Encourage Students to Make Friends in Congregation (11-21-23) Flashcards
The word “Students” in our theme “Encourage Students to Make Friends in the Congregation” implies …
…they are learners and the admonition for us to “Make Friends” implies we have something to teach them as part of that friendship.
(w2020 October) “It takes a village to raise a child.” …[and so] it follows that…
“It takes a congregation to make a disciple.”
There are at least two aspects to consider in this context:
1) - Highlighted at (Proverbs 13:20) . . .The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly. [READ]
Certainly those associated with JWs have more wisdom than the average person; why? Because we have Jehovah and Jesus as our teachers, and the channel for this wisdom is largely our Christian meetings. So as Bible students attend meetings, they are exposed to the source of wisdom and people from all walks of life doing their best to apply it. They’re going to benefit. But how can we maximize that benefit?
It involves making them part of our “village”, community or even our “family” so to speak.
2) - Bible students should become like beloved family members.
(1 Thessalonians 2:7-8)
7 - On the contrary, we became gentle in your midst, as when a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 - So having tender affection for you, we were determined to impart to you, not only the good news of God but also our very selves, because you became so beloved to us. [READ]
(w2020 October) “Teachers must show genuine, personal interest in their students. View them as your future spiritual brothers or sisters.” [paraphrase]
Perhaps even as our spiritual children or babes…
What may this genuine, personal interest entail?
(w2020 October) “Be a friend to your student by spending time with him not only during the Bible study but also on other occasions. A phone call, a text message, or a short visit in between studies shows that you really care about him [or her].”
In conclusion: There is a well-known expression, “I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.”
We look forward to being with our friends, those we care about, now and forever in that promised new system. It starts in part by inviting Bible students to Christian meetings where they can gain greater knowledge of our caring God and Grand instructor Jehovah, and by becoming better friends with our grand creator as expressed through the members of the congregation.
Yes, “It takes a village…” to make disciples.
