Theocratic Ministry School Review

The following questions will be considered at the Theocratic Ministry School during the week beginning June 27, 2011. The school overseer will conduct a 20-minute review based on material covered in assignments for the weeks of May 2 through June 27, 2011.

1. What lesson can we learn from Jehovahs requiring Job to pray for those who sinned against him? (Job 42:8) [w98 8/15 p. 30 par. 5] Before Job was restored to a healthy state, Jehovah required that he pray in behalf of those who had transgressed against him. This shows that Jehovah requires that we forgive those who sin against us before we can have our sins forgiven. (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:32)w98 5/1, page 31. 2. What are the sacrifices of righteousness that Christians offer today? (Ps. 4:5) [w06 5/15 p. 18 par. 9] Our spiritual sacrifices are sacrifices of righteousness only if they stem from right motives and our conduct measures up to Jehovahs requirements. 3. How did Davids kidneys correct him? (Ps. 16:7) [w04 12/1 p. 14 par. 9] David pleaded that his kidneys and his heart be refined. How does Jehovah refine what we are on the inside? David sang: I shall bless Jehovah, who has given me advice. Really, during the nights my kidneys have corrected me. (Psalm 16:7) What does that mean? It means that divine counsel reached the deepest parts of Davids being and settled there, correcting his innermost thoughts and emotions. So it can be with us if we appreciatively reflect on the counsel that we receive through Gods Word, his representatives, and his organization and allow it to settle deep within us. Regularly praying to Jehovah to refine us in this way will help us walk in integrity. 4. How is it that the heavens are declaring the glory of God? (Ps. 19:1) [w04 10/1 p. 10 par. 8] We see evidence of God in the starry heavens. The heavens are declaring the glory of God, says Psalm 19:1. The heavensthe sun, moon, and starstestify to Gods power and wisdom. The sheer number of stars fills us with awe. And all these heavenly bodies move through space, not aimlessly, but according to precise physical laws. (Isaiah 40:26) Is it reasonable to attribute such order to blind chance? Significantly, many scientists say that the universe had a sudden beginning. Explaining the implications of this, one professor wrote: A universe that eternally existed is much more congenial to an atheistic or agnostic [view]. By the same token, a universe that began seems to demand a first cause; for who could imagine such an effect without a sufficient cause? 1

5. Psalm 27:14 suggests what connection between hope and courage? [w06 10/1 pp. 26-27 pars. 3, 6] 3 King David points to the connection between hope and courage, saying: Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Yes, hope in Jehovah. (Psalm 27:14) If we want our heart to be strong, we must never let our hope become vague but always keep it clearly in mind and close at heart. Doing so will help us to imitate Jesus in manifesting courage and zeal as we share in the work he commissioned his disciples to do. (Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20) Indeed, hope is placed alongside faith and love as a vital, enduring quality that characterizes the life of servants of God.1 Corinthians 13:13. 6 Jesus, our Exemplar, thrived on Gods Word. By considering him closely, we avoid getting tired and giving out in our souls. (Hebrews 12:3) It stands to reason that if our God-given hope grows dim in our mind and heart or if our focus shifts elsewhere perhaps to material things or to secular goalsspiritual weariness may soon overtake us, eventually leading to loss of moral strength and courage. In that frame of mind, we may even experience shipwreck concerning [our] faith. (1 Timothy 1:19) On the other hand, true hope strengthens our faith.

6. How should Psalm 37:21 affect our dealings with our brothers? [w88 8/15 p. 17 par. 8] But what about our dealings with fellow Christians? Suppose, for example, that you owe a brother money. Might you needlessly delay paying him, reasoning that because the brother seems well-off, you need it more than he does? The wicked one is borrowing and does not pay back, says Psalm 37:21. Or if you are an employer, do you apply the principle The workman is worthy of his wages when it comes to paying Witness employees? (1 Timothy 5:18) Paul was able to say of his own dealings: With holiness and godly sincerity . . . we have conducted ourselves in the world, but more especially toward you.2 Corinthians 1:12.

7. What lesson in appreciation can be learned from the case of a certain Levite in exile? (Ps. 42:1-3) [w06 6/1 p. 9 par. 3] As a hind, or female deer, in a dry region longs for water, the Levite longed for Jehovah. So intense was the mans sadness over not being able to worship Jehovah at His sanctuary that his tears became his food day and nighthe lost his appetite. Should we not cultivate deep appreciation for worshipping Jehovah in association with fellow believers?

8. What can help us to cultivate love of righteousness and hatred for wickedness? (Ps. 45:7) [cf pp. 58-59 pars. 8-10] 8 Love for Jehovah also involves hatred for what Jehovah hates. Note, for example, this prophecy addressed to the Messianic King: You have loved righteousness and you hate wickedness. That is why God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of exultation more than your partners. (Psalm 45:7) Jesus partners were the other kings in the family line of King David. More than any of them, Jesus has cause for exultation, or intense joy, at his anointing. Why? His reward is far greater than theirs, his kingship infinitely more beneficial. He is rewarded because his love of righteousness and hatred of wickedness moved him to obey God in all things. How did Jesus make his feelings regarding righteousness and wickedness evident? For instance, when his followers obeyed his direction in the preaching work and were blessed as a result, how did Jesus react? He was overjoyed. (Luke 10:1, 17, 21) And when the people of Jerusalem repeatedly showed a disobedient spirit, rejecting his loving efforts to help them, how did Jesus feel? He wept because of that citys rebellious course. (Luke 19:41, 42) Jesus felt very deeply about conduct both good and bad.
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Meditating on Jesus feelings helps us to examine our own motives for obeying Jehovah. Imperfect though we are, we can cultivate a heartfelt love of good deeds and an earnest hatred of wrong conduct. We need to pray to Jehovah, asking him to help us to cultivate feelings that are like his and like those of his Son. (Psalm 51:10) At the same time, we need to avoid influences that will erode such feelings. Careful choices of entertainment and associations are essential. (Proverbs 13:20; Philippians 4:8) If we cultivate Christlike motives, our obedience will not be a mere formality. We will do what is right because we love to do it. We will avoid wrong deeds, not because we fear getting caught, but because we hate such conduct.
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9. With whose willing spirit did David ask to be supported? (Ps. 51:12) [w06 6/1 p. 9 par. 10] This refers, neither to Gods willingness to help David nor to Jehovahs holy spirit, but to Davids own spiritto his mental inclination. He is asking God to impart to him the desire to do what is right.

10. How can we be like an olive tree in Gods house? (Ps. 52:8) [w00 5/15 p. 29 par. 6] To become a luxuriant olive tree in Gods house, we must obey Jehovah and be willing to accept the discipline by which he prunes us so that we can bear more Christian fruitage. (Hebrews 12:5, 6) Moreover, just as a natural olive tree needs extensive roots to survive a period of drought, we need to fortify our spiritual roots in order to endure trials and persecution.Matthew 13:21; Colossians 2:6, 7.