HOW THE ELDERS ASSIST THOSE WHO GET INVOLVED IN SERIOUS SIN -

The elders prepare their own heart. They try to imitate Jehovah in all their dealings with a sinner, remembering Paul's words: "God in is kindness is trying to lead you to repentance." (Read Romans 2:4.) The elders must remember that they are primarily shepherds under the direction of Christ.  (Isaiah 11:3, 4; Matthew 18:18-20) Before meeting with the wrongdoer, the committee will prayerfully consider their goal: to lead the wrongdoer to repentance. They will do research in the Scriptures and in our publications and will pray for discernment. They will consider what they need to know about the individual's background that may have contributed to his thinking, attitude, and conduct. - PROVERBS 20:5.

The elders imitate Jehovah's patience. They keep in mind how Jehovah dealt with wrongdoers in the past. For example, Jehovah reasoned patiently with Cain, warning him about the consequences of sin and offering him hope of restoration.  (Genesis 4:6, 7) Jehovah admonished David by means of the prophet Nathan, who used an illustration that touched the heart of the king. (2 Samuel 12:1-7) And Jehovah "kept sending "his prophets "again and again" to the wayward nation of Israel.  (Jeremiah 7:24, 25) He did not wait for his people to repent before helping them. Rather, he took the initiative by urging them to repent.

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