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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

1-2. How might injustice affect all of us in one way or another?

JESUS told an illustration about a widow who kept asking a judge to give her justice. No doubt that story resonated with many of Jesus’ disciples because in his day the common people were often victims of injustice. (Luke 18:1-5) The story is also meaningful to us today because we have all experienced injustice at one time or another.

² In the world today, prejudice, inequality, and oppression are common, so we are not surprised when we are treated unfairly. (Eccl. 5:8) What we might not expect, though, is to be misjudged by a brother or a sister; yet, that can happen. Of course, our brothers and sisters are not opposers of the truth. They are simply imperfect. We can learn much from how Jesus reacted to injustices from wicked opposers. If we can be patient with opposers who treat us unjustly, how much more so should we be patient with our fellow believers! How does Jehovah feel when we are treated unjustly either by those outside the congregation or by those inside the congregation? Does he care?

3. Does Jehovah care about our suffering injustice, and why?

³ Jehovah cares deeply about the way we are treated. “Jehovah loves justice.” (Ps. 37:28) Jesus assures us that Jehovah will “cause justice to be done . . . speedily” when the time is right. (Luke 18:7, 8) And soon he will undo all the harm we have suffered and eliminate all forms of injustice.​—Ps. 72:1, 2.

4. What help does Jehovah provide for us today?

⁴ While we await the time when righteousness will prevail, Jehovah helps us to cope with injustice. (2 Pet. 3:13) He teaches us how to avoid doing something unwise when we are treated unfairly. Through his Son, Jehovah provides us with the perfect example of the way we can deal with injustice. And he gives us practical counsel that we can apply when we are treated unjustly.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT HOW YOU REACT TO INJUSTICE

5. Why should we be careful about the way we react to injustice?

⁵ We may feel deeply hurt and distressed by injustice. (Eccl. 7:7) Faithful servants, such as Job and Habakkuk, felt the same way. (Job 6:2, 3; Hab. 1:1-3) While these feelings are natural, we need to be careful about how we react so that we do not do something foolish.

6. What does the example of Absalom teach us? (See also picture.)

⁶ We could react to an injustice by improperly trying to take matters into our own hands. Responding in that way, however, could make matters much worse. Consider the example of King David’s son Absalom. He was outraged when his sister Tamar was raped by their half brother Amnon. According to the Mosaic Law, Amnon deserved to die for what he had done. (Lev. 20:17) Although Absalom’s anger was certainly understandable, he was not authorized to take matters into his own hands.​—2 Sam. 13:20-23, 28, 29.

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7. How did injustice temporarily affect a psalmist?

⁷ When those who act unjustly seem to go unpunished, we might question whether it is worthwhile to do what is right. Consider the psalmist who observed that the wicked seemed to prosper at the expense of the righteous. “These are the wicked, who always have it easy,” he said. (Ps. 73:12) He was also so distraught about the injustice he saw that he almost lost confidence in the benefits of serving Jehovah, saying: “When I tried to understand it, it was troubling to me.” (Ps. 73:14, 16) In fact, he revealed: “As for me, my feet had almost strayed; my steps had nearly slipped.” (Ps. 73:2) Something similar happened to a brother we will call Alberto.

8. What effect did injustice have on one brother?

⁸ Alberto was wrongly accused of stealing money from the congregation funds. As a result, he lost his privileges and the respect of many in the congregation who learned about the matter. “I felt bitter, angry, and frustrated,” he recalls. He allowed his emotional pain to affect his spirituality, and he even became inactive for five years. This experience illustrates what could happen if we were to become embittered by an injustice.

IMITATE HOW JESUS COPED WITH INJUSTICE

9. What injustices did Jesus endure? (See also picture.)

⁹ Jesus set a perfect example of how to cope with injustice. Consider the unjust treatment he experienced, both from family and from outsiders. His unbelieving relatives accused him of being out of his mind, the religious leaders accused him of collaborating with the demons, and Roman soldiers mocked him, physically assaulted him, and eventually killed him. (Mark 3:21, 22; 14:55; 15:16-20, 35-37) Yet, Jesus endured all that injustice and more without retaliating. What can we learn from his example?

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10. How did Jesus cope with injustice? (1 Peter 2:21-23)

¹⁰ Read 1 Peter 2:21-23.a Jesus left us a perfect model to follow when we are dealing with an injustice. He knew when to remain silent and when to speak. (Matt. 26:62-64) He did not reply to every false statement made about him. (Matt. 11:19) When he did speak, he did not insult his persecutors or threaten them. Jesus exercised self-control because he “entrusted himself to the One who judges righteously.” Jesus knew that it was Jehovah’s view of matters that was most important. He trusted that Jehovah would deal with the injustices at the right time.

11. What are some ways that we can control our speech? (See also pictures.)

¹¹ We can imitate Jesus by controlling what we say when we are treated unjustly. Some injustices are minor, and we can simply overlook them. Or we may remain silent to avoid saying something that could make matters worse. (Eccl. 3:7; Jas. 1:19, 20) At other times, we may need to speak up when we observe unfair treatment or when we need to defend the truth. (Acts 6:1, 2) If we do speak, we should try our best to do so calmly and respectfully.​—1 Pet. 3:15.b

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12. How do we entrust ourselves to “the One who judges righteously”?

¹² We can also imitate Jesus by entrusting ourselves to “the One who judges righteously.” When others misjudge us or mistreat us, we trust that Jehovah knows the truth. That confidence can help us to endure unfair treatment because we know that ultimately Jehovah will correct matters. By leaving things with Jehovah, we prevent anger or resentment from festering in our heart. Those emotions can cause us to overreact, can destroy our joy, and can damage our relationship with Jehovah.​—Ps. 37:8.

13. What can help us to continue putting up with injustice?

¹³ Of course, we will never be able to follow Jesus’ example perfectly. At times, we may do or say things that we later regret. (Jas. 3:2) And some injustices may leave us with emotional and physical scars that can be hard to bear. If that is true of you, be assured that Jehovah knows what you are going through. And Jesus, who also suffered unjustly, can sympathize with your feelings. (Heb. 4:15, 16) In addition to providing us with Jesus’ perfect example, Jehovah gives us practical counsel that helps us to deal with injustice. Let us consider two verses from the book of Romans that can help us.

“YIELD PLACE TO THE WRATH”

14. What does it mean to “yield place to the wrath”? (Romans 12:19)

¹⁴ Read Romans 12:19. When the apostle Paul urged Christians to “yield place to the wrath,” whose wrath was he referring to? According to the context, it is Jehovah’s wrath. We yield place to Jehovah’s wrath by letting him bring about justice in his own time and in his own way. After a brother named John was treated unfairly, he said: “I had to fight the urge to pursue righting the wrong in my own way. Romans 12:19 helped me to wait on Jehovah.”

15. Why is it best to wait on Jehovah to correct a matter?

¹⁵ We benefit when we wait on Jehovah to correct a matter. If we do so, we will be spared the burden and frustration of trying to solve the problem ourselves. Jehovah offers to help us. He says, as it were, ‘Leave the injustice to me; I will take care of things.’ If we accept Jehovah’s promise “I will repay,” we can let the matter go, confident that he will handle it in the best possible way. That is what helped John, mentioned earlier. He said, “If I can just wait on Jehovah, he will handle it far better than I can.”

“KEEP CONQUERING THE EVIL WITH THE GOOD”

16-17. How can prayer help us to “keep conquering the evil with the good”? (Romans 12:21)

¹⁶ Read Romans 12:21. Paul also urged Christians to “keep conquering the evil with the good.” In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he said: “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you.” (Matt. 5:44) That is exactly what he did. We have likely thought about the suffering Jesus endured when he was nailed to the stake by Roman soldiers. We can only begin to imagine the pain he felt as well as the indignity and the injustice that he endured.

¹⁷ Jesus was not conquered by the injustice he suffered. Instead of cursing those soldiers, he prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) When we pray for those who mistreat us, it can lessen our feelings of resentment and anger and even change the way we view those who offend us.

18. How did prayer help Alberto and John to cope with injustice?

¹⁸ Prayer helped the two brothers mentioned earlier in this article to cope with the injustices they faced. Alberto says: “I prayed for the brothers who treated me unfairly. I asked Jehovah several times to help me put this injustice behind me.” Happily, Alberto is again serving Jehovah faithfully. John says: “Many times, I prayed for the brother who hurt me. Such prayers helped me view him more objectively, without judging him. And those prayers also gave me peace of mind.”

19. What must we do until the end of this system? (1 Peter 3:8, 9)

¹⁹ There is no telling what injustices we may yet face before this system ends. Whatever comes our way, let us never stop praying to Jehovah for help. Also, may we imitate the way Jesus responded to mistreatment and continue to apply Bible principles. If we do, we can be sure of inheriting a blessing from Jehovah.​—Read 1 Peter 3:8, 9.

1. Why can we learn from older ones?

ALL of us need guidance in making life’s important decisions. We can obtain much of that guidance from elders and other mature Christians. If they are much older than we are, we should not automatically dismiss their advice as outdated. Jehovah wants us to learn from older ones. They have had more time than we have had to acquire experience, understanding, and wisdom.​—Job 12:12.

2. What will this article discuss?

² In Bible times, Jehovah used faithful older ones to encourage and guide his people. Consider, for example, Moses, David, and the apostle John. They lived at different times, and their circumstances differed greatly. As they neared the end of their life, they gave wise advice to younger ones. Each of these faithful older men emphasized the value of being obedient to God. Jehovah preserved their wise words for us today. Whether we are young or old, we can benefit by reviewing their counsel. (Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:16) In this article, we will consider the parting words of these three older men and the lessons we can draw from what they said.

“YOU WILL ENDURE A LONG TIME”

3. In what capacities did Moses serve?

³ Moses was wholly devoted to Jehovah. He served as a prophet, a judge, a commander, and a historian. Moses had a lot of experience in life! He led the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt and personally witnessed many of Jehovah’s miracles. Jehovah used him to write the first five books of the Bible, Psalm 90, and possibly Psalm 91. He also likely wrote the book of Job.

4. Whom did Moses encourage, and why?

⁴ Shortly before he died, at the age of 120, Moses called together all the Israelites to remind them of the things they had seen and experienced. In their youth, some of his listeners had witnessed the many signs and miracles performed by Jehovah as well as His judgments against Egypt. (Ex. 7:3, 4) They had walked through the parted waters of the Red Sea and had seen the destruction of Pharaoh’s army. (Ex. 14:29-31) In the wilderness, they had experienced Jehovah’s protection and care. (Deut. 8:3, 4) Now as the nation stood poised to enter the Promised Land, Moses grasped this last opportunity to encourage the people.a

5. Moses’ parting words found at Deuteronomy 30:19, 20 gave what assurance to the Israelites?

⁵ What did Moses say? (Read Deuteronomy 30:19, 20.) The nation of Israel had prospects for a wonderful future. With Jehovah’s blessing, the Israelites could live for a long time in the land that he had promised them. And what a beautiful, fruitful land it was! Moses described it for them: “Great and fine cities that you did not build, houses full of all sorts of good things that you did not work for, hewn cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant.”​—Deut. 6:10, 11.

6. Why did God allow other nations to conquer Israel?

⁶ Moses also gave the Israelites a warning. In order to continue living in their bountiful land, they had to obey Jehovah’s commandments. Moses urged them to “choose life” by listening to Jehovah and by “sticking to him.” However, the Israelites rejected Jehovah. So in time God allowed the Assyrians and later the Babylonians to conquer them and take them into exile.​—2 Ki. 17:6-8, 13, 14; 2 Chron. 36:15-17, 20.

7. What can we learn from the words of Moses? (See also picture.)

⁷ What is the lesson for us? Obedience leads to life. Like the Israelites who were on the threshold of the Promised Land, we are on the verge of entering God’s promised new world, where we will see the earth transformed into a paradise. (Isa. 35:1; Luke 23:43) The Devil and his demons will be gone. (Rev. 20:2, 3) No longer will false religion lead people away from Jehovah. (Rev. 17:16) No longer will human governments oppress those under their care. (Rev. 19:19, 20) Paradise will have no place for rebels. (Ps. 37:10, 11) People everywhere will obey Jehovah’s righteous laws, which promote unity and peace. Thus, they will love and trust one another. (Isa. 11:9) What a wonderful prospect! What is more, if we obey Jehovah, we can continue to live on a paradise earth not just for hundreds of years but for all eternity.​—Ps. 37:29; John 3:16.

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8. How did the promise of everlasting life help one longtime missionary? (Jude 20, 21)

⁸ If we keep God’s promise of everlasting life closely in mind, we will want to stick to him no matter what trials we may face. (Read Jude 20, 21.) That promise can also empower us to fight personal weaknesses. One longtime missionary in Africa who struggled with a persistent fleshly weakness said: “Realizing that my prospect of living forever was threatened made me all the more determined to fight the problem and to supplicate Jehovah fervently. With his help, I was then able to overcome it.”

“YOU WILL SUCCEED”

9. What trials did David experience in his life?

⁹ David was a great king. He was also a musician, a poet, a warrior, and a prophet. He experienced many trials. For some years, he lived as a fugitive, fleeing from jealous King Saul. After becoming king, David again had to run for his life when his son Absalom tried to steal his throne. Despite David’s difficulties and personal failings, he proved loyal to God to the end of his life. Jehovah described him as “a man agreeable to [His] heart.” David’s counsel is worth listening to!​—Acts 13:22; 1 Ki. 15:5.

10. Why did David give counsel to his son and successor, Solomon?

¹⁰ Consider, for example, the counsel that David gave to his son and successor, Solomon. The young man had been chosen by Jehovah to continue to promote pure worship and to build a temple to honor God. (1 Chron. 22:5) Solomon would face difficulties. What would David say to him? Let us see.

11. According to 1 Kings 2:2, 3, what assurance did David give Solomon, and how did these words prove true? (See also picture.)

¹¹ What did David say? (Read 1 Kings 2:2, 3.) David told his son that if he obeyed Jehovah, he would succeed in life. And for many years, Solomon enjoyed considerable success. (1 Chron. 29:23-25) He built the magnificent temple and wrote and contributed to several books of the Bible. He became famous for his wisdom and wealth. (1 Ki. 4:34) But as David explained, Solomon would be successful only as long as he obeyed Jehovah God. Sadly, later in life Solomon turned to other gods. Jehovah withdrew his favor, and Solomon lost the wisdom to govern in righteousness and justice.​—1 Ki. 11:9, 10; 12:4.

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12. What can we learn from the words of David?

¹² What is the lesson for us? Obedience leads to success. (Ps. 1:1-3) Of course, Jehovah has not promised to give us the riches and the glory of Solomon. But if we obey our God, he will give us wisdom that will enable us to make sound decisions. (Prov. 2:6, 7; Jas. 1:5) His principles can guide us in such practical matters as employment, education, entertainment, and money. Applying godly wisdom will protect us from lasting harm. (Prov. 2:10, 11) We will cultivate strong friendships. And we will have the guidance we need for a happy family life.

13. How did Carmen find the way to success in life?

¹³ Carmen, who lives in Mozambique, thought that higher education was the key to success. She enrolled in a university and studied architecture. “I loved what I was learning,” she wrote. “But it took so much of my time and energy. I was at school from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. It was hard to get to meetings, and my spirituality suffered. Deep within me, I realized that I was trying to serve two masters.” (Matt. 6:24) She prayed about her situation and did research in our publications. She added: “After receiving sound counsel from mature brothers and from my mother, I decided to leave university to serve Jehovah full-time. This helped me to make the best choices in my life, and I have no regrets.”

14. What was the basic message of both Moses and David?

¹⁴ Moses and David loved Jehovah and deeply appreciated the value of obeying him. In their parting words, they encouraged their listeners to follow their example by sticking with Jehovah their God. Both of them also warned that those who would leave Jehovah would lose his favor as well as the blessings he had promised them. Their advice is valuable for us today. Centuries later, yet another servant of Jehovah showed the value of faithfulness to God.

“NO GREATER JOY”

15. What did the apostle John experience during his life?

¹⁵ John was a beloved apostle of Jesus Christ. (Matt. 10:2; John 19:26) John accompanied Jesus throughout his ministry, witnessed his miracles, and stuck with him during difficult times. He watched as Jesus was executed and saw him after he was resurrected. He also witnessed the spread of Christianity in the first century from a small group of faithful ones until the good news had been “preached in all creation under heaven.”​—Col. 1:23.

16. Who have benefited from John’s letters?

¹⁶ Near the end of his long life, John was privileged to contribute to God’s inspired Word. He recorded the awe-inspiring “revelation by Jesus Christ.” (Rev. 1:1) John wrote the Gospel bearing his name. He also wrote three inspired letters. He addressed his third letter to a faithful Christian named Gaius, whom John viewed as a beloved spiritual child. (3 John 1) By then, there must have been many whom John viewed as his spiritual children. What this faithful older man wrote has encouraged all of Jesus’ followers down to our day.

17. According to 3 John 4, what brings great joy?

¹⁷ What did John write? (Read 3 John 4.) John wrote of the joy that obedience to God brings. By the time John wrote his third letter, some individuals were spreading false teachings and causing divisions. However, others continued “walking in the truth.” They obeyed Jehovah and were “walking according to his commandments.” (2 John 4, 6) These faithful Christians brought joy not just to John but also to Jehovah himself.​—Prov. 27:11.

18. What can we learn from the words of John?

¹⁸ What is the lesson for us? Faithfulness leads to joy. (1 John 5:3) For example, we have the joy of knowing that we make Jehovah happy. He rejoices to see us reject the temptations of the world and accept the truth. (Prov. 23:15) Others in heaven also rejoice. (Luke 15:10) We too can find joy in seeing one another remain faithful, especially in the face of trials and temptations. (2 Thess. 1:4) Then when this system passes away, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we demonstrated our loyalty to Jehovah even in a world dominated by Satan.

19. What did a sister named Rachel say about teaching the truth to others? (See also picture.)

¹⁹ We are especially joyful when we share the truth with others. Rachel, who lives in the Dominican Republic, feels that teaching someone about the wonderful God we serve is a privilege beyond words. Reflecting on her spiritual children, she says: “It’s hard to describe the joy I feel when I watch those I teach grow to love Jehovah, make him their anchor, and adjust their lives in order to make him happy. That feeling more than makes up for any effort and sacrifice I might have made to teach them.”

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BENEFIT FROM THE PARTING WORDS OF FAITHFUL MEN

20. What do we have in common with Moses, David, and John?

²⁰ Moses, David, and John lived in time periods and circumstances that were different from ours. But we have much in common with them. They served the true God, and so do we. Like them, we pray to Jehovah, rely on him, and look to him for guidance. And like those men of old, we are confident that Jehovah richly blesses those who obey him.

21. What blessings are in store for those who heed the counsel of such faithful older ones as Moses, David, and John?

²¹ Let us, therefore, heed the parting words of those older men by obeying Jehovah’s commandments. Then we will have true success in all that we do. We will have life and “endure a long time,” yes, forever! (Deut. 30:20) And we will have the joy of pleasing our loving heavenly Father, who fulfills all his promises in ways far beyond anything we can anticipate or even imagine.​—Eph. 3:20.

1. How did the apostle Paul feel about ministerial servants?

MINISTERIAL servants perform vital work in the congregations. The apostle Paul obviously appreciated these loyal men. For instance, when writing to Christians in Philippi, he specifically greeted the ministerial servants along with the elders.​—Phil. 1:1.

2. How does a brother named Luis feel about his assignment as a ministerial servant?

² Whether young or old, many baptized brothers find great joy in being ministerial servants. For example, Devan was 18 when he was appointed. On the other hand, a brother named Luis was appointed in his early 50’s. He summed up the feeling of many when he said, “I feel so privileged to do the work of a ministerial servant, especially when I think of all the love the congregation has shown me!”

3. What questions will we consider?

³ If you are a baptized brother and you are not yet a ministerial servant, could you make that your goal? What might motivate you to do so? And what are the Scriptural qualifications that you need to meet? In this article, we will consider the answers to these questions. But first, let us discuss what the role of a ministerial servant is.

WHAT IS A MINISTERIAL SERVANT’S ROLE?

4. What is the role of a ministerial servant? (See also picture.)

⁴ A ministerial servant is a baptized brother who is appointed by holy spirit to help the elders care for many practical matters in the congregation. Some ministerial servants make sure that publishers have enough territory and literature for their ministry. Others help to clean and maintain the Kingdom Hall. Ministerial servants also serve as attendants and operate the sound and video equipment during congregation meetings. Much of the work done by ministerial servants is of a practical nature. Yet, ministerial servants are first and foremost spiritual men; they love Jehovah and live by his righteous standards. And they feel a deep love for their Christian brothers and sisters. (Matt. 22:37-39) How can a baptized brother reach out to be a ministerial servant?

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5. What does it mean to reach out?

⁵ The Bible outlines the qualifications for those who may be appointed as ministerial servants. (1 Tim. 3:8-10, 12, 13) You can reach out for this privilege by studying these Scriptural qualifications and then working hard to meet them. But first, you need to give careful attention to your motives for reaching out.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO REACH OUT?

6. What should motivate you to perform any kind of service for your brothers and sisters? (Matthew 20:28; see also picture.)

⁶ Our greatest example, Jesus Christ, was motivated by love​—love for his Father and love for people. That love moved him to work hard and perform humble tasks for others. (Read Matthew 20:28; John 13:5, 14, 15) If you are motivated by love, Jehovah will bless you and will help you to reach your goal of qualifying as a ministerial servant.​—1 Cor. 16:14; 1 Pet. 5:5.

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7. Why should a brother avoid selfish ambition?

⁷ In the world, people who promote themselves are often admired. Not so in Jehovah’s organization. A brother who is motivated by love, as Jesus was, does not crave power, authority over others, or status. If such an ambitious person were to be appointed in the congregation, he would likely refuse to do some of the humble tasks needed to care for Jehovah’s precious sheep. He might consider such tasks to be beneath him. (John 10:12) Jehovah will not bless the efforts of anyone who is driven by pride or selfish ambition.​—1 Cor. 10:24, 33; 13:4, 5.

8. What counsel did Jesus give his apostles?

⁸ At times, even Jesus’ closest companions reached out for privileges for the wrong reason. Consider an event involving two of Jesus’ apostles​—James and John. They asked Jesus to give them special prominence in his Kingdom. Jesus did not commend them for their ambition. Instead, he explained to all 12 apostles: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of all.” (Mark 10:35-37, 43, 44) Brothers who reach out with the proper motive​—that is, to serve others—​will be a blessing to the congregation.​—1 Thess. 2:8.

WHAT CAN STRENGTHEN YOUR DESIRE TO REACH OUT?

9. How can you strengthen your desire to reach out?

⁹ No doubt you love Jehovah and want to serve others. Even so, you may lack the desire to take on the extra work required of a ministerial servant. How can you strengthen your desire to serve? Why not think about the joys that can come from serving your brothers and sisters? Jesus said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) He lived by this principle. He found real joy in serving others, and so can you.

10. How did Jesus show that he was happy to serve others? (Mark 6:31-34)

¹⁰ Consider an example of how Jesus showed that he was happy to serve others. (Read Mark 6:31-34.) On one occasion, Jesus and his apostles were tired. They were on their way to an isolated place to get some rest. But a crowd got there ahead of them, hoping to be taught by Jesus. He could have said no. After all, he and his companions “had no leisure time even to eat a meal.” Or Jesus could have sent the people away after sharing only one or two truths. But because he was motivated by love, he “started to teach them many things.” And he continued teaching them until “the hour had grown late.” (Mark 6:35) He did so, not because he had to, but because “he was moved with pity for them.” He wanted to teach them because he loved them. Serving others brought Jesus great joy.

11. How did Jesus serve his listeners in a practical way? (See also picture.)

¹¹ When Jesus ministered to the crowd, he did more than teach them. He also cared for their physical needs. He miraculously provided food and then had his disciples distribute it. (Mark 6:41) By doing so, he taught his disciples how to serve others. He also showed them that practical services​—such as those that ministerial servants might render—​are important. Imagine the joy the apostles had in sharing with Jesus in this miraculous distribution of food until “all ate and were satisfied”! (Mark 6:42) Of course, this was not the only time that Jesus put the welfare of others ahead of his own. He used his entire earthly life to serve people. (Matt. 4:23; 8:16) Jesus found joy and satisfaction in teaching others and in humbly caring for their needs. No doubt you too will experience much joy as you unselfishly reach out to be a ministerial servant.

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12. Why do none of us have reason to feel that we have little to offer the congregation?

¹² If you feel that you do not have any outstanding ability, do not be discouraged. No doubt you have qualities that can make you useful in the congregation. You might benefit from prayerfully reading Paul’s reasoning found at 1 Corinthians 12:12-30. Paul’s words make it clear that you, like every other servant of Jehovah, have a necessary and valuable role to play in the congregation. If you do not presently meet the qualifications to serve as a ministerial servant, do not despair. Instead, why not do whatever you can to be useful to Jehovah and to your brothers? Be assured that the elders will take your abilities into consideration with regard to any assignments they may give you.​—Rom. 12:4-8.

13. What is true of most of the qualifications for appointed men?

¹³ Consider one more reason why you should reach out to qualify as a ministerial servant: Most of the qualifications apply to all Christians. In fact, all Christians should draw close to Jehovah, experience the joy of giving, and set a good example in Christian living. What, specifically, can a brother do to reach out?

HOW TO REACH OUT

14. What does it mean to “be serious”? (1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12)

¹⁴ Let us now consider some of the qualifications outlined at 1 Timothy 3:8-10, 12. (Read.) A ministerial servant must “be serious.” That expression may also be translated “worthy of respect,” “dignified,” or “honorable.” This does not mean that you can never laugh or enjoy humor. (Eccl. 3:1, 4) However, you should take all your responsibilities seriously. If you have a reputation for being reliable and dependable, you will gain the respect of the congregation.

15. What is meant by “not double-tongued” and “not greedy of dishonest gain”?

¹⁵ “Not double-tongued” means that you are sincere, honest, and trustworthy. You keep your word, and you do not deceive others. (Prov. 3:32) “Not greedy of dishonest gain” means that you are honest in your business dealings and in handling money. You would not take advantage of your good relationships with fellow Christians to make money.

16. (a) What does “not indulging in a lot of wine” mean? (b) What does it mean to have “a clean conscience”?

¹⁶ “Not indulging in a lot of wine” means that you do not overindulge in alcohol or have a reputation for being a heavy drinker. Having “a clean conscience” means that you live according to Jehovah’s standards. Although you are not perfect, you enjoy the peace that comes from a good relationship with God.

17. How can a brother show himself trustworthy while being “tested as to fitness”? (1 Timothy 3:10; see also picture.)

¹⁷ “Tested as to fitness” means that you have already shown that you can be trusted with responsibility. Therefore, when the elders give you an assignment, carefully follow their instructions and the guidelines provided by the organization. Make sure that you understand what the assignment involves and when it should be completed. As you handle each assignment diligently, others in the congregation will notice and appreciate your good progress. Elders, be alert to train baptized brothers. (Read 1 Timothy 3:10.) Are there baptized brothers in your congregation who are in their early teens or younger? Are they exemplary in their personal study habits? Do they regularly comment at meetings and share in the field ministry? If so, give them assignments that are appropriate to their age and circumstances. In this way, these young brothers can be “tested as to fitness.” Then by the time they are in their late teens, they can likely qualify as ministerial servants.

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18. What does it mean to be “free from accusation”?

¹⁸ “Free from accusation” means that no valid charge of serious wrongdoing can be brought against you. Of course, Christians might be falsely accused. Jesus was the subject of false accusations, and he foretold that his followers would experience the same. (John 15:20) However, if you keep your conduct clean, as Jesus did, you will gain a fine reputation in the congregation.​—Matt. 11:19.

19. What does being “husbands of one wife” involve?

¹⁹ “Husbands of one wife.” If married, you must hold to Jehovah’s original standard for marriage​—one man and one woman. (Matt. 19:3-9) A Christian man should never commit sexual immorality. (Heb. 13:4) But more is involved. You must be loyal to your wife, never giving inappropriate attention to other women.​—Job 31:1.

20. How does a man preside over his household “in a fine manner”?

²⁰ “Presiding in a fine manner over their children and their own households.” If you are a family head, you must take your responsibilities seriously. Conduct family worship regularly. Share in the ministry with each member of your family as frequently as you can. Help your children to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah. (Eph. 6:4) A man who cares for his family shows that he can look after the congregation.​—Compare 1 Timothy 3:5.

21. If you are not yet serving as a ministerial servant, what can you do?

²¹ Brothers, if you are not yet serving as a ministerial servant, please prayerfully consider the material in this article. Study the qualifications for ministerial servants and work hard to meet those qualifications. Think about how much you love Jehovah and your brothers and sisters. Deepen your desire to serve them. (1 Pet. 4:8, 10) Experience the joy that comes from serving your spiritual family. May Jehovah richly bless your efforts to reach out to serve as a ministerial servant!​—Phil. 2:13.

1-2. What does the “fine work” of an elder involve?

IF YOU have been serving for a time as a ministerial servant, you may be well on your way to qualifying to serve as an elder. Can you reach out for that “fine work”?​—1 Tim. 3:1.

² What does the work of an elder involve? He takes the lead in preaching, works hard in shepherding and teaching, and builds up the congregation by word and example. For good reason, the Bible calls hardworking elders “gifts in men.”​—Eph. 4:8.

3. How can a brother qualify to serve as an elder? (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)

³ How can you qualify to serve as an elder? Qualifying as an elder is not the same as qualifying for a secular job. Often in the secular world, if you have the basic work skills that an employer is looking for, you can get the job. By contrast, if you wish to be appointed as an elder, you need more than preaching and teaching skills. You need to meet the Scriptural qualifications for elders listed at 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. (Read.) This article will discuss what is required of elders in three key areas: gaining a fine reputation both inside and outside the congregation, setting a good example as a family head, and being willing to serve the congregation.

GAINING A FINE REPUTATION

4. What does it mean to “be irreprehensible”?

⁴ To qualify as an elder, you must “be irreprehensible,” that is, have a good reputation in the congregation because your conduct is above reproach. In addition, you should have “a fine testimony from outsiders.” Unbelievers may criticize your Christian beliefs, but they should have no valid reason to question your honesty or conduct. (Dan. 6:4, 5) Ask yourself, ‘Do I have a good reputation both inside and outside the congregation?’

5. How can you show that you are “a lover of goodness”?

⁵ If you are “a lover of goodness,” you look for the good in others and commend them for their fine qualities. You are also happy to do good for others, even going beyond what is required. (1 Thess. 2:8; see “lover of goodness” study note on Titus 1:8.) Why is this quality so important for elders? Because they use much of their valuable time to shepherd the congregation and care for assignments. (1 Pet. 5:1-3) Even so, the joy that comes from serving others far outweighs any sacrifice.​—Acts 20:35.

6. What are some ways to be “hospitable”? (Hebrews 13:2, 16; see also picture.)

⁶ You demonstrate that you are “hospitable” when you do good things for others, including those outside your circle of close friends. (1 Pet. 4:9) One reference work describes a hospitable man this way: “The door of his house​—and of his heart—​must be open to strangers.” Ask yourself, ‘What is my reputation when it comes to welcoming visitors?’ (Read Hebrews 13:2, 16.) A hospitable man shares what he can with visitors, including lowly ones of little means and hardworking servants, such as circuit overseers and visiting speakers.​—Gen. 18:2-8; Prov. 3:27; Luke 14:13, 14; Acts 16:15; Rom. 12:13.

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7. How does an elder show that he is “not a lover of money”?

⁷ “Not a lover of money.” This means that you are not focused on material things. Whether you are rich or poor, you put Kingdom interests first in all aspects of your life. (Matt. 6:33) You use your time, energy, and other resources to worship Jehovah, to care for your family, and to serve the congregation. (Matt. 6:24; 1 John 2:15-17) Ask yourself: ‘How do I view money? Am I content with the necessary things? Or am I focused on making money and acquiring more material possessions?’​—1 Tim. 6:6, 17-19.

8. What are some ways you show that you are “moderate in habits” and “self-controlled”?

⁸ If you are “moderate in habits” and “self-controlled,” you are balanced in all areas of your life. This includes avoiding extremes in eating, drinking, dress and grooming, and recreation. You are not a slave to the trends of the world. (Luke 21:34; Jas. 4:4) You are levelheaded, that is, you remain calm even when provoked. You are “not a drunkard”; nor do you have a reputation as a heavy drinker. Ask yourself, ‘Does the way I live show that I am moderate in habits and self-controlled?’

9. What is involved in being “sound in mind” and “orderly”?

⁹ If you are “sound in mind,” you carefully evaluate matters based on Bible principles. You have thought deeply about these principles, and that has given you insight and understanding. You do not jump to conclusions. Instead, you make sure that you have all the necessary facts. (Prov. 18:13) As a result, you make balanced decisions that reflect Jehovah’s thinking. If you are “orderly,” you are organized and punctual. You are known for being reliable and for following direction. These qualities will contribute to your fine reputation. Let us now discuss how to meet the Scriptural qualifications in setting a good example as a family head.

SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE AS A FAMILY HEAD

10. How does a man preside “over his own household in a fine manner”?

¹⁰ If you are a husband and want to qualify as an elder, the reputation of your family will affect your qualifications. Thus, you need to be “presiding over [your] own household in a fine manner.” You need to have a reputation for being a loving and responsible family head. This includes taking the lead in all aspects of our worship. Why is this so important? The apostle Paul reasoned: “If any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?”​—1 Tim. 3:5.

11-12. How does the conduct of a man’s family members affect his qualifications? (See also picture.)

¹¹ If you are a father, you must have your minor “children in subjection with all seriousness.” You need to teach and train them lovingly. Of course, like all children, they will enjoy laughing and playing. But because of your good training, they will be obedient, respectful, and well-behaved. Also, you must do your best to help your children to develop a good relationship with Jehovah, to live by Bible principles, and to progress to baptism.

¹² “Having believing children who are not accused of debauchery or rebelliousness.” If a believing child in a household becomes guilty of committing a serious sin, how would that affect the father? If the father has been negligent in providing training and discipline, he would likely not qualify to serve as an elder.​—See the October 15, 1996, issue of The Watchtower, p. 21, pars. 6-7.

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SERVING THE CONGREGATION

13. How can you show that you are “reasonable,” “not self-willed”?

¹³ Brothers who manifest fine Christian qualities are an asset to the congregation. A “reasonable” man promotes peace. If you want to be known as being reasonable, listen to others and be open to their viewpoints. In a meeting, would you be willing to support the decision of the majority if no Bible law or principle is violated? “Not self-willed” means that you do not insist on doing things your way. You appreciate the value of many advisers. (Gen. 13:8, 9; Prov. 15:22) You are “not quarrelsome” or “quick-tempered.” Instead of being harsh or disagreeable, you are gentle and tactful. As a peaceable man, you take the initiative to make peace, even in tense situations. (Jas. 3:17, 18) Your kind words can soften the attitude of others, including that of opposers.​—Judg. 8:1-3; Prov. 20:3; 25:15; Matt. 5:23, 24.

14. What is meant by “not . . . newly converted” and “loyal”?

¹⁴ A brother who qualifies as an elder is “not a newly converted man.” Although you do not have to be baptized for many years, you do need time to become a mature Christian. Before you are appointed as an elder, you must demonstrate that, like Jesus, you are humble and are content to wait on Jehovah for any assignment. (Matt. 20:23; Phil. 2:5-8) You can prove that you are “loyal” by sticking to Jehovah and his righteous standards and by following the direction given through his organization.​—1 Tim. 4:15.

15. Must an elder be an excellent public speaker? Explain.

¹⁵ The Scriptures clearly state that overseers must be “qualified to teach.” Does this mean that you must be an excellent public speaker? No. Many well-qualified elders, though not the best public speakers, teach effectively in the ministry and on shepherding calls. (See “qualified to teach” study note on 1 Timothy 3:2; compare 1 Corinthians 12:28, 29 and Ephesians 4:11.) Even so, you do need to work constantly at improving your skills as a teacher. How can you become more effective?

16. How can you become more effective as a teacher? (See also picture.)

¹⁶ “Holding firmly to the faithful word.” To be more effective as a teacher, base your public teaching and private counsel on God’s Word. Be a good student of the Bible and of our publications. (Prov. 15:28; 16:23; see “holding firmly to the faithful word” study note on Titus 1:9.) As you study, take careful note of the proper application of the Scriptures. And when teaching, try hard to reach the heart of those in your audience. You can improve as a teacher if you ask for and apply suggestions from experienced elders. (1 Tim. 5:17) Elders need to be “able . . . to encourage” their brothers and sisters; however, elders must at times counsel or even “reprove” them. In either case, elders must always be kind. If you are gentle and loving and you base your teaching on God’s Word, you will be effective because you will be imitating the Great Teacher, Jesus.​—Matt. 11:28-30; 2 Tim. 2:24.

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CONTINUE REACHING OUT

17. (a) What can help ministerial servants to continue reaching out? (b) What should elders keep in mind when evaluating brothers for appointment? (See the box “Be Modest When Evaluating Others.”)

¹⁷ After reviewing the qualifications to serve as elders, some ministerial servants might feel that they could never qualify. But remember that neither Jehovah nor his organization expects you to display these qualities perfectly. (1 Pet. 2:21) And it is Jehovah’s powerful spirit that helps you to develop these qualifications. (Phil. 2:13) Is there a particular quality that you would like to improve on? Pray to Jehovah about it. Research the topic, and ask one of the elders for suggestions on how to improve.

18. What are all ministerial servants encouraged to do?

¹⁸ May all of us, including those already serving as elders, continue to cultivate the qualities discussed in this article. (Phil. 3:16) Are you a ministerial servant? Reach out! Ask Jehovah to train and mold you to be even more useful in serving him and the congregation. (Isa. 64:8) May Jehovah richly bless your efforts to qualify to serve as an elder.

Paul: We were so excited! It was November 1985, and we were on our way to our first missionary assignment​—Liberia, West Africa. Our flight stopped in Senegal. “In just over an hour,” Anne said, “we will be in Liberia!” Then came an announcement: “Passengers for Liberia must get off the plane. A coup d’état prevents our landing there.” For the next ten days, we stayed with missionaries in Senegal, listening to news from Liberia about truckloads of dead bodies and curfews that were strictly enforced​—violators were shot.

Anne: We are not the kind who seek adventure. In fact, since infancy I have been known as Anxious Annie. I’m even nervous about crossing a road! But we were determined to get to our assignment.

Paul: Anne and I were born just eight kilometers (5 mi) apart in the west of England. We both started pioneering right after high school, greatly encouraged by my parents and Anne’s mother. They fully supported our desire to make a career of the full-time service. At the age of 19, I had the privilege of going to Bethel, and Anne joined me after our marriage in 1982.

Anne: We loved Bethel, but we had always wanted to serve where the need was greater. Working alongside former missionaries at Bethel strengthened that desire. We prayed specifically about this every night for three years, so we were thrilled when in 1985 we received an invitation to attend the 79th class of Gilead! We were assigned to Liberia, West Africa.

STRENGTHENED BY THE LOVE OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Paul: We boarded the first flight allowed back into Liberia. The atmosphere was tense and curfews remained in place. A car that backfired was enough to cause mass panic in the marketplaces. To calm our nerves, we read portions of the Psalms together every night. But we truly loved our assignment. Anne was a missionary in the field, and I was in Bethel, working alongside John Charuk.a His experience as well as his understanding of the circumstances of our brothers and sisters helped to train me.

Anne: Why did we come to love Liberia so quickly? Because of our brothers and sisters. They were warm, outgoing, and faithful. We felt a bond with them; they became our new family. Their words of advice strengthened us spiritually. The ministry was a dream. Householders would be annoyed if you left them too soon! People discussed Scriptural questions on street corners. You could just walk up and join the conversation. We had so many Bible students that it was a challenge to study with them all. It was a wonderful problem!

STRENGTHENED DESPITE OUR FEARS

Paul: In 1989 after four years of relative peace, there came a shocking change​—outright civil war. Rebel troops captured the area around Bethel on July 2, 1990. For three months we lost all contact with the outside world, including our families and world headquarters. There was anarchy, food shortage, and rape. The troubles continued for 14 years and affected the entire country.

Anne: Members of some tribes were fighting and killing those in other tribes. Heavily armed fighters in bizarre clothing roamed the streets, looting every building. Some viewed killing humans, in their words, as “slaughtering chickens.” Bodies piled up at checkpoints, some near the branch. Faithful Witnesses were killed, including two of our dear missionaries.

Risking their lives, Witnesses hid others who belonged to the tribes that were being hunted and killed. Missionaries and Bethelites did likewise. At Bethel, some displaced Witnesses slept downstairs and others lived with us in our rooms upstairs. We shared our room with a family of seven.

Paul: Each day, the fighters tried to get in to see whether we were hiding people. We had a four-person security system: two watched from a window while two went to the outer gate. If the two out by the gate kept their hands in front of them, all was well. But if they put their hands behind their back, it meant that the fighters were aggressive, so those watching from the window would quickly hide our friends.

Anne: After many weeks, one angry group of fighters forced their way in. I locked myself and a sister in a bathroom where we had a tiny hiding place inside a cupboard with a false bottom. The sister squeezed in there. The fighters had followed me upstairs, armed with their machine guns. They angrily banged on our door. Paul pleaded, “My wife is using the bathroom.” Replacing the false bottom was noisy and rearranging the shelf contents caused a suspicious delay, so I began to shake visibly from head to foot. How could I open that door? I said a silent prayer, begging Jehovah for help. I then unlocked the door and somehow calmly greeted them. Pushing past me, one of them went straight for the cabinet, opened it, and rummaged the shelves. He could not believe that he found nothing. He and his group then searched other rooms and the attic. But once again, they found nothing.

THE TRUTH KEPT SHINING

Paul: For months we were desperately short of food. But spiritual food was our lifeline. Bethel morning worship was our only “breakfast,” and we all appreciated the inner strength it gave us.

If literal food and water had run out, forcing us and others to leave the branch, those hiding would likely have been executed. Sometimes the manner and timing of Jehovah’s provisions seemed miraculous. Jehovah cared for our needs and helped us to control our fears.

The darker the world became, the brighter the truth shone. Repeatedly, our brothers and sisters fled for their lives, but their faith and dignity stayed intact. Some said that their dealing with the war was “practice for the great tribulation.” Courageous elders and young brothers stepped up and took the lead. When displaced, the brothers and sisters stuck together, opening up new preaching territories and holding meetings in makeshift Kingdom Halls set up in the bush. Meetings were havens of encouragement in a sea of despair, and preaching helped the Witnesses to cope. When distributing relief aid, we were touched to receive requests for preaching bags rather than clothing. Sad and traumatized people listened to the good news. They were amazed at how happy and positive the Witnesses were; they shone like a light in all that darkness. (Matt. 5:14-16) The zeal within the brotherhood even led to some of the vicious fighters becoming our brothers.

STRENGTHENED FOR HEARTBREAK

Paul: Sometimes we had to leave the country, three times briefly and twice for a whole year. One missionary sister summed up our feelings so well: “In Gilead, they taught us to put our heart into our assignment, and we did. So leaving our brothers in circumstances like these was like having our heart torn out!” Thankfully, we could assist the Liberia field from nearby countries.

Anne: In May 1996, four of us set off in the branch vehicle that was packed with important branch records. We wanted to drive 16 kilometers (10 mi) to a safer place across town. Right then our area was attacked. Angry fighters fired into the air, stopped us, pulled three of us out, and drove off in the vehicle with Paul still inside. We stood there dazed. Suddenly, Paul came walking through the crowd with blood dripping from his forehead. In the confusion, we thought he had been shot, but then we realized that if so, he would not be walking! One fighter had hit him when pushing him out of the vehicle. Thankfully, it was just a minor wound.

A military transport vehicle nearby was packed with frightened people. We clung to the outside of the vehicle with our fingertips. The driver set off at top speed, and we almost fell off. We begged him to stop, but he was too scared to listen. Somehow, we held on but arrived with nerves shaken and muscles trembling from the strain.

Paul: With nothing but the dirty, torn clothes on our back, we looked at each other and wondered how we were alive. We slept in an open field next to a rickety bullet-ridden helicopter, which took us to Sierra Leone the next day. We were grateful to be alive but deeply worried about our Christian brothers.

STRENGTH FOR A NEW, UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE

Anne: On arrival at Bethel in Freetown, Sierra Leone, we were safe and well cared for. But I started having flashbacks. During the day, I was on high alert and afraid and my surroundings seemed blurry and unreal. At night, I would wake up in a cold sweat, trembling and feeling a sense of doom. It was difficult to breathe. Paul held me and prayed with me. We sang Kingdom songs until the shaking stopped. I felt that I was going crazy and could no longer serve as a missionary.

I will never forget what happened next. That very week we received two magazines. One was the Awake! of June 8, 1996. It contained the article “Coping With Panic Attacks.” Now I understood what was happening to me. The second was The Watchtower of May 15, 1996, which featured the article “Where Do They Get Their Strength?” The Watchtower had a picture of an injured butterfly. The article explained that just as a butterfly can continue feeding and flying despite having badly damaged wings, with Jehovah’s spirit we can continue to help others even if we have been emotionally hurt. This was strengthening food from Jehovah at precisely the right time. (Matt. 24:45) Researching the subject and making a folder of articles that discuss this matter helped me. Over time, my symptoms of post-traumatic stress faded.

STRENGTHENED TO ADAPT

Paul: Whenever we would return home to Liberia, we were so happy. By late 2004, we had been in our assignment for almost 20 years. The war had ended. There were plans for construction at the branch. But suddenly we were asked to accept a new assignment.

This was a huge test. We were so close to our spiritual family​—how would we cope? Having left our own dear families to go to Gilead, we had seen how putting ourselves in Jehovah’s hands would lead to blessings, so we accepted. Our assignment would take us to nearby Ghana.

Anne: We shed many tears as we left Liberia. We were surprised when Frank, a wise and elderly brother, told us: “You must forget about us!” Then he explained: “We know you will never forget us, but you must put your whole heart into your new assignment. It is from Jehovah, so focus on the brothers and sisters there.” This strengthened us for the challenge of starting again where few knew us and where we did not have history.

Paul: However, it did not take long to come to love our new spiritual family in Ghana. There were so many Witnesses there! We learned a lot from the stability and spiritual strength of our new friends. Then after serving in Ghana for 13 years, we received another surprise. We were asked to serve at the East Africa branch in Kenya. Although we deeply missed the friends in our previous assignments, we immediately felt a bond with faithful ones in Kenya. And we are still serving in a vast territory where the need is very great.

LOOKING BACK

Anne: Over the years, I experienced a lot of trembling and shaking. Dangerous or stressful situations can have both a physical and an emotional effect on us. We are not miraculously protected from this. If I hear the sounds of gunshots and artillery fire, I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and my hands go numb. But I have learned to depend on all the help that Jehovah supplies to strengthen us, including the support of our brothers and sisters. And I have seen that by keeping to a steady spiritual routine, Jehovah can help us to stay in our assignment.

Paul: Some may ask, “Do you love your assignment?” Countries can be beautiful, but they can also become unstable and dangerous. So, what is it that we love more than the country? The precious brothers and sisters, our family. Despite differences in background, we truly have the same mind. We thought we were sent to encourage them, but the reality is that they have strengthened us.

Each time we move, we see a modern-day miracle: our brotherhood. As long as we are part of a congregation, we have a family and a home. We are certain that if we continue to rely on Jehovah, he will strengthen us according to our need.​—Phil. 4:13.

DO YOU struggle to keep your personal Bible study both regular and enjoyable? We probably all do at times. But think about other things that we do regularly, such as bathing. Washing takes time and effort, but how refreshed we feel afterward! Bible study too can be like a refreshing “bath of water by means of the word.” (Eph. 5:26) Consider some suggestions that can help:

• Make a schedule. Personal Bible study is among “the more important things” a Christian must not neglect. (Phil. 1:10) To help you follow your schedule, why not display it where it is readily visible, such as on a noticeboard or the fridge door? Or you may find it helpful to set an alarm on your electronic device shortly before study time.

• Adapt to your needs. Is it easier for you to concentrate for a longer period of time or for several shorter periods of time? You know your circumstances best. Adapt your study sessions accordingly. If you feel reluctant when study time arrives, why not decide to study for just ten minutes? By studying for even that short time, you will have accomplished more than you might have otherwise. And once you get started, you may well be motivated to continue.​—Phil. 2:13.

• Choose topics in advance. If you sit down and then wonder what to study, you may not be “making the best use of your time.” (Eph. 5:16) Why not keep a list of the articles or topics you would like to study? Whenever a question comes to mind, jot it down. And at the end of each study session, you might add other ideas to your list of what you would like to study.

• Be flexible. Try to include some flexibility in your schedule, such as the amount of time you spend studying or the topics you choose. What counts is​—not when, how long, or what you study—​but how regularly you study.

We truly benefit from a regular study routine. We draw closer to Jehovah, we learn to act wisely, and we feel refreshed.​—Josh. 1:8.

Would you like to get more out of your personal study? You could try these tips to have a learning-friendly environment:

• Select a pleasant location. If possible, find an area that is uncluttered and appropriately lit. You could sit at a desk or a table, or you could choose a comfortable location outside.

• Find privacy. Jesus chose to pray “early in the morning” in “an isolated place.” (Mark 1:35) If complete privacy is not possible, you could let your family or your housemates know your study schedule and ask for their consideration.

• Maintain focus. Avoid distractions. If you use your phone or tablet to study, silence the alerts or try using airplane mode in order to avoid interruptions. And if you think of something you need to do, make a brief note to handle it later. If your concentration falters, take a break to walk or stretch.