Lesson 34 How Can We Show Our Love for Jehovah?
[Image:] A man in a city looking contemplatively toward the heavens.
[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]
Have you felt closer to God since you began studying the Bible? Would you like to continue to strengthen your friendship with him? If so, remember that the more Jehovah sees your love for him grow, the more he will love and care for you. How can you show him that you love him?
1. How do we show Jehovah that we love him?
We show our love for Jehovah by obeying him. (Read 1 John 5:3) He does not force anyone to obey him. Instead, he gives each of us the opportunity to choose whether we will obey him or not. Why? Jehovah wants us to be “obedient from the heart.” (Romans 6:17)
[Quotation] Romans 6:17: But thanks to God that although you were once the slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that pattern of teaching to which you were handed over. [End Quotation]
In other words, he wants you to obey him, not because you have to, but because you love him. Sections 3 and 4 of this book are designed to help you show your love for Jehovah by doing what pleases him and avoiding what displeases him.
[Read scripture] 1 John 5:3: For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome, [End of Read scripture]
2. Why can it be challenging to show our love for Jehovah?
“Many are the hardships of the righteous one.” (Psalm 34:19)
[Quotation] Psalm 34:19: Many are the hardships of the righteous one, But Jehovah rescues him from them all. [End Quotation]
We all struggle with our own imperfections. And we may also face economic problems, injustice, and other difficulties. When we experience hardships, we may not find it easy to do what Jehovah asks of us. That is because the wrong path may be easier to follow. But when you faithfully do what Jehovah tells you to, you show that you love him more than anything else. And you prove that you are loyal to him. In turn, he will be loyal to you. He will never leave you. Read Psalm 4:3.
[Read scripture] Psalm 4:3: Know that Jehovah will treat his loyal one in a special way; Jehovah will hear when I call to him. [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
Examine why your obedience matters to Jehovah, and learn what can help you remain faithful to him.
3. An issue that involves you
According to the Bible book of Job, Satan made an accusation not just against the man Job but against all people who want to serve Jehovah. Read Job 1:1, 6 through 2:10, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Job 1:1: There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. He was an upright man of integrity; he feared God and shunned what was bad. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Job 1:6 through 22: Now the day came when the sons of the true God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and Satan also entered among them. 7 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered Jehovah: “From roving about on the earth and from walking about in it.” 8 And Jehovah said to Satan: “Have you taken note of my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth. He is an upright man of integrity, fearing God and shunning what is bad.” 9 At that Satan answered Jehovah: “Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? 10 Have you not put up a protective hedge around him and his house and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his livestock has spread out in the land. 11 But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” 12 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Look! Everything that he has is in your hand. Only do not lay your hand on the man himself!” So Satan went out from the presence of Jehovah. 13 Now on the day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said: “The cattle were plowing and the donkeys were grazing beside them 15 when the Sabeans attacked and took them, and they killed the servants with the sword. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was still speaking, another one came and said: “Fire from God fell from the heavens and blazed among the sheep and the servants and consumed them! I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was still speaking, another one came and said: “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them, and they killed the servants with the sword. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was still speaking, yet another one came and said: “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. 19 Suddenly a great wind came from the wilderness, and it struck the four corners of the house, so that it fell on the young people and they were killed. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 20 At that Job got up and ripped apart his garment and cut the hair off his head; then he fell to the ground and bowed down 21 and said: “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, And naked I will return. Jehovah has given, and Jehovah has taken away. Let the name of Jehovah continue to be praised.” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing anything wrong. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Job 2:1 through 10: 1 Afterward the day came when the sons of the true God entered to take their station before Jehovah, and Satan also entered among them to take his station before Jehovah. 2 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered Jehovah: “From roving about on the earth and from walking about in it.” 3 And Jehovah said to Satan: “Have you taken note of my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth. He is an upright man of integrity, fearing God and shunning what is bad. He is still holding firmly to his integrity, even though you try to incite me against him to destroy him for no reason.” 4 But Satan answered Jehovah: “Skin for skin. A man will give everything that he has for his life. 5 But, for a change, stretch out your hand and strike his bone and flesh, and he will surely curse you to your very face.” 6 Then Jehovah said to Satan: “Look! He is in your hand! Only do not take his life!” 7 So Satan went out from the presence of Jehovah and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself, and he was sitting among the ashes. 9 Finally his wife said to him: “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her: “You are talking like one of the senseless women. Should we accept only what is good from the true God and not accept also what is bad?” In all of this, Job did not sin with his lips. [End of Read scripture]
According to Satan, why did Job obey Jehovah? See Job 1:9 through 11.
What does Satan claim about all humans, including you? See Job 2:4.
Read Job 27:5b, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Job 27:5b: Until I die, I will not renounce my integrity! [End of Read scripture]
How did Job prove that he truly loved Jehovah?
[Image:] Satan challenging Jehovah. He is questioning the integrity of Job, who is covered in boils, and of a sister who is serving Jehovah today. Caption: Job proved his love for Jehovah by remaining loyal to him. We prove our love for Jehovah by remaining loyal to him
4. Make Jehovah’s heart rejoice
Read Proverbs 27:11, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Proverbs 27:11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me. [End of Read scripture]
How does Jehovah feel when you are wise and obey him? Why?
5. You can be loyal to Jehovah
Our love for Jehovah moves us to tell others about him. Our loyalty to him moves us to do so even when it is not easy. Play the video Defend Your Faith Despite Opposition (5:09), 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]|[Defend Your faith Despite Opposition]
[Grayson at the stove preparing breakfast. Wife smiles broadly at the family, and Grayson towels his younger son’s hair. He greets a neighbour on the sidewalk]
Grayson: It was one of those mornings when everything seemed to be going right.
[Grayson parks his car at a school]
In fact, this whole year was going right
[In the classroom teaching]
ever since I got baptized. My family is closer than ever.
[Associating joyfully with friends]
I’ve made some good friends in the congregation. I even started a Bible study.
[An elderly Bible student]
It felt good to let go of my fears and serve Jehovah with everything I have.
[Cart witnessing on a busy street. A man stares at Grayson from his car]
But things can change very quickly.
[Grayson pours a cup of coffee in the break room and sits at a table. Two co-workers at another table]
Co-worker, Ron: Uh, I’m sorry. You know what? I think I saw Grayson over the weekend on Saturday. I think he might be one of those people that tells you about the Bible. One of those, uh
Co-worker Eric: You’re saying Grayson is a Jehovah’s Witness?
Ron: Yeah. Let me go ask him. Hey, Grayson?
Grayson: Hey, how’s it going, Ron?
Ron: Did I see you on Saturday morning over on Main Street?
Grayson: Yeah. You know, I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And what we do, we go out and talk to people about
Eric: I’m sorry. I just don’t get it. You’ll go knocking on strangers’ doors to support your own religion, yet you won’t stand and support this country. Why don’t you people get involved and make a real difference for once?
[Grayson frowns and malls in silence. Co-workers stare and the break room empties]
Grayson: I was really disappointed in myself. I guess I hadn’t moved past all my fears like I thought.
[Family sits at dinner table]
Later that night, for family worship, we sat down and discussed our brothers who were in prison for their faith.
Son Aiden: Mom, why are they in prison?
Mom: They don’t want to fight; they don’t want to kill people.
Grayson: It really touched Aiden.
[Aiden looks down at the article]
He was moved to pray for them that night.
[Aiden in his room]
His prayer touched my heart.
[Grayson looks over to Aiden]
And with so much on my mind, I couldn’t sleep. So, I decided to get up and do some research. I found some information on the apostle Peter. Despite his zeal, he also struggled at times with fear of man like when he denied Jesus three times.
[Imagines Peter weeping bitterly]
But eventually, he overcame that fear.
[Sanhedrin]
Sanhedrin: We strictly ordered you not to keep teaching on the basis of this name, and yet look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.
Peter: We must obey God as ruler rather than men. The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a stake.
[A room full of Pharisees shaking their fists. Peter stands erect with determined visage. Back to present, Grayson picks up his Bible]
Grayson: Always ready to make a defence before everyone who demands of you a reason for the hope you have
[Text: 1 Peter 3:15]
Peter focused on his hope, not his fear. Just like these faithful brothers have been doing, I want to be like them and make Jehovah proud of me.
[With clasped hands, he rests his head in prayer. Walking down a hallway at work]
The next day I woke up, and I was thinking about the apostle Peter and our brothers who were in prison for their faith.
[Imagines Peter bravely facing Sanhedrin]
And even though I was still a little nervous, I felt ready to talk to Eric.
[After approaching his workmates, Eric storms out]
Grayson: Hey, Ron, Eric. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to explain the other day, but if you have a moment now, I’d love to be able to talk to you.
Eric: I don’t want to hear it.
Ron: Sorry, Grayson.
Grayson: And I thought that was it.
[Walking out, Ron pauses and returns to Grayson]
But it wasn’t. Ron said he wanted to know more. Maybe I’ll never completely get rid of my fears. But my love for Jehovah and the example of his courageous servants helps me to be ready to meet the challenge. The other day I wanted to show you something.
[Ron sits down, and Grayson opens his phone to share a thought]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
Do you ever find it difficult to tell others about Jehovah?
In the video, what helped Grayson overcome his fear?
It is easier to be loyal to Jehovah when we love what he loves and hate what he hates. Read Psalm 97:10, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Psalm 97:10: O you who love Jehovah, hate what is bad. He is guarding the lives of his loyal ones; He rescues them from the hand of the wicked. [End of Read scripture]
Based on what you have learned, what are some things that Jehovah loves? What are some things that he hates?
How can you learn to love what is good and hate what is bad?
6. We benefit when we obey Jehovah
Obeying Jehovah is always best. Read Isaiah 48:17 and 18, and then discuss the questions that follow:
[Read scripture] Isaiah 48:17 and 18: This is what Jehovah says, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, The One teaching you to benefit yourself, The One guiding you in the way you should walk. If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. [End of Read scripture]
Do you think we can trust that Jehovah always knows what is best for us? Why?
How has your study of the Bible and the true God, Jehovah, benefited you so far?
[Box]
Some People Say: “My actions don’t really matter to God.” What scripture could you use to show that our actions affect Jehovah’s feelings? [End of box]
Summary
You can demonstrate your love for Jehovah by obeying him and remaining loyal to him despite challenges.
Review
What did you learn from Job’s example?
How will you prove your love for Jehovah?
What will help you remain loyal to Jehovah?
Goal
Memorize what Proverbs 27:11 says, and think of it when you find it difficult to obey Jehovah.
[Quotation] Proverbs 27:11: Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, So that I can make a reply to him who taunts me. [End Quotation]
Set Other Goals
Explore
Discover how you can be loyal to Jehovah and the congregation. “With Someone Loyal You Act in Loyalty” (16:49)
[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Learn more about Satan’s accusations against humans. “Job Keeps His Integrity” (The Bible—What Is Its Message? section 6)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
Consider how even young ones can show their love for Jehovah. Make Jehovah Happy (8:16)
[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
How can a young person who faces pressure from other youths stay loyal to God? Stand Up to Peer Pressure! (3:59)
[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]