Lesson 55

Around the world, millions of people joyfully worship Jehovah in thousands of congregations. They are grateful for the instruction and guidance they receive, and they eagerly support the congregation in many ways. Is that how you feel about your congregation?

All of us can lend a hand in the congregation. For example, are some in your congregation elderly or infirm? Can you help them travel to meetings? Or can you help them with other practical matters, such as shopping or housework?

Read James 1.27: The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.

We can also volunteer to help clean and maintain our Kingdom Hall. No one forces us to do these things. Love for God and our brothers moves us to “offer [ourselves] willingly.” — Psalm 110:3.

Baptized Witnesses can support the congregation in additional ways. Spiritually qualified brothers can serve as ministerial servants and, in time, as elders. Both brothers and sisters may actively support the preaching work by serving as pioneers. Some Witnesses can assist by helping to build places of worship or by moving to an area where a congregation needs help in other ways.

We can “honor Jehovah with [our] valuable things.” (Proverbs 3:9)

We count it a privilege to contribute money and other resources to support the local congregation and the worldwide preaching work.

Read 2 Corinthians 9.7: Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Our donations also support disaster relief. Many choose to “set something aside” regularly as a donation.

Read 1 Corinthians 16.2: On the first day of every week, each of you should set something aside according to his own means, so that collections will not take place when I arrive.

We can donate using contribution boxes at our places of worship or online at donate.jw.org. Jehovah gives us the opportunity to show our love for him by the way we choose to use our material things.

Consider some of the ways that you can support the congregation.

Jehovah loves a cheerful giver, and Jesus feels the same way. For example, Jesus took note of a poor widow and her effort to make a contribution.

Read 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.”

Discuss these questions:

Do we need to make large donations to please Jehovah?

How do Jehovah and Jesus feel about our heartfelt donations?

To learn how our donations are used, play the VIDEO. Then discuss the question that follows.

How are donations used to benefit congregations around the world?

In Bible times, worshippers of Jehovah zealously worked to maintain their places of worship. But this involved more than just contributing money.

Read 2 Chronicles 34.9-11: They came to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought to the house of God, which the Levites serving as doorkeepers had collected from Manasseh, Ephraim, and all the rest of Israel, as well as from Judah, Benjamin, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Then they gave it to those who were appointed over the work in the house of Jehovah. In turn the workers in the house of Jehovah used it to mend and repair the house. They gave it to the craftsmen and the builders to buy hewn stones and timbers for braces and to build with beams the houses that the kings of Judah had allowed to fall into ruin.

Discuss this question:

How did every Israelite help take care of Jehovah’s house, or place of worship?

To see how Jehovah’s Witnesses follow that ancient example, play the VIDEO. Then discuss the questions that follow.

Why is it important to keep our Kingdom Hall clean and in good repair?

What are some ways that you can help?

The Scriptures encourage Christian men to reach out to do all they can to support the congregation. To see an example, play the VIDEO. Then answer the question that follows.

In the video, how did Ryan reach out to support the congregation more fully?

The Bible explains what the qualifications are for brothers who serve as ministerial servants and elders.

Read 1 Timothy 3.1-13: This statement is trustworthy: If a man is reaching out to be an overseer, he is desirous of a fine work. The overseer should therefore be irreprehensible, a husband of one wife, moderate in habits, sound in mind, orderly, hospitable, qualified to teach, not a drunkard, not violent, but reasonable, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money, a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having his children in subjection with all seriousness (for if any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he care for the congregation of God?), not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up with pride and fall into the judgment passed on the Devil. Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from outsiders so that he does not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil. Ministerial servants should likewise be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in a lot of wine, not greedy of dishonest gain, holding the sacred secret of the faith with a clean conscience. Also, let these be tested as to fitness first; then let them serve as ministers, as they are free from accusation. Women should likewise be serious, not slanderous, moderate in habits, faithful in all things. Let ministerial servants be husbands of one wife, presiding in a fine manner over their children and their own households. For the men who minister in a fine manner are acquiring for themselves a fine standing and great freeness of speech in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Discuss these questions:

What is expected of brothers who reach out to serve as ministerial servants and elders?

What is expected of their families?— See verses 4, and 11.

When brothers strive to meet these qualifications, how does everyone in the congregation benefit?

How would you answer?

Jehovah greatly appreciates our efforts to support the congregation with our time, energy, and material things.

How can we use our time and energy to support the congregation?

How can we use our material things to support the congregation?

In what ways would you like to support the congregation?

Lesson completed on:

Volunteer to help clean and maintain the place where the local congregation gathers for meetings.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 55, memorize 2 Corinthians 9:7: Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

1. Consider why God no longer requires his worshippers to tithe.

“What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?” (Web article) Open explore 1 in new page

2. The Bible assigns some roles to baptized men. But what if a baptized woman needs to care for these roles?

“Understanding Headship in the Congregation” (The Watchtower, February 2021) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Meet some courageous Witnesses who make great sacrifices to transport publications to their fellow worshippers.

Distributing Bible Literature in Congo (4:25) Open explore 3 in new page

4. Find out how our work is financed very differently from that of other religious organizations.

“How Is the Work of Jehovah’s Witnesses Financed?” (Web article) Open explore 4 in new page