22. What is our objective in having Bible discussions with people who are willing to listen?

²² In these very distressing times it is important to turn one’s mind to the Word of God and to study it. If you say that you have appreciation for the things of God, show that appreciation by reading and studying the Bible. Jehovah’s witnesses will be glad to sit down with you and point out the answers that the Bible gives to problems that you face as an individual and to those that confront mankind as a whole. Then you can decide for yourself, based on what you have seen in your own copy of the Bible, whether the message that they present is the truth. If you see that it really is in harmony with God’s Word, then believe it and prove yourself to be a genuine follower of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. We hope that, in time, you too, with heartfelt appreciation, will say to Jehovah: “You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God, in whom I will trust.”​—Ps. 91:2.

Expressing Appreciation in Song

WHAT reasons Christians have for expressing appreciation by thanksgiving and praise to their God Jehovah! Truly, “he is making green grass sprout for the beasts, and vegetation for the service of mankind, to cause food to go forth from the earth, and wine that makes the heart of mortal man rejoice, . . . and bread that sustains the very heart of mortal man.”​—Ps. 104:14, 15.

Not only has God provided so well for the material needs of man (that many are without the things they need is not due to any fault of His), but He has also provided for sustaining the mind and “spirit” of man. As Jesus said: “Man cannot live on bread alone; he lives on every word that God utters.” (Matt. 4:4, New English Bible) Yes, God has given us his Word and has provided helps for us to understand it and he has given us the privilege of approaching him through prayer.​—Ps. 65:2.

Surely for all the blessings we enjoy at God’s hand, both of a material and a “spiritual” nature, we owe him thanksgiving and praise. Most fittingly his Word abounds with commands for us to do so; a striking example being Psalm 136:1-26, wherein twenty-six times we are reminded that “his loving-kindness is to time indefinite.” Our expressing appreciation can be done in various ways: in prayer, by good conduct, by preaching and teaching God’s Word. And no doubt one of the most beautiful ways in which we can express our appreciation is by singing at congregation meetings.