“You need endurance,” wrote the apostle Paul to the first-century Christians living in Judea. (Heb. 10:36) Emphasizing the importance of this quality, the apostle Peter likewise urged Christians: “Supply to your faith . . . endurance.” (2 Pet. 1:5, 6) What exactly is endurance?

A Greek-English lexicon defines the Greek verb for “endure” as “remain instead of fleeing . . . stand one’s ground, hold out.” Concerning the Greek noun for “endurance,” one reference work says: “It is the spirit which can bear things, not simply with resignation, but with blazing hope . . . It is the quality which keeps a man on his feet with his face to the wind. It is the virtue which can transmute the hardest trial into glory because beyond the pain it sees the goal.”

As Christians, we must endure not only when experiencing severe difficulties or persecution but also when coping with situations in everyday life. Some of you may be dealing with health problems, opposition from family members, or financial difficulties. Perhaps your territory is not as productive as others’ are. Or you may be downhearted because of a constant battle with your own shortcomings. How do you react to such circumstances that call for endurance? Can you maintain your joy while enduring?

Learning From Examples of Endurance

Why did God include examples of the endurance of faithful servants of old in the Bible? (Heb. 12:1; Jas. 5:10, 11)

How are these accounts beneficial to us today? (Rom. 15:4)

The Bible urges us to “consider closely the one who has endured.” (Heb. 12:3) What does Hebrews 5:7-9 tell us about Jesus’ endurance? How do we benefit from his faithful course? (Rom. 5:19)

What did Job learn through his endurance? (Job 42:2, 12; Jas. 5:10, 11)

What was “the outcome” for Job that James referred to? How did Job learn about Jehovah’s qualities while undergoing trials? (Job 42:5)

Endurance Accomplishes a Great Work

Why does God permit trials to come upon his servants? (Jas. 1:2-4)

Why does God permit wickedness that results in severe persecution of his servants? (2 Pet. 3:9, 15)

In what way do trials bring us joy?

How are personal weaknesses brought to the surface by means of trials? Why is this an advantage?

James says that endurance has a “work” that it is accomplishing. What is that “work”? How does endurance make us “complete and sound in all respects”?

“You Need Endurance” (Heb. 10:36)

Why should we not be hasty about evading situations or assignments that require special endurance? (Rom. 5:3, 4; Jas. 1:4)

When we endure, what does that reveal as to our heart? (Luke 8:15)

Why is it not wise to be in morbid fear of what future persecution might include? (1 Cor. 10:13)

What can help a person to endure persecution and maintain his integrity? (Prov. 27:11; Acts 5:41; Heb. 12:1, 2)

How may endurance be involved in the following situations, and what could be of help?

What can help you to endure the following situations?

EXPERIENCE: Many years ago, a man harassed a brother at work because of his faith. The workmate ridiculed the brother and criticized his religion for months. The brother felt that he could no longer cope with it, so he prayed to Jehovah to help him endure the difficult situation in a Christlike way without returning evil for evil. To the brother’s surprise, the workmate apologized and assured the brother that he would never again speak badly of God in front of him. A short time later, the workmate left the company.

Twenty-four years passed before the brother met his former workmate again. The workmate told him that he had studied the Bible and had become a baptized Witness. He further explained that though many years had gone by, he had never forgotten “that Witness who with so much patience endured constant ridicule of him and his God.”—yb01 p. 60.

How will the following help you to endure so that you can maintain a good relationship with Jehovah?

“Let Endurance Complete Its Work”

While we are awaiting final realization of our hope, our endurance serves to bring out fine qualities in us. (Jas. 1:3, 4; w97 11/15 pp. 8-9)

How do we allow endurance to “complete” us?

In what sense can we become “perfect” in God’s service? (Matt. 5:48)

How Has the Pioneer Service School Fortified You to Endure?

What have you learned that will help you to stay in the pioneer service?

What have you learned that will equip you to encourage others to endure?

Why is love an important factor in enduring? (Rom. 8:38, 39; 1 Cor. 13:7, 8)

What trials have you personally faced and overcome with Jehovah’s spirit? How have you benefited?

Reward for Endurance

What did Paul say to commend the Thessalonian brothers for their endurance? (1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:4, 5)

What is the grand reward promised by God to those who endure? (Luke 21:19; Jas. 1:12)