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King David wrote about himself: Psalm 22:22; 35:18. (I will declare your name to my brothers; in the middle

of the congregation I shall praise you. I will laud you in the big congregation; among a numerous people I shall

praise you.)

In the Apostle Pauls day, when Christians came together for worship, they similarly made expressions of

their faith in Jehovah. In this way they encouraged one another.

The Bible urges us to appreciate our similar responsibility. Paul wrote: Let us hold fast the public

declaration of our hope without wavering, . . . And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine

works . . . encouraging one another. (Heb. 10:23-25)

Paul also wrote that with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation. (Rom. 10:10) Are

you giving evidence of spiritual growth by making a public declaration at the meetings? Can you

improve your participation?

Attending Christian meetings is a spiritual necessity; commenting at them is a privilege. To the extent that we

participate in this way of praising Jehovah in the middle of the congregation, to that extent we are following

Davids example and taking Pauls counsel seriously. Our participation at meetings proves that we love our

brothers and that we are part of Jehovahs congregation.

It is especially important that elders and ministerial servants comment at meetings, since they are

expected to take the lead in meeting participation, as well as in attendance.

Some may be timid in giving answers, feeling that others can comment better. But if we appreciate that weand others will benefit if we comment at meetings, this should motivate all of Jehovahs Witnesses to

overcome timidity. How, though, can an individual improve if he finds that this particular aspect of his

Christian activity is a challenge?

Have you not found that you benefit more from the meetings when you participate? You benefit because

your comments impress the truth more firmly on your mind and heart, making it easier for you to recall the

information later.

Real enjoyment comes when a person expresses his own faith in Jehovah among his Christian brothers. Itis not a matter of feeling obligated to give a comment and then relaxing and leaving the rest of the

meeting to others. . . . It is our love for Jehovah that fills us and overflows so that we want to bless

Jehovah and to make expression of our love for him. (WT 72 pg 411)

Also, others benefit from hearing your upbuilding expressions. We are encouraged when all, whether

experienced, young, shy, or new, make the effort to express their faith at congregation meetings.

Never underestimate the good that this can accomplish. For example, comments that demonstrate

how to overcome or avoid problems strengthen the determination of our brothers to follow Bible

principles. Comments that explain cited, but not quoted Bible texts, or that incorporate thoughts

gleaned from personal research may encourage others to develop better study habits.

Think of the many times you benefit from hearing others offer simple, clear expressions that

enhance your understanding and strengthen you spiritually. You have the privilege of doing the

same for them. When you participate, you demonstrate your desire to impart some spiritual gift

for the encouragement of all who are in attendance.Rom. 1:11, 12.

Good Preparation. In most congregations it is noted that certain ones are always ready with answers toquestions asked at the Watchtower study, and in other Question and Answer assignments. They may be

drawing on years of study and association with Jehovahs people; but, in most instances, preparation is the

major factor. Even newly associated ones can give good answers by making it a point to study the material in

advance.

If you fail to study the material beforehand, you will find it difficult to comment and your comments will

not be so effective. Personal study and advance preparation will help you to acquire the courage to speak.

So be prepared with your answers. But do not do that preparation while the paragraph is being read or

while others are commenting, because you will lose much of the benefit of the meeting. Make it a habit

to have your answers marked in advance. If you have underlined only a few key words rather than long

phrases or sentences, then a quick glance at those key words will bring the thought back to your mindand you will be ready to answer. After answering once in a meeting, do not hold back, concluding that

you can leave the rest of the answering to others. Be willing to comment freely.

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Set a goal of giving at least one comment at each meeting. This means preparing several answers, since the

more often you raise your hand, the greater the likelihood that the brother presiding will call on you. If the

thought of commenting causes you some anxiety, prepare a brief comment beforehand, and ask the conductor

to call on you for that paragraph.

This is particularly helpful if you are a beginner. Since you may be hesitant to raise your hand in the

middle of the congregation, knowing that this is your paragraph and that the one conducting the meeting

will be watching for your hand will encourage you to comment.

After you do this at a few meetings, participating will become easier.

Suggestions for Improving. Remember that Jehovah is involved. Recall that Moses and Jeremiah expressed

lack of confidence in their ability to speak in public. (Ex. 4:10; Jer. 1:6) But Jehovah helped them, and he

will help you too.

A Christian sister from Germany explains how she views her comments. They are my own personal answer

to Satans attempts to keep Gods people from expressing their faith . A newly baptized brother from the

same congregation says: As far as commenting is concerned, I pray a lot

Comment early. A difficult task does not get easier by putting it off. Making a comment early in the meeting

can be helpful. You will be surprised at how much easier it is to comment a second or third time once you have

passed the hurdle of making that first comment.

Listen carefully. This will help you to avoid repeating what someone else has just said. Also, comments madeby others may remind you of a scripture or of a point that can build on the thought just expressed.

Occasionally, a brief experience may illustrate the point under discussion. Such comments are very helpful.

Learn to answer in your own words. Reading a comment from the study material may indicate that you have

found the right answer, and it may be a good way to get started commenting. But progressing to answer in your

own words shows that you understand the point. Our publications need not be quoted word for word. Answers

that are in the commenters own words are usually more helpful. Commenting in this manner aids the one

answering to make the information his own, and the phrasing used often helps others to grasp ideas that mayhave eluded them before.

Stay on the subject. Comments unrelated to the subject or that distract from the main thoughts under

consideration are inappropriate. This means that your comments should be pertinent to the subject under

review. Then they will contribute to a spiritually upbuilding discussion of the theme being developed.

Aim to encourage. Since a significant reason for commenting is to encourage others, we must try to avoid

saying things that might discourage them. In most cases answers are more effective and are more deeply

impressed on those listening when they are brief and to the point. They will encourage new ones to offer their

short answers.

Do not offer long, complicated comments, covering every thought in the paragraph. When someone rambles

through the ideas of a whole paragraph, nothing stands out and listeners are usually not much wiser as to

the clear-cut answer to the question. So do not cover the paragraph so thoroughly that there is little or

nothing left for others to say.

Lengthy comments often fail to pinpoint the specific answer and may discourage others from sharing.

The first comment on the paragraph should be a brief, direct answer to the printed question. Thoseoffering additional comments can then make practical application of the material or show how the

scriptures apply.

But if someone has already answered the question, do not feel that the discussion has to end there.

For additional comments on the same question, you can do any of these things: Enlarge on the

answer, show how scriptures in the paragraph bear on the answer, or point out how the matter being

discussed affects our own lives. If the material is about world conditions or practices of false

religion, you might comment on an experience or local situation that highlights the truthfulness of

what the paragraph says.

May we all seek to laud Jehovah in the Christian congregation today by regular participation, thus manifesting

our spiritual growth and inciting others to love and fine works.Based upon: Kingdom Ministry Nov 1998 pg. 1 Build One Another Up by Commenting at MeetingsWT 2003 1 Sept pg. 19-22 Praise Jehovah in the Middle of the Congregation & School Guidebook pg. 91-92 Improving Your Answers