Lesson 14 Explore 2: Praise Jehovah in the Congregation | Watchtower Study
STUDY ARTICLE 2
Praise Jehovah in the Congregation
“In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”-
(Psalm 22.22: I will declare your name to my brothers; In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.)
PREVIEW
1. How did David feel about Jehovah, and what did this motivate him to do?
KING DAVID wrote: “Jehovah is great and most worthy of praise.”
(Psalm 145.3: Jehovah is great and most worthy of praise; His greatness is unsearchable.)
He loved Jehovah, and that love moved him to praise God “in the midst of the congregation.”
(Psalm 22.22: I will declare your name to my brothers; In the midst of the congregation I will praise you.)
(Psalm 40.5: How many things you have done, O Jehovah my God, Your wonderful works and your thoughts toward us. None can compare to you; If I were to try to tell and speak of them, They would be too numerous to recount!)
No doubt, you love Jehovah and agree with David’s words: “May you be praised, O Jehovah the God of Israel our father, throughout all eternity.”-
(1 Chronicles 29.10-13: Then David praised Jehovah before the eyes of all the congregation. David said: “May you be praised, O Jehovah the God of Israel our father, throughout all eternity. Yours, O Jehovah, are the greatness and the mightiness and the beauty and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Jehovah. You are the One exalting yourself as head over all. The riches and the glory are from you, and you rule over everything, and in your hand there are power and mightiness, and your hand is able to make great and to give strength to all. And now, O our God, we thank you and praise your beautiful name.)
2. (a) How can we praise Jehovah? (b) What challenges do some face, and what will we review?
2. Today, one way we praise Jehovah is by commenting during Christian meetings. However, a number of our brothers and sisters face a real challenge. They want to participate in the meetings, but fear prevents them. How can they cope with that fear? And what practical tips can help all of us to give encouraging comments? Before we answer those questions, let us first review four basic reasons why we comment at meetings.
WHY WE COMMENT AT MEETINGS
3-5. (a) As explained at Hebrews 13:15, why do we comment at meetings? (b) Must we all give the same type of comment? Explain.
3. Jehovah has given all of us the privilege to praise him.
(Psalm 119.108: Please take pleasure in my voluntary offerings of praise, O Jehovah, And teach me your judgments.)
Our comments at meetings are part of our “sacrifice of praise,” and no one can offer that sacrifice for us.
Read Hebrews 13.15: Through him let us always offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that make public declaration to his name.
Does Jehovah demand the same type of sacrifice, or comment, from each of us? No, he does not!
4. Jehovah knows that we have different abilities and circumstances, and he deeply appreciates the sacrifices we are able to offer to him. Think of the type of sacrifices that he accepted from the Israelites. Some Israelites were able to offer a lamb or a goat. But a poor Israelite might offer “two turtledoves or two young pigeons.” And if an Israelite could not afford two birds, Jehovah accepted “a tenth of an ephah of fine flour.”
(Leviticus 5.7: “‘If, though, he cannot afford a sheep, he must bring to Jehovah two turtledoves or two young pigeons as his guilt offering for the sin, one for a sin offering and one for a burnt offering.)
(Leviticus 5.11: “‘Now if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he must bring as his offering for his sin a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering. He should not add oil to it or place frankincense on it, for it is a sin offering.)
Flour was less expensive, but Jehovah still appreciated that sacrifice, as long as it was “fine flour.”
5. Our kind God feels the same way today. When we give comments, he does not demand that all of us be as eloquent as Apollos or as persuasive as Paul.
(Acts 18.24: Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus; he was an eloquent man who was well-versed in the Scriptures.)
(Acts 26.28: But Agrippa said to Paul: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.”)
All Jehovah wants is that we give the best comments we can-within our limits. Remember the widow who offered the two small coins. She was precious to Jehovah because she gave the best she could.-
(Luke 21.1-4: Now as he looked up, he saw the rich dropping their gifts into the treasury chests. Then he saw a needy widow drop in two small coins of very little value, and he said: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than they all did. For all of these put in gifts out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in all the means of living she had.”)
CAPTION: Commenting benefits us and those who listen (See paragraphs 6-7)
6. (a) According to Hebrews 10:24, 25, how may the comments that we hear affect us? (b) How can you show appreciation for the answers that encourage you?
6. We encourage one another by our comments.
Read Hebrews 10.24, 25: And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near.
All of us appreciate hearing a variety of comments at our meetings. We enjoy the simple, sincere words of a young child. We are inspired by the excitement in the voice of someone who is commenting about a truth that he or she has just discovered. And we admire those who “mustered up courage” to give a comment, even though they are shy or are only beginning to learn our language. footnote.)
(1 Thessalonians 2.2: For although we had first suffered and been insolently treated in Philippi, as you know, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to tell you the good news of God in the face of much opposition.)
How can we show appreciation for their effort? We can thank them for their encouraging comment after the meeting. Another way is by giving a comment ourselves. Then not only do we receive encouragement at our meetings but we also give it.-
(Romans 1.11, 12: For I am longing to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift to you for you to be made firm; or, rather, that we may have an interchange of encouragement by one another’s faith, both yours and mine.)
7. How do we benefit when we comment?
7. We benefit ourselves when we comment.
(Isaiah 48.17: This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk.)
How so? First, if we plan to give a comment, we are especially motivated to prepare well for the meeting. When we prepare well, we gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. And the deeper our understanding, the better we can apply the things we learn. Second, we will likely enjoy the meeting more because we are involved in the discussion. Third, because it takes effort to comment, we often remember the points we spoke about long after the meeting ends.
8-9. (a) As revealed at Malachi 3:16, how do you think Jehovah feels about our comments? (b) What challenge might some still face?
8. We please Jehovah when we express our faith. We can be sure that Jehovah listens to us and deeply appreciates the effort we make to comment at meetings.
Read Malachi 3.16: At that time those who fear Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance was written before him for those fearing Jehovah and for those meditating on his name.
He shows his appreciation by blessing us when we try hard to please him.-
(Malachi 3.10: Bring the entire tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house; and test me out, please, in this regard,” Jehovah of armies says, “to see whether I will not open to you the floodgates of the heavens and pour out on you a blessing until there is nothing lacking.”)
9. Clearly, we have good reasons to comment at meetings. Still, some may be afraid to raise their hand. If that is how you feel, do not be discouraged. Let us consider some Bible principles, a few examples, and some practical tips that can help all of us to try to comment more at meetings.
COPING WITH FEAR
10. (a) What fear do many of us have? (b) Why might having a fear of answering be a good sign?
10. Do you get a knot in your stomach each time you even think of raising your hand to comment? If so, you are not alone. The truth is that most of us feel some fear when we comment. Before you can cope with this crippling feeling, you need to identify the cause of your fear. Are you afraid that you will forget what you want to say or that you will say the wrong thing? Do you worry that your comment will not be as good as the comments of others? Actually, those fears can be a good sign. They indicate that you are humble and view others as superior to you. Jehovah loves that quality.
(Psalm 138.6: Though Jehovah is high, he takes note of the humble, But the haughty he knows only from a distance.)
(Philippians 2.3: Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior to you,)
But Jehovah also wants you to praise him and to encourage your brothers and sisters at the meetings.
(1 Thessalonians 5.11: Therefore, keep encouraging one another and building one another up, just as you are in fact doing.)
He loves you and will give you the courage you need.
11. What Scriptural reminders can help us?
11. Consider some Scriptural reminders. The Bible says that all of us make mistakes in what we say and how we say it.
(James 3.2: For we all stumble many times. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able to bridle also his whole body.)
Jehovah does not expect us to be perfect, and neither do our brothers and sisters.
(Psalm 103.12-14: As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, So far off from us he has put our transgressions. As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust.)
They are our spiritual family, and they love us.
(Mark 10.29, 30: Jesus said: “Truly I say to you, no one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get 100 times more now in this period of time—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the coming system of things, everlasting life.)
(John 13.35: By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.”)
They understand that our comments at times do not come out exactly right.
12-13. What do we learn from the examples of Nehemiah and Jonah?
12. Think about some Bible examples that can help you to cope with your fears. Remember Nehemiah. He served in the court of a powerful king. Nehemiah was gloomy because he had heard that the walls and gates of Jerusalem were in ruins.
(Nehemiah 1.1-4: The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah: Now in the month of Chislev, in the 20th year, I was in Shushan the citadel. At that time Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with other men from Judah, and I asked them about the remaining Jews who had escaped the captivity, and also about Jerusalem. They replied: “Those remaining there in the province who have survived the captivity are in a terrible situation and in disgrace. The walls of Jerusalem are broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” As soon as I heard these words, I sat down and began to weep and mourn for days, and I kept fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.)
Imagine the knot he might have had in his stomach when the king asked him to explain why he was looking so unhappy! Nehemiah quickly prayed and then gave his answer. In response, the king did much to help God’s people.
(Nehemiah 2.1-8: In the month of Nisan, in the 20th year of King Artaxerxes, wine was set before him, and as usual I took up the wine and gave it to the king. But I had never been gloomy in his presence. So the king said to me: “Why do you look so gloomy when you are not sick? This can be nothing but gloominess of heart.” At this I became very frightened. Then I said to the king: “Long live the king! Why should I not look gloomy when the city, the place where my forefathers are buried, lies in ruins, and its gates have been consumed by fire?” The king then said to me: “What is it that you are seeking?” At once I prayed to the God of the heavens. I then said to the king: “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah, to the city where my forefathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” Then the king, with his royal consort sitting beside him, said to me: “How long will your journey be, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a set time. Then I said to the king: “If it pleases the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the region Beyond the River, granting me safe passage until I reach Judah, as well as a letter to Asaph the keeper of the Royal Park, so that he may give me timber for beams for the gates of the Fortress of the House and for the walls of the city and for the house where I will go.” So the king gave them to me, for the good hand of my God was upon me.)
Think, too, of Jonah. When Jehovah asked him to speak to the inhabitants of Nineveh, Jonah was so scared that he ran in the opposite direction.
(Jonah 1.1-3: The word of Jehovah came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying: “Get up, go to Nineveh the great city, and proclaim judgment against her, for their wickedness has come to my attention.” But Jonah got up to run away from Jehovah to Tarshish; he went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went aboard to go with them to Tarshish, away from Jehovah.)
But with Jehovah’s help, Jonah carried out his assignment. And the words he spoke did much good for those in Nineveh.
(Jonah 3.5-10: And the men of Nineveh put faith in God, and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. When the message reached the king of Nineveh, he rose up from his throne and took off his royal garment and covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the ashes. Furthermore, he issued a proclamation throughout Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No man or beast, herd or flock, should eat anything at all. They should not take food, nor should they drink any water. Let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast; and let them call out earnestly to God and turn from their evil ways and from the violence they practice. Who knows whether the true God may reconsider what he intends to do and turn from his burning anger, so that we may not perish?” When the true God saw what they did, how they had turned back from their evil ways, he reconsidered the calamity that he said he would bring on them, and he did not bring it.)
From Nehemiah we learn the importance of praying before we answer. And from Jonah we learn that Jehovah can help us to serve him despite our greatest fears. Realistically, is any congregation going to be as intimidating as the Ninevites?
13. What practical tips can help you to give encouraging comments at the meetings? Let us consider a few suggestions.
What Can I Comment On?
• The direct answer to the question
• A secondary point in the paragraph
• What a cited scripture teaches
• How the information can be applied
• A brief experience that highlights a key point
• What the artwork teaches
• The review questions
14. Why should we prepare well for our meetings, and when might we do so?
14. Prepare for each meeting. When you plan ahead and prepare well, you will feel more confident about commenting.
(Proverbs 21.5: The plans of the diligent surely lead to success, But all who are hasty surely head for poverty.)
Of course, we do not all have the same routine. Eloise, a widow in her 80’s, begins preparing for the Watchtower Study early in the week. She says, “I enjoy the meetings more if I study in advance.” Joy, who works secularly full-time, sets aside time on Saturday to study her Watchtower. “I like to have the material fresh in mind,” she says. Ike, a busy elder who is also a pioneer, says, “I find that it is best for me to study for short periods of time throughout the week rather than in one large chunk of time.”
15. How can you prepare well for a meeting?
15. What is involved in preparing well for the meeting? Begin each study session by asking Jehovah to give you holy spirit.
(Luke 11.13: Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!”)
(1 John 5.14: And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that no matter what we ask according to his will, he hears us.)
Then take a few minutes to look over the lesson. Analyze the title, subheadings, illustrations, and teaching boxes. As you now study each paragraph, read as many of the cited scriptures as you can. Meditate on the information, giving special attention to points you wish to comment on. The better you prepare, the more you will benefit and the easier it may be for you to comment.-
(2 Corinthians 9.6: But as to this, whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.)
16. What tools are available to you, and how do you use them?
16. If possible for you, use the digital tools provided in a language you know. Jehovah, through his organization, has given us electronic tools to help us prepare for the meetings. The JW Library® app enables us to download study publications onto a mobile device. Then we can study-or at least read or listen to the material-anytime and anywhere. Some use this tool to study during a lunch break at work or at school or while traveling. The Watchtower Library and the Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY™ make it very easy to research points in the lesson that we wish to explore more thoroughly.
CAPTION: When do you schedule time to prepare for meetings? (See paragraphs 14-16)
17. (a) Why is it good to prepare several comments? (b) What did you learn from the video Become Jehovah’s Friend—Prepare Your Comment?
17. If possible, prepare several comments for each lesson. Why? Because you may not always be called on when you raise your hand. Others will likely raise their hand at the same time, and the conductor might choose one of them. In order to keep the meeting on schedule, the conductor may have to limit the number of comments on any given point. So do not be offended or discouraged if he does not call on you early in the study. If you prepare several comments, you will have more opportunities to share in the discussion. One of the comments you prepare could involve reading a scripture. But if you can, also prepare to give a comment, using your own words.
18. Why give brief comments?
18. Give brief comments. Often, the most encouraging comments are short and simple. So aim at keeping your answers brief. Try limiting them to about 30 seconds.
(Proverbs 10.19: When words are many, transgression cannot be avoided, But whoever controls his lips acts discreetly.)
(Proverbs 15.23: A man rejoices in giving the right answer, And a word spoken at the right time—how good it is!)
If you have been answering at meetings for many years, you have an important role to play-setting a good example by keeping your comments brief. If you give complex comments that last several minutes, others may feel intimidated, thinking that they will not be able to match your ability at answering. Also, brief comments allow time for more people to participate in the meeting. Especially if you are called on first, give a simple, direct answer to the question. Do not try to cover all the points in a paragraph. After the main idea of the paragraph has been discussed, you may comment on supplementary points.-See the box “ What Can I Comment On?”
19. How can the conductor help you, but what will you have to do?
19. Let the conductor know that you would like to comment on a specific paragraph. If you choose to do this, you should approach the conductor well before the meeting begins. When it is time to comment on that paragraph, put your hand up quickly and high enough so that the conductor can see it.
20. How is a congregation meeting like a meal shared with friends?
20. View the congregation meetings like a meal shared with good friends. Imagine that some friends in the congregation planned a barbecue and asked you to prepare some small item of food. How would you respond? You might feel a little anxious, but you would likely do your best to bring something that everyone could enjoy. Jehovah, our Host, has provided a table full of good things for us at our meetings.
(Psalm 23.5: You prepare a table for me before my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; My cup is well-filled.)
(Matthew 24.45: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?)
And he is pleased when we bring a simple gift, the best that we can give. So prepare well and participate as freely as you can. Then you will not only feed at Jehovah’s table but also bring a gift to share with the congregation.
CAN YOU ANSWER?
• What are some reasons why we comment at meetings?
• How can we cope with our fear of commenting?
• What are some tips to help us give encouraging comments?
[End of article.]