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00:00:02 At Luke 6:40, Jesus said: 00:00:07 “A student is not above his teacher, 00:00:10 “but everyone who is perfectly instructed 00:00:14 will be like his teacher.” 00:00:18 Well, now, what comes to your mind when you think about this verse? 00:00:21 Maybe you tend to think of it in terms 00:00:24 of when you conduct a Bible study with someone. 00:00:27 Or you might think about it 00:00:29 when you go to a program like Gilead 00:00:32 and you’re instructed there. 00:00:34 But in reality, 00:00:36 we are all teachers every day 00:00:41 in the classroom of Christian living. 00:00:45 If we have responsibilities, 00:00:48 if we enjoy certain privileges, 00:00:51 our brothers and sisters will watch us. 00:00:55 And those who work closely with us 00:00:59 will learn from us. 00:01:01 And they will become like us. 00:01:06 Take the example of the apostle Paul. 00:01:09 Now, we know Paul was an outstanding teacher. 00:01:13 Can you imagine? 00:01:14 Under inspiration, he had the privilege to write 14 books 00:01:19 of the Christian Greek Scriptures. 00:01:21 Yet, that was not the only way 00:01:25 that the apostle Paul taught others. 00:01:27 His example in Christian living 00:01:31 was very powerful. 00:01:33 Now, what could people learn from the example of Paul? 00:01:37 Let’s consider some examples. 00:01:39 Let’s go first to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 00:01:44 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 00:01:47 and let’s look at verse 7: 00:01:50 “On the contrary, we became gentle in your midst, 00:01:55 “as when a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 00:01:59 “So having tender affection for you, 00:02:02 “we were determined to impart to you, 00:02:05 “not only the good news of God 00:02:07 “but also our very selves, 00:02:11 because you became so beloved to us.” 00:02:16 Paul worked hard for the brothers. 00:02:19 He was kind. 00:02:21 He was gentle with them. 00:02:22 He was willing to give not just the message of the truth but, 00:02:27 as he says in verse 8, “our very selves.” 00:02:32 And brothers, that was the truth. 00:02:36 Paul said he was willing to do “all things 00:02:41 for the sake of the good news.” 00:02:43 And just consider some of the things that he did. 00:02:45 Let’s go to 2 Corinthians chapter 11 00:02:48 and just remind ourselves of some of the things Paul went through. 00:02:53 Second Corinthians 11:23 00:02:58 —Paul says: “Are they ministers of Christ? 00:03:01 “I reply like a madman, I am more outstandingly one: 00:03:05 “I have done more work, been imprisoned more often, 00:03:08 “suffered countless beatings, and experienced many near-deaths. 00:03:13 “Five times I received 40 strokes less one from the Jews, 00:03:17 “three times I was beaten with rods, 00:03:20 “once I was stoned, three times I experienced shipwreck, 00:03:24 a night and a day I have spent in the open sea.” 00:03:28 And the list just goes on. 00:03:32 What could these ones 00:03:36 who worked with Paul learn from him? 00:03:39 In other words, how did Paul’s powerful example 00:03:43 of love for God, 00:03:45 of endurance, of hard work, 00:03:48 and of true unselfishness 00:03:50 affect those around him? 00:03:53 Well, consider Timothy, who worked so closely with Paul. 00:03:57 What did Paul say about him? 00:03:59 Let’s go to Philippians chapter 2 00:04:04 —Philippians 2:20. 00:04:09 Paul said: “For I have no one else 00:04:12 “of a disposition like his 00:04:15 “who will genuinely care for your concerns. 00:04:18 “For all the others are seeking their own interests, 00:04:21 “not those of Jesus Christ. 00:04:23 “But you know the proof he gave of himself, 00:04:27 “that like a child with a father 00:04:29 he slaved with me to advance the good news.” 00:04:33 Well, now, here’s a question: 00:04:36 Why was Timothy that way? 00:04:39 Why was Timothy so unselfish? 00:04:41 Why did he work so hard for other people? 00:04:46 Well, no doubt, he was “perfectly instructed” 00:04:50 not just by the words 00:04:52 but by the example of Paul. 00:04:56 Well, the same thing could be true of Priscilla and Aquila. 00:04:59 Paul said about them that they had risked their necks for him. 00:05:05 Well, where did they learn that from? 00:05:08 You see, we could go on with other examples 00:05:10 of other close associates of Paul, but what is the point? 00:05:15 Paul’s example in Christian living 00:05:18 instructed those around him. 00:05:20 They became like Paul. 00:05:23 Now, why is that important to you who are graduating today 00:05:28 from the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead? 00:05:32 Well, very soon you’re going to be graduates, 00:05:36 and your mandate is to go forth 00:05:39 and strengthen and stabilize 00:05:41 the field and branch territory. 00:05:44 But now, that’s a big long term, isn’t it? 00:05:47 What is the field and branch territory? 00:05:51 It’s people. 00:05:53 It’s people —spiritual men and women 00:05:57 who want to learn, 00:05:59 who want to be trained, 00:06:02 who want to reach the spiritual goals that they’ve set for themselves, 00:06:06 and who want to grow to Christian maturity. 00:06:10 And because you are a Gilead graduate, 00:06:14 they will watch you, they will listen to you, 00:06:19 and they will be instructed by your example. 00:06:24 When I went to serve many years ago 00:06:27 where the need was great on the island of Newfoundland, 00:06:30 we were so blessed to have in our congregation 00:06:33 a graduate of the 7th class of Gilead, Brother Fred Wiens. 00:06:38 Brother Wiens was an anointed brother who was baptized 00:06:42 in 1928. 00:06:45 Now, I’ll be honest with you; 00:06:47 I don’t remember even one talk that Fred Wiens gave. 00:06:52 But his warmth, his sense of humor, 00:06:56 his zeal for the ministry, and his love for people 00:07:00 —the example that he set— 00:07:02 is truly unforgettable. 00:07:05 Fred talked to everyone 00:07:07 —and I mean everyone— in the ministry. 00:07:10 One time we were out in service; we pulled into the gas station. 00:07:15 As soon as we stopped the car, Fred jumped out. 00:07:18 And when we were ready to leave, 00:07:20 we looked around to try to find Fred. 00:07:22 He wasn’t in the store; he wasn’t in the bathroom. 00:07:25 He was nowhere to be seen. 00:07:27 Finally, we thought we’d check the other cars. 00:07:30 Well, that’s exactly where Fred was. 00:07:33 Fred had knocked on the window and gotten in a car 00:07:36 and started to preach to all the people in that car. 00:07:41 Fred has now gone on to his reward. 00:07:45 But his example of warmth, kindness, 00:07:48 zeal, and love for people continue to teach me 00:07:53 —and many others who knew him well— right down to this day. 00:07:58 So here is the question that rests before you: 00:08:02 What will you teach others by your example? 00:08:07 Be like Paul. 00:08:09 Love your brothers and sisters right from your heart. 00:08:13 Through your example, 00:08:15 create an atmosphere of warmth and love 00:08:19 like a greenhouse where young plants 00:08:23 can blossom and grow. 00:08:25 Your fine example can warm up a congregation, 00:08:30 a circuit, a Bethel department, perhaps even a branch office. 00:08:35 Never allow yourself 00:08:38 to be a cold executive 00:08:41 who creates an atmosphere like a freezer, 00:08:46 because those little plants 00:08:49 will shrivel up 00:08:51 and they will stop growing in that environment. 00:08:55 Yes, be willing to impart not just the many wonderful truths 00:08:59 of God’s Word that you learned at Gilead 00:09:02 but also your own heart and your own soul. 00:09:06 And then because those beautiful, spiritual people you work with 00:09:10 will be properly instructed, 00:09:14 what will they be like? 00:09:17 They will be just like you. 00:09:20 And may the blessing of our marvelous God, Jehovah, 00:09:24 go with you wherever you go.
00:00:02 At Luke 6:40, Jesus said: 00:00:07 “A student is not above his teacher, 00:00:10 “but everyone who is perfectly instructed 00:00:14 will be like his teacher.” 00:00:18 Well, now, what comes to your mind when you think about this verse? 00:00:21 Maybe you tend to think of it in terms 00:00:24 of when you conduct a Bible study with someone. 00:00:27 Or you might think about it 00:00:29 when you go to a program like Gilead 00:00:32 and you’re instructed there. 00:00:34 But in reality, 00:00:36 we are all teachers every day 00:00:41 in the classroom of Christian living. 00:00:45 If we have responsibilities, 00:00:48 if we enjoy certain privileges, 00:00:51 our brothers and sisters will watch us. 00:00:55 And those who work closely with us 00:00:59 will learn from us. 00:01:01 And they will become like us. 00:01:06 Take the example of the apostle Paul. 00:01:09 Now, we know Paul was an outstanding teacher. 00:01:13 Can you imagine? 00:01:14 Under inspiration, he had the privilege to write 14 books 00:01:19 of the Christian Greek Scriptures. 00:01:21 Yet, that was not the only way 00:01:25 that the apostle Paul taught others. 00:01:27 His example in Christian living 00:01:31 was very powerful. 00:01:33 Now, what could people learn from the example of Paul? 00:01:37 Let’s consider some examples. 00:01:39 Let’s go first to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 00:01:44 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, 00:01:47 and let’s look at verse 7: 00:01:50 “On the contrary, we became gentle in your midst, 00:01:55 “as when a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 00:01:59 “So having tender affection for you, 00:02:02 “we were determined to impart to you, 00:02:05 “not only the good news of God 00:02:07 “but also our very selves, 00:02:11 because you became so beloved to us.” 00:02:16 Paul worked hard for the brothers. 00:02:19 He was kind. 00:02:21 He was gentle with them. 00:02:22 He was willing to give not just the message of the truth but, 00:02:27 as he says in verse 8, “our very selves.” 00:02:32 And brothers, that was the truth. 00:02:36 Paul said he was willing to do “all things 00:02:41 for the sake of the good news.” 00:02:43 And just consider some of the things that he did. 00:02:45 Let’s go to 2 Corinthians chapter 11 00:02:48 and just remind ourselves of some of the things Paul went through. 00:02:53 Second Corinthians 11:23 00:02:58 —Paul says: “Are they ministers of Christ? 00:03:01 “I reply like a madman, I am more outstandingly one: 00:03:05 “I have done more work, been imprisoned more often, 00:03:08 “suffered countless beatings, and experienced many near-deaths. 00:03:13 “Five times I received 40 strokes less one from the Jews, 00:03:17 “three times I was beaten with rods, 00:03:20 “once I was stoned, three times I experienced shipwreck, 00:03:24 a night and a day I have spent in the open sea.” 00:03:28 And the list just goes on. 00:03:32 What could these ones 00:03:36 who worked with Paul learn from him? 00:03:39 In other words, how did Paul’s powerful example 00:03:43 of love for God, 00:03:45 of endurance, of hard work, 00:03:48 and of true unselfishness 00:03:50 affect those around him? 00:03:53 Well, consider Timothy, who worked so closely with Paul. 00:03:57 What did Paul say about him? 00:03:59 Let’s go to Philippians chapter 2 00:04:04 —Philippians 2:20. 00:04:09 Paul said: “For I have no one else 00:04:12 “of a disposition like his 00:04:15 “who will genuinely care for your concerns. 00:04:18 “For all the others are seeking their own interests, 00:04:21 “not those of Jesus Christ. 00:04:23 “But you know the proof he gave of himself, 00:04:27 “that like a child with a father 00:04:29 he slaved with me to advance the good news.” 00:04:33 Well, now, here’s a question: 00:04:36 Why was Timothy that way? 00:04:39 Why was Timothy so unselfish? 00:04:41 Why did he work so hard for other people? 00:04:46 Well, no doubt, he was “perfectly instructed” 00:04:50 not just by the words 00:04:52 but by the example of Paul. 00:04:56 Well, the same thing could be true of Priscilla and Aquila. 00:04:59 Paul said about them that they had risked their necks for him. 00:05:05 Well, where did they learn that from? 00:05:08 You see, we could go on with other examples 00:05:10 of other close associates of Paul, but what is the point? 00:05:15 Paul’s example in Christian living 00:05:18 instructed those around him. 00:05:20 They became like Paul. 00:05:23 Now, why is that important to you who are graduating today 00:05:28 from the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead? 00:05:32 Well, very soon you’re going to be graduates, 00:05:36 and your mandate is to go forth 00:05:39 and strengthen and stabilize 00:05:41 the field and branch territory. 00:05:44 But now, that’s a big long term, isn’t it? 00:05:47 What is the field and branch territory? 00:05:51 It’s people. 00:05:53 It’s people —spiritual men and women 00:05:57 who want to learn, 00:05:59 who want to be trained, 00:06:02 who want to reach the spiritual goals that they’ve set for themselves, 00:06:06 and who want to grow to Christian maturity. 00:06:10 And because you are a Gilead graduate, 00:06:14 they will watch you, they will listen to you, 00:06:19 and they will be instructed by your example. 00:06:24 When I went to serve many years ago 00:06:27 where the need was great on the island of Newfoundland, 00:06:30 we were so blessed to have in our congregation 00:06:33 a graduate of the 7th class of Gilead, Brother Fred Wiens. 00:06:38 Brother Wiens was an anointed brother who was baptized 00:06:42 in 1928. 00:06:45 Now, I’ll be honest with you; 00:06:47 I don’t remember even one talk that Fred Wiens gave. 00:06:52 But his warmth, his sense of humor, 00:06:56 his zeal for the ministry, and his love for people 00:07:00 —the example that he set— 00:07:02 is truly unforgettable. 00:07:05 Fred talked to everyone 00:07:07 —and I mean everyone— in the ministry. 00:07:10 One time we were out in service; we pulled into the gas station. 00:07:15 As soon as we stopped the car, Fred jumped out. 00:07:18 And when we were ready to leave, 00:07:20 we looked around to try to find Fred. 00:07:22 He wasn’t in the store; he wasn’t in the bathroom. 00:07:25 He was nowhere to be seen. 00:07:27 Finally, we thought we’d check the other cars. 00:07:30 Well, that’s exactly where Fred was. 00:07:33 Fred had knocked on the window and gotten in a car 00:07:36 and started to preach to all the people in that car. 00:07:41 Fred has now gone on to his reward. 00:07:45 But his example of warmth, kindness, 00:07:48 zeal, and love for people continue to teach me 00:07:53 —and many others who knew him well— right down to this day. 00:07:58 So here is the question that rests before you: 00:08:02 What will you teach others by your example? 00:08:07 Be like Paul. 00:08:09 Love your brothers and sisters right from your heart. 00:08:13 Through your example, 00:08:15 create an atmosphere of warmth and love 00:08:19 like a greenhouse where young plants 00:08:23 can blossom and grow. 00:08:25 Your fine example can warm up a congregation, 00:08:30 a circuit, a Bethel department, perhaps even a branch office. 00:08:35 Never allow yourself 00:08:38 to be a cold executive 00:08:41 who creates an atmosphere like a freezer, 00:08:46 because those little plants 00:08:49 will shrivel up 00:08:51 and they will stop growing in that environment. 00:08:55 Yes, be willing to impart not just the many wonderful truths 00:08:59 of God’s Word that you learned at Gilead 00:09:02 but also your own heart and your own soul. 00:09:06 And then because those beautiful, spiritual people you work with 00:09:10 will be properly instructed, 00:09:14 what will they be like? 00:09:17 They will be just like you. 00:09:20 And may the blessing of our marvelous God, Jehovah, 00:09:24 go with you wherever you go.
