What challenge was suffered?
(How they sowed
and reaped peace)
(How they sowed
and reaped peace)
How can we imitate?
(How they sowed
and reaped peace)
(How they sowed
and reaped peace)
Valuable takeaway lesson?
(How they sowed
and reaped peace)
(How they sowed
and reaped peace)
How they sowed and reaped peace - 1
How they sowed and reaped peace - 2
Public Bible Discourse -
"Friendship with God – How possible?"
"Friendship with God – How possible?"
Additional Sunday AM ?'s
100
What challenge was suffered by Joseph and his brothers?
Hint - Nick and Jeremy in the video dramatization
Talk - Joseph and his brothers
Problems within the family.
100
How can we imitate the Gibeonites?
Talk - The Gibeonites
By bringing our lives into harmony with Jehovah’s will. For some, this may require making big changes, adjusting their thinking, giving up harmful practices, and avoiding bad associates.
We can also imitate the Gibeonites by being willing to perform whatever assignments we are given to humbly support pure worship.
100
Valuable takeaway lesson mentioned by Brother Lett for the first part, "Joseph and his brothers"
Our lesson is sow peace by letting go of resentment.
100
Gibeonites lived ________ miles away
Talk - Gibeonites
Verse 4 says that the Gibeonites “acted shrewdly” by trying to trick the Israelites with their worn-out clothing and provisions, pretending that they had traveled from a very distant land but were actually just 20 miles (30 km) away.
100
How did Mephibosheth reap peace?
Talk - Mephibosheth
He was grateful for what he had, and he was seeking nothing more.
He enjoyed peace of mind and heart.
100
What invitation is mentioned in James 4:8?
to "Draw close to God."
100
What pandemic has a 100% infection rate and a 100% mortality rate and no human can escape it?
Romans 5:12
Talk - Friendship with God - How possible?
SIN
200
What challenge was suffered by Mephibosheth?
Hint - Phil in the video dramatization
Talk - Mephibosheth
Victim of slander by his servant Ziba
Being wronged without cause
200
How can we imitate the example of Mephibosheth?
Hint - 1 Peter 4:8; 2 Samuel 19:25-28
Talk - Mephibosheth
If victim of minor gossip, let it go and not make a big issue of it. Love covers sins and imperfections if we are willing to let love have its way.
Display the qualities of a spiritual man by not looking out for his own interests, by being patient, and by not seeking vengeance.
He humbly did not insist in claiming his rights!
200
Valuable takeaway lesson mentioned by Brother Lett for the second part, “The Gibeonites”
Humbly submit to Jehovah’s will, even if it differs from what you prefer.
200
How did Paul and Barnabas resolve their disagreement?
Talk - Paul and Barnabas
Long before their disagreement, they had shared together in an exciting ministry. For years, they were united in what the Bible calls a “bond of peace.” So even though their friendship experienced strain, the bond between them was strong – strong enough to withstand the stress.
200
What is needed to sow and reap peace?
Hint - Starts with "H"
Talk - The Gibeonites
Humility.
Humility is defined as a “lowliness of mind, freedom from pride or arrogance.” A humble person is not self-willed, but they actively look for ways to sow peace with Jehovah and others.
200
How can we imitate God's quality of Kindness?
Learn from what Jesus said and did.
By being gentle to all people whenever possible. Kind people discern how to deal with delicate situations. Kind people avoid hurting the feelings of others. When we do this, we try to anticipate how our words and actions might affect them.
200
Lesson 2 of the 3 big ones - that we can learn from Egidio and Frede?
Talk - Modern Day Examples
We must remember that political activism often leads to violence, which is the opposite of peace
300
What challenge was suffered by Paul and Barnabas?
Hint - Tim and Carl in the video dramatization
Acts 15:36-39
Talk - Paul and Barnabas
A disagreement between elders.
These two elders strongly disagreed about whether to take Mark with them on their next missionary tour.
300
How can we imitate Gideon when there are future differences with fellow worshippers?
2 Timothy 2:24
Talk - Gideon
“showing restraint when wronged” is a means of sowing peace
We can apologize for our contribution to the difference, even if the apology is done on the other person’s terms.
We can pray for him.
We can give a sincere compliment; do something kind for the person.
And if we have a discussion, may our words be gracious and the tone kindly.
300
Valuable takeaway lesson mentioned by Brother Lett for the third part, “Gideon”
Prevent conflicts from escalating by choosing words that calm, reassure, and heal.
300
How can elders strengthen love and affection for one another as indicated in Romans 12:10?
Talk - Paul and Barnabas
By continuing to speak well of our fellow elders in public and in private
By resisting the urge to talk negatively to other elders about any disagreements that arise
By regularly reflecting on our brothers’ good qualities and on our past service together
300
How did Gideon sow peace?
Judges 8:2,3
Talk - Gideon
With well-chosen words.
300
Key Point # 2 - How has God taken the initiative to heal the breach and bring obedient humans back into friendship with him?
Acts 17:27
1 John 4:10
God wants us to sincerely seek him - come to know him and to be at peace with him.
God loved us and provided the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus
300
How can we imitate God's quality of Love?
By applying what Jesus taught us - "Just as you want me to do to you, do the same way to them"
Try to see people as Jehovah sees them - we must try to put ourselves in the place of others so that we can understand their needs, their concerns, and even their pain of heart.
Listen carefully until you understand the other person's feelings.
400
What challenge was suffered by our Modern Day brothers - Egidio Nahakbria and Frede Bruun?
Hint - Guard in the video dramatization
Talk - Modern Day Examples
Political efforts or social movements that claim to fight corruption and injustice.
400
How can elders imitate Paul and Barnabas?
Hint - 2 lessons
Talk - Paul and Barnabas
If we as elders apply Scriptural counsel in our dealings with one another, we’ll never allow a difference of opinion to become a cause for animosity.
Brothers (elders), now, before life gets even more difficult, this is what we need to do. We need to strengthen love and affection for one another.
400
Valuable takeaway lesson mentioned by Brother Lett for the fourth part, “Abigail”
Do what you can to promote peace, and then leave matters with Jehovah.
400
Proverbs 13:20, we're told that if we 'walk with the _______, we will become _______.'
Hint - same word
Talk - Joseph and his brothers
Wise
400
Lesson 1 of the 3 big ones - that we can learn from Egidio and Frede?
Hint - Spiderwebs & the Spider
Talk - Modern Day Examples
We can never correct the corruption and injustice of this world by means of political efforts or social movements.
400
Key Point #1 - What separates us from God?
Isaiah 59:2
Sin separates us because the true God is holy, he's pure, and his conduct is perfect.
So then our sins or imperfections create a barrier between us and God.
400
What was the illustration used in the video "Is Friendship with God possible?"
Talk - Friendship with God - How possible?
Daughter lied to about her father abandoning her.
She finds him and gets to know him and their friendship grows.
500
What challenge was suffered by Abigail?
Hint - Amy and Becky in the video dramatization
Talk - Abigail
Pursuing peace when it's one-sided.
For example, in the congregation, perhaps we have a friend who has a problem with another friend in the congregation but does not do anything to reconcile the situation, or in the family, a Christian mate may have difficulty pursuing peace if his or her spouse does not apply Bible principles.
500
How can we imitate the example of our Modern day brothers?
Talk - Modern Day Examples
Continue to cultivate and show love for the whole association of brothers. And doing so will require that you remain strictly neutral regarding the world’s political affairs and other controversies.
Only if we keep our thinking neutral will we be able to keep our speech and actions neutral also.
500
Valuable takeaway lesson mentioned by Brother Lett for the fifth part, “Mephibosheth”
Be willing to suffer loss rather than disturb the peace in the congregation.
Let’s always remember that defending Jehovah’s name and reputation is far more important than trying to defend our own name and reputation.
500
Lesson 3 of the 3 big ones that we can learn from Egidio and Frede?
Hint - Experience of young brother in the ministry speaking to the mom of soldier who was killed
Talk - Modern Day Examples
Unlike the religions of this world, we must promote peace with all the people, which definitely means we refuse to get involved in any way in the wars of Satan’s world.
500
How did Joseph sow peace?
Hint - Psalm 105:19 - The saying of Jehovah ______ _____.
Talk - Joseph & his brothers
Joseph trusted in Jehovah to refine him, to shape his thinking and godly qualities. He refused to become bitter.
500
What does the video "Is friendship with God possible?" compare the letters to?
The Bible is like a group of letters from our heavenly Father.
As we read the Bible, we learn how to talk to God, how he responds, and the many ways he shows his tender care.
500
What is a pretty good investment of our time and effort?
Talk - Modern Day Examples
Sow peace now so that we can reap peace forever.
If we persevere in sowing peace, we will reap peace of mind, peace with others and, most important, peace with Jehovah.
And we’ll reap the reward of living forever in a world where there will be an abundance of peace.
600
What was the challenge suffered by Gideon?
Hint - Matt and Ray in the video dramatization
Judges chapter 8
Talk - Gideon
Differences between fellow Christians.
Gideon was at war with the Midianites, and he asked his fellow worshippers, the Ephraimites, to help chase them down. They had tremendous success. But after the battle, the Ephraimites were offended. They tried to pick a fight with Gideon. They felt that Gideon did not call them into battle soon enough.
600
How can we imitate Abigail's way of sowing seeds of peace?
Talk - Abigail
She considered how best to approach the situation.
She was proactive.
She didn’t just hope it would go away on its own.
She used respectful, soothing speech.
She was careful not to fan the flames or add fuel to it – all good steps we can take.
We have additional resources to help us - research in the Bible, in our publications or consult the elders.
600
Valuable takeaway lesson mentioned by Brother Lett for the sixth part, “Modern-Day Examples”
Serve the God of peace with his people, and you will have peace.
600
How did Abigail pursue peace with David on behalf of her husband Nabal?
1 Samuel 25: 27-31
Talk - Abigail
She comes in with a gift, she bows down to David, she takes the blame for the situation herself, and she reasons with him using godly principles.
Abigail’s actions calm David and avert a calamity.
She pursued peace. But to do that, she had to look beyond her own feelings and consider what was best for Jehovah’s name.
600
Who was this person in the video dramatization?
Joseph in the new world...
600
Key point #4 - How does friendship with God brings peace now and in the future?
When you become a friend of God, he will listen to your prayers and extend his mercy to you. And when you sense his forgiveness, you will experience deep-seated joy.
Our friendship with God can result in peace with other people
600
Acts 15:36-39 shows that elders are not __________!
Talk - Paul and Barnabas
Perfect
700
What challenge was suffered by The Gibeonites?
Joshua Chapter 9
Hint - Gary in the video dramatization
Talk - The Gibeonites
It’s a battle of wills – the will of disobedient humans who fight against Jehovah’s will.
Rather than submitting or surrendering their will to do Jehovah’s will, most humans refuse to make peace with him, becoming peacebreakers.
700
How can we imitate Joseph and his brothers?
Hint - 3 steps
Hint - Ephesian 4:32; Proverbs 17:9; Psalm 105:19
Talk - Joseph & his brothers
Step 1 - We must be ready to forgive
Step 2 - Don't dwell on the offense
Step 3 - Ask Jehovah in prayer to help us to let go of resentment
700
What is one essential Bible principle to live by, as it pertains to pursuing peace?
Hint - compared to a farmer
Talk - Joseph & his brothers (Intro to symposium)
We reap what we sow
700
In Romans 12:18 the apostle Paul explains that we should take what approach when we sow seeds of peace?
Hint - compared to a small fire in our house.
Talk - Abigail
'As far as it depends on YOU' - our congregations and our families benefit when WE sow seeds of peace before matters get out of hand.
'If possible' - Paul acknowledges that peace with others may not always be possible. Therefore we have to do the best we can and then leave the rest in Jehovah's hands.
700
What can help us to humbly follow directions now as well as in the future?
Ephesians 5:17
Hint - compared to a gem miner
Talk - The Gibeonites
We must look beyond the surface of what we read in the Bible. This requires that we keep digging deep, carefully searching for gems in the form of Bible principles. Then we must prayerfully meditate on what we find. Then Jehovah’s precious thoughts will become our thoughts.
Perceiving Jehovah’s thinking on matters will help us to avoid getting into a battle of wills, so we can follow His direction or whatever direction we receive from the Governing Body.
700
Key Point #3 - What can we do to become God's friend in an everlasting way?
James 4:8
Hint - compared to a houseplant
We nurture this friendship by reading and studying God’s Word, the Bible.
And as is true of any good friendship, it’s important that we use his name
Show initiative and put forth effort.
700
Key point #3 - 4 additional things that those who desire to become God's friend must do?
Talk - Friendship with God - How possible?
4 additional things:
Imitate God's qualities
Reject thinking and actions that offend God
Associate with those who want to be God's friend
Avoid friendship with people who ignore or mock God's standards