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“COMEBEMYFOLLOWER”
(1 John 3:16) Like Jesus, we must be willing to die for one
another if necessary. In times of persecution, we would
rather sacrifice our own life than betray our spiritual
brothers and thus endanger their lives. In lands divided
by racial or ethnic strife, we would risk our own lives to
protect our brothers, regardless of their racial or ethnic
background. When nations go to war, we would sooner
face imprisonment or even death than take up weapons
against fellow believers—or anyone else for that matter.
—John 17:14, 16; 1 John 3:10-12.
13 Being willing to lay down our life for our brothers is
not the only way to show self-sacrificing love. After all,
few of us are ever called upon to make such a great sacrifice.
However, if we love our brothers enough to die for
them, should we not be willing to make smaller sacrifices,
going out of our way to help them now? To be selfsacrificing
means to give up our own advantage or comfort
for the benefit of others. We put their needs and
welfare ahead of our own even if it is not convenient.
(1 Corinthians 10:24) In what practical ways can we show
self-sacrificing love?
In the Congregation and in the Family
14 Congregation elders make many sacrifices to “shepherd
the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2, 3) In addition to looking after
their own families, they may need to take time during
evenings or on weekends to care for congregation matters,
including preparing meeting parts, making shepherding
calls, and handling judicial cases. Many elders make additional
sacrifices, working hard at assemblies and conventions
and serving as members of Hospital Liaison Committees,
Patient Visitation Groups, and Regional Building
14. (a) Elders are called upon to make what sacrifices? (b) How do
you feel about the hardworking elders in your congregation?