If you have this privilege, how can you use the power of the Bible to reach your audience?

12. How can a speaker make sure that his talk is based on the Scriptures?

¹² The Scriptures need to be the most important part of any talk. (John 7:16) So be very careful that the way you give your talk and the experiences or illustrations you use do not attract more attention than the Bible. Also, remember that reading from the Bible is not the same thing as teaching from the Bible. In fact, if you read too many scriptures, most people will not remember them. So carefully choose the scriptures you want to use. Then take time to read, explain, illustrate, and apply them well. (Nehemiah 8:8) When a talk is based on an outline, make sure that you study the outline and the scriptures it uses. Try to understand how the outline and the scriptures are connected. Then use some of these scriptures to teach the points in the outline. (You can find good suggestions in studies 21 to 23 of Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education.) And most important, ask Jehovah to help you to share his precious thoughts from the Bible.​—Read Ezra 7:10; Proverbs 3:13, 14.

13. (a) How was one sister affected by a scripture she heard at a meeting? (b) How has the way the Bible is used at our meetings affected you?

¹³ When a sister in Australia was a child, many tragic things happened to her, and even though she later came to know Jehovah, she still could not fully believe that Jehovah loved her. At a meeting, this sister heard a scripture that deeply affected her. She meditated on it and did research, which led her to read other verses in the Bible. She became convinced that Jehovah loved her.a (See footnote.) Have you ever heard a scripture at a meeting, assembly, or convention that affected you in such a way?​—Nehemiah 8:12.

14. How can we show that we value and love Jehovah’s Word?

¹⁴ Are we not grateful to Jehovah for his written Word, the Bible? He promised that it would endure, and he kept that promise. (1 Peter 1:24, 25) So we want to make sure that we read the Bible regularly, apply it in our life, and use it to help others. When we do this, we show that we truly love and appreciate this treasure and, most important, its Author, Jehovah God.

1, 2. (a) What important assignment did Solomon receive? (b) Why was David concerned about Solomon?

SOLOMON received a special assignment. Jehovah chose him to oversee the building of the temple in Jerusalem, one of the most important construction projects of all time! The temple was going to be “exceedingly magnificent,” and it would be famous for its beauty. More important, it would be “the house of Jehovah the true God.”​—1 Chronicles 22:1, 5, 9-11.

² King David was confident that God would support Solomon. But Solomon was “young and inexperienced.” Would he have the courage to accept the assignment of building the temple? Or would his youth and inexperience prevent him from doing so? To succeed, Solomon would need to be courageous and go to work.

3. What could Solomon learn about courage from his father?

³ Solomon must have learned much about courage from his father, David. Even when David was very young, he fought wild animals that attacked his father’s sheep. (1 Samuel 17:34, 35) He also showed great courage when he fought a tough and fearsome soldier, the giant Goliath. Yes, with God’s help and a smooth stone, David defeated Goliath.​—1 Samuel 17:45, 49, 50.

4. Why did Solomon need to be courageous?

⁴ We can understand why David was the right person to urge Solomon to be courageous and build the temple. (Read 1 Chronicles 28:20.) If Solomon did not show courage, fear could paralyze him, that is, prevent him from even starting the work. And that would be worse than failing at his assignment.

5. Why do we need courage?

⁵ Like Solomon, we need help from Jehovah to be courageous and do the work that he gives us. So let us study the examples of some people who showed courage in the past. Then we can think about how we can show courage and accomplish our work.

EXAMPLES OF COURAGE

6. What impresses you about Joseph’s courage?

⁶ Joseph showed courage when Potiphar’s wife tempted him to commit sexual immorality. He must have known that his life could be in danger if he refused. But rather than give in, he showed courage and immediately rejected her.​—Genesis 39:10, 12.

7. How did Rahab show courage? (See opening picture.)

⁷ Rahab is another example of courage. When Israelite spies went to her home in Jericho, she could have given in to fear and refused to help them. But because she trusted in Jehovah, she courageously hid the two men and helped them to escape safely. (Joshua 2:4, 5, 9, 12-16) Rahab believed that Jehovah is the true God, and she was confident that somehow he would give the land to the Israelites. She did not allow fear of others, including the king of Jericho and his men, to paralyze her. Instead, she acted courageously and saved herself and her family.​—Joshua 6:22, 23.

8. How did Jesus’ courage affect the apostles?

⁸ Jesus’ faithful apostles also showed great courage. They had seen the courage that Jesus showed, and this helped them to imitate him. (Matthew 8:28-32; John 2:13-17; 18:3-5) When the Sadducees tried to stop them from teaching about Jesus, the apostles refused to do so.​—Acts 5:17, 18, 27-29.

9. How does 2 Timothy 1:7 help us to understand where courage comes from?

⁹ Joseph, Rahab, Jesus, and the apostles were determined to do what was right. They showed courage, not because they were confident in their own abilities, but because they relied on Jehovah. At times when we need courage, we too must rely on Jehovah, not on ourselves. (Read 2 Timothy 1:7.) Let us consider two areas of life where we need courage: in our family and in the congregation.

SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE COURAGE

10. Why do young Christians need courage?

¹⁰ There are many situations where young Christians need to show courage to serve Jehovah. They can learn from and follow the example of Solomon, who showed courage when he made wise decisions to finish building the temple. Even though young ones can and should be guided by their parents, they have their own important decisions to make. (Proverbs 27:11) They need courage to make wise decisions about who their friends will be, what they will do for entertainment, how they will remain morally clean, and when they will get baptized. They need such courage because they are going against the will of Satan, the one who taunts God.

11, 12. (a) How did Moses show courage? (b) How can young ones imitate Moses’ example?

¹¹ One important decision young ones must make is what goals they will set. In some countries, young ones are pressured to focus on higher education and to get a job that will pay them a lot of money. In other countries, the economic situation is difficult, and young ones may feel that their main focus must be working to help their families. If you are in either situation, think of Moses’ example. He was raised by the daughter of Pharaoh, so he could have set the goal of becoming very rich or important. Imagine the pressure he must have felt from his Egyptian family, teachers, and counselors! But Moses was courageous and chose to be with God’s people. After he left Egypt and its riches, he relied completely on Jehovah. (Hebrews 11:24-26) As a result, Jehovah blessed him greatly, and he will bless him even more in the future.

¹² When young ones courageously set goals in Jehovah’s service and put Kingdom interests first in their lives, he will bless them. He will help them provide for the needs of their families. In the first century, the young man Timothy focused his life on serving God, and you can too.a (See footnote.)​—Read Philippians 2:19-22.

13. How did courage help a young sister to achieve her goals?

¹³ A sister in Alabama, U.S.A., needed courage to set goals in God’s service. She writes: “Growing up, I was really shy. I could barely talk to people at the Kingdom Hall, much less knock on the doors of complete strangers.” With the help of her parents and others in the congregation, this young Christian achieved her goal of becoming a regular pioneer. She says: “Satan’s world promotes higher education, fame, money, and having a lot of material things as good goals.” But she also realized that most people can never achieve those goals and that they only bring stress and pain. She adds: “Serving Jehovah, though, has brought me the greatest happiness and sense of accomplishment.”

14. When do Christian parents need courage?

¹⁴ Christian parents also need courage. For example, your employer may regularly ask you to work overtime on days that you already set aside for family worship, field service, and congregation meetings. You need courage to say no to your employer and set the right example for your children. Or perhaps a few parents in the congregation allow their children to do things that you do not want your children to do. When those parents ask you for the reason, will you be courageous and explain it to them in a respectful way?

15. How can Psalm 37:25 and Hebrews 13:5 help parents?

¹⁵ It takes courage to help our children set and achieve goals in God’s service. For example, some parents may be afraid to encourage their children to make pioneering their career, to serve where the need is greater, to serve at Bethel, or to help with the construction of Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls. Perhaps they fear that their children will not be able to care for them when they are old. However, wise parents show courage and have faith that Jehovah will keep his promises. (Read Psalm 37:25; Hebrews 13:5.) Parents who show such courage and rely on Jehovah help their children to do the same.​—1 Samuel 1:27, 28; 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.

16. How have some parents helped their children to set goals in God’s service, and how has this benefited their children?

¹⁶ A couple in the United States helped their children to focus on serving Jehovah. The husband says: “Before our children could walk and talk, we would speak to them about the joys of pioneering and serving the congregation. Now this is their goal.” He adds that because their children have set and achieved such goals, it has helped them to fight against the temptations of Satan’s system and to focus on serving Jehovah. A brother who has two children wrote: “Many parents expend much effort and resources helping their children reach goals in such areas as sports, recreation, and education. It makes so much more sense to expend effort and resources in helping our children reach goals that will help them to maintain a good standing with Jehovah. It has been a great source of satisfaction not only to see our children reach spiritual goals but to share the journey with them.” You can be sure that parents who help their children to set and achieve goals in God’s service have his approval.

COURAGE IN THE CONGREGATION

17. Give examples of courage in the Christian congregation.

¹⁷ We also need to show courage in the congregation. For example, elders need courage when they handle cases of serious sin or when they help those whose life is in danger because of a medical emergency. Some elders visit prisons to study with interested ones or to conduct meetings. And what about single sisters? They have many opportunities to show courage and serve Jehovah. They can pioneer, move to where the need is greater, work with the Local Design/​Construction program, and apply for the School for Kingdom Evangelizers. Some are even invited to attend Gilead School.

18. How can older sisters show courage?

¹⁸ We love our older sisters, and we are grateful to have them in the congregation! Even though some may not be able to do as much as they once did in God’s service, they can still show courage and go to work. (Read Titus 2:3-5.) For example, an older sister needs to show courage if the elders ask her to talk to a younger sister about dressing modestly. She will not scold the sister about the clothes she wears, but in a kind way, she will help her to think about how her choices may affect others. (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) When older sisters show their love in such ways, they can strengthen the congregation.

19. (a) How can baptized brothers be courageous? (b) How can Philippians 2:13 and 4:13 help brothers to become courageous?

¹⁹ Baptized brothers also need to be courageous and go to work. When they are willing to serve as ministerial servants and elders, the congregation greatly benefits. (1 Timothy 3:1) However, some may hesitate to do so. Perhaps a brother made mistakes in the past, and now he feels that he is not worthy of being a ministerial servant or an elder. Another brother may feel that he does not have the abilities needed to serve. If you feel that way, Jehovah can help you to become courageous. (Read Philippians 2:13; 4:13.) Remember the example of Moses. He too felt that he was not able to do what Jehovah asked him to do. (Exodus 3:11) But Jehovah helped him to become courageous and do what was necessary. How can a baptized brother find such courage? He can pray to Jehovah for help and read the Bible daily. He can meditate on the examples of Bible characters who showed courage. He can humbly ask the elders for training and offer to help in the congregation in any way that is needed. We urge all baptized brothers to be courageous and work hard for the congregation!

“JEHOVAH . . . IS WITH YOU”

20, 21. (a) Of what did David remind Solomon? (b) Of what can we be sure?

²⁰ King David reminded Solomon that Jehovah would be with him until he finished building the temple. (1 Chronicles 28:20) Solomon surely meditated on these words, and he did not allow his youth and inexperience to prevent him from doing the work. Instead, he showed great courage and, with Jehovah’s help, completed the magnificent temple in seven and a half years.

²¹ Jehovah helped Solomon, and he can also help us to be courageous and accomplish our work, both in our family and in the congregation. (Isaiah 41:10, 13) If we show courage as we serve Jehovah, we can be sure that he will bless us now and in the future. Therefore, “be courageous . . . and go to work.”