Fortify Your Relationship With Jehovah

OPENING DISCUSSION

Nothing in life is more important than our relationship with Jehovah. King David, expressing appreciation for his close friendship with God, said: “Because your loyal love is better than life, my own lips will glorify you.” (Ps. 63:3) What did David mean by saying that God’s loyal love was “better than life?” David appreciated that intimacy with the Giver of life is what makes living truly meaningful.

Is that how you feel? Think back to the moment you first came to understand God’s love. What effect did it have on your life? Do you remember the first time you realized that life does have a purpose? How grateful you were to Jehovah! The apostle John wrote: “We love, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Your deep love for Jehovah motivated you to make a dedication to him and symbolize it by water immersion. You realize that nothing has been more satisfying than ‘glorifying God with your own lips.’

The love of God in our heart can be likened to a living thing. Like a beautiful plant, love needs to be nourished and cared for if it is to grow and to thrive. When neglected or deprived of nourishment, love weakens and dies. Our Exemplar, Jesus, did not take his love for Jehovah for granted. He kept it strong throughout his earthly sojourn. (cf p. 132 par. 11) How can we continue to strengthen our relationship with Jehovah?

QUESTION OUTLINE

Study and Meditation

How does Isaiah’s prophecy reveal the role of divine education in forging a close relationship between Jehovah and his only-begotten Son? (Isa. 50:4, 5)

What should be our goal when engaging in personal study? (Matt. 22:37)

What did Jehovah require of Israel’s kings? (Deut. 17:18-20)

In these verses, what beneficial reasons are given for daily Bible reading?

How can we cultivate a desire for Bible reading and personal study? (1 Pet. 2:2)

Why does daily Bible reading draw you closer to God? (Josh. 1:8; 2 Chron. 15:2)

How would you define meditation, and on what should profitable meditation be focused? (Ps. 19:14; 77:12; 1 Tim. 4:13-15; it-2 p. 363)

Why is “coming to know” God more than just an academic or intellectual study? (John 17:3; w13 10/15 p. 27 par. 7)

How does the example of Samuel illustrate what it means to “come to know” Jehovah? (1 Sam. 3:7; w10 10/1 pp. 14-18)

What benefits come from investigating deep Bible truths? (Acts 4:13; Heb. 5:12-14)

What should be our attitude about deeper Scriptural teachings? (Ps. 25:4)

Why is dependence on “the faithful and discreet slave” so important in our grasping deeper Bible truths? (Matt. 24:45; Acts 8:26-31; w13 7/15 pp. 15-19)

How did Jesus demonstrate exemplary appreciation for God’s Word? (Matt. 4:4; Heb. 12:2)

How can reflecting on creation fortify our relationship with God? (Rom. 1:20; w13 8/1 p. 11)

◆ Pondering Jehovah’s actions, qualities, and expressions of his will does more than help you retain facts. The habit of such meditative thinking will impress spiritual truths on your heart. It will mold the sort of person you are inside and help you fortify your relationship with God.

Showing Our Love for Jehovah

What is the connection between knowledge and love? (Phil. 1:9, 10)

What indicates that our love for Jehovah is shown not only by the intensity of our feelings but also through our actions? (1 John 2:5; 5:3)

Use scriptures from the following list to explain how we show that our love for God is genuine.

How do we benefit from Jesus’ example of love and obedience?

How can we express heartfelt love for Jehovah in the way we use his name? (John 17:6-8, 26)

How can we apply Jesus’ counsel about maintaining intense love for Jehovah? (Rev. 2:1-5)

What does our obedience reveal about our relationship with Jehovah?

◆ Godly devotion pertains to how you feel about Jehovah. If you cultivate the kind of feeling for Jehovah that you would have for a beloved father, then deeds of godly devotion will follow.

Draw Close to God Through Prayer

Why should we view prayer as a precious privilege? (Ps. 145:18, 19; Phil. 4:6, 7)

How important was prayer to Jesus? (Mark 14:36; cf p. 134 pars. 14-15)

How does regular prayer to Jehovah help us strengthen our relationship with him? (Jas. 4:8; w14 2/15 p. 25 pars. 18-21)

Why is it good to be alert to Jehovah’s answers to our prayers? (w02 10/15 p. 17 par. 16)

What shows that Jesus did not rely on his own strength to endure trials? (Matt. 4:7, 10; w12 2/15 p. 7 pars. 16-17; cf p. 72 pars. 15-16)

When we pray, how can we show confidence in Jehovah, as Jesus did? (John 11:41, 42; Heb. 11:6)

◆ True friends are interested in each other. As they freely express their thoughts, concerns, and feelings, their friendship becomes stronger. Prayer gives you the opportunity to express your thoughts and innermost feelings to your loving heavenly Father, Jehovah.

Continue Fortifying Your Relationship With Jehovah

Read Romans 11:33-36.