1-2. Yeŋö ë cï rot luɔ̈i kɔc karou, ë Yecu buɔɔth cöök wään le keek paan thin ye cɔɔl Emmaus?

 IT IS Nisan 16, 33 C.E. Jesus’ disciples are numb with grief and paralyzed by fear. Two of them leave Jerusalem and head for Emmaus, a village about 11 kilometers (7 mi) from Jerusalem. These men are dejected because Jesus, the man they had been following, had just been put to death. Their hope for what the Messiah would do seems lost. But the men are in for a surprise.

² A stranger approaches and walks with them. The disciples relate their disappointment about what happened to Jesus. The stranger then begins a life-changing discussion with them. “Starting with Moses and all the Prophets,” he explains why the Messiah had to suffer and die. When the three men arrive at Emmaus, the stranger reveals who he is​—the resurrected Jesus! We can only imagine the disciples’ joy on learning that the Messiah was alive!​—Luke 24:13-35.

3-4. Yeŋö ë cï rot looi tënë kɔc Yecu buɔɔth cöök, ku yeŋö buk piɔ̈ɔ̈c awereŋ kënë yic? (Luɔi 1:3)

³ Jesus appeared to his disciples a number of times throughout his final 40 days on earth. (Read Acts 1:3.) During that time, Jesus’ grief-stricken and fearful followers were transformed into a joyful, confident, and  courageous army of Kingdom preachers and teachers. a

⁴ We can benefit from studying about this thrilling period in Jesus’ life. In this article, we will see how Jesus used this time (1) to encourage his disciples, (2) to deepen their understanding of the Scriptures, and (3) to train them to take on greater responsibilities. In each case, we will see how we can imitate Jesus’ example.

YE KƆC KƆ̈K DƐƐT PUƆ̈TH

5. Ye wɛ̈tŋö ë kɔɔr kɔc ë Yecu buɔɔth cöök deet ë puɔ̈th?

⁵ Jesus’ disciples needed encouragement. Why? Some had left homes, families, and businesses to follow Jesus full-time. (Matt. 19:27) Others were treated as social outcasts because they had become his disciples. (John 9:22) They made these sacrifices because they believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. (Matt. 16:16) But when Jesus was executed, their hopes were dashed and they became downhearted.

6. Yeŋö ë cïï Yecu looi ë dhaman wään cïï ye jɔt ë thuɔɔu yic?

⁶ No doubt Jesus saw his disciples’ grief, not as a sign of spiritual weakness, but as an understandable response to a terrible loss. So on the very day that he was resurrected, he began encouraging his friends. For instance, he appeared to Mary Magdalene while she wept at his tomb. (John 20:11,  16) He also appeared to the two disciples described at the outset of this article. And he appeared to the apostle Peter. (Luke 24:34) What can we learn from Jesus’ example? Consider what happened during his first appearance.

7. Cït man cïï ye gɔ̈t ë buŋ ë Jɔn 20:11-16, yeŋö ë cïï Yecu tïŋ ke looi Meri ë kööl Nisan 16, ku yeŋö cïï Yecu bɛ̈n looi? (Tïŋ thura aya.)

⁷ Read John 20:11-16. Early on the morning of Nisan 16, a number of loyal  women went to the place where Jesus had been lying lifeless. (Luke 24:1,  10) Let us focus on the experience of one of the women, Mary Magdalene. When Mary arrived at the tomb, she found it empty. She ran to tell Peter and John and then followed them as they raced to the tomb. After confirming that the tomb was empty, the men returned home. But not Mary. She stayed there, weeping. Little did she know that Jesus was watching. He observed this faithful woman’s tears and was deeply moved. So he appeared to Mary and then did something simple that greatly encouraged her. He spoke to her and gave her an important assignment​—to share the news of his resurrection with his brothers.​—John 20:17, 18.

8. Ye këdï lëu bïï ɣok Yecu kiëët?

⁸ How can we imitate Jesus? We can do much to motivate our brothers and sisters to keep serving Jehovah if, like Jesus, we are aware of their distresses and speak to them with empathy. Consider the experience of a sister named Jocelyn, whose sister died in a tragic accident. “For many months, I was in a constant state of deep grief,” she says. However, a brother and his wife invited her to their home, listened to her empathetically, and reassured her of her value in God’s eyes. Jocelyn says: “I felt as if Jehovah had used them to pull me out of a dark stormy sea and into a lifeboat. They helped me to regain my desire to keep serving Jehovah.” We too can encourage others by listening attentively as they pour out their heart and by speaking empathetically, with a view to strengthening them in their service to God.​—Rom. 12:15.

YE CÖK KE BAIBOL ŊIƐC LUƆ̈Ɔ̈I

9. Ye käriliic kou ë ke cï kɔc Yecu buɔɔth cöök yök, ku ye këdï cïï yen ke bɛ̈n kuɔny?

⁹ Jesus’ disciples accepted God’s Word and tried hard to apply it in their life. (John 17:6) Still, Jesus’ dying as a criminal on a torture stake confused them. Jesus realized that their doubts stemmed, not from a bad heart, but from a lack of understanding. (Luke 9:44, 45; John 20:9) So he taught them to reason on the Scriptures. Consider how he did that when he appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

10. Ye këdï cïï Yecu kɔcken ye buɔɔth cöök kuɔny bïk ŋic nɔn ye yen Mathaya? (Luk 24:18-27)

¹⁰ Read Luke 24:18-27. Notice that Jesus did not immediately tell the men who he was. Instead, he asked questions. Why? Perhaps he wanted them to express what was on their mind and in their heart. And they did. They told him that they had expected Jesus to deliver Israel from Roman oppression. After they clearly expressed their concerns, Jesus used the Scriptures to help the men to understand what had happened. b Later that evening, Jesus spent time assuring the other disciples of these truths. (Luke 24:33-48) What can we learn from this account?

11-12. (a) Yeŋö buk piɔ̈ɔ̈c ë kueer cïï Yecu yiny ë Baibol piɔ̈c kɔc? (Tïŋ thurat aya.) (b) Ye këdï cïï Nortey raanden ye piɔ̈ɔ̈c ë Baibol kuɔny?

¹¹ How can we imitate Jesus? First, when teaching Bible students, ask tactful  questions that will draw out what is in their mind and heart. (Prov. 20:5) Once you understand their feelings, show them how to find specific scriptures that apply to their circumstances. Then resist the urge to tell them what to do. Instead, help them to reason on the Scriptures and to discern how they can apply Bible principles in their life. Consider the experience of a brother in Ghana named Nortey.

¹² When Nortey was 16 years old, he began to study the Bible. Soon, though, his family opposed him. What helped him to remain firm? His Bible teacher had used Matthew chapter 10 to explain that true Christians will be persecuted. “So when the persecution started,” Nortey says, “I was convinced that I had found the truth.” His teacher also helped him to reason on Matthew 10:16 so that he could be both cautious and respectful when discussing religious matters at home. After his baptism, Nortey wanted to pioneer, but his father expected him to go to university. Rather than tell Nortey what to do, his teacher drew him out with questions and helped him to reason on Scriptural principles. The result? Nortey decided to enter full-time service. His father made him leave home. How does Nortey feel about these events? “I am convinced that I made the right choice,” he says. When we too take time to help others reason on the Scriptures, we can help them become solid Christians.​—Eph. 3:16-19.

PIƆ̈Ɔ̈CË RÖÖR BÏK YA KƆC CÏ KE ‘MIƆƆC NË MIƆ̈C’ ŊIC LUƆƆI

13. Yeŋö cïï Yecu looi bï lon ë Wun kuɔny ciin bï lɔ tueŋ? (Epethiei 4:8)

¹³ While on earth, Jesus perfectly cared for the work his Father had given him to do. (John 17:4) But Jesus did not have the attitude, ‘If you want something done right, you must do it yourself.’ During his three-and-a-half-year ministry, he trained others to do the work. Before returning to heaven, Jesus entrusted his disciples​—some of whom may have been in their 20’s—​with the  responsibility of caring for Jehovah’s precious sheep and taking the lead in the preaching and teaching work. (Read Ephesians 4:8.) How did Jesus use his final 40 days to help these dedicated, loyal, and hardworking men to qualify to become “gifts in men”?​—See study note on Ephesians 4:8.

14. Ye këdï cïï Yecu kɔcken ye buɔɔth cöök kuɔny bïk dït käk ë wëi yiic ë nïn kathiërŋuan [40] wään cï ke nɔ̈k ë pinynɔm? (Tïŋ thura aya.)

¹⁴ Jesus gave his disciples frank but loving counsel. For example, he noticed that some of them had the tendency to doubt, so he counseled them. (Luke 24:25-27; John 20:27) He drove home the need for them to put greater emphasis on the shepherding work than on their secular careers. (John 21:15) He reminded them not to become unduly concerned about what privileges others might receive in Jehovah’s service. (John 21:20-22) And he corrected some wrong ideas they had about the Kingdom and helped them focus on getting the good news preached. (Acts 1:6-8) What can elders learn from Jesus?

15-16. (a) Ye kuɛɛr kou bïï röördït Yecu kiëët? Laaric. (b) Ye këdï cïï wëët cï gäm Patrick yen kuɔny?

¹⁵ How can elders imitate Jesus? They must train and assist men, including those who may be relatively young, to qualify for greater responsibilities. c Elders do not expect those whom they train to be perfect. They should give them loving counsel so that these young brothers can gain experience and see the need to be humble, faithful, and willing to serve others.​—1 Tim. 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Pet. 5:5.

¹⁶ Consider how a brother named Patrick benefited from counsel. As a young person, he tended to speak harshly and to act unkindly, even toward sisters. A mature elder noticed Patrick’s weaknesses  and gave him kind but straightforward counsel. “I am glad he did,” says Patrick. “I used to get discouraged when I saw other brothers receiving privileges of service that I wanted. But the elder’s counsel helped me to see the need to focus on humbly serving my brothers and sisters instead of on receiving some position or privilege in the congregation.” As a result, Patrick was appointed as an elder when he was in his early 20’s.​—Prov. 27:9.

17. Ye këdï ë cïï Yecu ye nyuɔɔth nɔn ye yen kɔcken ye buɔɔth cöök ŋɔ̈ɔ̈th?

¹⁷ Jesus gave his disciples the responsibility not only to preach but also to teach. (See “teaching them” study note on Matthew 28:20.) The disciples may have felt unqualified for that assignment. However, Jesus did not doubt that they could do the work, and he told them so. Expressing complete confidence in them, Jesus said: “Just as the Father has sent me, I also am sending you.”​—John 20:21.

18. Ye këdï lëu bïï röördït Yecu ya kiëët?

¹⁸ How can elders imitate Jesus? Experienced elders delegate responsibilities. (Phil. 2:19-22) For example, elders can involve young ones in Kingdom Hall cleaning and maintenance. After delegating a task, they can express their confidence in those selected to carry it out by training them and then trusting them to do the work correctly. A new elder named Matthew says that he truly appreciates experienced elders who train him thoroughly to handle an assignment and then trust him to complete it. He says, “I have benefited when they viewed my mistakes as part of the learning process and then helped me to improve.” d

19. Yeŋö buk tääu ë ɣonïïm buk looi?

¹⁹ Jesus used his final 40 days on earth to encourage, teach, and train others. May we be determined to follow his example closely. (1 Pet. 2:21) He will help us to do so. After all, he promised: “I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”​—Matt. 28:20.