Illustrate how Jesus imitated Jehovah’s reasonableness
In several ways, he imitated Jehovah’s reasonableness in carrying out his preaching assignment. On one occasion, a non-Israelite woman begged him to heal her daughter who was “cruelly demon-possessed.” Jesus compassionately did – He did not maintain that he was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel – He healed the woman’s daughter.
Earlier in his ministry he said whoever disowns him, he will disown the person but he didn’t disown Peter who disowned him before others 3 times. Because of Peter’s repentance and faith, Jesus forgave him. Jesus later appeared to Peter and assured him of his love.
What can help us to be reasonable when circumstances change?
We can take the following four steps: (1) accept reality, (2) look to the future, (3) focus on the positive, and (4) do things for others.
According to the footnote which also expands on these four steps, The illustration of the storm is used. A tree that can bend with the wind is more likely to survive a storm. So is a person who has learned to bend or adapt to changing situations. The article stressed we must be ready because change must come.
How did one sister adapt to a big change in her life?
Sister Christina, a Romanian sister who lives in Japan, was disappointed when the English congregation she attended was dissolved. Instead of dwelling on the past, she decided to do her best in the local Japanese-language congregation by
(1) having a meaningful share in that field.
(2) She asked a former workmate to help her improve her language skills.
(3) The woman used the Bible and the Enjoy Life Forever! brochure to teach Christina Japanese.
Two advantages came out of it. Christina improved in conversing with people in Japanese language and the woman began to show interest in the truth.
How can the apostle Paul’s example help us adapt to changing circumstances in our ministry?
The apostle Paul was adaptable, and we can learn from his example. He preached to Jews, Greeks, intellectuals, humble peasants, dignitaries, and kings. In order to reach the hearts of such a diverse audience, he said he became “all things to people of all sorts.” He observed the culture, background, and beliefs of the people whom he preached and adapted his approach accordingly. Since we also preach to people of all sorts, we need tp adapt and fit our approach to the needs of our listeners.
14. What Bible principles should govern our dress and grooming?
1 Tim. 2:9, 10 encourages us to dress in a way that is appropriate for ministers of God, showing reasonableness, modesty, and “soundness of mind.” at the same time, we want to apply 1 Pet. 3:3 in the sense that we don’t want to draw undue attention to ourselves by the way we dress because the inner person is more important than fashion styles.
How will our reasonableness contribute to the peace of the congregation?
Our reasonableness will help us to refrain from promoting ourselves or our views in the Christian congregation. We respect the views of others in adornment, in other things such as taking alcohol or not, even elders can be reasonable with one another. It helps us to avoid strained relationships in the Christian congregation.