Paul und Silas had been arrested and put in jail. Around midnight they began to sing and praise God, while the other prisoners listened. Thoughts on freedom by District Apostle Helper Frank Dzur from Canada.

Seeing who we really are … without others judging us. That is not easy, seeing that we humans are social creatures and therefore depend on the benevolence of others. Jesus opens our eyes for reality, District Apostle Helper John Fendt from the USA says.

From the vastness of paradise to a small labyrinth of selfish goals, from great freedom to close confinement. How man has changed! He could do better for himself, District Apostle Helper David Devaraj from Bangalore in India writes.

Doing something good for yourself and giving your neighbour without expecting anything … This is what District Apostle Tshitshi Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic Congo South-East) reflects on in his article on our annual motto.

This place has a name: home. Because there you can be yourself. Thoughts on this year’s motto by District Apostle Michael Deppner from the Democratic Republic of the Congo-West.

Freedom is a free gift of God. But He does not impose this freedom upon us. He only liberates those who want it. This is the experience of District Apostle Edy Isnugroho (Indonesia).

What does freedom have to do with an eagle? Well, watching such a majestic bird soar higher and higher into the sky with just a few flaps of its wings is a fitting image to describe unlimited freedom, says District Apostle Rainer Storck of Western Germany.

What are people held captive by? If we know, it is only a small step to freedom through Christ. For only then can His nature unfold in us. Here are some answers from District Apostle Michael Ehrich from Southern Germany.

Freedom does not fall from heaven. The spiritual freedom through Jesus Christ our Lord is brought about by man’s conscious decision: for Jesus Christ and against sin. District Apostle Wolfgang Nadolny from Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany explains this in his article.

Lifelong freedom through Christ is not a given. Sometimes people have to fight to be able to stay free and keep themselves from being taken captive again. District Apostle Joseph Ekhuya, who lives in Kenya and looks after East Africa, has some enlightening thoughts about this.

Many people think they are free if they can do whatever they want. Yet often such supposedly free decisions lead to new dependencies, says District Apostle Leonard Kolb (USA).

Is it better to pick a beautiful flower and take it home or water it so that you can have the pleasure of admiring it all the time? District Apostle Enrique Minio from Argentina has an answer to this question.

In order to attain freedom in Christ, there must be a relationship between mankind and the Lord. This is the foundation of spiritual freedom. That is how District Apostle Kububa Soko from Zambia describes it.

God wants us to decide for Him. This requires a spiritual dynamic, a stated will to change. District Apostle Mark Woll from Canada offers some thoughts on the annual motto.

Jesus makes free — but what happens if a person fails to realise that he is still bound? For example, in thoughts or in prejudices? Some reflections from District Apostle John Kriel, South Africa.

The battle for freedom is, above all, an inner battle, writes District Apostle Jürg Zbinden (Switzerland). What counts is to subject our own will under the will of God.

From a human perspective, limitless freedom is unachievable. The only limitless freedom that exists is through Jesus Christ. Following are some thoughts on the annual motto for 2020 from District Apostle Rüdiger Krause (Northern and Eastern Germany):

Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider kicked off the year 2020 with a divine service in Neuchâtel, the French-speaking capital of the Swiss canton of Neuenburg. His core message: “Christ makes free!”