SA53 - Young Brothers - Become
Mature Christian Men

In the first collage of pictures in this article, we see a young man studying and meditating on examples of Jesus as he weeps along with Martha and Mary. Jesus, refusing to take matters into his own hands, instead prays to his heavenly father Jehovah and washes the feet of one of the apostles, demonstrating humility.

It was a bittersweet occasion for Byron, a young man going through his grandfather’s dresser, clearing away his belongings. His grandfather, now deceased, was foremost in his mind as he dug through this old dresser that was like a treasure chest that took him back in time. As he sorted through his belongings, he found an old pocket watch that had stopped at 10:42, a jackknife with a solid wooden handle made from a small tree branch, and several matchbooks with random advertisements of businesses long gone; these were only some of the neat items that he found. It was at this moment that he pulled out a leather-bound, well-worn Bible. He immediately noticed that it was filled with highlighted verses and scribbled notes. His gaze lingered on a passage from the Book of Mark, Chapter 8, Verse 34: "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me."

Those words echoed in Byron's mind as he pondered the meaning of why his grandfather would highlight this scripture. Off to the side, his grandfather had written a note that said, “to disown oneself is to relinquish ownership of oneself.” For Byron, it was a daunting concept, yet one that resonated deeply within his being. Byron was beginning to realize that true Christian maturity required a willingness to surrender his own desires and ambitions and to instead place his trust entirely in Jehovah, just as Jesus had commissioned his disciples.

This marked the beginning of a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth towards Christian maturity. Byron sought out mentors within the Kingdom Hall, wise elders who had already walked the path of faith before him. Under their guidance, Byron learned the importance of humility, service, and sacrificial love – virtues exemplified by Jesus himself.

But the road to Christian maturity was not an easy one. Just like the path from childhood, where one is dependent on others for guidance and support, to mature manhood is a journey of profound transformation. It entails stepping out on one's own, facing the challenges and trials of life with courage and determination. Yet, at the heart of this journey lies the crucial step of putting one's full reliance on Jehovah. It is in surrendering oneself completely to God, relinquishing the illusion of control, and trusting in His wisdom and guidance to attain true maturity.

It was the elders who helped Byron to see that this act of vulnerability is not a sign of weakness but of strength, for it requires humility (as Jesus had), and a willingness to let go of one's own desires and ambitions (as Jesus did), in favor of God's will. Byron wasn’t alone; through his reliance on Jehovah, his journey towards maturity became not just a solitary endeavor but a partnership with the Creator of the universe, guiding and sustaining his every step along the way.

As he traveled, Byron faced trials and tribulations that tested his resolve. There were moments of doubt and despair when he questioned whether he had the strength to endure. Yet, through it all, he clung to his faith, knowing that Jehovah was with him every step of the way.

Continuing to follow Jesus' example, Byron found himself drawn into a deeper, more personal relationship. In moments of despair, he experienced periods of profound joy and peace, knowing that he was walking in the footsteps of the one who had unselfishly given his life for the sake of others.

As the years passed, and Byron grew from a young man into a mature brother at the hall, he now found that he was the one that was looked up to, as a new group of young men wondered at how they too could exhibit the same conviction that he had. His unwavering faith and commitment had become a shining example for other young men to follow. At times, Byron still felt overwhelmed when he contemplated the work ahead, but he knew that he could succeed as long as he kept remembering that Jehovah would always be there, eager to help him (Isaiah 41:10, 13).

Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.