Lesson 8—Following Up—Patience
LESSON 8
Principle: “Love is patient.”—
(1 Corinthians 13.4: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does not get puffed up,)
What Jesus Did
1. Watch the VIDEO, Or Read And Then consider the following questions:
(John 7.3-5: So his brothers said to him: “Leave here and go into Judea, so that your disciples may also see the works you are doing. For no one does anything in secret when he seeks to be known publicly. If you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” His brothers were, in fact, not exercising faith in him.)
(1 Corinthians 15.3, 4: For among the first things I handed on to you was what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures;)
(1 Corinthians 15.7: After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.)
a. How did Jesus’ brothers initially respond to his message?
b. What shows that Jesus did not give up on his brother James?
What Do We Learn From Jesus?
2. We need to be patient because some people take longer than others to respond to the good news.
Imitate Jesus
3. Try a different approach. If the person does not immediately agree to a Bible study, do not pressure him. When appropriate, use videos or articles to help him understand what happens on a Bible study and how he would benefit.
4. Do not compare. Each person is unique. If a family member or a return visit hesitates to study the Bible or to accept a Bible teaching, consider why that might be the case. Is he emotionally connected to a particular religious belief? Does he face pressure from relatives or neighbors? Allow time for him to think about what you have said and to appreciate what the Bible says.
5. Pray about the interested person. Ask Jehovah to help you remain positive and tactful. Pray for discernment to know when to stop calling on someone who shows little interest.—
(1 Corinthians 9.26: Therefore, the way I am running is not aimlessly; the way I am aiming my blows is so as not to be striking the air;)
FOLLOWING UP
SEE ALSO
(Mark 4.26-28: So he went on to say: “In this way the Kingdom of God is just as when a man casts seeds on the ground. He sleeps at night and rises up by day, and the seeds sprout and grow tall—just how, he does not know. On its own the ground bears fruit gradually, first the stalk, then the head, finally the full grain in the head.)
(1 Corinthians 3.5-9: What, then, is Apollos? Yes, what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord granted each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow, so that neither is the one who plants anything nor is the one who waters, but God who makes it grow. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one, but each person will receive his own reward according to his own work. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field under cultivation, God’s building.)
(2 Peter 3.9: Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.)