Lesson 14 Why Does God Have an Organization?
1. Why did God organize ancient Israel?
God organized descendants of the patriarch Abraham into a nation and gave them a body of laws. He called the nation “Israel” and made it the custodian of true worship and of his word. (Psalm 147:19, 20) So people of all nations could benefit from Israel.—Read Genesis 22:18.
[“Read” scripture.] Genesis 22:18: And by means of your offspring all nations of the earth will obtain a blessing for themselves because you have listened to my voice.’” [End of “Read” scripture.]
God chose the Israelites to be his witnesses. Their ancient history provides a demonstration of how people benefit by obeying God’s laws. (Deuteronomy 4:6) Thus, through the Israelites, others could get to know the true God.—Read Isaiah 43:10, 12.
[“Read” scriptures.] Isaiah 43:10: “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none.
Isaiah 43:12: “I am the One who declared and saved and made known When there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God. [End of “Read” scriptures.]
2. Why are true Christians organized?
In time, Israel lost God’s favor, and Jehovah replaced that nation with the Christian congregation. (Matthew 21:43; 23:37, 38) Now, in place of the Israelites, true Christians serve as Jehovah’s witnesses.—Read Acts 15:14, 17.
[“Read” scriptures.] Acts 15:14: Symeon has related thoroughly how God for the first time turned his attention to the nations to take out of them a people for his name.
Acts  15:17: so that the men who remain may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things, [End of “Read” scriptures.]
Jesus organized his followers to preach and make disciples in all nations. (Matthew 10:7, 11; 24:14; 28:19, 20) This work is reaching its climax now, in the conclusion of the present system of things. For the first time in history, Jehovah has united millions from all nations in true worship. (Revelation 7:9, 10) True Christians are organized to encourage and help one another. Worldwide, they enjoy the same program of Bible instruction at their meetings.—Read Hebrews 10:24, 25.
[“Read” scripture.] Hebrews 10:24, 25: And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near. [End of “Read” scripture.]
Pictures on page 28: [Image:] 1. God’s people in ancient Israel; 2. First-century Christians in the organized preaching work
3. How did the modern-day organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses begin?
In the 1870’s a small group of Bible students began rediscovering long-lost Bible truths. They knew that Jesus had organized the Christian congregation to preach, so they began an international Kingdom-preaching campaign. In 1931 they adopted the name Jehovah’s Witnesses.—Read Acts 1:8; 2:1, 4; 5:42.
[“Read” scriptures.] Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth.”
Acts 2:1: Now while the day of the Festival of Pentecost was in progress, they were all together at the same place.
Acts 2:4: and they all became filled with holy spirit and started to speak in different languages, just as the spirit enabled them to speak.
Acts 5:42: And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus. [End of “Read” scriptures.]
Pictures on page 29: [Image:] Scenes of Jehovah’s Witnesses preaching in the early 1900’s and also today; printed Bible-study material in many languages.
4. How are Jehovah’s Witnesses organized?
In the first century, the Christian congregations in many lands benefited from a central governing body that recognized Jesus as the Head of the congregation. (Acts 16:4, 5) Similarly today, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide benefit from a Governing Body of experienced elders. It oversees branch offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses that translate, print, and distribute Bible-study material in over 600 languages. Thus the Governing Body can provide Scriptural encouragement and direction for over 100,000 congregations worldwide. In each congregation, qualified men serve as elders, or overseers. These men lovingly care for God’s flock.—Read 1 Peter 5:2, 3.
[“Read” scripture.] 1 Peter 5:2, 3: Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers, not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. [End of “Read” scripture.]
Jehovah’s Witnesses are organized to preach the good news and make disciples. Like the apostles, we preach from house to house. (Acts 20:20) We also offer to study the Bible with sincere lovers of truth. But Jehovah’s Witnesses are not just an organization. We are a family with a loving Father. We are brothers and sisters who care for one another. (2 Thessalonians 1:3) Since Jehovah’s people are organized to please God and to help others, they form the happiest family on earth.—Read Psalm 33:12; Acts 20:35.
[“Read” scriptures.] Psalm 33:12: Happy is the nation whose God is Jehovah, The people he has chosen as his own possession.
Acts 20:35: I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, you must assist those who are weak and must keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, when he himself said: ‘There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.’” [End of “Read” scriptures.]

For more information, see chapter 19 of the book What Does the Bible Really Teach?