Chapter 48
God’s Peaceful New World—You Can Live There
GOD put Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Even though they became disobedient and died, God has made it possible for their children, including us today, to live forever in Paradise. The Bible promises: "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will [live] forever upon it."—Psalm 37:29.
The Bible tells about a "new heavens" and "a new earth." (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13) The present "heavens" are made up of today’s human governments, but Jesus Christ and those who rule with him in heaven will make up the "new heavens." How wonderful it will be when this new heavens, which is God’s righteous government of peace, rules the entire earth!
What, then, is the "new earth"?— The new earth will be good people who love Jehovah. You see, when the Bible speaks of "the earth," it sometimes means the people who live on the earth, not the land itself. (Genesis 11:1; Psalm 66:4; 96:1) So the people who make up the new earth will live right here on this earth.
The present world of wicked people will then be gone. Remember, the Flood of Noah’s day wiped out a wicked world of people. And, as we have learned, this present wicked world will be destroyed at Armageddon. Let’s see now what it will be like to live in God’s new world after Armageddon.
Do you want to live forever in Paradise in God’s peaceful new world?— No doctor can make us live forever. There is no pill that will keep us from dying. The only way we can live forever is by drawing close to God. And the Great Teacher tells us how to do that.
Let’s get our Bibles and open them to John chapter 17, verse 3. Here we find these words of the Great Teacher: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."
So, what did Jesus say we need to do to live forever?— First, we must take in knowledge of our heavenly Father, Jehovah, and also of his Son, who gave his life for us. This means that we need to study the Bible. This book, Learn From the Great Teacher, is helping us to do that.
But how will learning about Jehovah help us to live forever?— Well, just as we need food every day, we need to learn about Jehovah every day. The Bible says: ‘Man must live, not on bread alone, but on all the words that come from Jehovah’s mouth.’—Matthew 4:4.
We also need to take in knowledge of Jesus Christ because God sent his Son to take away our sin. The Bible says: "There is no salvation in anyone else." And the Bible also says: "He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life." (Acts 4:12; John 3:36) Now, what does it mean to ‘exercise faith’ in Jesus?— It means that we really believe in Jesus and know that we cannot live forever without him. Do we believe that?— If we do, we will continue to learn from the Great Teacher every day, and we will do what he says.
One fine way to learn from the Great Teacher is to read this book over and over and to look at and think about all the pictures. See if you can answer the questions found with these pictures. Also, read the book with your mother or father. If your parents are not with you, read it with other grown-ups and with other children. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could help others to learn from the Great Teacher what they need to do to live forever in God’s new world?—
The Bible tells us: "The world is passing away." But then the Bible explains how we can live forever in God’s new world. It says: "He that does the will of God remains forever." (1 John 2:17) So how can we live forever in God’s new world?— Yes, by taking in knowledge of Jehovah and his dear Son, Jesus. But we also have to do, or practice, what we learn. May your study of this book help you to do these things.
[Box/Picture on page 251]
As you read Isaiah 11:6-9 and Isaiah 65:25, you learn about animals living in peace. Look at these pictures. See the lamb, the little goat, the leopard, the calf, the big lion, and the children with them. Can you name the other animals here that the Bible talks about?— Look at that boy playing with the cobra! No one living in the new world needs to be afraid. (Hosea 2:18) What do you think about that?—
[Box/Pictures on page 252, 253]
Now, see the peace among people of all kinds. They all love one another, as Jesus said his followers would. (John 13:34, 35) Weapons of war are being made into tools to take care of the earth. The Bible tells about the wonderful peace and security that people will enjoy in God’s new world. We can read about this in such scriptures as Psalm 72:7; Isaiah 2:4; 32:16-18; and Ezekiel 34:25.
See the people on this page. They are caring for the earth, making it a beautiful place. Look at the nice house they are building and all the good fruits and vegetables shown here. People are at peace with the earth, so it has become a paradise like the garden of Eden. We can read about these wonderful things at Psalm 67:6; 72:16; Isaiah 25:6; 65:21-24; and Ezekiel 36:35.
[Box/Picture on page 254]
As you see here, everybody is healthy and happy. People can jump high like a deer. Nobody is lame, blind, or sick. And see those people who have been raised from the dead! The Bible tells about these things at Isaiah 25:8; 33:24; 35:5, 6; Acts 24:15; and Revelation 21:3, 4.
Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirituality. Show all posts
Monday, March 16, 2009
Who Are Our Brothers and Sisters
Chapter 43
Who Are Our Brothers and Sisters?
ONCE the Great Teacher asked a surprising question. It was: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" (Matthew 12:48) Could you answer that question?— You probably know that the mother of Jesus was named Mary. But do you know the names of his brothers?— Did he have sisters too?—
The Bible says that Jesus’ brothers were named "James and Joseph and Simon and Judas." And Jesus had sisters who were alive when he was preaching. Since Jesus was the firstborn, these were all younger than he was.—Matthew 13:55, 56; Luke 1:34, 35.
Were Jesus’ brothers also his disciples?— The Bible says that at first they were "not exercising faith in him." (John 7:5) Later, however, James and Judas (also called Jude) became his disciples, and they even wrote books of the Bible. Do you know which books they wrote?— Yes, James and Jude.
Although Jesus’ sisters are not named in the Bible, we know that he had at least two. However, there could have been more. Did these sisters become his followers?— The Bible doesn’t say, so we don’t know. But do you know why Jesus asked the question, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"— Let’s find out.
Jesus had been teaching his disciples when someone interrupted him to say: "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you." So Jesus used the opportunity to teach an important lesson by asking that surprising question: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" He extended his hand toward his disciples and answered it, exclaiming: "Look! My mother and my brothers!"
Then Jesus explained what he meant, saying: "Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matthew 12:47-50) This shows how close Jesus felt to his disciples. He was teaching us that his disciples were like real brothers, sisters, and mothers to him.
At that time Jesus’ own brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son. They must not have believed what the angel Gabriel had told their mother. (Luke 1:30-33) So they may have been mean to Jesus. Anyone who acts like that is not being a real brother or sister. Do you know of anyone who has been mean to his brother or sister?—
The Bible tells about Esau and Jacob and how Esau became so angry that he said: "I am going to kill Jacob my brother." Their mother, Rebekah, was so afraid that she had Jacob sent away so that Esau could not kill him. (Genesis 27:41-46) However, many years later Esau changed, and he hugged and kissed Jacob.—Genesis 33:4.
In time, Jacob had 12 sons. But the older sons of Jacob didn’t love their younger brother Joseph. They were jealous of him because he was the favorite son of their father. So they sold him to slave traders who were on their way to Egypt. Then they told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. (Genesis 37:23-36) Wasn’t that terrible?—
Later Joseph’s brothers were sorry for what they had done. So Joseph forgave them. Can you see how Joseph was like Jesus?— Jesus’ own apostles ran away when he was in trouble, and Peter even denied knowing him. Yet, like Joseph, Jesus forgave them all.
Then there are the two brothers Cain and Abel. We can learn a lesson from them too. God saw in Cain’s heart that he did not really love his brother. So God told Cain that he should change his ways. If Cain had really loved God, he would have paid attention. But he did not love God. One day Cain said to Abel: "Let us go over into the field." Abel went along with Cain. While they were there in the field alone, Cain hit his brother so hard that he killed him.—Genesis 4:2-8.
The Bible tells us that there is a special lesson we should learn from that. Do you know what it is?— ‘This is the message which you have heard from the beginning: We should have love for one another; not like Cain, who came from the wicked one.’ So brothers and sisters should have love for one another. They should not be like Cain.—1 John 3:11, 12.
Why would it be bad to be like Cain?— Because the Bible says that he ‘came from the wicked one,’ Satan the Devil. Since Cain acted like the Devil, it was just as if the Devil was his father.
Do you see why it is important to love your brothers and sisters?— If you do not love them, whose children would you be imitating?— Children of the Devil. You wouldn’t want to be that, would you?— So how can you prove that you want to be a child of God?— It is by really loving your brothers and sisters.
But what is love?— Love is a deep feeling inside us that makes us want to do good things for other people. We show that we love others when we have a good feeling toward them and when we do good things for them. And who are our brothers and sisters whom we should love?— Remember, Jesus taught that they are the ones who make up the big Christian family.
How important is it that we love these Christian brothers and sisters?— The Bible says: "He who does not love his brother [or his sister], whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20) So we cannot love just a few in the Christian family. We must love them all. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35) Do you love all the brothers and sisters?— Remember, if you don’t, you cannot really be loving God.
How can we show that we really love our brothers and sisters?— Well, if we love them, we won’t stay away from them because we don’t want to talk to them. We will be friendly to all of them. We will always do good to them and be willing to share. And if ever they are in trouble, we will come to their aid because we are truly a big family.
When we really do love all our brothers and sisters, what does it prove?— It proves that we are disciples of Jesus, the Great Teacher. And isn’t that what we want to be?—
Showing love for our brothers and sisters is also discussed at Galatians 6:10 and 1 John 4:8, 21. Why not open your own Bible and read those texts?
[Picture on page 223]
Who did Jesus explain were his brothers and sisters?
[Picture on page 224]
What lesson should we learn from what Cain did to Abel?
[Picture on page 226]
How can you show that you love your brother?
Who Are Our Brothers and Sisters?
ONCE the Great Teacher asked a surprising question. It was: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" (Matthew 12:48) Could you answer that question?— You probably know that the mother of Jesus was named Mary. But do you know the names of his brothers?— Did he have sisters too?—
The Bible says that Jesus’ brothers were named "James and Joseph and Simon and Judas." And Jesus had sisters who were alive when he was preaching. Since Jesus was the firstborn, these were all younger than he was.—Matthew 13:55, 56; Luke 1:34, 35.
Were Jesus’ brothers also his disciples?— The Bible says that at first they were "not exercising faith in him." (John 7:5) Later, however, James and Judas (also called Jude) became his disciples, and they even wrote books of the Bible. Do you know which books they wrote?— Yes, James and Jude.
Although Jesus’ sisters are not named in the Bible, we know that he had at least two. However, there could have been more. Did these sisters become his followers?— The Bible doesn’t say, so we don’t know. But do you know why Jesus asked the question, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"— Let’s find out.
Jesus had been teaching his disciples when someone interrupted him to say: "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you." So Jesus used the opportunity to teach an important lesson by asking that surprising question: "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" He extended his hand toward his disciples and answered it, exclaiming: "Look! My mother and my brothers!"
Then Jesus explained what he meant, saying: "Whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Matthew 12:47-50) This shows how close Jesus felt to his disciples. He was teaching us that his disciples were like real brothers, sisters, and mothers to him.
At that time Jesus’ own brothers—James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas—did not believe that Jesus was God’s Son. They must not have believed what the angel Gabriel had told their mother. (Luke 1:30-33) So they may have been mean to Jesus. Anyone who acts like that is not being a real brother or sister. Do you know of anyone who has been mean to his brother or sister?—
The Bible tells about Esau and Jacob and how Esau became so angry that he said: "I am going to kill Jacob my brother." Their mother, Rebekah, was so afraid that she had Jacob sent away so that Esau could not kill him. (Genesis 27:41-46) However, many years later Esau changed, and he hugged and kissed Jacob.—Genesis 33:4.
In time, Jacob had 12 sons. But the older sons of Jacob didn’t love their younger brother Joseph. They were jealous of him because he was the favorite son of their father. So they sold him to slave traders who were on their way to Egypt. Then they told their father that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. (Genesis 37:23-36) Wasn’t that terrible?—
Later Joseph’s brothers were sorry for what they had done. So Joseph forgave them. Can you see how Joseph was like Jesus?— Jesus’ own apostles ran away when he was in trouble, and Peter even denied knowing him. Yet, like Joseph, Jesus forgave them all.
Then there are the two brothers Cain and Abel. We can learn a lesson from them too. God saw in Cain’s heart that he did not really love his brother. So God told Cain that he should change his ways. If Cain had really loved God, he would have paid attention. But he did not love God. One day Cain said to Abel: "Let us go over into the field." Abel went along with Cain. While they were there in the field alone, Cain hit his brother so hard that he killed him.—Genesis 4:2-8.
The Bible tells us that there is a special lesson we should learn from that. Do you know what it is?— ‘This is the message which you have heard from the beginning: We should have love for one another; not like Cain, who came from the wicked one.’ So brothers and sisters should have love for one another. They should not be like Cain.—1 John 3:11, 12.
Why would it be bad to be like Cain?— Because the Bible says that he ‘came from the wicked one,’ Satan the Devil. Since Cain acted like the Devil, it was just as if the Devil was his father.
Do you see why it is important to love your brothers and sisters?— If you do not love them, whose children would you be imitating?— Children of the Devil. You wouldn’t want to be that, would you?— So how can you prove that you want to be a child of God?— It is by really loving your brothers and sisters.
But what is love?— Love is a deep feeling inside us that makes us want to do good things for other people. We show that we love others when we have a good feeling toward them and when we do good things for them. And who are our brothers and sisters whom we should love?— Remember, Jesus taught that they are the ones who make up the big Christian family.
How important is it that we love these Christian brothers and sisters?— The Bible says: "He who does not love his brother [or his sister], whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20) So we cannot love just a few in the Christian family. We must love them all. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:35) Do you love all the brothers and sisters?— Remember, if you don’t, you cannot really be loving God.
How can we show that we really love our brothers and sisters?— Well, if we love them, we won’t stay away from them because we don’t want to talk to them. We will be friendly to all of them. We will always do good to them and be willing to share. And if ever they are in trouble, we will come to their aid because we are truly a big family.
When we really do love all our brothers and sisters, what does it prove?— It proves that we are disciples of Jesus, the Great Teacher. And isn’t that what we want to be?—
Showing love for our brothers and sisters is also discussed at Galatians 6:10 and 1 John 4:8, 21. Why not open your own Bible and read those texts?
[Picture on page 223]
Who did Jesus explain were his brothers and sisters?
[Picture on page 224]
What lesson should we learn from what Cain did to Abel?
[Picture on page 226]
How can you show that you love your brother?
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