Help Them to Serve Again

¹ Serving Jehovah is one of the greatest privileges anyone could have. The psalmist said that to him a day in God’s courtyards was better than a thousand elsewhere. (Ps. 84:10) Concerning the “great crowd,” Revelation 7:15 says: “That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple.” Regarding Anna the prophetess, Luke 2:37 says that “she was a widow now eighty-four years old, who was never missing from the temple, rendering sacred service night and day with fastings and supplications.” Who else but Jehovah would we want to serve? Jesus said in reply to Satan’s effort to tempt him: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.”​—Matt. 4:10.

² So today we are rightly concerned about any of our brothers who stop serving Jehovah, even if they stop only for a short time. Are there some in your congregation who have become inactive in recent years? Are there some you do not see at the meetings anymore? What are your thoughts toward them? Would you like to help them?

WHAT MIGHT YOU DO?

³ This could be discussed by the elders at their June meeting. One elder, possibly the Secretary, could check the Publisher’s Record Card file and make a note of those who have become inactive or are in danger of becoming so. An elder might want to call on a certain publisher because of previous acquaintance and association with that one. Or, other publishers can be asked to help. Maybe you studied with one and would now welcome the opportunity to be of special assistance in this time of need.

⁴ What will you do? What will you say? It is probably best just to stop in for a short visit. Let them know they have been missed by you and by others. Show your genuine interest and concern. Without prying, try to learn why they have been absent and what they need. Let them know how others in the congregation are and what they are doing. Are new ones associating since they last attended? Tell them about it. What is the latest news about the “Victorious Faith” International Convention? Talk about it and encourage them to be there if they have not yet made arrangements. Their attendance, in fact, would probably be the thing that would help them most at this point. Discuss the special day of field service arranged for Friday and how it is expected that a grand witness will be given in all convention cities. Ask if they would like to accompany you to the next meeting at the Kingdom Hall if you were to stop by to go with them. Do not give up if you do not succeed immediately.

⁵ How does Jehovah feel about those who stray and need help? To the Israelites he said: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” (Mal. 3:7) Jesus gave the parable about a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to search for one that was lost. Recall the results? “And if he happens to find it, I certainly tell you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety-nine that have not strayed.”​—Matt. 18:13.

⁶ While the elders will organize matters so that as much as possible can be accomplished, do not think that this in any way prohibits you from taking the initiative and offering help on your own. Not at all! All of us are obligated personally to encourage and help whenever we see a need. (Gal. 6:10) You might well be able to accomplish more than anyone else because of your previous acquaintance with the person, or because of your knowledge of a certain situation. “Do not hold back good from those to whom it is owing, when it happens to be in the power of your hand to do it.”​—Prov. 3:27.

How Is Your Household?

¹ “A devout man and one fearing God together with all his household.” Is that not a desirable situation? Does it describe your household as well? Interestingly, this is not a Christian household being spoken about. Yet it was one in which daily prayers were offered to God, and sincere efforts were made to serve the Most High. Thus God sent an angel who told this man to send for Peter in order to learn about salvation.​—Acts 10:2; 11:13, 14.

² You probably recognize the man​—the Italian army officer, Cornelius. He and his household were the first uncircumcised Gentiles to become Christians. But the Bible speaks of other households, and tells of the necessary steps these took to win God’s favor.

³ Regarding a royal attendant, evidently of King Herod Antipas, the Bible says: “He and his whole household believed.” Of Lydia and those living with her, we are told: “She and her household got baptized.” Similarly, of a Philippian jailer the Bible says: “He and his were baptized without delay. . . . and he rejoiced greatly with all his household now that he had believed God.”​—John 4:53; Acts 16:15, 33, 34.

⁴ Does your household, too, believe? Are they convinced in mind and heart as to the real identity of Jesus​—that he is actually God’s Son from heaven who gave his life in a sacrificial death here on earth so that we might gain eternal life? Of course, something needs to precede believing. What? Knowledge, for how can you really believe in something if you do not know about it? Are there provisions for your household to grow in knowledge of God? There really need to be.

⁵ What are mealtimes like in your household? Some of us, in conversation recently, said that we remember so well our whole family gathering around the meal table together. These were good times of fellowship, and for us who were in the truth, it was a fine time for discussing and reviewing spiritual things. Mealtimes are such enjoyable and beneficial times at Bethel today. Is this true in your home? If not, could you arrange for them to be? This can play an important part in developing a truly believing household.

⁶ Note what one father who raised 18 children in the truth observed: “Eating together has definitely contributed toward our unity, affording us, for example, the opportunity to pray together. And it has enabled me to inculcate in my children the sayings of God ‘when sitting in my house,’ in harmony with His will that I do so. (Deut. 6:6, 7) It has also helped me to keep my finger on the pulse of the family, to observe attitudes or trends, and to apply whatever I perceived to be the remedy according to the spiritual needs of all of us.”​—The Watchtower, June 1, 1976.

⁷ Having family meals together may involve making some adjustments in schedules for the household, but it truly can be worth the effort or expense. A father who successfully raised three boys in the truth writes: “Although I was working more than fifteen miles (25 kilometers) away from home, I came back for lunch. I felt that the cost was more than outweighed by the advantages of a family meal. What a lot of problems were solved around the family table!”​—The Watchtower, November 15, 1977.

⁸ Jesus, too, used mealtimes to discuss spiritual matters and apparently the disciples did too. (John 21:15-17; Acts 2:42, 46) But it is also good when other times can be set aside for Bible reading and discussion. Why not, for instance, take segments of the life of Jesus and read at one session portions of the Bible that relate only to that particular part of Jesus’ life. For example, many enjoyable sessions of Bible reading and discussion can revolve around just the few days between Nisan 8 to 16, 33 C.E.​—See Aid, page 930.

⁹ How is your household? This is a question that each of us should ask ourselves often, and then take whatever steps we can to make it one that is spiritually healthy. For really, what benefit is it if we gain the whole world, but our family dies spiritually?