Lesson 53 Choose Entertainment That Pleases Jehovah
[Image:] A father, mother, and young daughter eating popcorn and watching television.
[Press play to hear the MP3 of the Lesson]
Jehovah is “the happy God.” (1 Timothy 1:11)
[Quotation] 1 Timothy 1:11 according to the glorious good news of the happy God, with which I was entrusted. [End Quotation]
He wants us to be happy and to enjoy our life. He is pleased when we set aside time from work to relax. In this lesson, we will see how we can use our leisure time in ways that are enjoyable and satisfying and that also please Jehovah.
1. What should we remember when choosing entertainment?
What do you like to do when you relax? Some prefer to spend their leisure time quietly at home, reading a book, listening to music, watching a movie, or browsing the Internet. Others enjoy being more active with friends, hiking, swimming, or playing a game. Whatever our preference is, we need to make sure that our choice of entertainment is “acceptable to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10)
[Quotation] Ephesians 5:10 Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord; [End Quotation]
It is important that we understand this because a lot of popular entertainment features things that Jehovah hates, such as violence, sexual immorality, or spiritism. (Read Psalm 11:5.)
[Read scripture] Psalm 11:5: Jehovah examines the righteous one as well as the wicked one; He hates anyone who loves violence. [End of Read scripture]
What will help us to make wise choices in our entertainment?
If we choose friends who love Jehovah, they can have a good influence on us and on our choice of entertainment. As we learned in a previous lesson, “the one walking with the wise will become wise.” On the other hand, if we regularly associate with people who have no love for God’s standards, we “will fare badly.” (Proverbs 13:20)
[Quotation] Proverbs 13:20 The one walking with the wise will become wise, But the one who has dealings with the stupid will fare badly. [End Quotation]
2. Why is it important to control how much time we spend on entertainment?
Even if the entertainment we choose is wholesome, we need to be careful not to spend too much time on it. Otherwise, we may not have enough time to spend on more important activities. The Bible encourages us to make “the best use of [our] time.” Read Ephesians 5:15 and 16.
[Read scripture] Ephesians 5:15 and 16: So keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons, making the best use of your time, because the days are wicked. [End of Read scripture]
Dig Deeper
Learn how to make good decisions about your entertainment.
3. Avoid unwholesome entertainment
Why should we choose our entertainment carefully? Play the video What Entertainment Should I Choose? (4:39), 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]|[What Entertainment Should I Choose]
[Danny a teenage boy is deeply immersed in a combat video game and imagines himself as a solider wearing a camouflage uniform running through the woods wielding an assault riffle.
With a muddy face he turns his head, then back to reality he is sitting on the couch with dress clothes, looking over at the door. After closing the game and sliding the phone in his pocket, he quickly searches around him then opens the door and greets a young adult brother Akil]
Danny: I promised Akil I’d go out in service with him after school.
[Feeling his neck for a tie, Danny hurry’s back inside closing the door]
Akil: Hey, we’re just waiting in the car.
Brother: ‘And I kept my word,
[Now, in the car with a brother, sister, and Akil, he puts on his tie as they drive off]
but my head just wasn’t in it.
[Walking in the ministry, as Akil speaks Danny looks away]
Akil could tell, so he tried to see if everything was OK.
[Forehead scrunched. He nods at Akil and drops his head]
Honestly, at the time, I would have rather been playing video games,
[Reluctantly, he follows Akil to the next door]
but I couldn’t tell him that.
[Danny anxiously stares at Akil]
I mean, he’s a pioneer, a ministerial servant. He wouldn’t understand.
[Later, Danny exits the car and Akil waves goodbye. Akil’s phone lights up on the center console of his car and he picks it up]
[Text from Max. 5:24PM. Hey! Sorry, but I can't go biking next week. Something came up. Can you think of anyone to fill in?]
[Akil considers and looks back in the direction of Danny’s house]
Later that week, Akil invited me to go mountain biking with some friends. It was actually really fun.
[After, the group of the friend’s ride bikes through a wood trial, Danny and Akil enter a café and sit at a table]
Waitress: . . . and your croissant.
Brother: Great, thanks.
Waitress: Please let me know if there’s anything else, OK?
Danny: All right. Thanks.
Akil: So, Danny, you’re obviously good at biking. What else do you like to do for fun?
[Danny’s eyes brighten as he pulls out his phone]
Danny: OK, so I have this game, and it’s called . . . Soon I was showing him my video games.
[The phone displays the game Global Combat. Eyebrow slightly raised, Akil looks back to Danny]
And surprisingly, he liked video games too.
[Danny puts his phone back in his pocket]
But he said he chose to be selective.
[Smiling warmly Akil explains]
He began to describe the gladiators in ancient Rome.
[A sky view of an ancient arena. A crazed crowd of men chant]
People would come from all over to watch them fight to the death. And while the spectators weren’t in any physical danger, the real danger came over time.
[In unison, the men make stabbing gestures towards their chest. The gladiator raises his sword and shield. The defeated opponent trembles on the ground]
Repeatedly watching the bloodshed and the killing, it was dulling their senses, and they wanted more of it.
[In a frenzy, a child in the stand cheers waving his fist in the air]
This was a big test for the Christians who lived back then.
[Danny solemnly absorbs Akil’s words]
Akil helped me to reason on the scripture at Romans 12:9: Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good.’
Akil: So, Danny, the games may have changed over time, but the violence is still the same. I like video games, but I avoid the ones that promote what Jehovah hates.
[Danny nods and broadly smiles]
Danny: Jehovah’s people can still have fun.
[With his friends, Danny plays a spirited game of soccer. Later at a movie theatre, they laugh and eat popcorn. Now sitting in a living room, they play a car racing game]
And, yeah, we can even play video games.
[They jeer and laugh]
I just want to make wise choices.
[Now dressed for service, Danny looks at his game apps]
I want to show Jehovah that I hate wickedness
[After deleted global combat, he picks up his service bag and heads for the door]
and make his heart glad.
[In a park, Danny witnesses to a young man with a black beanie and skateboard handing him a tract. As Danny and Akil walk away chatting, Akil playfully nudges Danny on the arm]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
How were the ancient gladiatorial games similar to some modern entertainment?
In the video, what did Danny learn about entertainment?
Read Romans 12:9, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Romans 12:9: Let your love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is wicked; cling to what is good. [End of Read scripture]
How should this verse affect your choice of entertainment?
What are some things that Jehovah hates? Read Proverbs 6:16 and 17 and Galatians 5:19 through 21. After reading each scripture, discuss this question:
Which of the things mentioned in these verses are common in today’s entertainment?
[Read scripture] Proverbs 6:16 and 17: There are six things that Jehovah hates; Yes, seven things that he detests: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Galatians 5:19 through 21: Now the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immorality, uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and things like these. I am forewarning you about these things, the same way I already warned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. [End of Read scripture]
[Image:] A car driving along the edge of a mountain road. The back of the car has started to veer off the edge. Caption: It is safer to stay as far away from danger as possible. That is why we should stay away from any entertainment that we suspect might not be good for us
[Box]
How to Choose Your Entertainment Wisely. Ask yourself:
What? Does it include anything that Jehovah hates?
When? Does it interfere with more important activities?
Who? Does it bring me in close or regular contact with people who do not love Jehovah? [End of box]
4. Use your time wisely
Play the video What Controls Your Time? (2:45), and then discuss the question that follows.
[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]|[What Controls Your Time?]
[JW Broadcasting. Mark Sanderson. Governing Body]
Mark: With so much to do in our life, not just in the ministry but also with secular work, family responsibilities, for some, even health issues, we can get into a rut. It’s not always easy to detect at first, because in this age of technology, we always feel busy. But what consumes our day? Watch this one-minute video and try to detect what’s going on in the life of one brother. His life is in a rut. Try to figure out why.
[A young brother lies down on his bed looks at his cell phone puts it on the nightstand and turns off the light. Lying on his back he stares at the ceiling, then pulls back the covers and sits on the edge of the bed with a serious and reflective look on his face. The hands of the clock begin to quickly wind back in time to that morning. Waking up, right away he begins scrolling through his phone then watching TV he puts on his tie. Later, walking down the street he talks on his phone. In the car he turns on the radio and drives off. Wearing headphones seated at his work desk, with a burrito in hand, he scrolls through an ad for sunglasses. Now at home whilst watching TV he folds clothes. On the digital clock 11:22:59 after turning off the TV he looks at his phone and leaves the room. Back to present. As he turns on the light on the nightstand appears his cell phone on top of a Bible, removing the phone he pensively stares at the Bible]
Would you say that this brother’s life is in a rut? Oh, he’s active all day, he always has something to do. But it’s as if his mind has been kidnapped by his devices. Have you ever had the experience of reading an e-mail while someone is trying to tell you something? It can be embarrassing when you realize that they’ve asked you a question, and they’re waiting for an answer, but you have no idea what they asked. It’s embarrassing, right? But what if the person who is trying to speak to you is Jehovah? Even though we aren’t doing anything wrong, our daily routine can occupy our attention so much that we are not able to hear the refreshing words of Jehovah.
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania) [Click to close]
Although the brother in the video was not viewing anything unwholesome, how was his use of leisure time affecting him?
Read Philippians 1:10, and then discuss the question that follows:
[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]
How could this verse help us decide how much time we spend on recreation?
5. Choose wholesome entertainment
Even though some entertainment displeases Jehovah, there are many enjoyable things that do not. Read Ecclesiastes 8:15 and Philippians 4:8, and then discuss the question that follows:
[Read scripture] Ecclesiastes 8:15: So I recommended rejoicing, because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat and drink and rejoice; this should accompany him as he works hard during the days of his life, which the true God gives him under the sun. [End of Read scripture]
[Read scripture] Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well-spoken-of, whatever things are virtuous, and whatever things are praiseworthy, continue considering these things. [End of Read scripture]
What wholesome entertainment do you enjoy?
[Image:] Collage: People of various ages enjoying wholesome entertainment and recreation. 1. A girl listens to music and draws. 2. Three young men play basketball. 3. Two boys ride bicycles. 4. A boy builds a toy car. 5. A man plays a drum. 6. A boy plays a video game with his father. 7. A woman takes a photograph. Caption: You can enjoy wholesome entertainment and recreation
[Box]
Some People Say: “There’s nothing wrong with entertainment that features violence, immorality, or spiritism, as long as I’m not doing those things.” What would you say? [End of box]
Summary
Jehovah wants us to choose and enjoy wholesome entertainment.
Review
What entertainment should Christians avoid?
Why should we be careful about how much time we spend on entertainment?
Why do you want to choose entertainment that pleases Jehovah?
Goal
Using the box “How to Choose Your Entertainment Wisely,” analyze the entertainment that you enjoy. Set Other Goals
Explore
Consider who is responsible for choosing our entertainment. “Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Ban Certain Movies, Books, or Songs?” (Web article)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
See how you can make good decisions regarding recreation and leisure activities. “Is Your Recreation Beneficial?” (The Watchtower, October 15, 2011)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
In the story “I Even Overcame My Prejudice,” see why a man changed his choice of entertainment. “The Bible Changes Lives” (The Watchtower, February 1, 2010)
[Click for article]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]
See how a mother makes a wise decision regarding entertainment that features stories about the spirit world. Avoid Entertainment That Features Spiritism (2:02)
[Click for transcript]|[Coming soon] [Click to close]