The Real Star Spangled Banner (Demo 2-13-24)

Question 1

Explaining Your Beliefs (4 min) - Demo (2-13-24)

Allen: Jason, I’ve enjoyed conducting our first few Bible studies.

Answer 1

[Jason: Thanks for helping me.]

Question 2

Allen: It’s a pleasure! And thanks for accepting an invitation to go cabin camping here at Bruneau Sand dunes. It’s really a beautiful cloudless night.

Answer 2

[Jason: That’s for sure…] we both look up at the night sky

Question 3

And thanks for inviting me to your son’s basketball game last week. It was great to see your involvement as a parent. Ooh! Did you see that? excitedly pointing up to a bright shooting star

Answer 3

[Jason: Wow, looks like a meteor shower.] long pause as we look into the sky
[Jason: Sure thing. I’m glad you came to the game, and thanks, but I do wonder about one thing.]

Question 4

Allen: What’s that?

Answer 4

[Jason: You didn’t stand during the national anthem? Don’t you love our country?] ask angrily

Question 5

Allen: Thanks for asking. Like you, I value many of the freedoms we have here, and Christ himself said to Pilate that governments rule only by divine permission.

Answer 5

[Jason: So, what’s up then?]

Question 6

Allen: That’s a great study project for you, which I’d be glad to help with, but here are a few quick scriptures— show Jason on iPhone
(John 18:36) “My Kingdom is no part of this world. . . . pause
(Luke 20:24-25) Notice what Jesus said: “Show me a de·narʹi·us. Whose image and inscription does it have?” They said: “Caesar’s.” He said to them: “By all means, then, pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar but God’s things to God.” pause
So, which Kingdom get tops priority: God’s Kingdom or human governments?

Answer 6

[Jason: God’s.]

Question 7

Allen: Right! Great question though. Jason, for JWs, it’s a matter of priorities, so we try to imitate Jesus Christ in this way.

Answer 7

[Jason: How’s that?]

Question 8

Allen: While we respect governments and national symbols [and pay our taxes to Caesar],and respect the rights of others to stand for a national anthem or salute a flag…

Answer 8

…we respectfully opt-out of activities that don’t align with Bible teachings.

Question 9

Allen: Now that reminds me: The Star-Spangled Banner is a moving song, especially the part that says: “And the rockets’ red glare, The bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night, That our flag was still there (see, I do know the lyrics!) laugh

But look at that and that and that (those shooting stars) and all of this sweeping my arms For me that’s the real Star-Spangled Banner [the starry heavens] and what they teach us about Jehovah
— these marvelous things bursting in air (or the absence of air) — give proof that our God Jehovah is there—and his Kingdom and awesome power are where we should place our trust!

Answer 9

[Jason: I’d have to agree.]

Question 10

Allen: laughs loudlySo, lesson 1 tonight: What’s the real Star-Spangled Banner?

Answer 10

[Jason:] Points up Allen: Great, let’s go roast some marshmallows, down here on Earth! Points down