ENJOY LIFE

FOREVER!

INTRODUCTORY BIBLE LESSONS
How to get the most out of
these Bible lessons

Study with a teacher: Request a Bible study from the person who gave
you this brochure, or submit a request on our website, jw.org.

  

How Can the Bible
Help You?

 

FIRST PART MIDDLE PART LAST PART

Read each paragraph, includ- The initial statement (C) under Dig Deeper explains Summary and Review (H)
ing the bold questions (A) what follows. Subheadings (D) outline the discus- wrap up the lesson. Enter
and scriptures (B) that sion. Read the scriptures, answer the questions, and the date when the lesson is
emphasize the main points. watch the videos (E). Consider the artwork and completed. Goa/ (1) gives
Note that some scriptures captions (F), and think of how to answer what Some you something to work on.
are marked to “read.” People Say (G). Explore (J) contains op-

tional information for you
to read or watch.

JOHN

17 ‘| Scriptures are indicated by the Bible book (A), the chapter (B),
‘| and the verse or verses (C). For example, John 17:3 refers to the

book of John, chapter 17, verse 3.

 
 

How Can the Bible
Help You?

Nearly all of us have questions about life, suffering, death, and the future.
We are also concerned about day-to-day matters, such as making a living
or having a happy family. Many people find that the Bible not only helps
them answer life’s big questions but also gives them practical advice for
daily living. Do you think that the Bible can help anyone you know?

1. What are some questions that the Bible answers?

The Bible answers these important questions: How did life begin? Why are
we here? Why do innocent people suffer? What happens when a person
dies? If everyone wants peace, why is there so much war? What will happen
to the earth in the future? The Bible encourages us to seek answers to such
questions, and millions have found its answers very satisfying.

2. How can the Bible help us to enjoy our daily life?

The Bible gives us good advice. For example, it teaches families how to be
truly happy. It offers advice on how to deal with stress and how to enjoy
our work. You will learn what the Bible teaches about these topics and
much more as we discuss this material together. You may come to agree
that “all Scripture [everything in the Bible] is . . . beneficial.”—2 Timo-
thy 3:16.

This publication does not replace the Bible. Rather, it encourages you
to examine the Bible for yourself. Therefore, we urge you to read the
scriptures that are listed in these lessons and compare them with what
you are learning.
Consider how the Bible has helped people, how you can enjoy reading it,
and why it is good to get help to understand it.

 

3. The Bible can guide us

The Bible is like a powerful light. We can use the Bible to show us
how to make good decisions and to help us see what lies ahead.
Read Psalm 119:105, and then discuss these questions:

e How did the writer of this psalm view the Bible?
e How do you view the Bible?

4. The Bible can answer
our questions

VIDEO: Never Give Up Hope! One woman found that the Bible provided answers to questions
(1:48) that had troubled her for many years. Play the VIDEO, and then
discuss the questions that follow.
e In the video, what sort of questions did this woman have?

e How did studying the Bible help her?
The Bible encourages us to ask questions. Read Matthew 7:7,
and then discuss the following:

e What questions do you have that the Bible may be able
to answer?

 
7A 5. You can enjoy reading the Bible

Many people enjoy reading the Bible and are benefiting from it.

VIDEO: Bible Reading (2:05) Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the questions that follow.

.e In the video, how did the young people feel about reading
in general?

e Why do they now feel differently about reading the Bible?

The Bible says it can give us instruction that comforts us and
gives us hope. Read Romans 15:4, and then discuss this question:

e Does the Bible’s promise of comfort and hope interest you?

 

  

6. Others can help us to

understand the Bible The Ethiopian man needed help

to understand the Scriptures.
Many people today find it helpful
to discuss the Bible with others

In addition to reading the Bible on their own, many have found that
discussing it with others is helpful. Read Acts 8:26-31, and then
discuss this question:

e@ How can we understand the Bible?—See verses 30 and 31.

SOME PEOPLE SAY: “Studying the Bible is a waste of time.”
e@ What would you say? Why?
SUMMARY

The Bible offers advice for daily life,
answers important questions, and
gives people comfort and hope.

Review

@ What kind of advice can we
find in the Bible?

e What are some questions that
the Bible answers?

e What would you like to learn
from the Bible?

EXPLORE

 

 

Consider how the Bible’s
advice is practical today.

“Bible Teachings
—Timeless Wisdom”
(The Watchtower No. 1 2018)

 

 

See how the Bible helped a
man who had struggled with
his emotions since childhood.

How My Happy New
Life Began

 

 

Lesson completed on

Goal

Read the first part of the
next lesson.

Other:

To find all media for LESSON 01,
scan code or go to the publication
Enjoy Life Forever! on jw.org

 

 

Examine the Bible’s practical
advice for family life.

“12 Secrets of Successful
Families” (Awake! No. 2 2018)

 

 

Learn how the Bible clears
up a common misconcep-
tion about who really rules
the world.

Why Study the Bible?
—Full Length
 

The Bible Gives Hope

People around the world deal with problems that cause them to feel sad-
ness, anxiety, and even pain. Have you ever faced a situation that made
you feel those things? Perhaps you are suffering because of an illness or
because someone you love has died. You may ask yourself, ‘Will life ever
get better?’ The Bible provides a reassuring answer to that question.

1. How does the Bible give hope?

The Bible not only explains why the world is filled with problems but also
shares the good news that these problems are temporary and will soon
be gone. The Bible’s promises can “give you a future and a hope.” (Read
Jeremiah 29:11, 12.) Those promises help us to cope with our present
problems, to have a positive attitude, and to find lasting happiness.

2. What kind of future does the Bible describe?

The Bible describes a future time when “death will be no more, neither will
mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” (Read Revelation 21:4.) The
problems that can make life seem hopeless today—such as poverty, injus-
tice, sickness, and death—will no longer exist. The Bible promises that
humans will be able to enjoy life forever in Paradise on earth.

3. How can you build up your trust in the hope the Bible gives?

Many people hope for good things to happen, but they cannot be sure that
their hopes will ever be fulfilled. What the Bible promises is different. We
can build up our trust in what it says by “carefully examining the Scrip-
tures.” (Acts 17:11) As you study the Bible, you will be able to decide for
yourself whether you can believe what it says about the future.
 

DIG DEEPER

Examine some of the conditions
that the Bible promises for the
future. See how the hope the Bible
gives is helping people today.

 

4. The Bible offers the hope of
everlasting life in perfect conditions

Look at the following list of promises found in the Bible. Which ones especially

appeal to you? Why?

Read the scriptures cited next to those promises, and consider these questions:

e Do you feel that these scriptures give hope? Could they

give hope to your family and friends?
Picture living in a world where

NO ONE WILL...

e feel pain, weaken with age, or have
to die.—Isaiah 25:8.

e get sick or live with a disability.
—lIsaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6.

@ experience injustice.
—lIsaiah 32:16, 17.

e suffer as a result of war.
—Psalm 46:9.

e be plagued by troubling thoughts
or memories.—Isaiah 65:17.

EVERYONE WILL...

e see dead loved ones resurrected, brought back to
life on earth.—John 5:28, 29.

@ enjoy good health and youthful energy.—Job 33:25.

e have plenty to eat, a comfortable home, and
satisfying work.—Psalm 72:16; Isaiah 65:21, 22.

e experience complete peace.—Psalm 37:11.

@ live forever in ideal conditions.—Psalm 37:29.
   

5. The Bible’s hope can
make a difference

ss Many people are discouraged or even angered by the

: problems they see around them. Some fight to try to change
EJ things for the better. See how the Bible’s promise that things
will get better helps people now. Play the VIDEO, and then
discuss the questions that follow.

VIDEO: f Wanted to Fight Injustice
(4:07)

e In the video, what injustice troubled Rafika?

e Although the injustice that she saw did not go away,
how did the Bible help her?

The hope that the Bible offers for the future can help us

to battle discouragement and cope with our problems
successfully. Read Proverbs 17:22 and Romans 12:12, and
then discuss these questions:

e Do you think that the message of hope found in the Bible
could make a difference in your life now? Why?

 

SOME PEOPLE SAY: “The Bible’s promises for the future are too good to be true.”

e Why do you think it is important to examine the evidence?
SUMMARY

The Bible gives us hope and helps us
to cope with challenges by promising
a future filled with happiness.

Review

e Why do people need hope?

e What does the Bible say about
the future?

e How can having a hope for the
future help you now?

EXPLORE

 

 

Learn more about the
power of hope.

“Hope—Where Can You
Find It?” (Awake!, April 22, 2004)

 

Discover how hope for the
future can help those who are
living with chronic illness.

“Living With Chronic Illness
—Can the Bible Help?”
(Web article)

 

 

Lesson completed on

Goal

Become more familiar with
the Bible’s promises by
reading the verses listed in
this lesson.

Other:

To find all media for LESSON 02,
scan code or go to the publication
Enjoy Life Forever! on jw.org

 

When you watch this music
video, picture yourself and
your family enjoying life in

the Bible’s promised future
Paradise.

Imagine the Time

 

 

Read how a social activist’s life
changed once he learned the
Bible’s hope for the future.

“1 No Longer Feel That
| Have to Change the World”
(The Watchtower, July 1, 2013)
 

Can You Trust
the Bible?

The Bible makes many promises and offers much advice. Likely you are cu-
rious about what it teaches, but perhaps you are also cautious. Should you
trust promises and advice from such an old book? Can you really believe
what the Bible says about enjoying life now and in the future? Millions of
people do. Let us see whether you can too.

1. Is the Bible a book of fact or fiction?

The Bible claims to be a record of “accurate words of truth.” (Ecclesiastes
12:10) It relates real events that involved real people. (Read Luke 1:3; 3:
1, 2.) Many historians and archaeologists have confirmed the accuracy of
important dates, people, places, and events described in the Bible.

2. Why can we Say that the Bible is not out-of-date?

In many ways, the Bible has proved to be ahead of its time. For example, it
touches on scientific subjects. Much of what it says on those subjects was
controversial when it was written. However, modern science confirms that
what the Bible says is accurate. It is “always reliable, now and forever.”
—Psalm 111:8.

3. Why can we trust what the Bible says about the future?

The Bible contains prophecies* that foretell “the things that have not
yet been done.” (Isaiah 46:10) It accurately foretold numerous historical
events long before they occurred. It also described today’s world condi-
tions in striking detail. In this lesson, we will examine some of the Bible’s
prophecies. Their accuracy is amazing!

* Prophecies include messages from God about future events.

11
 

DIG DEEPER

Examine how modern science agrees with the Bible,
and investigate a few impressive Bible prophecies.

 

4. Science agrees with the Bible

In ancient times, most people believed that the earth rested upon
something. Play the VIDEO.

a VIDEO: The Earth Hangs Upon

i Nothing (1:13)

Notice what was recorded in the book of Job some 3,500 years ago.
Read Job 26:7, and then discuss this question:

e Why is the statement that the earth is suspended “upon nothing”
surprising?

It was not until the 1800’s that the earth’s water cycle was well
understood. Yet, notice what the Bible stated thousands of years ago.
Read Job 36:27, 28, and then discuss these questions:

e Why is this simple description of the water cycle remarkable?
e Do the scriptures you just read strengthen your trust in the Bible?

 

The Bible describes earth’s
water cycle

 

5. The Bible foretold
Ol important events
VIDEO: The Bible Foretold the Read Isaiah 44:27-45:2, and then discuss this question:

Fall of Babylon (0:58)

fall of Babylon?

Play the VIDEO.

e What details did the Bible foretell 200 years before the
History confirms that King Cyrus of Persia and his army conquered
the city of Babylon in 539 B.C.E.* They diverted the river that pro-
tected the city. After entering the city through gates that had been
left open, they captured it without a battle. Today, over 2,500 years
later, Babylon lies in ruins. Note what the Bible foretold.

Read Isaiah 13:19, 20, and then discuss this question:

e How does what happened to Babylon confirm the fulfillment
of this prophecy?

 

* B.C.E. means “Before the Common Era,” and C.E. means “Common Era.” Babylon’s ruins in modern-day Iraq

 

6. The Bible foretold things
we see today

The Bible refers to our time as “the last days.”
(2 Timothy 3:1) Notice what the Bible foretold about
this time period.

Read Matthew 24:6, 7, and then discuss this
question:

e What significant conditions did the Bible say
would exist during the last days?

Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and then discuss these
questions:

e What common attitudes of people during the
last days did the Bible describe?

e Which of these attitudes have you observed?

 

SOME PEOPLE SAY: “The Bible is a book of myths and legends.”

e In your opinion, what is the strongest evidence that the Bible is trustworthy?

13
SUMMARY

History, science, and prophecy all
indicate that you can trust the Bible.

Review

e Is the Bible a book of fact
or fiction?
@ What are some areas where
science agrees with the Bible?
e Do you think that the
Bible foretells the future?
Why, or why not?

EXPLORE

 

Are there scientific errors
in the Bible?

“Does Science Agree With
the Bible?” (Web article)

 

What are the facts about
“the last days”?
“6 Bible Prophecies You

Are Seeing Fulfilled”
(The Watchtower, May 1, 2011)

 

Lesson completed on

Goal

To strengthen your trust in the
Bible, read or watch one of the
items in the Explore section.

Other:

 

Enjoy Life Forever! on jw.org

 

Learn how Bible prophecies
about the Greek Empire
came true.

Fortified by
“the Prophetic Word”

 

To find all media for LESSON 03,
scan code or go to the publication

 

Discover how Bible prophe-
cies changed one man’s view
of the Bible.

“For Me, God Did Not Exist”
(The Watchtower No. 5 2017)
Have you enjoyed what
you learned?

Would you like to learn more from
the Bible?

This is just a sample of what we
offer in the book Enjoy Life Forever!
—An Interactive Bible Course.

There is no charge for either the
book or the course. We will be
happy to study with you at a time
and place convenient for you.

In this Bible course, you will learn
about many topics, including:

The purpose of life
How to find real peace
M How families can be happy

What the Bible promises
for the future

 

ENJOY LIFE

AN INTERACTIVE BIBLE COURSE
—

To obtain the book and continue with
the Bible course, please contact one of
Jehovah's Witnesses or submit a request
on jw.org for a Bible study.

 

Photo Credit: Page 13, Babylon's ruins: All publications referred to herein are Publishers

Image © Homo Cosmicos/Shutterstock published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. oenower Bide and vect society a
few YOrK, INC., Wallkill, NeW YOK, U.>.A.

This publication is not for sale. It is Enjoy Life Forever! Made in U.S.A.

provided as part of a worldwide Bible —Introductory Bible Lessons

educational work supported by vol- September 2020 Printing

untary donations. To make a donation, English (iffi-E)

please visit donate.jw.org.

© 2020
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quo- WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY
tations are from the modern-language OF PENNSYLVANIA

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
Is it possible to
enjoy life forever?

Would you say...

e yes?
eno?
e maybe?

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

“The righteous will possess the earth,
and they will live forever on it.”
—PSALM 37:29.

WHAT THAT CAN MEAN FOR YOU

A happy, peaceful future with family
and friends.—JEREMIAH 29:11.

Enjoying life, not just for a short time,
but forever.—PSALM 22:26.

CAN WE REALLY BELIEVE WHAT
THE BIBLE PROMISES?

Yes! To see why, please consider the
evidence presented in the three lessons
in this brochure. They are entitled:

How Can the Bible Help You?

The Bible Gives Hope

Can You Trust the Bible?

 

 

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