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Post by Admin on Mar 7, 2014 9:02:32 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 9:08:36 GMT -5
SUNDAY Morning |
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 9:11:15 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 9:29:06 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[first talk Sunday Morning]Advertising is full of false statements and misleading advertising. The bible makes no false claims, it can change our lives. Hebrews 4:12 explains that the bible is a powerful book, it helps us to really see who we are (the inner person) and can transform our lives. In bible times for example the Thessolonians let God's word be "at work" in them. They faced persecution and helped them mature (1 Thess 2:13). In modern times even today there are those where God's word has made a powerful change in their lives overcoming weakness or diverse circumstances to come into the truth. " The bible Changes lives" a series in the Watchtower, well illustrâtes this. Are we allowing the bible to transform us personally so we are changing on the Inside? Romans 12:2 encourages us to "be transformed by making your mind over". We need to allow ourselves to be molded for example by considering the Daily Text.. We will progress if we think of the text throughout our day, reflecting on it and praying about it.
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 10:15:08 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Morning SYMPOSIUM]- TEACHING
- REPROVING
- SETTING THINGS STRAIGHT
- DISCIPLINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
REVIEW QUESTION: For what is God's word beneficial? God's word has power in our lives only if we read it meditate on it and apply it our lives.
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 10:25:17 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Morning SYMPOSIUM Pt 1]What is 'teaching'? It is the ability to impart knowledge to others. This can be challenging, it's not just a matter of conveying facts and rules. Being intelligent isn't enough. Thus we really need to imitate the great teacher Jesus. Jesus could help his listeners not only understand but see how that understanding could lead to strong faith. The best way we can do this is to develop our art of teaching so we can reach the heart Deut 30: 20. True teaching is helping them to develop a close Relationship with Jehovha God and help them to acquire wisdom the combining of knowledge with practical application. In this way we will build qualities in our students that will lead to lasting faith (1 Cor 3:11-14). If we want our work to last we must reason on the scripture and avoid the temptation to simply tell them what to do. Paul likens the painful experience of having a student progress and then yield to the pressure that leads to a loss of faith. This test of faith (or "fire") can be violent or not. How can we avoid this outcome for our students? - avoid citing individuals (or yourself) as an authority on a question. [sketch: Sister conducting a progressive bible study who wants to keep a religious idol for sentimental reasons] Our teaching should accomplish three main goals: - touch the hearts of our students as they seek to gain Jehovah's Friendship - fire resistance materials in them that will withstand pressures - stay on the road to life We can accomplish these goals by not directing attention to ourselves but to Jehovah, helping them to learn how to make their own decision and commending them when they reflect Godly principles.
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 10:48:34 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Morning SYMPOSIUM Pt 2]To convince a driver they need to be shown on a map. The hebrew greek term for reproof involves convincing someone of their wrong course. This needs to be based firmly on God's word. - Why should we be interested receiving reprove? - How does Jehovah reprove us? - How should react if we are reproved? Why should we be interested receiving reprove? Psalm 97:10 says "Oh you who love Jehovah, Hate what is bad" but this world wants us to love what Jehovah hates and hate what he loves. That and our imperfect flesh means we all need reproof at times? How does Jehovah reprove us? There are times when we can reprove ourselves -Paul "pummelled" or strictly diciplined his body. He was awared throgh a working conscience of where he needed to improve (1 Cor 9: 26, 27). Listen to your conscience - your conscience will work if we involve ourselves in deep personal study. Sometimes for serious sins we need the assistance of the elders (Gal 6:1). When others notice something that was wrong but failed to inform you how do you feel? Effective reprove involved Council based on Gods word and given in a spirit of love [Comparative sketches: Elders help a brother with a pornography addiction. (A) commend him for confessing but only tell him to stop (B) Elders give practical advice and read a scripture and propose follow up discussions] How should react if we are reproved? Psalm 141:5 says "should he reprove me it would be like oïl on my head... " When we are being reproved we must realize the reproof comes from Jehovah and not reject it because of who it is coming from or the nature of the reproof.
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 11:17:10 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Morning SYMPOSIUM Pt 3]Scriptures are designed to set things straight in our Relationship with God and man, thus we should use it in all our ways (Prov 3:1-3). Psalms 119: 105 says " your word is a lamp to my foot and a light for my path" helping us with with our short term décisions and giving us light on long term décisions.  An example of how the bible enlightens, is found when the first century governing body made a decision on the subject of circumsission. Their decision was made through the skillful use of God's word (Acts 15:7, 25; Amos 9: 11, 12). The bible's principles always work but possibly we are the ones that need to be "set straight". [ Soliloque: Elder reasons on how he needed to ajust this thinking following an elders meeting] We may not have the wrong motive but we may have the wrong viewpoint. We need thus to listen to Jehovah the one "guiding us in the way we should walk". The wonderful example of the governing body past and present that try to make all decisions in harmony with God's word the bible. (Isaiah 48: 17)
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Post by Admin on Mar 15, 2014 11:20:09 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Morning SYMPOSIUM Pt 4]
Education of our children is a sacred responsibility. What is disciplining in righteousness? This involves instruction education correction and at times firm but loving chastisement found in God's word the bible. Divine discipline adjusts our thinking and hearts and brings us ever close to Jehovah. (compare Hebrews 12:7, 11). The world views discipline in a negative way, focusing on punishment or even abuse of power. But Jehovah doesn't intimidate with his power "zapping" us to get us to obey, rather in Isaiah 54:13 mentions the "peace" that can be enjoyed when Jehovah corrects us to a proper degree in a loving manner. Why accept discipline? Discipline helps make us Wise, enables to avoid making bad décisions and helps us in turn to be able to imitate Jehovah when helping others. The real purpose of discipline is to reajust or correct thinking and this must be done by using God's word appropriately(Eph 4: 11, 12). How are we disciplined? Parents must think about how they administer discipline them to the proper degree. We can "self discipline" by good personal study, attendance at the meetings. Zephaniah 1:8 speaks about those that wore foreign clothing to "fit in" the principle can be applied [ Demonstration: Two part demonstration (a) father over reacts and fails to help his son see the issues of neutrality (b) Father reasons from the scripture.] While God's word can help us make adjustments we must do our part by regularly reading and applying it's principles.
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Post by Admin on Mar 18, 2014 14:38:16 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Mar 18, 2014 14:39:11 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Afternoon ]REVIEW QUESTION: How are people affected by the shaking of the nations? Haggai 2:6, 7 speaks says that Jehovah will "shake" the heavens and the earth. Our previous translation speaks about "rocking" but rocking can be gentle whereas this "shaking" is not something soothing. Why is Jehovah doing this "shaking"? This shaking involves the issue of sovereignty expressed through the God's kingdom. and when the preaching the end of all the nations. Jehovah is doing this through a worldwide preaching work. How do the nations react? Many countries ban this work because the nations are "shaken up" by the message but still each one of us must render an account to Jehovah. Nations do not want to acknowledge Jehovah's Sovereign but all humans. Satan's reaction is to disguise himself as an angel of light and uses false religious ministers to deceive and distract the masses. False religion support human sovereignty and encourages complacency, claiming that God will not intervene. Others however come out of the nations and change to please God. Those that are righteous because they recognize the need to serve God and become desirable or precious to him.(compare Zeph 1:12; Mal 3:8). BECOMING PRECIOUSThis proclamation will increase in volume and reach to all the areas of the earth (Isaiah 11:9). Presently in 239 lands. 20 billion pièces of bible literature produced over the last 10 years, by the end of 2014, in 1000 languages. Jehovah blesses us and we view it a precious privilege (Isaiah 43: 10 - 12). The Nations talk about perpetuating their "empty" sovereignty and take a belligerent stand against the Kingdom while the precious ones seperate themselves and gather in a "triumphal procession" (Psalms 2: 1, 2; 2 Cor 2: 14, 15). Two different reactions to the same message. People therefore are flooding to the elevated mountain (worship) Isaiah 2:2-4). How far will the shaking go? There will ultimately be a removing of the things shaken(Heb 12: 26, 27). We have the example of the Prophet Daniel describes as precious? He was diligent, trustworthy and let Jehovah's Word to mold his life. His love of scripture and God's people was pronound and was a man of prayer. He never took glory to himself. If we follow this fine example we too will be precious to Jehovah. REVIEW QUESTION: How are people affected by the shaking of the nations? (Hag 2:6) The issue of universal sovereignty is going to eperate people. He is shaking the nations by means of the worldwide preaching work concerning his righteous rule which is resulting in precious ones are drawn to him.
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Post by Admin on Mar 18, 2014 15:37:02 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Afternoon]REVIEW QUESTION: What confidence does Jehovah have in us? Our beautiful Creator has many beautiful qualities. We have the potential to reflect his qualities of love justice wisdom and power, as "imitators of God". (see Eph 5:1) How important is it that we reflect Jehovah's qualities despite our imperfections? Like the blud Morfel butterfly that flies through light that reflects the light from its wings to blind its opponents. We have to turn to God's word which brings Jehovah's qualities sharply into focus. As Jesus interacted with humans we learn so much about the feelings of His father as, John 14: 9 says "whoever has seen [Christ] has seen the Father". HOW DID JESUS REFLECT GOD'S FOUR PRINCIPLE ATTRIBUTES - LOVE: through his preaching Jesus showed his personal interest in people (John 4: ; Revelation 3: 14: 19)
- If we have been disciplined it means Jehovah has affection for us. - JUSTICE When James & John requested an elevated position in the kingdom, Jesus showed he did not allow family ties or sentimentality to sway his justice he is free of bias ( Ps 37: 28; Mat 20: 20-23
- WISDOM: Jesus seeks to "refresh" the lowley, he accomplished all he had to without repelling the weak and the lowley. (Job 9:4; Mat 11: 28-30)
- POWER: Jesus when he was confronted with Judas and the mob he acknowledged his authority to summon 12 legion angels, he never used his power as a mere display (Nahum 1:3; Mt 26: 50-53)
HOW CAN WE IMIATE JESUS - LOVE We can reflect the love of Jehovah by:
- Preaching. Approach our ministry in a spirit of love
- Being obedient. Including by uphold the disfellowshipping arrangement which is a form of discipline (and expression of love). Our loyalty in this matter may help the disfellowshipped one. - JUSTICE: We reflect Jehovah's Justice when we refuse to show favoritism. Show hospitality to a wide variety of brothers.
- WISDOM like Jesus we need to make use our time wisely. We need to pay heed to Jehovah's Wise reminders to avoid materialism, examine our work Schedule and elimate the stress and burdens by overloading our Schedule. (Psalm 19: 7)
- POWER Responsible use of power involves not exhausting our energy by pursuing late night recreation at the expense of early morning service. Do we automatically blocking out major chunks of our weekend for recreation (Nahum 1:3)
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Post by Admin on Mar 18, 2014 16:07:57 GMT -5
CA 2014: God's Word is Beneficial for Teaching
[Sunday Final Talk]REVIEW QUESTION: Why must we work hard to remain in Jehovah's Teaching? (Luke 13: 24) In todays world the motto seems to be "Take it easy, don't work too hard!". But Jehovah's Witnesses try and to reflect Jehovah who keeps working but Jehovah's people must must work hard to "remain in Jehovah's teaching" " my Father has kept working until now" (John 5: 17 ) Jehovah cares for and maintains the physical universe. Jehovah hears the billions of prayers all over the world and as the bible explains "no man can come to [the Father]" without Jehovah drawing him. Lydia's heart was "opened wide" by Jehovah, so Jehovah brings us in and pays attention to our spiritual condition as we progress. Jehovah has provided and preserved His word the bible. As Peter wrote that the "sayings of Jehovah endures forever" accurately recorded and kept free from corruption. "... and so [has Jesus]" Jesus referred to the "night coming when no man could work" during that dark period of his death. Jesus always put an ernest effort in his ministry and chose and trained his first disciples. Jesus did not stop working exercising oversight over the christian congregation reprsented by the seven lampstands and stars (elders) in his (Jesus') right hand. (Rev Chap 3). Presently Jesus is overseeing the preaching work and the administration of spiritual food at the proper time (Mat 28: 19, 20; 24: 45) Satan would like to distract us from loyally serving Jehovah by distractions so we must "exert ourselves vigorously" we must extend ourselves in sacred service (Luke 21: 34; 13: 24). What areas should we be working hard? PRAYER It takes an effort to pray to Jehovah several times a day. Analyse and search into your heart and pull out the deep things, the way we feel about things , what you'd like to have him do and why. This takes effort. STUDY (Family Worship) You are trying to get Jehovah's mind on matters, learn what he wants you to do. MEDITATION Thinking deeply about what you've done. MEETING PREPARATION Reading through a magazine when you get it, then studying it and then studying it again at the meeting and then again the same reminders through our Daily Text; FIELD MINISTRY Hard word but rewarding. Can we carry our program with us and review it in personal study or family worship? CONCLUSION Much effort was made to get us where we are today. Peter encourages us to continue to work hard to continue making progress in faith, virtue, knowledge, love (2 Pet 1: 5-8). What a loss giving up would be to turn around and run with those going in the wrong direction. We must continue to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling. Jehovah's Word is "at work" in you. (1 Thess 2:13)
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Post by Admin on Apr 30, 2014 9:24:17 GMT -5
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