Lesson 12 What Will Help You to Keep Studying the Bible?

[Image:] A mother with two children studying the Bible with the help of one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]

Studying the Bible is a rewarding journey. However, it may not always be an easy one. At times, you may wonder if you will be able to keep studying the Bible. Why is it worth making an effort to continue? What can help you to persevere despite difficulties?

1. Why is Bible study valuable?

“The word of God is alive and exerts power.” (Hebrews 4:12)

[Quotation] Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints from the marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart. [End Quotation]

The Bible is valuable because it reveals God’s thoughts and his feelings toward you. It helps you to gain not only knowledge but also true wisdom and hope. Most important, the Bible helps you to become Jehovah’s friend. When you study the Bible, you allow its power to have a positive effect on your life.

2. Why is it important to recognize the value of Bible truth?

The truths in the Bible are like precious treasures. That is why the Bible encourages us to “buy truth and never sell it.” (Proverbs 23:23)

[Quotation] Proverbs 23:23: Buy truth and never sell it, Also wisdom and discipline and understanding. [End Quotation]

When we keep in mind the value of Bible truth, we work hard to keep studying, even when we face obstacles. Read Proverbs 2:4 and 5.

[Read scripture] Proverbs 2:4 and 5: If you keep seeking for it as for silver, And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah, And you will find the knowledge of God. [End of Read scripture]

3. How can Jehovah help you to keep studying?

As your almighty Creator and Friend, Jehovah wants to help you learn about him. He can give you “both the desire and the power to act.” (Read Philippians 2:13) Thus, if at times you need additional motivation to study or to apply what you learn, he can help. If you need additional strength to overcome obstacles or opposition, he can provide it. Regularly ask Jehovah in prayer to help you to continue studying the Bible.

[Quotation] 1 Thessalonians 5:17: Pray constantly. [End Quotation]

[Read scripture] Philippians 2:13: For God is the one who for the sake of his good pleasure energizes you, giving you both the desire and the power to act. [End of Read scripture]

Dig Deeper

Learn how you can keep studying the Bible despite a busy schedule or opposition from others. Then consider how Jehovah will help you to persevere.

4. Make your Bible study a priority

Sometimes life gets so busy that it seems we do not have enough time to study the Bible. What can help? Read Philippians 1:10, and then discuss the questions that follow:

[Read scripture] Philippians 1:10: that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others up to the day of Christ; [End of Read scripture]

What do you feel are some of “the more important things” in life?

How can you make your Bible study a priority?

[Image:] A. Collage: Scenes that depict filling a bucket with rocks and sand. 1. A pile of sand and a pile of large rocks. 2. A bucket nearly filled with the sand. 3. The large rocks sit on the sand and overflow onto the ground. Caption A: If you fill a bucket with sand and try to add rocks, the rocks will not fit. [Image:] B. Collage: 1. The same pile of sand and the same pile of large rocks. 2. The same bucket nearly filled with large rocks. 3. Sand fits around the large rocks and fills the bucket to the rim. A small pile of sand sits outside the bucket. Caption B: If you put the rocks in first, you will have room to add most of the sand. Similarly, if you put “the more important things” first in your life, you will be able to accomplish them and still have time for other things

Studying the Bible satisfies our spiritual need, our need to know and worship God. Read Matthew 5:3, and then discuss the question that follows:

[Read scripture] Matthew 5:3: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. [End of Read scripture]

How do we benefit when we make study of the Bible a priority?

5. Persevere in the face of opposition

At times, others may try to discourage you from studying the Bible. Note Francesco’s example. Play the video Rewarded for Persevering (5:22), and then discuss the questions that follow.

[Click for Transcript]|[Rewarded for Persevering] 
[At night, bikers ride together]
Friend 1: Our parents loved us, but they did it in the wrong way. They would often turn violent, so we learned that way of life.
[In the park, the group smoke marijuana]
Francesco: I remember that ever since I was young, I was afraid of coming home one day and not finding my parents together. Because as far back as I remember, they have always argued with each other.
[Modern day all 6 dressed in suits]
Friend 2: So, we grew up with those values and those ways of thinking that led us to become a group that was known and feared in the area because of our violent, immoral lifestyle devoted to drugs.
[As youngsters they sit in the park at night]
Friend 3: We had no rules!
Friend 2: We were people that you should stay away from. [At home, Francesco and two others smoking]
Francesco: It was one of those regular mornings when we were home alone. And it used to become our hideout, the place we would meet. We had skipped school, and our parents didn’t know. I was with Federico and Raffaele when two sisters, two of Jehovah’s Witnesses, rang the doorbell. So, we had them come in, so we could make fun of them. And as a matter of fact, that’s what we did.
Friend 2: I remember that Maria and the sister that was with her were two very sincere and genuine people. They showed courage as they brought us the truth.
[With Bibles in hand the sisters listen and nod]
Friend 3: I was surprised that they were so kind, despite that my tone of voice was mocking. And I really appreciated their kindness.
Friend 4: She didn’t let anything stop her, not even the way we looked.
Francesco: I was really touched by the conversation with Maria, but I thought I would never see her again. Who would ever come back to people like us?
[Long-haired Francesco opens the door, Maria and a much older brother smile and greet him]
Maria didn’t give up. She came back with an older pioneer brother who wasn’t scared of us and with courage started to preach. I really started to change my life and make progress. Immediately, I started to speak about what I was learning with all my friends. What surprised me was my mother’s reaction. She wasn’t happy at all. She reacted really violently.
[Francesco, now with short hair sits and stares at a closed Bible and an ashtray of cigarettes]
They thought that I was going mad, that I was being brainwashed. I remember that they would do everything to remind me of the strong friendship that was between us. So, they would put pressure on me emotionally.
[At the park, his friend offers him drugs]
I had to make a choice. Although I did love them and was close to them, I made the drastic decision to tell them that from then on, I would no longer be staying in their company.
[Francesco walks away from his angry friends]
Friend 4: This situation made me really intrigued. In fact, I ended up studying with Francesco.
Friend 1: His determination really made me think. It was obvious that the things he was telling us were actually real, it was the truth. And also, the strength it took to go forward with this, his determination to leave his friends, was surely what made all of us seriously interested in the message he was preaching.
[He looks at a photo of them all]
Friend 5: I would blame it on the truth because it was taking my friend away from me, a friend with whom I used to do the things I liked. However, inside I knew even though I told him he had gone mad, I knew inside that there must have been something powerful because he was so convinced, and we could all sense his conviction. So, I realized that there was really something there.
[Francesco]
Francesco: To my surprise, one after the other, all of my friends started studying the Bible.
[First friend in the ministry]
Friend 2: As I studied, I realized that it was the truth. It used to be hatred that always motivated my choices. Now I act according to love, and this makes me feel good.
[Second friend with wife and son]
Friend 1: I can now say that thanks to Maria and Francesco, Jehovah tried to draw me to Him. I believe it’s been a miracle from Jehovah.
[Third friend]
Friend 5: The truth helped me cultivate the qualities of peace and joy; the personality that has made it possible for me to have the family I never had.
[Reads to son. Fourth friend]
Friend 4: The greatest satisfaction I have in life is to have a relationship with Jehovah.
[Fifth friend talks to a tattooed man]
Friend 3: When I see someone like we used to be, I feel motivated to speak to them. The patience that Maria showed motivates me to be patient.
[The group socialise with friends]
Francesco: Despite our reputation, Maria did not give up.
[Two of the friends, with Bibles in hand approach a front door]
She showed us that in Jehovah’s eyes, no one is beyond recovery,
[He gently pats his friend’s arm]
no one.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2019 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]

In the video, how did Francesco’s friends and family react when he told them what he was learning?

How was he rewarded for persevering?

Read 2 Timothy 2:24 and 25, and then discuss the questions that follow:

[Read scripture] 2 Timothy 2:24 and 25: For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, [End of Read scripture]

How do your family and friends feel about what you are learning?

According to these verses, how should you respond when someone is not happy that you are studying the Bible? Why?

6. Rely on Jehovah to help you

As we draw close to Jehovah, our desire to please him increases. Still, we can find it difficult to make adjustments in our life to meet his standards. If you ever feel that way, do not give up. Jehovah will help you. Play the video Jehovah Helps Us to Make Changes (3:56), and then discuss the questions that follow.

[Disclaimer: The following video is created by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; however, the audio description has been added by independent blind and sighted volunteers to assist those who are blind or have low vision]

[Click for Transcript]|[Jehovah Helps Us to Make Changes]
[The sun reflects off calm water as a speedboat cuts across it, driven by a man with a thick moustache and sunglasses]
[Text: Jimmy Brown]
Jimmy: I’m 53 years old. I was known as a troublemaker.
[Flashback. Jimmy throws a punch, hits a man’s jaw]
I was fighting in the bars. It comes to a point to where you begin to enjoy it.
[Man grabs his collar]
[Text: Bill Brookman]
Bill: He was flat-out scary. He was a very mean and violent man, so everybody kind of kept their distance from him.
[Jimmy on a motorcycle]
Jimmy: My language was detestable. I would make grown men blush by the things that I would say and things that I would do. I was involved with some bikers, and they were trying to prospect me into getting into their club. Things were escalating.
[His wife Tammy]
[Text: Tammy Brown]
Tammy: We got married very young, and we were 17.
Jimmy: And we had my oldest daughter.
[He smiles]
Tammy: I was the mom, and he lived a life of being out with his friends and partying.
[Back on his boat]
Jimmy: About that time, my wife started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was a big change for her, but she explained the reasoning behind it. I couldn’t argue with it.
[Holding a fishing rod]
She talked me into studying. I studied from 20 years old to 30.
[He gazes over the water]
I had always seen it. I had always seen that it was good. I knew that this was where I needed to be. Somehow, I just could never break free of the person that I was.
[Daughter]
[Text: Brook Klopp]
Brook: My mom always raised us in the truth, growing up, and that’s what we knew. So, then, to see my dad, where he was so different but yet believed it to be the truth, and then to see that his lifestyle didn’t do him any good was kind of a good example of a bad example, if that makes sense.
[Along a rocky shore, he walks past mangroves]
Jimmy: I was afraid of the change. People accepted me for who I was,
[and leans on a palm tree]
being the tough guy, being Jimmy Brown.
[He shrugs]
Bill: The scripture comes to mind: I planted, Apollos watered, but God kept making it grow. Many brothers have studied with Jim from time to time over the years. I just happened to be the one at the time in his life when he was taking the truth and running with it.
[Hands in pocket alone, Jimmy walks under a bridge]
Jimmy: I wanted to be a better person. I truly knew that this was just not the way of life that I wanted anymore.
[Daughter]
Brook: He changed his friends; he changed his life; he changed his dress and grooming; he changed his speech patterns; he changed the way he was a grandfather; he changed the way he was a father; he changed the way he was a husband. Everything changed about him.
[Palm trees rustle as he drives his boat, heading to open water]
Jimmy: I knew the work that Witnesses do —going out door to door talking to people. I thought I could never do that. Whoa! Me, going door to door? I’m going to run into people that I know that I drank with for years and years. How can I face them now?
[Studies with a man on his boat]
I had always told my wife, it would be much easier for me to become a Witness
[With open Bibles]
if I didn’t live here.
[As waves rock the boat]
But how wrong I was because what a witness my changes have been to so many people in town.
[Reaching out, he helps an older sister]
I love life now.
[At the Kingdom Hall]
I have true friends.
[With friends]
I know that I have hope for the future. Jehovah has seen something in me, and he’s brought it to light
[Fishing with a child]
that I am a good person. I can be a good human being; I can help other people; I can be loved by Him.
[His eyes glisten with emotion]
It’s priceless.
[A silhouette of Jimmy fishing as the sun sinks below the horizon]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]

In the video, what changes did Jim make to please Jehovah?

What impresses you about his example?

Read Hebrews 11:6, and then discuss the questions that follow:

[Read scripture] Hebrews 11:6: Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God well, for whoever approaches God must believe that he is and that he becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him. [End of Read scripture]

What will Jehovah do for those “earnestly seeking him”, that is, those who try hard to get to know and please him?

What does this tell you about how Jehovah feels when he sees your efforts to study the Bible?

[Box]

Someone May Ask: “Why are you studying the Bible?” How would you answer? [End of box]

Summary

Although it is not always easy, studying the Bible can help you enjoy life forever. Continue to rely on Jehovah, and he will reward you.

Review

Why are Bible truths precious to you?

How can you “make sure of the more important things”?

Why should you ask Jehovah to help you to keep studying the Bible?

Goal

Continue having your Bible study at least once a week. If your schedule changes, find another time for the study. Set Other Goals

Explore

Consider four strategies that have helped many people to use their time wisely. “How to Invest Your Time Wisely” (Awake!, February 2014)

[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]

Notice how Jehovah helped one woman whose husband did not understand her efforts to please God. Jehovah Strengthens Us to Carry Our Load (5:05)

[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]

See how one man benefited from his wife’s perseverance. I Put the Truth on Trial (6:30)