PIONEER SCHOOL FULLY ACCOMPLISH YOUR MINISTRY

PRE 2000 & KINGDOM MINISTRY REFERENCES

(NB - NOT INC ALL JV REFERENCES)
DAY
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A rule oft stated is that we get out of a thing what we put into it. Jesus indicated the benefit that we would
get from paying the deserved attention to what he was saying. He did this by adding to his admonition on
attention the words: With the measure that you are measuring out, you will have it measured out to you, yes,
you will have more added to you. For he that has will have more given to him but he that does not have,
even what he has will be ta!en away from him."#$ar! %:&%, &'.
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)onse*uently, if we measure out to Jesus little interest and attention, we cannot e+pect to get much
from him, at least from what he is saying for our guidance, for our benefit. ,ut if we show that we do
appreciate him as our -eacher and we deal out to him our fullest measure of attention, then he will respond
by giving us a comparative amount of information and enlightenment. .n this regard, however, he is not
concerned with /ust evening up things and balancing accounts. 0ather, in his generosity and according to his
ability, he will favor us with more than we e+pected. -hus we are enriched and are more able to share with
others our own abundance, imparting to them the understanding of things.
!!! 67 81)'( 29 '( $09 P*-.0-./ ).2 D-+0*-:;0-./ G,23+ O". S)8*52 <,*2 !!!
-he desire of Jehovah1s Witnesses went beyond getting copies of the ,ible, the boo! itself, into the hands
of people. -he Witnesses wanted to help people to get to !now the personal name, as well as the purpose,
of its divine author, Jehovah 2od. -here was a translation in 3nglish#the American Standard Version of
4564#that used the divine name in the more than (,786 places where it appeared in the sources from which
the translators wor!ed. .n 45%%, after a number of months of negotiations, the Watch -ower 9ociety
purchased the right to ma!e a set of !ey plates for this ,ible from plates and type supplied by -homas
:elson and 9ons, of :ew ;or!. <uring the ne+t %7 years, 4,6=5,%7& copies were produced
!!! 67 81)'( 29 '( $0$ P*-.0-./ ).2 D-+0*-:;0-./ G,23+ O". S)8*52 <,*2 !!!
.t was =( years after it first undertoo! publishing ,ibles that the Watch -ower ,ible and -ract 9ociety
printed and bound a ,ible in its own factory. -he first one thus produced was The Emphatic Diaglott, the
plates for which had been owned by the 9ociety for &% years. .n <ecember 45&( this ,ible was printed on a
flatbed press in the 9ociety1s )oncord 9treet factory in ,roo!lyn. -o date, %&8,5&% of these have been
produced.
!!! "=> 2%& ''( =-20 T5?? U+@ <15. <-?? T15+5 T1-./+ B5A !!!
<1-81 T*-:;?)0-,. B5B,*5 C5?5+0-)? P15.,45.)A
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-he fulfillment of Joel1s prophecy >in harmony with other prophecies using similar language? helps us to
understand the words at $atthew &%:&5. )learly, what Jesus said about @the sun being dar!ened, the moon
not giving light, and the stars falling1 does not refer to things occurring over the many decades of the
conclusion of the present system, such as space roc!etry, moon landings, and the li!e. :o, he pointed to
things tied in with the great and fearAinspiring day of Jehovah," the destruction yet to come.
4'
-his relates to our understanding of how the celestial phenomena would be immediately after the
tribulation." Jesus was not referring to the tribulation that culminated in 86 ).3. 0ather, he was pointing to the
start of the great tribulation to befall the world system in the future, clima+ing his promised presence."
>$atthew &%:=? -hat tribulation is still ahead of us.
4(
What about the words at $ar! 4=:&%: .n those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be dar!ened, and
the moon will not give its light"B Here, both those" and that" are forms of the 2ree! word ekeinos, a
demonstrative pronoun indicating something distant in time. Ekeinos can be used to indicate something
long past >or previously mentioned? or something in the remote future. >$atthew =:4 8:&& 46:45 &%:=7
$ar! 4=:44, 48, =& 4%:&' Cu!e 46:4& & -hessalonians 4:46? -hus, $ar! 4=:&% points to that tribulation,"
not the tribulation stirred up by the 0omans, but Jehovah1s mighty act at the end of the present system.
48
)hapters 48 to 45 of 0evelation fit and verify this ad/usted understanding of $atthew &%:&5A=4, $ar!
4=:&%A&8, and Cu!e &4:&'A&7. .n what wayB -he 2ospels show that this tribulation will not start and end at
one fell swoop. After it begins, some of disobedient man!ind will still be alive to see the sign of the 9on of
man" and to react#to lament and, as stated at Cu!e &4:&(, to become faint out of fear and e+pectation of
the things coming upon the inhabited earth." -hat overwhelming fear will be due to their seeing the sign" that
beto!ens their imminent destruction.
47
-he account in 0evelation shows that the future great tribulation will begin when the militariDed horns"
of the international wild beast" turn on the great harlot," ,abylon the 2reat. >0evelation 48:4, 46A4(? ,ut
many people will remain, for !ings, merchants, ship captains, and others mourn the end of false religion.
<oubtless many will realiDe that their /udgment will be ne+t.#0evelation 47:5A45
!!! "=& &%& ''( 2-22 P)*0 2CF?)+15+ ,B L-/10CG*5)0 ).2 S4)?? !!!
T15 H-/15* P,"5*+ C?)*-B-52
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A bright flash of light was seen in 45(& in connection with 0omans 4=:4, which says: Cet every soul be
sub/ect unto the higher powers Esuperior authorities," e! "orld TranslationF." >#ing $ames Version? -he
early ,ible 9tudents understood that the higher powers" mentioned there referred to worldly authorities.
-hey too! this scripture to mean that if a )hristian was drafted in wartime, he would be obligated to put on a
uniform, shoulder a gun, and go to the front, to the trenches. .t was felt that since a )hristian could not !ill a
fellow human, he would be compelled to fire his gun into the air if worst came to worst.
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The "atchto!er of :ovember 4' and of <ecember 4, 45(&, shed clear light on the sub/ect in discussing
Jesus1 words at $atthew &&:&4: Gay bac! . . . )aesar1s things to )aesar, but 2od1s things to 2od." 0elevant
were the apostles1 words at Acts ':&5: We must obey 2od as ruler rather than men." )hristians are sub/ect
to )aesar#the higher powers"#only so long as this does not re*uire that the )hristian go contrary to 2od1s
law. 9ub/ection to )aesar was seen to be relati%e, not absolute. )hristians pay bac! to )aesar only what
does not conflict with 2od1s re*uirements. How satisfying it was to have clear light on that sub/ect
!!! "=& &%& '( 2& ')*( 9 P)*0 2CF?)+15+ ,B L-/10CG*5)0 ).2 S4)?? !!!
48
9imilarly, for a long time, Witnesses spo!e of the vindication of Jehovah1s name. ,ut had 9atan called
Jehovah1s name into *uestionB For that matter, had any of 9atan1s agents done so, as if Jehovah did not
have a right to that nameB :o, not at all. .t was not the name of Jehovah that was challenged and that
needed to be vindicated. -hat is why the Watch -ower 9ociety1s recent publications do not spea! of
Jehovah1s name as being %indicated& -hey spea! of Jehovah1s so%ereignty as being %indicated and of his
name as being sanctified& -his is in !eeping with what Jesus told us to pray: Cet your name be sanctified&'
>$atthew (:5? -ime and again, Jehovah said that he was going to sanctify his name, which the .sraelites had
not challenged but had profaned.#3De!iel &6:5, 4%, && =(:&=.
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2ross immorality was being tolerated in the )hristian congregation at )orinth. A man there had ta!en his
father1s wife, thus practicing @such fornication as was not found even among the nations.1 Glainly, Gaul wrote:
0emove the wic!ed man from among yourselves." >4 )orinthians ':4, 44A4=? -hat was something new for
the )hristian congregation#disfellowshipping. Another matter on which the )orinthian congregation needed
enlightenment had to do with the fact that some of its members were ta!ing their spiritual brothers to worldly
courts in order to settle grievances. Gaul strongly rebu!ed them for doing this.#4 )orinthians (:'A7.
!!! E4 #%02 ''( D-> D-+'?)F C1*-+0-). L,F)?0F <15. ) R5?)0-75 I+ D-+B5??,"+1-''52 !!!
4
-he bond between family members can be very strong. -his brings a test upon a )hristian when a
marriage mate, a child, a parent, or another close relative is disfellowshipped or has disassociated himself
from the congregation. >$att. 46:=8? How should loyal )hristians treat such a relativeB <oes it ma!e a
difference if the person lives in your householdB First, let us review what the ,ible says on this sub/ect, the
principles of which apply e*ually to those who are disfellowshipped and to those who disassociate
themselves.
&
H," 0, T*5)0 EG'5??52 O.5+H 2od1s Word commands )hristians not to !eep company or fellowship
with a person who has been e+pelled from the congregation: Huit mi+ing in company with anyone called a
brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drun!ard or an e+tortioner, not
even eating with such a man. . . . 0emove the wic!ed man from among yourselves." >4 )or. ':44, 4=? Jesus1
words recorded at $atthew 47:48 also bear on the matter: Cet Ethe e+pelled oneF be to you /ust as a man of
the nations and as a ta+ collector." Jesus1 hearers well !new that the Jews of that day had no fraterniDation
with 2entiles and that they shunned ta+ collectors as outcasts. Jesus was thus instructing his followers not to
associate with e+pelled ones.#9ee The "atchto!er of 9eptember 4', 4574, pages 47A&6.
=
-his means that loyal )hristians do not have spiritual fellowship with anyone who has been e+pelled
from the congregation. ,ut more is involved. 2od1s Word states that we should (not e%en eat !ith such a
man&) >4 )or. ':44? Hence, we also avoid social fellowship with an e+pelled person. -his would rule out
/oining him in a picnic, party, ball game, or trip to the mall or theater or sitting down to a meal with him either
in the home or at a restaurant.
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What about spea!ing with a disfellowshipped personB While the ,ible does not cover every possible
situation, & John 46 helps us to get Jehovah1s view of matters: .f anyone comes to you and does not bring
this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him." )ommenting on this, The
"atchto!er of 9eptember 4', 4574, page &', says: A simple @Hello1 to someone can be the first step that
develops into a conversation and maybe even a friendship. Would we want to ta!e that first step with a
disfellowshiped personB"
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.ndeed, it is /ust as page =4 of the same issue of The "atchto!er states: -he fact is that when a
)hristian gives himself over to sin and has to be disfellowshiped, he forfeits much: his approved standing
with 2od . . . sweet fellowship with the brothers, including much of the association he had with )hristian
relatives."
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I. 015 I4452-)05 H,;+51,?2H <oes this mean that )hristians living in the same household with a
disfellowshipped family member are to avoid tal!ing to, eating with, and associating with that one as they go
about their daily activitiesB The "atchto!er of April 4', 4554, in the footnote on page &&, states: .f in a
)hristian1s household there is a disfellowshipped relative, that one would still be part of the normal, dayAtoA
day household dealings and activities." -hus, it would be left up to members of the family to decide on the
e+tent to which the disfellowshipped family member would be included when eating or engaging in other
household activities. And yet, they would not want to give brothers with whom they associate the impression
that everything is the same as it was before the disfellowshipping occurred.
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However, The "atchto!er of 9eptember 4', 4574, page &7, points out regarding the disfellowshipped
or disassociated person: Former spiritual ties have been completely severed. -his is true even with respect
to his relatives, including those within his immediate family circle. . . . -hat will mean changes in the spiritual
fellowship that may have e+isted in the home. For e+ample, if the husband is disfellowshiped, his wife and
children will not be comfortable with him conducting a family ,ible study or leading in ,ible reading and
prayer. .f he wants to say a prayer, such as at mealtime, he has a right to do so in his own home. ,ut they
can silently offer their own prayers to 2od. >Grov. &7:5 Gs. 445:4%', 4%(? What if a disfellowshiped person in
the home wants to be present when the family reads the ,ible together or has a ,ible studyB -he others
might let him be present to listen if he will not try to teach them or share his religious ideas."
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.f a minor child living in the home is disfellowshipped, )hristian parents are still responsible for his
upbringing. The "atchto!er of :ovember 4', 4577, page &6, states: Just as they will continue to provide
him with food, clothing, and shelter, they need to instruct and discipline him in line with 2od1s Word.
>Groverbs (:&6A&& &5:48? Coving parents may thus arrange to have a home ,ible study with him, even if he
is disfellowshipped. $aybe he will derive the most corrective benefit from their studying with him alone. Ir
they may decide that he can continue to share in the family study arrangement."#9ee also The "atchto!er
of Ictober 4, &664, pages 4(A48.
5
R5?)0-75+ N,0 -. 015 H,;+51,?2H -he situation is different if the disfellowshipped or disassociated one
is a relative living outside the immediate family circle and home," states The "atchto!er of April 4', 4577,
page &7. .t might be possible to have almost no contact at all with the relative. 3ven if there were some
family matters re*uiring contact, this certainly would be !ept to a minimum," in harmony with the divine
in/unction to *uit mi+ing in company with anyone' who is guilty of sinning unrepentantly. >4 )or. ':44? Coyal
)hristians should strive to avoid needless association with such a relative, even !eeping business dealings
to an absolute minimum.#9ee also The "atchto!er of 9eptember 4', 4574, pages &5A=6.
46
The "atchto!er addresses another situation that can arise: What if a close relative, such as a son or a
parent who does not live in the home, is disfellowshiped and subse*uently wants to move bac! thereB -he
family could decide what to do depending on the situation. For e+ample, a disfellowshiped parent may be
sic! or no longer able to care for himself financially or physically. -he )hristian children have a 9criptural and
moral obligation to assist. >4 -im. ':7? . . . What is done may depend on factors such as the parent1s true
needs, his attitude and the regard the head of the household has for the spiritual welfare of the
household."#The "atchto!er of 9eptember 4', 4574, pages &7A5.
44
As for a child, the same article continues: 9ometimes )hristian parents have accepted bac! into the
home for a time a disfellowshiped child who has become physically or emotionally ill. ,ut in each case the
parents can weigh the individual circumstances. Has a disfellowshiped son lived on his own, and is he now
unable to do soB Ir does he want to move bac! primarily because it would be an easier lifeB What about his
morals and attitudeB Will he bring @leaven1 into the homeB#2al. ':5."
4&
B5.5B-0+ ,B B5-./ L,F)? 0, J51,7)1H )ooperating with the 9criptural arrangement to disfellowship
and shun unrepentant wrongdoers is beneficial. .t preserves the cleanness of the congregation and
distinguishes us as upholders of the ,ible1s high moral standards. >4 Get. 4:4%A4(? .t protects us from
corrupting influences. >2al. ':8A5? .t also affords the wrongdoer an opportunity to benefit fully from the
discipline received, which can help him to produce peaceable fruit, namely, righteousness."#Heb. 4&:44.
4=
After hearing a tal! at a circuit assembly, a brother and his fleshly sister realiDed that they needed to
ma!e ad/ustments in the way they treated their mother, who lived elsewhere and who had been
disfellowshipped for si+ years. .mmediately after the assembly, the man called his mother, and after assuring
her of their love, he e+plained that they could no longer tal! to her unless there were important family matters
re*uiring contact. 9hortly thereafter, his mother began attending meetings and was eventually reinstated.
Also, her unbelieving husband began studying and in time was baptiDed.
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Coyally upholding the disfellowshipping arrangement outlined in the 9criptures demonstrates our love
for Jehovah and provides an answer to the one that is taunting Him. >Grov. &8:44? .n turn, we can be assured
of Jehovah1s blessing. Jing <avid wrote regarding Jehovah: As for his statutes, . shall not turn aside from
them. With someone loyal you will act in loyalty."#& 9am. &&:&=, &(.
!!! "=9 % ''( 2$-2= L50 U+ A:1,* <1)0 I+ <-8E52 !!!
J3HIKAH is a holy 2od. .n ancient times he was the Holy Ine of .srael," and as such he demanded that
.srael be clean, unsullied. >Gsalm 75:47? He told his chosen people: ;ou must prove yourselves holy,
because . am holy." >Ceviticus 44:%'? Anyone who wanted to ascend into the mountain of Jehovah" had to
be innocent in his hands and clean in heart." >Gsalm &%:=, %? -hat meant more than merely avoiding sinful
acts. .t meant the hating of bad."#Groverbs 7:4=.
Covingly, Jehovah laid down detailed laws so that the nation of .srael could identify and avoid wrongdoing.
>0omans 8:8, 4&? -hese laws included strict guidelines on morality. Adultery, homose+ual acts, incestuous
relationships, and bestiality were all identified as unholy spiritual pollutants. >Ceviticus 47:&= &6:46A48?
-hose guilty of such degraded acts were cut off from the nation of .srael.
When the congregation of anointed )hristians became the .srael of 2od," similar moral standards were
laid down for them. >2alatians (:4(? )hristians too were to abhor what is wic!ed." >0omans 4&:5? Jehovah1s
words to .srael also applied to them: ;ou must be holy, because . am holy." >4 Geter 4:4', 4(? 9uch unholy
practices as fornication, adultery, homose+ual acts, bestiality, and incest were not to corrupt the )hristian
congregation. -hose refusing to stop engaging in such things would be e+cluded from 2od1s Jingdom.
>0omans 4:&(, &8 &:&& 4 )orinthians (:5, 46 Hebrews 4=:%? .n these last days," the same standards apply
to the other sheep." >& -imothy =:4 John 46:4(? As a result, anointed )hristians and other sheep ma!e up a
clean and wholesome people, able to carry the name of their 2od as Jehovah1s Witnesses.#.saiah %=:46.
K55'-./ 015 C,./*5/)0-,. C?5).
.n contrast, the world condones all !inds of immorality. Although true )hristians are different, they should
not forget that many who now serve Jehovah were once in the world. -here are many who, before they !new
our holy 2od, saw no reason not to indulge the desires and fantasies of their fallen flesh, wallowing in a low
sin! of debauchery." >4 Geter %:%? -he apostle Gaul, after describing the disgusting practices of degraded
people of the nations, said: -hat is what some of you were." 9till, he went on to say: ,ut you have been
washed clean, but you have been sanctified, but you have been declared righteous in the name of our Cord
Jesus )hrist and with the spirit of our 2od."#4 )orinthians (:44.
What a comforting statement that isL Whatever a person did earlier in life, he changes when the glorious
good news about the )hrist has an effect on his heart. He e+ercises faith and dedicates himself to Jehovah
2od. From then on he lives a morally pure life, washed clean in 2od1s eyes. >Hebrews 5:4%? -he sins that he
committed previously are pardoned, and he can @stretch forward to the things ahead.1#Ghilippians =:4=, 4%
0omans %:8, 7.
Jehovah forgave repentant <avid for murder and adultery, and He forgave repentant $anasseh for
immoral idolatry and much bloodshed. >& 9amuel 4&:5, 4= & )hronicles ==:&A(, 46A4=? We can be truly
grateful that he is prepared to forgive us too if we repent and approach him in sincerity and humility. 9till,
despite Jehovah1s forgiving <avid and $anasseh, these two men#and .srael with them#had to live with the
conse*uences of their sinful acts. >& 9amuel 4&:44, 4& Jeremiah 4':=A'? .n a similar way, while Jehovah
forgives repentant sinners, there may be conse*uences of their actions that cannot be avoided.
I.57-0):?5 C,.+5I;5.85+
For e+ample, a man who lives a life of immoral debauchery and contracts A.<9 may accept the truth and
turn his life around to the point of dedication and baptism. :ow he is a spiritually clean )hristian having a
relationship with 2od and a wonderful hope for the future but he still has A.<9. He may eventually die of the
disease, a sad but inescapable conse*uence of his former conduct. For some )hristians the effects of
former gross immorality may persist in other ways. For years after their baptism, perhaps for the rest of their
lives in this system of things, they may have to fight urges in their flesh to return to their previous immoral
lifeAstyle. With the help of Jehovah1s spirit, many succeed in resisting. ,ut they have to wage a constant
battle.#2alatians ':4(, 48.
9uch ones do not sin as long as they control their urges. ,ut if they are men, they may wisely decide not
to @reach out1 for responsibility in the congregation while still having to struggle with powerful fleshly impulses.
>4 -imothy =:4? WhyB ,ecause they !now the trust that the congregation puts in the elders. >.saiah =&:4, &
Hebrews 4=:48? -hey realiDe that the elders are consulted on many intimate matters and have to handle
sensitive situations. .t would be neither loving, wise, nor reasonable for one waging a constant fight with
unclean fleshly desires to reach out for such a responsible position.#Groverbs 4%:4( John 4':4&, 4=
0omans 4&:4.
For a man who was a child molester before he was baptiDed, there may be another conse*uence. When
he learns the truth, he repents and turns around, not bringing that cruel sin into the congregation. He may
thereafter ma!e fine progress, completely overcome his wrong impulses, and even be inclined to @reach out1
for a responsible position in the congregation. What, though, if he still has to live down notoriety in the
community as a former child molesterB Would he be irreprehensible, . . . have a fine testimony from people
on the outside, . . . EbeF free from accusation"B >4 -imothy =:4A8, 46 -itus 4:8? :o, he would not. Hence, he
would not *ualify for congregation privileges.
<15. ) D52-8)052 C1*-+0-). S-.+
Jehovah understands that we are wea! and that even after baptism we may fall into sin. -he apostle John
wrote to )hristians of his day: . am writing you these things that you may not commit a sin. And yet, if
anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus )hrist, a righteous one. And he is a
propitiatory sacrifice for our sins, yet not for ours only but also for the whole world1s." >4 John &:4, &? ;es, on
the basis of Jesus1 sacrifice, Jehovah will forgive baptiDed )hristians who fall into sin#if they truly repent
and abandon their wrong course.
An e+ample of this was seen in the firstAcentury congregation at )orinth. -he apostle Gaul heard of a
case of incestuous fornication in that young congregation, and he gave instructions that the man involved be
disfellowshipped. Cater, the sinner repented, and Gaul e+horted the congregation to reinstate him.
>4 )orinthians ':4, 4= & )orinthians &:'A5? -hus, by the healing power of Jehovah1s loving !indness and the
great value of Jesus1 ransom sacrifice, the man was cleansed of his sin. 9imilar things may happen today.
Again, though, even if a baptiDed person who commits a serious sin repents and is forgiven in Jehovah1s
eyes, there may still be ongoing conse*uences of his sin.#Groverbs 46:4(, 48 2alatians (:8.
For e+ample, if a dedicated girl commits fornication, she may bitterly regret her act and eventually be
restored to spiritual health with the help of the congregation. ,ut what if she is pregnant because of her
immoralityB -hen her whole life has been inescapably changed by what she did. A man who commits
adultery may repent and not be disfellowshipped. ,ut his innocent mate has 9criptural grounds to divorce
him, and she may choose to do so. >$atthew 45:5? .f she does, the man, although forgiven by Jehovah, will
live the rest of his life with this grave conse*uence of his sin.#4 John 4:5.
What of a man who unlovingly divorces his wife in order to marry another womanB Gerhaps he will
eventually repent and be reinstated in the congregation. Iver the years he may ma!e progress and press
on to maturity." >Hebrews (:4? ,ut as long as his first wife lives without a mate, he will not *ualify to serve in
a responsible position in the congregation. He is not a husband of one wife" because he had no 9criptural
right to divorce his first wife.#4 -imothy =:&, 4&.
Are these not powerful reasons why a )hristian should cultivate an abhorrence of what is wic!edB
<1)0 ,B ) C1-?2 M,?5+05*A
What if a baptiDed adult )hristian se+ually molests a childB .s the sinner so wic!ed that Jehovah will
never forgive himB :ot necessarily so. Jesus said that @blasphemy against the holy spirit1 was unforgivable.
And Gaul said that there is no sacrifice for sins left for one who practices sin willfully despite !nowing the
truth. >Cu!e 4&:46 Hebrews 46:&(, &8? ,ut nowhere does the ,ible say that an adult )hristian who se+ually
abuses a child#whether incestuously or otherwise#cannot be forgiven. .ndeed, his sins can be washed
clean if he repents sincerely from the heart and turns his conduct around. However, he may still have to
struggle with the wrong fleshly impulses he cultivated. >3phesians 4:8? And there may be conse*uences that
he cannot avoid.
<epending on the law of the land where he lives, the molester may well have to serve a prison term or
face other sanctions from the 9tate. -he congregation will not protect him from this. $oreover, the man has
revealed a serious wea!ness that henceforth will have to be ta!en into account. .f he seems to be repentant,
he will be encouraged to ma!e spiritual progress, share in the field service, even have parts in the -heocratic
$inistry 9chool and nonteaching parts in the 9ervice $eeting. -his does not mean, though, that he will
*ualify to serve in a position of responsibility in the congregation. What are the 9criptural reasons for thisB
For one thing, an elder must be selfAcontrolled." >-itus 4:7? -rue, none of us have perfect selfAcontrol.
>0omans 8:&4A&'? ,ut a dedicated adult )hristian who falls into the sin of child se+ual abuse reveals an
unnatural fleshly wea!ness. 3+perience has shown that such an adult may well molest other children. -rue,
not every child molester repeats the sin, but many do. And the congregation cannot read hearts to tell who is
and who is not liable to molest children again. >Jeremiah 48:5? Hence, Gaul1s counsel to -imothy applies with
special force in the case of baptiDed adults who have molested children: :ever lay your hands hastily upon
any man neither be a sharer in the sins of others." >4 -imothy ':&&? For the protection of our children, a man
!nown to have been a child molester does not *ualify for a responsible position in the congregation.
$oreover, he cannot be a pioneer or serve in any other special, fullAtime service.#)ompare the principle at
3+odus &4:&7, &5.
9ome may as!, @Have not some committed other types of sin and apparently repented, only to repeat
their sin laterB1 ;es, that has happened, but there are other factors to consider. .f, for e+ample, an individual
ma!es immoral advances to another adult, the adult should be able to resist his or her advances. )hildren
are much easier to deceive, confuse, or terroriDe. -he ,ible spea!s of a child1s lac! of wisdom. >Groverbs
&&:4' 4 )orinthians 4=:44? Jesus used children as an e+ample of humble innocence. >$atthew 47:% Cu!e
47:4(, 48? -he innocence of a child includes a complete lac! of e+perience. $ost children are open, eager to
please, and thus vulnerable to abuse by a scheming adult whom they !now and trust. -herefore, the
congregation has a responsibility before Jehovah to protect its children.
WellAtrained children learn to obey and honor their parents, the elders, and other adults. >3phesians (:4,
& 4 -imothy ':4, & Hebrews 4=:8? .t would be a shoc!ing perversion if one of these authority figures were to
misuse that child1s innocent trust so as to seduce or force him or her to submit to se+ual acts. -hose who
have been se+ually molested in this way often struggle for years to overcome the resulting emotional trauma.
Hence, a child molester is sub/ect to severe congregational discipline and restrictions. .t is not his status as
an authority figure that should be of concern but, rather, the unblemished purity of the congregation.#
4 )orinthians ':( & Geter =:4%.
.f a child molester sincerely repents, he will recogniDe the wisdom of applying ,ible principles. .f he truly
learns to abhor what is wic!ed, he will despise what he did and struggle to avoid repeating his sin. >Groverbs
7:4= 0omans 4&:5? Further, he will surely than! Jehovah for the greatness of His love, as a result of which a
repentant sinner, such as he is, can still worship our holy 2od and hope to be among the upright" who will
reside!!! "=& &%& ''( 22-2D ')*+( &-# P)*0 2CF?)+15+ ,B L-/10CG*5)0 ).2 S4)?? !!!
F?)+15+ ,B L-/10 ,. O*/).-J)0-,.)? M)005*+
(
-here was the *uestion of who should serve as elders and deacons in the congregations. -o get away
from the hierarchical structure prevalent in )hristendom, it was concluded that these should be elected
democratically by the vote of the members of each congregation. ,ut increasing light contained in The
"atchto!er of 9eptember 4 and of Ictober 4', 45=&, showed that the 9criptures do not provide for elective
elders. 9o these were replaced by a service committee, and a service director was chosen by the 9ociety.
8
The "atchto!er of June 4 and of June 4', 45=7, contained flashes of light showing that the servants in
the congregation were to be, not elected, but appointed, that is, appointed theocratically. .n 4584 another
flash of light showed that each congregation was not to be directed by /ust one congregation servant. 0ather,
each should have a body of elders, or overseers, assigned by the 2overning ,ody of Jehovah1s Witnesses.
9o by the increasing light over some %6 years, it became evident that elders as well as deacons, now !nown
as ministerial servants, should be appointed by the faithful and discreet slave," through its 2overning ,ody.
>$atthew &%:%'A%8? -his was in line with what too! place in apostolic times. $en such as -imothy and -itus
were appointed as overseers by the firstAcentury governing body. >4 -imothy =:4A8 ':&& -itus 4:'A5? All of
this is in stri!ing fulfillment of .saiah (6:48: .nstead of the copper . shall bring in gold, and instead of the iron
. shall bring in silver, and instead of the wood, copper, and instead of the stones, iron and . will appoint
peace as your overseers and righteousness as your tas! assigners."
7
-here was also the matter of the operation of the Watch -ower 9ociety. For many years the 2overning
,ody of Jehovah1s Witnesses was synonymous with the board of directors of the Watch -ower ,ible and
-ract 9ociety of Gennsylvania, and matters were largely in the hands of its president. As shown in the *+,,
-earbook of $eho%ah)s "itnesses >pages &'7A5?, in 458( the 2overning ,ody began to function with si+
committees, each assigned to care for certain aspects of the worldwide wor!. -he Gersonnel )ommittee
deals with personnel matters, including the interests of all who serve in the worldwide ,ethel family. -he
Gublishing )ommittee handles all secular and legal matters, such as property and printing. -he 9ervice
)ommittee concerns itself with the witness wor! and supervises traveling overseers, pioneers, and the
activities of congregation publishers. -he -eaching )ommittee is responsible for congregation meetings,
special assembly days, circuit assemblies, and district and international conventions as well as the various
schools for the spiritual education of 2od1s people. -he Writing )ommittee supervises the preparation and
translation of publications in all forms, ma!ing sure that everything is in line with the 9criptures. -he
)hairman1s )ommittee cares for emergencies and other urgent matters. Also in the 45861s, branch offices of
the Watch -ower 9ociety began to be directed by a committee instead of an overseer
K!!! E4 0%D '( 2 U+5 O;* <5: S-05 0, T5)81 Y,;* C1-?2*5. !!!
Iur Web site, /w.org, is designed to appeal to people of all ages. -he section of the Web site entitled
)hildren" >go to ,ible -eachings M )hildren? helps young children and their parents to draw close to one
another and to Jehovah. ><eut. (:(, 8? How can you use this section to teach your childrenB
&
B5 A2)'0):?5H 3ach child has uni*ue needs. >4 )or. 4=:44? How, then, can you select ageAappropriate
material to study with your childrenB As! yourself: @What will capture my children1s interestB How much will
they understandB How long is their attention spanB1 With children who are three years of age or younger, you
might discuss the stories found under $y ,ible Cessons." Ither families en/oy the ,ible stories in the
section -each ;our )hildren." Also, consider the following options.
=
F)4-?F <,*+1-' P*,6580+H -hese pro/ects are tools to help family heads study with their children. -o
learn how to use the stories and activities, clic! the download button, and read the Garents1 2uide" for each
pro/ect. Nse picture activities, such as coloring pages, to teach younger children. Help older children to
complete the study activities. All the activities in each pro/ect relate to the same ,ible story or lesson, so
children of all ages can participate in the same family worship pro/ect.
%
B58,45 J51,7)13+ F*-5.2H -he videos, songs, and activities in this section of our Web site help
parents to inculcate 2od1s Word into their little children. ><eut. =4:4&? 3ach short animated video teaches an
important lesson. Activities such as searchAandAfind games underscore those lessons. 9ince children often
li!e to sing#and songs help children to remember what they have learned#Jingdom songs and songs
written especially for children are posted regularly.
'
Garents, Jehovah wants you to be successful mothers and fathers. 9o as! him to help you teach your
children the truth. >Judg. 4=:7? With Jehovah1s support, you can train your children to become wise for
salvation through the faith in connection with )hrist Jesus."#& -im. =:4' Grov. %:4A%.
!!! E4 2%2 '( D O;* OBB-8-)? <5: S-05CD5+-/.52 0, B5.5B-0 U+ ).2 O015*+ !!!
Jesus commissioned us to preach the good news of the Jingdom in all the inhabited earth for a witness
to all the nations." >$att. &%:4%? .n order to help us @fully accomplish our ministry,1 watchtower.org, /wA
media.org, and /w.org have been combined into the redesigned /w.org Web site.#& -im. %:'.
A?? 015 I.1):-052 E)*01H About one third of the earth1s population uses the .nternet. .t has become the
primary source of information for many, especially young people. Iur site gives .nternet users truthful
answers to ,ible *uestions. .t introduces them to Jehovah1s organiDation and ma!es it easy for them to
re*uest a free home ,ible study. .t enables the good news to penetrate areas of the earth where people have
few opportunities to hear the Jingdom message.
A?? 015 N)0-,.+H .n order to give a witness to all the nations," we must present ,ible truth in different
languages. Kisitors to /w.org can easily find information in about %66 languages, more than any other Web
site.
M)E5 G,,2 U+5 ,B I0H -he redesigned /w.org Web site is not /ust for the purpose of witnessing to
unbelievers. .t has been designed for use by Jehovah1s Witnesses too. .f you have access to the .nternet, we
encourage you to get ac*uainted with /w.org. -he following are some suggestions on how to use it.
KD-)/*)4 ,. ')/5 DL
>For fully formatted te+t, see publication?
T*F I0
4 3nter www./w.org in the address field of the .nternet browser of your computer.
& 3+plore the site by clic!ing the section headings, menu options, and lin!s.
= -ry using /w.org on your .nternetAenabled mobile device. -he page layout ad/usts to fit the smaller screen,
but the information is the same.
!!! E4 2%2 '( > O;* OBB-8-)? <5: S-05CU+5 I0 B,* P5*+,.)? ).2 F)4-?F S0;2F !!!
R5)2 015 L)05+0 M)/)J-.5 O.?-.5H 0ead The "atchto!er and A!ake. online several wee!s before
receiving the printed copies in the congregation. Cisten to audio recordings of a magaDine.#2o to
GublicationsO$agaDines."
R5)2 M)05*-)? T1)0 A''5)*+ O.?F ,. 015 <5: S-05H 9ome material, such as For ;oung Geople," $y
,ible Cessons," For Family 0eview," and ;oung Geople As!," now appears only on our Web site. 2o online
and consider some of this material during your personal and family study.#2o to ,ible -eachingsO)hildren"
or ,ible -eachingsO-eenagers."
G50 015 L)05+0 N5"+H 0ead encouraging reports and e+periences, and watch video clips that highlight
the progress of our wor! around the world. 0eports on disasters and persecution can help us to be specific in
our prayers for the affected brothers. >Jas. ':4(?#2o to :ews."
D, R5+5)*81 U+-./ Online LibraryH .f this feature is available in your language, use a computer or a
mobile device to read the daily te+t online or to do research in some of our recent publications.#2o to
GublicationsOInline Cibrary," or type www.wol./w.org in the address field of your browser.
KD-)/*)4 ,. ')/5 >L
>For fully formatted te+t, see publication?
T*F I0
4 )lic! on the picture or the <ownload" lin!. -he picture displays in a G<F document window. Grint it and
use the printout as an activity for your child.
& )lic! Glay" to watch a video.
!!! E4 2%2 '( & O;* OBB-8-)? <5: S-05CU+5 I0 -. Y,;* M-.-+0*F !!!
D-*580 P5,'?5 0, 015 <5: S-05H 9ome who hesitate to converse with us or accept literature are willing to
investigate Jehovah1s Witnesses by loo!ing at /w.org in the privacy of their home. 9o publiciDe the Web site
at every appropriate opportunity.
A.+"5* M;5+0-,.+H At times a householder, an interested person, or an ac*uaintance will as! a *uestion
about Jehovah1s Witnesses or our beliefs. 9how him the answer on the spot, using a mobile device or a
computer. .t is often best to read the cited scriptures directly from the ,ible. .f you do not have ready access
to the .nternet, e+plain how the person can use /w.org to find the answer himself.#2o to ,ible
-eachingsO,ible Huestions Answered" or About NsOFre*uently As!ed Huestions."
S5.2 ). A*0-8?5 ,* ) P;:?-8)0-,. 0, S,45,.5 Y,; K.,"H Attach a downloaded G<F or an 3GN, to an
eAmail. Ir download an audio version of a publication onto a )<. 3ach time you give someone who is not
baptiDed a complete electronic boo!, brochure, or magaDine, you may count it as a placement. $aterial
should not be sent anonymously or in bul!. :either should it be uploaded to any other .nternet Web site.#
2o to Gublications."
S1," 015 L)05+0 N5"+ A:,;0 J51,7)13+ <-0.5++5+H -his will help ,ible students and others you are
calling on to develop appreciation for the worldwide scope of our wor! and our )hristian unity. >Gs. 4==:4?#
2o to :ews."
KD-)/*)4 ,. ')/5 &L
>For fully formatted te+t, see publication?
T*F I0
4 Nnder Gublications," find the item you wish to download, and clic! the button for the te+t or audio format
you want.
& )lic! the $G= button to display a list of individual articles. )lic! the article title to download it or P to listen
to it online.
= )hoose another language from this list if you want to download a publication in that language.
!!! E4 2%2 '( $ O;* OBB-8-)? <5: S-05CU+5 I0 0, H5?' S,45,.5 <1, S'5)E+ ) D-BB5*5.0 L)./;)/5 !!!
S1," H-4 O;* <5: S-05H <emonstrate how he can use the 9ite Canguage" list to see the Web site in
his language. >.n some languages, only a portion of the site is available.?
S1," H-4 ) <5: P)/5 -. H-+ L)./;)/5H <isplay a page from one of our publications, such as the
/ible Teach boo! or the #no! the Truth tract. )hoose the householder1s language from the 0ead .n" list.
L50 H-4 L-+05. 0, ). A*0-8?5H Find an article for which there is an audio trac! in the person1s language,
and play it for him. .f you are learning another language, improve your s!ill by listening to an audio trac! in
that language as you read.#2o to GublicationsO,oo!s and ,rochures" or GublicationsO$agaDines."
<-0.5++ 0, 015 D5)BH .f you find a deaf person, play a signAlanguage video of a chapter from the ,ible, a
boo!, a brochure, or a tract.#2o to GublicationsO9ign Canguage."
KD-)/*)4 ,. ')/5 $L
>For fully formatted te+t, see publication?
T*F I0
4 )lic! P to play the selected audio trac! >if available in your language? or one of the <ownload Iptions"
buttons to download the publication.
& )hoose another language from the 0ead .n" list to show this page in that language.
= )lic! :e+t" or a lin! in the -able of )ontents" to read another article or chapter.
!!! "=# 0% ''( =-2D L,8)? C;?0;*5+ ).2 C1*-+0-). P*-.8-'?5+CA*5 T15F C,4')0-:?5A !!!
9-3GH3:, a Witness from :orthern 3urope, was assigned as a missionary to an African country. While
strolling through town with a local brother, he was startled when the brother too! hold of his hand.
-he thought of wal!ing down a busy street holding hands with another man was shoc!ing to 9tephen. .n
his culture such a custom has homose+ual connotations. >0omans 4:&8? :evertheless, to the African brother,
holding hands was purely a gesture of friendship. -he re/ection of the hand would signify a re/ection of the
friendship.
Why should clashes of culture concern usB First of all because Jehovah1s people are !een to fulfill their
divine commission to ma!e disciples of people of all the nations." >$atthew &7:45? -o accomplish this tas!,
some have moved to serve where the need for ministers is greater. -o succeed in their new environment,
they must understand and adapt to the distinct cultures they encounter. -hen they will be able to wor! in
harmony with their fellow brothers and sisters, while also being more effective in the public ministry.
Furthermore, in this turbulent world, many people have fled from their troubled homelands for political or
economic reasons and have settled in other countries. 9o we could well find that while preaching to these
new neighbors, we are confronted with new customs. >$atthew &&:=5? Iur initial e+posure to different ways
may result in a sense of confusion about new customs.
A*5)+ C?5)*?F D5B-.52
)ulture is woven into the fabric of human society. What a fruitless e+ercise it would be, therefore, to
become righteous overmuch" and investigate every small custom to decide whether it is compatible with
,ible principlesL#3cclesiastes 8:4(.
In the other hand, there is a need to identify local customs that clearly violate divine principles.
2enerally, though, that is not difficult to do, since 2od1s Word is available for setting things straight."
>& -imothy =:4(? For e+ample, having many wives is customary in some lands, but for true )hristians the
9criptural standard is for a man to have /ust one living wife.#2enesis &:&% 4 -imothy =:&.
Ci!ewise, certain funeral customs designed to !eep away evil spirits, or based on a belief in an immortal
soul, would be unacceptable for a true )hristian. 9ome people offer incense or prayers to the departed in
order to repel wic!ed spirits. Ithers have wa!es or even a second burial with the ob/ective of helping the
deceased to prepare for life @in the ne+t world.1 -he ,ible teaches, however, that when a person dies, he is
conscious of nothing at all," and thus he cannot do good or harm to anyone.#3cclesiastes 5:' Gsalm
4%(:%.
If course, there are many customs that are compatible with 2od1s Word. How refreshing when we come
into contact with cultures where the spirit of hospitality still thrives, where custom demands that even a
stranger be given a warm greeting and that, when necessary, the home be opened up to himL When you
e+perience such treatment firsthand, are you not moved to follow this e+ampleB .f you are, it will certainly
improve your )hristian personality.#Hebrews 4=:4, &.
Who of us li!es to be !ept waitingB .n some lands this rarely happens because punctuality is considered
important. -he ,ible tells us that Jehovah is a 2od of order. >4 )orinthians 4%:==? )onse*uently, he has set
a day and hour" to end wic!edness, and he assures us that this event will not be late." >$atthew &%:=(
Haba!!u! &:=? )ultures that promote reasonable punctuality help us to be orderly and to show proper
respect for other people and their time, which is certainly in line with 9criptural principles.#4 )orinthians
4%:%6 Ghilippians &:%.
<1)0 A:,;0 I..,8;,;+ C;+0,4+A
While some customs are clearly compatible with the )hristian way of living, others are not. ,ut what
about those customs that cannot be defined as good or badB $any customs are innocuous, or harmless, and
our attitude toward them can demonstrate our spiritual balance.
For e+ample, there are many forms of greetings#a handsha!e, a bow, a !iss, or even an embrace.
Ci!ewise, there is a huge variety of customs governing table manners. .n some lands people eat from a
communal plate or dish. ,urping is an acceptable#even desirable#e+pression of appreciation in certain
countries, whereas in others it is unacceptable and would be classed as the height of bad manners.
0ather than deciding which of these neutral customs you personally li!e or disli!e, concentrate on
adopting the right attitude toward them. -he timeless counsel from the ,ible recommends that we do @nothing
out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind, we consider that others are superior to
us.1 >Ghilippians &:=? 9imilarly, 3leanor ,oy!in, in her boo! This "ay, 0lease1A /ook of 2anners, says: A
!ind heart is the first thing you need."
-his humble approach will prevent us from disparaging the customs of others. We will feel motivated to
reach out and learn how other people live, share their customs and taste their foods rather than hold bac! or
view with suspicion everything that seems different. ,y !eeping an open mind and being willing to try new
ways, we pay a compliment to our host or our foreign neighbors. We also benefit ourselves as we widen
out" our hearts and our horiDons.#& )orinthians (:4=.
IB 015 C;+0,4 H-.25*+ S'-*-0;)? P*,/*5++
What if we encounter customs that are not unscriptural in themselves, yet they are not conducive to
spiritual progressB .n some lands, for e+ample, people may be very inclined to procrastinate. -his easygoing
approach to life can reduce stress, but it will li!ely ma!e it more difficult for us to accomplish our ministry
@fully.1#& -imothy %:'.
How can we encourage others to avoid putting important things off until tomorrow"B 0emember that a
!ind heart is the first thing you need." $otivated by love, we can set the e+ample and then !indly e+plain the
benefits of not leaving until tomorrow what should be done today. >3cclesiastes 44:%? At the same time, we
must be careful not to sacrifice mutual trust and confidence in the interest of productivity. .f our suggestions
are not immediately accepted by others, we should not lord it over them or ta!e out our frustration on them.
Cove must always ta!e precedence over efficiency.#4 Geter %:7 ':=.
T)E-./ I.0, A88,;.0 L,8)? T)+05
We need to be sure that any suggestion we ma!e is a valid one and not /ust an effort to impose our own
personal tastes. 9tyles of clothing, for e+ample, vary greatly. .n many regions it is proper for a man preaching
the good news to wear a nec!tie, but in some tropical countries, it may be viewed as e+cessively formal.
-a!ing into account local taste as to what is proper dress for a professional person who deals with the public
will often be a helpful guide. 9oundness of mind" is vital when we deal with the sensitive issue of clothing.#
4 -imothy &:5, 46.
What if a custom does not please usB 9hould it automatically be re/ectedB :ot necessarily. -he custom of
males holding hands, mentioned earlier, was perfectly acceptable in that particular African community. When
the missionary noticed that other men were wal!ing around holding hands, he felt more at ease.
-he apostle Gaul, during his e+tensive missionary /ourneys, visited congregations whose members came
from diverse bac!grounds. <oubtless, clashes of culture were fre*uent. -hus, Gaul adapted to whatever
customs he could while firmly adhering to ,ible principles. . have become all things to people of all sorts," he
said, that . might by all means save some."#4 )orinthians 5:&&, &= Acts 4(:=.
A few pertinent *uestions may help us decide how we should react to new customs. ,y our adopting a
certain custom#or refusing to do so#what impression are we giving observersB Will they be attracted to the
Jingdom message because they can see that we are trying to integrate into their cultureB In the other hand,
if we do adopt a local custom, could @our ministry be found fault withB1#& )orinthians (:=.
.f we desire to become all things to people of all sorts," we may have to alter some deeply ingrained
views as to what is proper and what is not. Iften the right" and the wrong" way to do something depends
merely on where we are living. -hus, in one country handAholding among men is a demonstration of
friendship, while in many others it would surely detract from the Jingdom message.
-here are other customs, however, that are acceptable in various regions and that may even be proper
for )hristians yet we must e+ercise caution.
B5")*5 ,B C*,++-./ 015 L-.5N
Jesus )hrist said that although his disciples could not be ta!en out of the world, they had to remain no
part of the world." >John 48:4', 4(? 9ometimes, though, it is no easy tas! to identify the line between what is
an integral part of 9atan1s world and what is merely culture. $usic and dancing, for e+ample, permeate
almost every culture, although in some lands they assume greater importance.
We may easily ma!e a /udgment#based more on our bac!ground than on sound 9criptural reasons.
Ale+, a 2erman brother, received an assignment to 9pain. .n his former environment, dancing was not very
popular, but in 9pain it is part of the culture. When he first saw a brother and a sister performing a lively local
dance, he was confused. Was this dancing wrong or perhaps worldlyB Would he be lowering his standards if
he went along with this customB Ale+ learned that although the music and the dancing were different, there
was no reason to assume that his 9panish brothers and sisters were lowering )hristian standards. His
confusion was due to a difference in cultures.
However, 3milio, a brother who en/oys traditional 9panish dancing, recogniDes that there is a danger. .
notice that many forms of dancing re*uire the couple to have very close contact," he e+plains. As a single
person, . realiDe that this can affect the feelings of at least one of the partners. 9ometimes, dancing can be
used as an e+cuse to show affection for someone you feel attracted to. $a!ing sure that the music is
wholesome and that physical contact is !ept to a minimum can serve as a protection. :evertheless, . must
admit that when a group of young single brothers and sisters go out dancing together, it is very difficult to
maintain a theocratic atmosphere."
)ertainly, we would not want to use our culture as an e+cuse for indulging in worldly behavior. 9inging
and dancing had a place in .sraelite culture, and when the .sraelites were liberated from 3gypt at the 0ed
9ea, their celebration included both song and dance. >3+odus 4':4, &6? However, their particular form of
music and dancing differed from that of the pagan world around them.
9ad to say, while waiting for $oses to return from $ount 9inai, the .sraelites got impatient, made a
golden calf, and after eating and drin!ing got up to have a good time." >3+odus =&:4A(? When $oses and
Joshua heard the sound of their singing, it immediately disturbed them. >3+odus =&:48, 47? -he .sraelites
had crossed that line," and their form of singing and dancing now reflected the pagan world around them.
9imilarly today, music and dancing may be generally acceptable in our locality and may not offend the
conscience of others. ,ut if the lights are turned low, flashing lights are added, or music with a different
rhythm is played, what was formerly acceptable may now reflect the spirit of the world. .t is /ust our culture,"
we could argue. Aaron used a similar e+cuse when he ac*uiesced to pagan forms of entertainment and
worship, erroneously describing them as a festival to Jehovah." -his lame e+cuse was invalid. Why, their
conduct was even viewed as a disgrace among their opposers."#3+odus =&:', &'.
C;?0;*5 H)+ I0+ P?)85
3+otic customs may at first shoc! us, but not all of them are necessarily unacceptable. With our
perceptive powers trained," we can determine which customs are compatible with )hristian principles and
which are not. >Hebrews ':4%? When we manifest a !ind heart full of love for our fellowman, we will react
appropriately when faced with innocuous customs.
As we preach the Jingdom good news to people in our local area or further afield, a balanced approach
to the !aleidoscope of cultures will enable us to become @all things to all men.1 And doubtless we will find that
as we welcome the variety of cultures, it will contribute to our having a rich, colorful, and fascinating life.
KP-80;*5 ,. ')/5 20L
)hristian greetings can be e+pressed properly in many ways
KP-80;*5 ,. ')/5 2DL
A balanced view of diverse cultures can lead to a rich, colorful life
DAY 2
!!! "=D 0%& ''( 2-$ F-.2-./ 015 K5F 0, B*,015*?F ABB580-,. !!!
9upply to your . . . godly devotion brotherly affection."#& G3-30 4:'A8.
I:)3 a physician who was not one of Jehovah1s Witnesses attended his daughter1s graduation from the
Watch -ower ,ible 9chool of 2ilead, where she had received missionary training. He was so impressed with
the happy throng that he opined that there must be very little sic!ness among these people. What made that
throng so happyB For that matter, what ma!es all gatherings of Jehovah1s people, in congregations, at circuit
assemblies, and at district conventions, happy occasionsB .s it not the brotherly affection they display toward
one anotherB Without a doubt, brotherly affection is one reason why it has been said that no other religious
group gets as much en/oyment, happiness, and satisfaction out of religion as do Jehovah1s Witnesses.
&
We should e+pect to see such brotherly affection in view of the apostle Geter1s words at 4 Geter 4:&&:
:ow that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth with unhypocritical brotherly affection
as the result, love one another intensely from the heart." Ine of the basic elements of the 2ree! word here
rendered brotherly affection" is philia >affection?. .ts meaning is closely related to the meaning of agape,
the word usually translated love." >4 John %:7? While brotherly affection and love are often used
interchangeably, they have specific characteristics. We should not confuse them with each other, as so many
translators of the ,ible do. >.n this article and in the one that follows, we will treat each of these words.?
=
0egarding the difference between these two 2ree! words, one scholar noted that phiQliRa is definitely a
word of warmth and closeness and affection." In the other hand, agape has more to do with the mind. -hus
while we are told to love >agape? our enemies, we do not have affection for them. Why notB ,ecause bad
associations spoil useful habits." >4 )orinthians 4':==? Further indicating that there is a difference are the
words of the apostle Geter: 9upply to your . . . brotherly affection love."#& Geter 4:'A8 compare John
&4:4'A48.
EG)4'?5+ ,B V5*F S'58-)? B*,015*?F ABB580-,.
%
2od1s Word gives us a number of fine e+amples of very special brotherly affection. -his special affection
is not the result of some whim but is based on appreciation of outstanding *ualities. <oubtless the bestA
!nown e+ample is that of the affection Jesus )hrist had for the apostle John. Without *uestion, Jesus had
brotherly affection for all his faithful apostles, and that for good reason. >Cu!e &&:&7? Ine way he showed
this was by washing their feet, thereby giving them a lesson in humility. >John 4=:=A4(? ,ut Jesus had a
special affection for John, which John repeatedly mentions. >John 4=:&= 45:&( &6:&? 3ven as Jesus had
reason to display affection for his disciples and his apostles, John most li!ely gave Jesus reason to have
special affection for him because of his deeper appreciation for Jesus. We can see this from John1s writings,
both his 2ospel and his inspired letters. How often he mentions love in those writingsL John1s greater
appreciation for Jesus1 spiritual *ualities is seen in what he wrote in John chapters 4 and 4= to 48, as well as
by the repeated references he ma!es to Jesus1 prehuman e+istence.#John 4:4A= =:4= (:=7, %&, '7 48:'
47:=8.
'
9imilarly, we would not want to overloo! the very special brotherly affection that the apostle Gaul and his
)hristian companion -imothy had for each other, which was, certainly, based on appreciating each other1s
*ualities. Gaul1s writings contain fine comments about -imothy, such as: . have no one else of a disposition
li!e his who will genuinely care for the things pertaining to you. . . . ;ou !now the proof he gave of himself,
that li!e a child with a father he slaved with me in furtherance of the good news." >Ghilippians &:&6A&&? $any
are the personal references in his letters to -imothy that reveal Gaul1s warm affection for -imothy. For
e+ample, note 4 -imothy (:&6: I -imothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you." >9ee also 4 -imothy %:4&A
4( ':&= & -imothy 4:' =:4%, 4'.? .n particular does a comparison of Gaul1s letters to -imothy with his letter
to -itus underscore Gaul1s special affection for this young man. -imothy must have felt the same way about
their friendship, as can be noted from Gaul1s words at & -imothy 4:=, %: . never leave off remembering you in
my supplications, . . . longing to see you, as . remember your tears, that . may get filled with /oy."
(
-he Hebrew 9criptures also provide fine e+amples, such as that of <avid and Jonathan. We read that
after <avid !illed 2oliath, Jonathan1s very soul became bound up with the soul of <avid, and Jonathan
began to love him as his own soul." >4 9amuel 47:4? Appreciation for <avid1s e+ample of Deal for Jehovah1s
name and his fearlessness in going forth to meet the giant 2oliath no doubt caused Jonathan to have special
affection for <avid.
8
Jonathan had such affection for <avid that he ris!ed his own life in defending <avid from Jing 9aul. At
no time did Jonathan resent <avid1s being chosen by Jehovah to be the ne+t !ing of .srael. >4 9amuel &=:48?
<avid had e*ually deep affection for Jonathan, which is evident from what he said when mourning
Jonathan1s death: . am distressed over you, my brother Jonathan, very pleasant you were to me. $ore
wonderful was your love to me than the love from women." -ruly, !een appreciation mar!ed their
relationship.#& 9amuel 4:&(.
7
We also have a fine e+ample in the Hebrew 9criptures of special affection on the part of two women,
:aomi and her widowed daughterAinAlaw 0uth. 0ecall 0uth1s words to :aomi: <o not plead with me to
abandon you, to turn bac! from accompanying you for where you go . shall go, and where you spend the
night . shall spend the night. ;our people will be my people, and your 2od my 2od." >0uth 4:4(? $ust we not
conclude that :aomi, by her conduct and her spea!ing of Jehovah, helped to evo!e this appreciative
response on the part of 0uthB#)ompare Cu!e (:%6.
T15 A',+0?5 P);?3+ EG)4'?5
5
As we have seen, the apostle Gaul had very special brotherly affection for -imothy. ,ut he also set a
marvelous e+ample of e+pressing warm brotherly affection for his brothers in general. He told the elders from
3phesus that for three years, night and day, EheF did not *uit admonishing each one with tears." Warm
brotherly affectionB :o *uestion about itL And they felt the same way about Gaul. Npon hearing that they
would see him no more, *uite a bit of weeping bro!e out among them all, and they fell upon Gaul1s nec! and
tenderly !issed him." >Acts &6:=4, =8? ,rotherly affection based on appreciationB ;esL His brotherly affection
is also seen from his words at & )orinthians (:44A4=: Iur mouth has been opened to you, )orinthians, our
heart has widened out. ;ou are not cramped for room within us, but you are cramped for room in your own
tender affections. 9o, as a recompense in return#. spea! as to children#you, too, widen out."
46
)learly, many of the )orinthians were lac!ing in appreciative brotherly affection for the apostle Gaul.
-hus, some of them complained: His letters are weighty and forceful, but his presence in person is wea!
and his speech contemptible." >& )orinthians 46:46? -hat is why Gaul referred to their superfine apostles"
and was driven to tell of the trials he had endured, as recorded at & )orinthians 44:', &&A==.
44
Gaul1s warm affection for those he ministered to is especially evident from his words at 4 -hessalonians
&:7: Having a tender affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not only the good news of
2od, but also our own souls, because you became beloved to us." .n fact, he had such affection for these
new brothers that when he could stand it no longer#so eager was he to !now how they were enduring
persecution#he sent -imothy, who gave a good report that greatly refreshed Gaul. >4 -hessalonians =:4, &,
(, 8? Well does 3nsight on the Scriptures observe: A close bond of brotherly affection e+isted between Gaul
and those to whom he ministered."
A''*58-)0-,.CT15 K5F 0, B*,015*?F ABB580-,.
4&
.ndubitably, the !ey to brotherly affection is appreciation. <o not all dedicated servants of Jehovah have
*ualities that we appreciate, that elicit our affection, ma!ing us fond of themB All of us are see!ing first the
Jingdom of 2od and his righteousness. All of us are putting up a valiant fight against our three common foes:
9atan and his demons, the wic!ed world under 9atan1s control, and the inherited selfish tendencies of the
fallen flesh. 9hould we not always ta!e the position that our brothers are doing their best in view of the
circumstancesB 3verybody in the world is either on Jehovah1s side or on 9atan1s side. Iur dedicated
brothers and sisters are on Jehovah1s side, yes, our side, and therefore merit our brotherly affection.
4=
What about appreciating our eldersB 9hould we not have a warm spot in our hearts for them in view of
the way they labor hard in the interests of the congregationB Ci!e all of us, they have to provide for
themselves and their families. -hey also have the same obligations as the rest of us to do personal study,
attend congregation meetings, and share in the field ministry. .n addition, they have the obligation to prepare
program parts for the meetings, give public tal!s, and care for problems that come up in the congregation,
which at times involve hours of /udicial hearings. -ruly, we want to !eep holding men of that sort dear."#
Ghilippians &:&5.
G-7-./ EG'*5++-,. 0, B*,015*?F ABB580-,.
4%
-o please Jehovah, we must e+press the warm feeling of brotherly affection for our fellow believers,
even as Jesus )hrist and Gaul did. We read: .n Ebrotherly affectionF have tender affection for one another."
>0omans 4&:46, #ingdom 3nterlinear? With reference to Ebrotherly affectionF, you do not need us to be writing
you, for you yourselves are taught by 2od to love one another." >4 -hessalonians %:5, 3nt? Cet your Ebrotherly
affectionF continue." >Hebrews 4=:4, 3nt? 9urely our heavenly Father is pleased when we show brotherly
affection for his earthly childrenL
4'
.n apostolic times )hristians were wont to greet one another with a holy !iss" or a !iss of love."
>0omans 4(:4( 4 Geter ':4%? -ruly an e+pression of brotherly affectionL -oday, in most parts of the earth, a
more appropriate e+pression would be a sincerely friendly smile and a firm handsha!e. .n Catin lands, such
as $e+ico, there is the greeting in the form of a hug, truly an e+pression of affection. -his warm affection on
the part of these brothers might help to account for the great increases ta!ing place in their lands.
4(
When we enter the Jingdom Hall, do we go out of our way to e+press brotherly affectionB .t will cause
us to have encouraging words to say, especially to those who seem to be depressed. We are told to spea!
consolingly to the depressed souls." >4 -hessalonians ':4%? -hat certainly is one way in which we can
communicate the warmth of brotherly affection. Another fine way is to e+press appreciation for a fine public
tal!, a program part handled well, the good effort put forth by a student spea!er in the -heocratic $inistry
9chool, and so forth.
48
How about inviting various ones to our homes for a meal or perhaps a snac! after a meeting if it is not
too lateB 9hould we not let Jesus1 counsel at Cu!e 4%:4&A4% governB Ince a former missionary was
appointed as presiding overseer in a congregation where all others were of a different race. He sensed a
lac! of brotherly affection, so he set about to remedy the situation. HowB 9unday after 9unday, he invited a
different family for a meal. ,y the end of a year, all were manifesting warm brotherly affection toward him.
47
When a brother or a sister is sic!, at home or in a hospital, brotherly affection will cause us to let that
one !now we care. Ir how about those living in nursing homesB Why not ma!e a personal visit, ma!e a
phone call, or send a card e+pressing warm sentimentsB
45
When giving such e+pressions of brotherly affection, we can as! ourselves, @.s my brotherly affection
partialB <o such factors as color of s!in, education, or material possessions influence my manifestations of
brotherly affectionB <o . need to widen out in my brotherly affection, as the apostle Gaul urged the )hristians
in )orinth to doB1 ,rotherly affection will cause us to view our brothers positively, appreciating them for their
good points. ,rotherly affection will also help us to re/oice at our brother1s advancement instead of envying it.
&6
,rotherly affection should also ma!e us alert to help our brothers in the ministry. .t should be as one of
our songs >:umber 5&? puts it:
2ive !ind assistance to all the wea!,
9o that with boldness they too can spea!.
:ever neglect those of tender years,
Help them grow strong and get rid of their fears."
&4
9o let us not forget that in e+pressing brotherly affection, the principle that Jesus stated in his 9ermon
on the $ount applies: Gractice giving, and people will give to you. -hey will pour into your laps a fine
measure, pressed down, sha!en together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out,
they will measure out to you in return." >Cu!e (:=7? We benefit ourselves when we show brotherly affection,
e+pressing esteem to those who are servants of Jehovah as we ourselves are. -ruly happy are those who
ta!e delight in manifesting brotherly affectionL
KF,,0.,05+L
9ee the succeeding article: Cove >Agape?#What .t .s :ot and What .t .s."
H," <,;?2 Y,; A.+"5*A
S What 2ree! words deal with our emotions, and how are they distinctiveB
S What is the !ey to brotherly affectionB
S What 9criptural e+amples do we have of special brotherly affectionB
S Why should we have warm affection for our brothers and for the eldersB
KP-80;*5 ,. ')/5 &L
-he apostle Geter urged his brothers to supply brotherly affection to their faith and other )hristian *ualities
!!! E4 =%00 '( > ')*+( -& U+5 C;**5.0 E75.0+ 0, S0-* I.05*5+0 !!!
4
Would you li!e to have a continuous supply of good ideas that will !eep your ministry fresh and stir
people1s interest in the ,ible1s messageB -hen use what is happening on the world scene and in your
community to start conversations. ;ou could draw on current local and national events or international news
items. -hese things are everAchanging. >4 )or. 8:=4? )onsider the following e+amples.
&
Economic problems and the cost of living are real concerns of people. Thus, you might say:
T <id you hear on the news that Emention itemF prices are rising againB" Ir you might comment about
unemployment if a large firm has laid off many wor!ers. <epending on how you want to proceed with the
discussion, you can follow up by as!ing either Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to ma!e a livingB"
or <o you thin! that it will always be hard to ma!e ends meetB"
=
Reports of violence, such as tragedies in families or among school students, provide a basis for
another discussion. You could ask:
T <id you read in the newspaper that Ename tragedy in the communityFB" -hen as! either What do you thin!
is the cause for so much violence in the worldB" or <o you thin! a time will ever come when we can feel
secureB"
%
e!s of devastating floods, earth"uakes, or civil unrest in different parts of the !orld also offers
material that stirs interest. #or e$ample, you might ask:
T .s 2od responsible for Ename natural disasterFB" Ir you could point to the latest outbrea! of civil unrest and
say: .f everybody wants peace, why is it so hard to achieveB"
'
0emain alert to current events that you can use in your introduction. Helpful suggestions are found
under )urrent 3vents," on pages 46A44, in the 4easoning boo!. However, avoid ta!ing sides on political or
social issues. .nstead, direct attention to the 9criptures and 2od1s Jingdom as the only permanent solution
to man!ind1s problems.
!!! E4 =%00 '( > ')*+( -> S1,;?2 I M,75A !!!
4
.n response to Jesus1 command to go . . . ma!e disciples of people of all the nations," many dedicated
servants of Jehovah have moved to serve where the need is greater. >$att. &7:45? -hey are imitating Gaul,
who responded to the call: 9tep over into $acedonia and help us." >Acts 4(:5? How can this be done in a
practical wayB
&
P*,8552 O.5 S05' )0 ) T-45H .s there seldomAwor!ed territory within your congregationB .f so, you
might concentrate your efforts on those areas. ,efore deciding to go elsewhere, consult with your elders to
see if they feel that you are e*uipped to ma!e a move. ;ou might also as! your circuit overseer if he !nows
of a nearby congregation where you could e+pand your ministry. In the other hand, after carefully counting
the cost, you may wish to consider helping in another part of the country or in a different land. .f this is your
desire, you along !ith your body of elders should write to the branch office where you are interested in
serving, outlining your theocratic bac!ground. .t may be wise to visit the area before deciding whether or not
to ma!e a permanent move.
=
B5 C);0-,;+ A:,;0 I44-/*)0-./H An increasing number of our brothers are moving to other lands
because they are see!ing either a better standard of living or relief from oppression. .n the process, some
have fallen prey to unscrupulous individuals who promise to help them get settled in the new land but who
only ta!e their money and then abandon them. .n some cases these individuals even try to force the
immigrants into immoral servitude. When they refuse, they are left at the mercy of the country they have
entered. -hus the situation of the immigrants has become worse than it was in their homeland. -hey may
even need to as! the brothers to house and otherwise assist them, putting a burden on other )hristian
families who are contending with their own problems and difficulties. $embers of some households have
been physically separated from one another, and families have been spiritually wea!ened by such illAadvised
moves.#4 -im. (:7A44.
%
.f you want to ma!e a move for personal advantage, !eep in mind that no matter where you live, there
are problems to be faced. .t is easier to overcome problems where you already !now the language and the
culture, rather than starting anew in unfamiliar surroundings.
!!! E4 &%D '( 2 <1, <,;?2 B5 I.05*5+052 -. T1-+A !!!
The "atchto!er and A!ake. are prepared with the worldwide field in mind. -herefore, the articles deal
with a wide variety of topics. As we read each article in our personal copy, we should consider whom in
particular it may interest, and then ma!e it a point to offer it to that person.
&
<oes the current "atchto!er discuss a ,ible topic that you and a wor!mate previously tal!ed aboutB .s
there an article on family life that would be of help to a relativeB <o you have an ac*uaintance who is
planning a trip to a land that has been featured in A!ake.5 Would one of the magaDines appeal to certain
businesses or local government agencies in your territoryB For e+ample, a magaDine that highlights
challenges facing the elderly may be of particular interest at nursing homes. Caw enforcement agencies may
be interested in a magaDine on the sub/ect of crime.
=
R5+;?0+H After receiving the Ictober &644 A!ake. on How to 0aise 0esponsible )hildren," a couple in
9outh Africa phoned &' schools in their congregation1s territory. -wentyAtwo accepted copies and distributed
them to their students. Another couple in that country had the same idea and placed copies at schools in
their territory. -eachers at one of the schools decided to use the magaDine in their wee!ly orientation and
reading program. -he couple shared their e+perience with a circuit overseer. He then encouraged
congregations in his circuit to approach schools in their territories. -he branch office received so many
re*uests for additional magaDines that this issue had to be reprintedL
%
Iur magaDines discuss the real meaning behind current events and direct attention to the ,ible and
2od1s Jingdom. -hey are the only magaDines on earth that are publishing salvation." >.sa. '&:8? -herefore,
we want to give them wide distribution. A good way to do that is by as!ing yourself, @Who would be interested
in thisB1
!!! E4 &% '( D H," 0, U+5 015 P?5)+5 F,??," U' (S->D) F,*4 !!!
-his form should be filled out when you find an interested person who does not live in your territory or
who spea!s a foreign language. -hough in the past we used it when meeting people who spea! a foreign
language whether they demonstrated interest or not, we now use it only when the person demonstrates
interest. -he only e+ception is if the person is deaf. .f we meet someone who is deaf, regardless of whether
he demonstrates interest, we should fill out an 9A%= form.
What should we do with the form after it is filled outB We should give it to the congregation secretary. .f he
!nows which congregation to send it to, he may simply forward it to the elders of that congregation so that
they can arrange to care for the interest. .f he cannot determine the congregation, he will forward the form to
the branch office.
.f the interested person spea!s a foreign language and lives in your territory, you may continue calling on
him to cultivate the interest until he is contacted by a publisher from the appropriate foreignAlanguage
congregation.#9ee the :ovember &665 6ur #ingdom 2inistry, page %.
!!! E4 $%D '( ')*( D A*5 Y,; <-??-./ 0, A2)'0A !!!
Y,;* P*5+5.0)0-,.H What are the people in your area presently concerned aboutB -he economyB
FamilyB WarB .t is beneficial to be aware of the current problems and circumstances common in our territory
so that we can prepare an appropriate presentation. >4 )or. 5:&6A&=? When householders e+press
themselves, rather than giving a to!en response and continuing with our prepared presentation, how much
better it is to adapt and address their concerns.
!!! E4 =%0= '( ')*( > H," <-?? Y,; A.+"5*A !!!
S1,;?2 <5 A.+"5* E75*F M;5+0-,.A .f you do not !now the answer to a *uestion, do not feel
embarrassed to say: . don1t !now, but . can do research on your *uestion and come bac! with the results of
my research." 9uch modesty and personal interest may move the householder to invite you to return. .f you
discern that a *uestion comes from opposers who may be trying to start an argument, imitate Jesus by
limiting your response. >Cu!e &6:4A7? 9imilarly, if someone with no genuine interest in the truth tries to
engage you in debate, politely discontinue the conversation and use your time searching for those who are
sincere.
!!! E4 =%0$ '( # <-0.5++-./ F*,4 H,;+5 0, H,;+5 !!!
-hose e+perienced in the various ways of spreading the -ruth will agree that the house to house canvass
with $.CC3::.AC <AW: is, in the present time, by far the most effective way of preaching the -ruth." -hat
statement from the July 4, 475=, issue of 7ion)s "atch To!er highlighted the value of the houseAtoAhouse
ministry. Geople earth wide have come to view it as a trademar! of Jehovah1s Witnesses. .s this method still
of value, since it is increasingly difficult to find people at home in some landsB
&
S8*-'0;*)? ).2 I4',*0).0H HouseAtoAhouse witnessing has a 9criptural basis. Jesus instructed 86
disciples to go by twos to the houses of the people. >Cu!e 46:'A8? 9hortly after Jesus1 death, the ,ible says
of his disciples: 3very day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and
declaring the good news." >Acts ':%&? -he apostle Gaul also Dealously taught from house to house.#Acts
&6:&6.
=
Witnessing from house to house continues to be an important method of spreading the good news
today. .t enables us to search out" deserving ones in a systematic and orderly way. >$att. 46:44? Geople are
generally more rela+ed at home. 9pea!ing with them faceAtoAface#hearing their voice, seeing their facial
e+pressions, and observing their surroundings#allows us to discern their interests and concerns. .t usually
gives us the best opportunity to engage in e+tended conversation.
%
M)E5 P5*+,.)? A26;+045.0+H -he apostle Gaul was willing to ma!e personal ad/ustments for the sa!e
of the good news." >4 )or. 5:&=? Gerhaps we can ad/ust our schedule to preach when more people are li!ely
to be at home, such as later in the day, on wee!ends, or on holidays. Jeep a record of notAatAhomes, and try
again on a different day of the wee! or at a different time of the day.
'
3ven those with health limitations may be able to share in preaching from house to house. Gerhaps we
can ma!e it a point to ta!e such ones with us to homes that are easily accessible, allowing them to wor! at a
comfortable pace. Ine sister1s shortness of breath allowed her to call at only one house every half hour. ;et,
how happy and satisfied she felt after being included in the groupL
(
$any sheepli!e ones continue to be found in the doorAtoAdoor wor!. Ine publisher !noc!ed on a door
and was told: )ome in. . !now who you are. . have been praying for 2od to send someone to help me, and
then . heard the !noc! at the door. He heard me and sent you." -he results give evidence that Jehovah is
blessing this method of preaching. >$att. 44:45? ,e determined to ma!e houseAtoAhouse witnessing a regular
feature of your ministry.
!!! E4 9%=> '( ')*+( -$ H,;+5 0, H,;+5 <-01,;0 L50;' !!!
ancient .srael, sacrifices were offered daily. >3+. &5:=7A%&? -he fire of the altar was !ept burning the
ascending smo!e was a restful odor" that pleased Jehovah. >3+. &5:47? -oday, we are urged to offer to 2od
a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which ma!e public declaration to his name." >Heb. 4=:4'? .nstead
of using sacrifices prescribed by the Caw, we worship Jehovah by recounting his praises without letup.#.sa.
%=:&4 Acts ':%&.
&
Jesus )hrist, the greatest Witness ever to wal! this earth, taught us how we must carry on pure worship
by offering sacrifices of praise. He taught his disciples that there was an urgency to the message they
preached. He !new that the most effective way to reach people with the good news was to tal! to them
personally in their homes. >$att. 46:8, 4&? 9o we find that the apostles followed his divinely inspired direction
to preach from house to house.#Acts &6:&6.
=
.t is no different today. As Jesus1 disciples, true )hristians follow his e+ample by preaching the good
news from house to house. -hough we may be criticiDed and persecuted for that, millions have learned the
truth and hundreds of thousands of new disciples are /oining the ran!s of the great crowd each year, giving
evidence that this is Jehovah1s way of accomplishing his will. -hat is why we persevere in our ministry.
%
B5.5B-0+ ,B P*5)81-./ F*,4 H,;+5 0, H,;+5H 2od is not partial . . . -he man that fears him and
wor!s righteousness is acceptable to him." >Acts 46:=%, ='? 2oing directly to each house in our territory
clearly demonstrates impartiality, giving everyone opportunity to hear the Jingdom message regularly. .n turn
receptive ones receive personaliDed assistance according to their individual needs.
'
Almost all publishers, including younger ones, the elderly, and even those who are new, can participate
in the houseAtoAhouse wor!. .n this way each one can ma!e public declaration for salvation." >0om. 46:46?
Garticipation with others in the houseAtoAhouse ministry draws us together in the bonds of love and unity. At
the same time, we are given an opportunity to display our endurance when we encounter indifference or
opposition. -his public display of faith ma!es us a theatrical spectacle," which helps sincere ones to realiDe
that we have an organiDed arrangement for teaching the ,ible and that they can benefit from it. >4 )or. %:5?
3verything clearly shows that Jehovah is blessing the houseAtoAhouse wor! and using it to gather the great
crowd to his house" of pure worship.#.sa. &:&A%.
(
:ow more than at any other time in history, people need to hear the Jingdom message. Cet us !eep on
preaching from house to house without letup until Jehovah says it is enough. >.sa. (:44? <oing so, we will be
rewarded with the /oy that comes from sharing in the important and beneficial houseAtoAhouse ministry in this
time of the end.#4 )or. 4':
!!! E4 2%0= '( 2 D, A?? T1-./+ B,* 015 S)E5 ,B 015 G,,2 N5"+ !!!
-he apostle Gaul felt a personal obligation to declare the good news to others. >4 )or. 5:4(, 45, &=?
9imilarly, our concern for the eternal welfare of people motivates us to go out of our way to share the good
news with them.
&
P*5)81 <15*5 ).2 <15. P5,'?5 C). B5 F,;.2H A good fisherman casts his line or net, not where
and when it is convenient for him, but where and when the fish are most li!ely to be found. We too, as
fishers of men," may need to ma!e some personal ad/ustments in order to find people in our territory and
thereby en/oy more fully the privilege of gathering up fish of every !ind." >$att. %:45 4=:%8? )an we use
early evening hours to contact people at their homes or the early morning hours to do street witnessingB
Gaul1s goal was to bear thorough witness to the good news," and he too! advantage of appropriate
opportunities to do so.#Acts 48:48 &6:&6, &%.
=
A2)'0 Y,;* P*5+5.0)0-,. 0, M550 015 N552H Fishermen fre*uently ad/ust their methods in order to
catch a particular type of fish. How can we present the Jingdom good news in an appealing manner to
people in our territoryB We must tactfully introduce a sub/ect that is of concern to people in general and then
listen carefully to their e+pressions regarding the matter. >Jas. 4:45? We might as! a viewpoint *uestion to
draw them out. >Grov. &6:'? .n this way we will be able to adapt our presentation of the good news in a way
that touches their lives personally. Gaul became all things to people of all sorts." >4 )or. 5:&&? Adaptability is
a !ey to reaching the hearts of people.
%
What a /oy it is to share with people the good news of something better"L >.sa. '&:8? $ay we do all
things for the sa!e of the good news" in order to reach as many as possible.#4 )or. 5:&=.
!!! "=& 9%& ''( 0- ')*+( >-$ T15 D-/.-B-52 R,?5 ,B <,45. A4,./ G,23+ E)*?F S5*7).0+ !!!
After Adam had been in the garden of 3den alone for some time, Jehovah observed: .t is not good for the
man to continue by himself. . am going to ma!e a helper for him, as a complement of him." >2enesis &:47?
3ven though Adam was a perfect man, something else was needed in order to carry out the )reator1s
purpose. -o fill the need, Jehovah created the woman and performed the first marriage.#2enesis &:&4A&%.
'
<o the words helper" and complement" indicate that the woman1s 2odAassigned role was demeaningB
In the contrary. ,ible writers often apply to 2od the Hebrew noun >8e9er? rendered helper." For instance,
Jehovah proves to be our helper and our shield." >Gsalm ==:&6 3+odus 47:% <euteronomy ==:8? At Hosea
4=:5, Jehovah even refers to himself as .srael1s helper." As for the Hebrew word >neghedh? rendered
complement," one ,ible scholar e+plains: -he help loo!ed for is not /ust assistance in his daily wor! or in
the procreation of children . . . but the mutual support companionship provides."
(
-here is thus nothing demeaning in Jehovah1s describing the woman as a helper" and a complement."
-he woman had her own uni*ue mental, emotional, and physical ma!eup. 9he was a suitable counterpart, a
satisfying complement for the man. 3ach was different, yet each was needed to fill the earth" in accord with
the )reator1s purpose. .t was evidently after the creation of both the man and the woman that 2od saw
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<I39 the ,ible e+pression wea!er vessel" degrade womenB -he ,ible verse in *uestion is 4 Geter =:8,
which states: ;ou husbands, continue dwelling in li!e manner with them according to !nowledge, assigning
them honor as to a wea!er vessel, the feminine one, since you are also heirs with them of the undeserved
favor of life, in order for your prayers not to be hindered."
When Geter wrote these words to fellow )hristians, women had very few rights, not only in the ancient
pagan world but also among the apostate Jewish community. Were Geter and the early )hristians
advocating the then prevalent view of womenB
L5++5* V5++5?+A
How would firstAcentury readers of Geter1s words construe the term wea!er vessel"B -he 2ree! word for
vessel >skeuos? was used a number of times in the 2ree! 9criptures and refers to various containers,
implements, utensils, and instruments. .n calling women the wea!er vessel," Geter was not degrading
women, for the e+pression implied that the husband too was a fragile or wea! vessel. Ither ,ible te+ts use
similar imagery in referring to both women and men, such as earthen vessels" >& )orinthians %:8? and
vessels of mercy" >0omans 5:&=?. -rue, Geter portrays women as the wea!er" of the se+es. ,ut 0omans
':( uses wea!" to apply to all humans#male and female. -herefore, the early )hristians would not have
considered the term wea!er vessel" to be derogatory to women.
.f anything, Geter1s words would have been viewed as elevating the status of women. .n Geter1s day
respect for women hardly e+isted. As 2od had long before foreseen, husbands often dominated and abused
their wives physically, se+ually, and emotionally. >2enesis =:4(? -hus, Geter1s counsel to )hristian husbands
implied, in effect: <o not e+ploit the power worldly society has given men.
Cet us ta!e a closer loo! at the term wea!er." Geter in this verse was referring, not to emotional, but to
physical traits. $en are wea! vessels in a comparative sense, women are wea!er vessels. How soB ,one
and muscle structure are such that men are usually endowed with more physical strength. However, there is
no indication that Geter was ma!ing a comparison of moral, spiritual, or mental strength. 0eally, as far as
emotional reactions to events go, women might best be described as different from men, not necessarily
wea!er or stronger. -he ,ible describes the strong moral character, the endurance, and the discernment of
women who followed 2od1s way#such as 9arah, <eborah, 0uth, and 3sther, to name but a few. Humble
men have no difficulty recogniDing that women can be more intelligent than they are.
:onetheless, some believe that a reference to women as wea!er" implies that they are lesser persons.
,ut consider this e+ample. A person has two useful containers. Ine is sturdy, the other less so. .s the
second vessel somehow less valued because it is not as sturdyB Actually, the less sturdy one is usually
treated with more care and honor than the sturdier one. -herefore, is a woman of lesser value because she
has less physical strength than a manB )ertainly notL Geter uses the term wea!er vessel," not to denigrate
women, but to foster respect.
I. L-E5 M)..5* ( ( ( A88,*2-./ 0, K.,"?52/5
Geter e+horted husbands to continue dwelling in li!e manner with them Etheir wivesF according to
!nowledge." .n li!e manner" to whomB .n previous verses Geter was discussing )hrist1s loving care for his
followers, and he instructed husbands to care for their wives in li!e manner." >4 Geter &:&4A&' =:8? )hrist
always placed his disciples1 welfare and interests ahead of his own personal desires and preferences. He
was interested in their spiritual and physical welfare, and he too! their limitations into consideration.
Husbands are to imitate )hrist1s loving e+ample, to behave toward their wives in li!e manner."
A smoothArunning marriage does not happen by chance. ,oth husband and wife must !now how to
contribute to the success of the marriage. Hence, Geter1s advice is for husbands to continue dwelling with
their wives according to !nowledge." Husbands need to study how Jehovah and his 9on, Jesus )hrist, dealt
with women. -hey need to !now how 2od wants them to treat their wives.
.n addition, husbands need to !now their wives well#their feelings, strengths, limitations, li!es, and
disli!es. -hey need to !now how to respect their wives1 intelligence, e+perience, and dignity. -he ,ible says:
Husbands, continue loving your wives, /ust as the )hrist also loved the congregation and delivered up
himself for it. .n this way husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife
loves himself, for no man ever hated his own flesh but he feeds and cherishes it."#3phesians ':&', &7, &5.
A++-/. T154 H,.,*
When Geter referred to women as the wea!er vessel," he also stated that husbands should be assigning
them honor." .n 2ree!, the noun time conveys the sense of honor, esteem, value, preciousness. .n other
words, the assigning of honor is not simply an act of favor but the recognition of what is due them. Gaul
instructed all )hristians, both men and women, as follows: .n brotherly love have tender affection for one
another. .n showing honor to one another ta!e the lead."#0omans 4&:46.
Jehovah 2od certainly does not consider women as mere showpieces. .n .srael, 2od1s laws applied with
e*ual force to both men and women who were guilty of adultery, incest, bestiality, and other crimes.
>Ceviticus 47:(A48, &=, &5 &6:46A4&? Women could e+perience the benefits of the 9abbaths, the laws
governing :aDirites, the festivals, and many other provisions of the Caw. >3+odus &6:46 :umbers (:&
<euteronomy 4&:47 4(:44, 4%? -he mother, as well as the father, was to be honored and obeyed.#Ceviticus
45:= &6:5 <euteronomy ':4( &8:4( Groverbs 4:7.
Kerses 46 to =4 of Groverbs chapter =4 honor a capable wife" because of her faithfulness,
industriousness, and wisdom in caring for her many responsibilities. 9he was duly recogniDed for her share
in handling family business, as well as other financial matters. How different from the attitude of some men
who thin! of women as mere ornamentsL Cater, in the early )hristian congregation, women were empowered
with holy spirit as witnesses of )hrist. >Acts 4:4%, 4' &:=, % compare Joel &:&7, &5.? -hus, some women are
destined to become heavenly /udges of men, women, and even angels. >4 )orinthians (:&, =? -rue, women
were not to teach in congregational assembly nevertheless, there were situations when )hristian women
could pray or prophesy. -hey were assigned to be teachers of younger women, children, and to those
outside the congregation.#$atthew &%:4% 4 )orinthians 44:=A( -itus &:=A' compare Gsalm (7:44.
Another good indicator of what Geter had in mind when he said to assign them honor is found at & Geter
4:48. -here we read that Jehovah honored Jesus by e+pressing his approval of him in the presence of others
by stating: -his is my son, my beloved." 9imilarly, a husband should show by his deeds, both in public and
in private, that he assigns his wife honor.
H5-*+ ,B L-B5
-hroughout history, men have often viewed women as worthy of little honor or respect#as a slave, or as
a mere instrument for gratifying men. -he )hristian concept of assigning honor to women certainly elevates
them to a higher level of respect. /arnes) otes on the e! Testament observes that Geter1s admonition
contains a very important truth in regard to the female se+. Nnder every other system of religion but the
)hristian system, woman has been regarded as in every way inferior to man. )hristianity teaches that . . .
she is entitled to all the hopes and promises which religion imparts. . . . -his single truth would raise the
female se+ everywhere from degradation, and chec! at once half the social evils of the race."
9ince )hrist has ownership of both men and women, there is serious reason for husbands to cherish their
wives as )hrist1s property. .mmediately after referring to women as the wea!er vessel," Geter1s words
continue: 9ince you are also heirs with them of the undeserved favor of life, in order for your prayers not to
be hindered." >4 Geter =:8b? Geter indicated that a husband1s mistreating his wife would in/ure his relationship
with 2od, bloc!ing his prayers.
.n no way is the term wea!er vessel" meant to insult women. While Jehovah set husbands as the head of
the household, he does not subscribe to men mistreating women. .nstead, he directs that the man, with
!nowledge of the woman, should e+tend care and honor to her.
-he ,ible directs both married and single men to assign honor to women, not treating them as lesser
persons. $en and women who earnestly worship 2od and who dignify one another will receive rich blessings
from the hand of 2od.#)ompare 4 )orinthians 8:4(.
KP-80;*5 C*52-0 L-.5 ,. ')/5 =L
2iss :& E& #& O Artist: Alice <. Jellogg 47(&A4566
)ourtesy of Joanne W. ,owie
!!! "99 2%& ''( 2&-2$ S1,;?2 Y,; C,75* Y,;* H5)2 D;*-./ P*)F5*A !!!
As to understanding what the apostle Gaul wrote about head covering and prayer, consider the verse
before: . want you to !now that the head of every man is the )hrist in turn the head of a woman is the man
in turn the head of the )hrist is 2od." >4 )or. 44:=? ;es, Gaul was discussing the divine principle of headship,
and particularly its application in public worship.
As the apostle e+plained, the )reator assigned to the man, whom He created first, headship and authority
over his wife, who was made from the man1s rib. 3n respect to headship, the man was 2od1s image and
glory" for he was not assigned another head on earth. His wife and children, though, do have an earthly head
to whom they are in relative sub/ection.#4 )or. 44:8A46 3ph. ':&&A&% (:4.
-he principle of headship also applies in congregational activities. Gaul wrote that women should respect
and strive to cooperate with the men who are to do the teaching and praying. >4 )or. 4%:==A=' compare
4 -imothy &:44, 4&.? -herefore, in most instances, a woman bac! in the first century ).3. would not preach or
pray in the congregation.
Why, then, did Gaul discuss head coveringB When was such appropriate and when inappropriateB And
how does that apply todayB
Gaul wrote that when praying a woman ought to wear a head covering#be it a hat, scarf or head veil#as
a sign of authority." >4 )or. 44:46? .t was to be an evidence that she recogniDed the principle of headship.
,ut when would she need to cover her headB )onsider these three situations:
.n Gaul1s day Jehovah1s holy spirit gave miraculous gifts to some )hristians, such as the ability to
prophesy or to spea! in tongues. For e+ample, at a meeting in the first century the spirit might have impelled
a )hristian woman to prophesy. >4 )or. 4&:%A44 Acts &4:7, 5? Ir, it might have been that only women were in
attendance at a congregation meeting. With no baptiDed male to ta!e the lead in prayer or in teaching, a
)hristian woman might have to do so. -hen again, a )hristian wife might have an unbelieving husband and
on occasion be e+pected to pray or teach the ,ible in
!!! E4 =%0 '( D M;5+0-,. B,G !!!
<1)0 -.B,*4)0-,. +1,;?2 :5 '*5+5.052 )0 4550-./+ B,* B-5?2 +5*7-85A
-he purpose of a meeting for field service is to help us focus on the activity that follows#the ministry.
-herefore, the conductor should be well prepared and ready to impart something that is encouraging,
specific, and practical. .f the day1s te+t deals directly with the preaching activity, it may be read and discussed
briefly. However, the meeting should concentrate primarily on the wor! at hand, helping all who are going out
in the witness wor! to be better prepared to accomplish the ministry that day.#& -im. %:'.
Applicable points from 6ur #ingdom 2inistry may be discussed to ma!e all aware of the current offer and
how to present it. In $agaDine <ay a presentation from What to 9ay About the $agaDines" can be
demonstrated. For other campaigns, one or two introductions in the 4easoning boo! that are suitable for the
local territory may be highlighted. An aspect of the ministry might be discussed or demonstrated, such as
how to use the ,ible at the door, how to handle a potential conversation stopper, how to offer a ,ible study,
or how to follow up interest.
$eetings for service should not e+ceed 46 to 4' minutes, which includes organiDing groups, assigning
territory, and saying a prayer. When dismissed, all present should !now with whom and where they are going
to wor!, and they should depart for the territory promptly. .n view of the brevity of the meeting, it is important
that all arrive on time. When a meeting for service follows a congregation meeting, such as the "atchto!er
9tudy, it should be shorter. .t is not necessary to discuss the day1s te+t, since a fine 9criptural discussion has
already been en/oyed.
Hualified baptiDed brothers should be assigned in advance to conduct each meeting for service. .f none
are available to ta!e the lead on a particular day, the elders should designate which baptiDed sisters can do
so when the need arises. While remaining seated, the sister may initiate a group discussion of the day1s te+t
or other points relative to the field service, !eeping her remar!s brief. 9he would wear a head covering.
$eetings for field service are e+cellent opportunities for us to be encouraged and e*uipped to share in
the ministry. -he better prepared the conductor is, the more all will benefit.
DAY D
!!! E4 #%#$ ''( -2 ')*( > T15 C-*8;-0 O75*+55*3+ V-+-0CA P*,7-+-,. B,* S'-*-0;)? P*,/*5++ !!!
%
First, we should @brace up our minds for activity.1 >4 Get. 4:4=? -o do this, we need to have the right point
of view of the visit and ma!e specific plans to have an enlarged share in the ministry. )an you au+iliary
pioneer during the month of the circuit overseer1s visitB )ould you ad/ust your daily routine so as to wor! in
the field service during the wee!B )ould you schedule return visits or a ,ible study for a wee!day afternoonB
-he circuit overseer would be pleased to accompany you and even to conduct your study if that is your
desire
!!! E4 $%#= '( D ')*( D G-75 S;'',*0 0, 015 C-*8;-0 O75*+55*3+ V-+-0 !!!
=
0eports received from the traveling overseers indicate that there can be better support for afternoon
return visit and ,ible study activity. )ould you schedule return visits or a ,ible study for an afternoon during
this wee!B -he circuit overseer will gladly accompany you, and if you li!e, he would also be pleased to
conduct your study.
!!! E4 2%=> '( > ')*+( =-D O:6580+ ,B H)0*52 :F A?? 015 N)0-,.+ !!!
5
.n the part of the world where we live, the wor! may be prospering without any noticeable hindrance by
opposers. -his could ma!e us s!eptical about there being any cause for serious concern. :evertheless,
there is a need to be vigilant. )ircumstances can change *uic!ly. Without warning, opposers can e+ploit
some issue and use it against us. Apostates are constantly searching for some cause for complaint. .rate
clergymen who feel threatened by our wor! may publicly denounce us. Iur plans to construct a Jingdom
Hall in our community may spar! a controversy that upsets the whole neighborhood. .nflammatory
statements may appear in print, casting us in a bad light. Grominent local figures may purposely
misrepresent us, causing our neighbors to be hostile when we call. 3ven loved ones in our own household
may become resentful and persecute us. 9o there is a need to be on guard, realiDing that the enmity of the
world is very much alive, and it can surface at any time.
46
H," S1,;?2 T1-+ ABB580 U+A All of this rightly affects our thin!ing and our outloo! for the future. .n
what wayB 9hould this ma!e us apprehensive, fearful about what we may have to endureB 9hould we slow
down in our preaching wor! because some in our community may be disturbed by itB .s there a valid reason
to feel agitated when we are un/ustly malignedB .s it inevitable that harsh treatment will rob us of our /oy in
serving JehovahB .s there any uncertainty about the outcomeB :o, neverL Why notB
44
We must never lose sight of the fact that the message we proclaim originates, not with us, but with
Jehovah. >Jer. 4:5? We are under obligation to heed the e+hortation: )all upon his name. $a!e !nown
among the peoples his dealings . . . in all the earth." >.sa. 4&:%, '? He has tolerated the mistreatment of his
people for a specific purpose, namely, @to have his name declared in all the earth.1 >3+. 5:4(? We are doing a
wor! decreed by Jehovah, and he is the one who gives us the courage to spea! out with boldness. >Acts
%:&5A=4? -his is the most important, beneficial, and urgent wor! that can be done in these final days of the
old system.
4&
-his !nowledge gives us the courage to ta!e a firm stand in direct opposition to 9atan and this world.
>4 Get. ':7, 5? Jnowing that Jehovah is with us ma!es us courageous and strong," dispelling any cause for
fear before our persecutors. ><eut. =4:( Heb. 4=:(? While we will always try to be tactful, reasonable, and
discreet when threatened by opposers, we will ma!e it clear that we are determined to obey 2od as ruler
rather than men" when our worship is challenged. >Acts ':&5? When there is reasonable opportunity to spea!
out in our defense, we will do so. >4 Get. =:4'? However, we will not waste our time disputing with hardened
opponents who are only interested in discrediting us. 0ather than become incensed or try to retaliate when
they malign or falsely accuse us, we simply let them be."#$att. 4':4%.
!!! "#& %& ''( 2-& C). Y,; P*5')*5 N," B,* P5*+58;0-,.A !!!
.t is difficult to ma!e physical preparations for persecution because you do not !now /ust what the
situation will be. Nntil it actually happens, you do not !now whether a ban will be strictly or loosely enforced,
or even what will be banned. Gerhaps only the houseAtoAhouse preaching wor! will be forbidden, or maybe
religious meetings. 9ometimes the legal organiDation of Jehovah1s Witnesses is dissolved, or certain
individuals are immediately imprisoned. We can have in mind various places where literature could be
hidden in case of need. ,ut beyond that, there is little we can do in the way of physical preparation.
8
However, you can prepare your mind and heart, and this is far more important. 9et your mind on why
persecution is permitted and why you may be haled before rulers. For a witness," said Jesus. >$atthew
46:4(A45? .f your heart is fully prepared to stay faithful no matter what, Jehovah can reveal the wise way to
act when the need arises. Hence, how can we prepare ourselves spiritually for persecutionB
%o! &o You &eal 'ith (eople)
7
-he apostle Gaul said: . ta!e pleasure in wea!nesses, in insults, in cases of need, in persecutions and
difficulties, for )hrist." >& )orinthians 4&:46? <id Gaul en/oy being insultedB If course not. ,ut persecution
often involves being insulted, and if this was what it too! to bring praise to 2od1s name, then Gaul was happy
to endure it.
5
We, too, can be sure that at some time we will have to endure insults . . . for )hrist." We may be
verbally, or even physically, abused. Will we endureB Well, how do we view ourselves nowB <o we ta!e
ourselves very seriously and react *uic!ly to real or imagined insultsB .f so, then why not wor! on developing
longAsuffering, . . . mildness, selfAcontrol"B >2alatians ':&&, &=? -his will be e+cellent training for )hristian
living now, and it could save your life in times of persecution.
%o! &o You *ie! #ield +ervice)
46
Iften, the first thing restricted under a ban is the public preaching of the good news." ;et preaching
and disciple ma!ing are vital in these last days. How else will people learn about 2od1s JingdomB Hence,
the proper reaction to such a ban is the one e+pressed by the apostles, when the Jewish religious leaders
tried to ban their preaching activity. >Acts ':&7, &5? Nnder ban, some avenues of preaching may be closed.
,ut, somehow, the wor! has to be done. Would you have the strength to continue preaching under the
pressure of persecutionB
44
Well, how do you view the preaching wor! nowB <o you permit small obstacles to interfere and ma!e
you irregular in the field serviceB .f so, what would you do under a banB <o you fear men nowB Are you
willing to preach from house to house on your own streetB Are you afraid to wor! aloneB .n some lands, two
people wor!ing together often draw too much attention. 9o, where it is safe to do so, why not wor! alone now
from time to timeB .t will be good training.
4&
<o you share in magaDine street wor!B <o you have the courage and initiative to create opportunities
for informal witnessingB <o you wor! business territoriesB Are you afraid to approach wealthy or influential
peopleB .f you only share in certain !inds of preaching, what will you do if, under ban, that !ind of preaching
is no longer possibleB
4=
<o you recogniDe that you have a wea!ness in some respectB :ow is the time to wor! on it. Cearn to
rely on Jehovah and become more *ualified as a minister. -hen you will be better e*uipped to preach now
and better prepared to persevere in times of persecution.
,re You Reliable)
4%
-hroughout the )hristian 2ree! 9criptures, individuals are mentioned who were towers of strength in
the congregation. For e+ample, Inesiphorus courageously helped Gaul when he was in prison in 0ome.
>& -imothy 4:4(? Ghoebe was recommended because of her hard wor! in the congregation at )enchreae.
>0omans 4(:4, &? 9uch men and women must have been a fine stabiliDing influence when persecution bro!e
out. -hey @stayed awa!e, stood firm in the faith, carried on as men, grew mighty.1#4 )orinthians 4(:4=.
4'
All )hristians, particularly elders, should try to ma!e progress and become li!e the strong early
)hristians. >4 -imothy %:4'? Cearn to !eep confidential matters private and to ma!e decisions based on
9criptural principles. -rain yourself to discern )hristian *ualities in others so that you will !now who will be
reliable under pressure. Wor!, with Jehovah1s strength, to become a pillar in your congregation, a person
who helps others rather than one who always needs help.#2alatians (:'.
%o! &o You -et ,long 'ith (eople)
4(
-he apostle Gaul encouraged us: )lothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion,
!indness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and longAsuffering. )ontinue putting up with one another and forgiving
one another freely." >)olossians =:4&, 4=? .s this easy for youB Ir do other people1s imperfections irritate you
undulyB <o you *uic!ly ta!e offense or get discouragedB .f so, here is another field where preparation can
be made.
48
.n lands where meetings are banned, )hristians regularly come together in small numbers. .n such
circumstances, their shortcomings become even more evident. 9o why not train yourself now to put up with
others1 wea!nesses, /ust as they doubtless are putting up with yoursB <o not be critical of others and thus
greatly discourage them. Also, train yourself and your children to respect other people1s property while
attending )ongregation ,oo! 9tudies. Nnder persecution, such respect will promote peaceful relations.
,re You .n"uisitive)
47
,y nature, some of us are very in*uisitive. We cannot bear not being in the !now." Are you li!e thatB .f
so, consider this: 9ometimes, when the wor! of Jehovah1s Witnesses has been banned, the authorities try to
discover their organiDational arrangements and the names of responsible overseers. .f you were one who
!new these things, you could be sub/ected to physical abuse in an effort to force you to reveal them. And if
you did reveal them, the wor! of your brothers could be seriously affected. Hence, sometimes it is safer to
!now only as much as you need to !now and no more.
45
)an you train for that nowB ;es. For e+ample, if there is a /udicial committee case in the congregation,
individuals should be satisfied with whatever the elders see fit to say and not pry in order to find out any
details. Wives and children of elders should not try to pressure them into revealing confidential matters. .n
every way, we should learn not to @meddle in what does not concern us.1#& -hessalonians =:44.
,re You a /ible +tudent)
&6
-he ,ible is the basis for a )hristian1s spiritual strength. .t gives him answers to his most important
*uestions and grants access to the wisdom of 2od himself. >& -imothy =:4%A4(? All )hristians ac!nowledge
this in principle, but what part does the ,ible really play in your lifeB <o you study it regularly and allow it to
guide you in everything you doB#Gsalm 445:46'.
&4
Iften, access to our ,ible literature is severely restricted when the wor! is banned. 9ometimes, even
,ibles are hard to find. Nnder such circumstances, the holy spirit will remind you of things you have learned
in times past. ,ut it will not remind you of things you have not learnedL -herefore, the more you study now,
the more will be stored in your mind and heart for the holy spirit to bring out in times of need.#$ar! 4=:44.
&o You (ray)
&&
-his is an important *uestion when we thin! of persecution. -he ,ible counsels: Gersevere in prayer."
>0omans 4&:4&? Grayer is direct communication with Jehovah 2od. -hrough it we can as! for the strength to
endure difficulties and ma!e right decisions, as well as build a personal relationship with Jehovah 2od. 3ven
if opposers ta!e away our literature, our ,ibles, and our association with other )hristians, they can never
ta!e away our privilege of prayer. .n the strongest prison, a )hristian can get in touch with 2od. -a!ing full
advantage of the privilege of prayer, then, is a fine way to prepare for whatever the future may hold.
&o You Trust ,uthority)
&=
,uilding up this trust is also important. -he elders in the congregation are a part of 2od1s provision to
protect us. 3lders need to act in a way that deserves trust, and the rest of the congregation needs to learn to
give them their trust. >.saiah =&:4, & Hebrews 4=:8, 48? 3ven more important, we should learn to trust the
faithful and discreet slave."#$atthew &%:%'A%8.
&%
3nemies may spread lies about 2od1s organiDation. >4 -imothy %:4, &? .n one country, some )hristians
were misled to believe that the 2overning ,ody of Jehovah1s Witnesses had forsa!en )hristianity, whereas
they themselves were still remaining faithful to it. A good way to prepare to resist attac!s li!e this is to build a
strong love for your brothers and learn to trust in Jehovah1s arrangement of things.#4 John =:44.
Y,; C). B5 V-80,*-,;+
&'
-he aged apostle John, after suffering persecution, told us: 3verything that has been born from 2od
con*uers the world. And this is the con*uest that has con*uered the world, our faith." >4 John ':%? ;ou
cannot con*uer in your own strength. 9atan and his world are stronger than you are. ,ut they are not
stronger than Jehovah 2od. Hence, if we obey 2od1s commands, praying for his spirit to uphold us and
relying on him completely for strength to endure, then we can come off victorious.#Haba!!u! =:4=, 47
0evelation 4':& 4 )orinthians 4':'8.
&(
.n all lands, there are some )hristians being persecuted, either by opposed marriage mates or in some
other way. .n some lands, all of 2od1s servants are suffering because of the official acts of the local
government. ,ut even if, right now, you personally are not suffering opposition or unusual hardship,
remember that it could happen at any time. Jesus said that persecution of )hristians would be a part of the
sign of the time of the end hence, we should always e+pect it. >$atthew &%:5? 9o why not prepare for it
nowB ,e determined that, whatever may lie ahead, your conduct will always bring praise to your heavenly
Father, Jehovah 2od.#Groverbs &8:44.
!!! "=$ &% '( 0 ')*( D G,2 ).2 C)5+)* !!!
=
9imilarly, the 9tate e+ercises its authority only because 2od as 9overeign 0uler permits it to do so.
>John 45:44? -hus, the e+isting authorities" can be said to stand placed in their relative positions by 2od."
0elative to Jehovah1s supreme sovereign authority, theirs is by far a lesser authority. However, they are
2od1s minister," 2od1s public servants," in that they provide necessary services, maintain law and order,
and punish evildoers. >0omans 4=:4, %, (? 9o )hristians need to understand that /ust because 9atan is the
invisible ruler of this world, or system, they are not sub/ecting themselves to him when they recogniDe their
relative sub/ection to the 9tate. -hey are obeying 2od. .n this year, 455(, the political 9tate is still a part of
the arrangement of 2od," a temporary arrangement that 2od permits to e+ist, and it should be recogniDed
as such by Jehovah1s earthly servants.#0omans 4=:&.
!!! "=$ &% '( 2 ')*( = G,2 ).2 C)5+)* !!!
5
9hortly before his death, Jesus told the special representative of the 0oman emperor in Judea: $y
!ingdom is no part of this world. .f my !ingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that
. should not be delivered up to the Jews. ,ut, as it is, my !ingdom is not from this source." >John 47:=(? Nntil
his Jingdom puts an end to the rule of political governments, )hrist1s disciples follow his e+ample. -hey
render obedience to those established authorities but do not interfere in their political underta!ings. ><aniel
&:%% $atthew %:7A46? Jesus left guidelines for his disciples, stating: Gay bac!, therefore, )aesar1s things to
)aesar, but 2od1s things to 2od." >$atthew &&:&4? 3arlier, in his 9ermon on the $ount, Jesus had said: .f
someone under authority impresses you into service for a mile, go with him two miles." >$atthew ':%4? .n the
conte+t of this sermon, Jesus was illustrating the principle of willing submission to legitimate demands,
whether in human relations or in governmental re*uirements that are in harmony with 2od1s law.#Cu!e
(:&8A=4 John 48:4%, 4'.
!!! "=$ &% ''( 2-D ')*( G,2 ).2 C)5+)* !!!
44
.t was in line with this that, a little over &6 years after )hrist1s death, the apostle Gaul told the )hristians
in 0ome: Cet every soul be in sub/ection to the superior authorities." >0omans 4=:4? About ten years later,
shortly before his second imprisonment and his e+ecution in 0ome, Gaul wrote to -itus: )ontinue reminding
them E)retan )hristiansF to be in sub/ection and be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, to be
ready for every good wor!, to spea! in/uriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, e+hibiting
all mildness toward all men."#-itus =:4, &.
!!! "=$ &% '( & ')*( 2 P)F-./ B)8E C)5+)*3+ T1-./+ 0, C)5+)* !!!
&
If course, the first concern of Jehovah1s servants is that they pay bac! 2od1s things to 2od. >Gsalm
44(:4&A4%? .n doing so, however, they do not forget that Jesus said that they must render certain things to
)aesar. -heir ,ibleAtrained consciences re*uire that they consider prayerfully to what e+tent they can pay
bac! what )aesar calls for. >0omans 4=:8? .n modern times, many /urists have recogniDed that governmental
power has limits and that people and governments everywhere are bound by natural law
!!! "=$ &% '( $ ')*( $ P)F-./ B)8E C)5+)*3+ T1-./+ 0, C)5+)* !!!
(
-he apostle Gaul also wrote: . glorify my ministry." >0omans 44:4=? 9urely we should do li!ewise.
Whether we share in the ministry fullAtime or partAtime, we !eep in mind that Jehovah himself assigned us to
our ministry. >& )orinthians &:48? 9ince some may challenge our position, every dedicated, baptiDed
)hristian must be ready to furnish clear and positive proof that he truly is a minister of the good news.
>4 Geter =:4'? His ministry should also be evidenced in his conduct. As a minister of 2od, a )hristian should
advocate and practice clean morals, uphold family unity, be honest, and show respect for law and order.
>0omans 4&:48, 47 4 -hessalonians ':4'? A )hristian1s relationship with 2od and his divinely assigned
ministry are the most important things in his life. He cannot give these up at the behest of )aesar. )learly,
they are to be counted among 2od1s things.
!!! "=$ &% '( 20 ')*( 20 P)F-./ B)8E C)5+)*3+ T1-./+ 0, C)5+)* !!!
&6
While engaged in such research, )hristians would consider a number of ,ible principles. Gaul said that
we must be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, . . . be ready for every good wor! . . . be
reasonable, e+hibiting all mildness toward all men." >-itus =:4, &? At the same time, )hristians would do well
to e+amine the proposed civilian wor!. .f they accept it, will they be able to maintain )hristian neutralityB
>$icah %:=, ' John 48:4(? Would it involve them with some false religionB >0evelation 47:%, &6, &4? Would
performing it prevent or unreasonably limit them from fulfilling their )hristian responsibilitiesB >$atthew
&%:4% Hebrews 46:&%, &'? In the other hand, would they be able to continue to ma!e spiritual progress,
perhaps even sharing in the fullAtime ministry while performing the re*uired serviceB#Hebrews (:44, 4&.
!!! "=$ &% ''( $-9 ')*+( 9-# P)F-./ B)8E C)5+)*3+ T1-./+ 0, C)5+)* !!!
Jehovah1s Witnesses !now that they owe sub/ection to the superior authorities," the governmental rulers.
>0omans 4=:4? Hence, when )aesar, the 9tate, ma!es legitimate demands, their ,ibleAtrained consciences
allow them to satisfy these demands. For e+ample, true )hristians are among the most e+emplary ta+payers
on earth. .n 2ermany the newspaper 2;nchner 2erkur said of Jehovah1s Witnesses: -hey are the most
honest and the most punctual ta+ payers in the Federal 0epublic." .n .taly the newspaper <a Stampa
observed: -hey EJehovah1s WitnessesF are the most loyal citiDens anyone could wish for: they do not dodge
ta+es or see! to evade inconvenient laws for their own profit." Jehovah1s servants do this @on account of their
consciences.1#0omans 4=:', (.
7
Are )aesar1s things" limited to paying ta+esB :o. Gaul listed other things, such as fear and honor. .n his
=ritical and E>egetical ?and@/ook to the :ospel of 2atthe!, 2erman scholar Heinrich $eyer wrote: ,y
E)aesar1s thingsF . . . we are not to understand merely the ci%il ta>, but everything to which )aesar was
entitled in virtue of his legitimate rule." Historian 3. W. ,arnes, in his wor! The 4ise of =hristianity, observed
that a )hristian would pay ta+es if he owed them and li!ewise accept all other 9tate obligations, provided he
was not called upon to render unto )aesar the things that belonged to 2od."
!!! "=$ &% '( 20 ')*( 22 P)F-./ B)8E C)5+)*3+ T1-./+ 0, C)5+)* !!!
&&
As )hristians we will not cease to render to him who calls for honor, such honor." >0omans 4=:8? We
will respect good order and see! to be peaceful, lawAabiding citiDens. >Gsalm =%:4%? We may even pray
concerning !ings and all those who are in high station" when these men are called upon to ma!e decisions
that affect our )hristian life and wor!. As a result of our paying bac! )aesar1s things to )aesar, we hope that
we may go on leading a calm and *uiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness." >4 -imothy &:4, &?
Above all, we will continue to preach the good news of the Jingdom as man!ind1s only hope, conscientiously
paying bac! 2od1s things to 2od.
!!! E4 %0$ '( ')*+( -> S1," P5*+,.)? I.05*5+0CBF A+E-./ M;5+0-,.+ ).2 L-+05.-./ !!!
$ost people en/oy e+pressing their views but disli!e being lectured or interrogated. As )hristian ministers,
therefore, we need to learn the art of drawing people out with *uestions.#Grov. &6:'.
&
Iur *uestions should invite, not intimidate. When preaching from house to house, one brother as!s, <o
you feel that there will ever be a time when people treat one another with dignity and respectB" <epending
on the response, he follows with, What do you thin! it will ta!e to accomplish thisB" or Why do you feel that
wayB" When witnessing informally and in public places, another brother as!s those who have children, What
do you en/oy most about being a parentB" -hen he as!s, What are your greatest concernsB" :otice that
these *uestions allow people to e+press their views without putting them on the spot. 9ince circumstances
vary, we may need to ad/ust the topic and tone of our *uestions to fit those in our territory.
=
D*)"-./ P5,'?5 O;0H .f people are willing to share their thoughts, patiently listen without needlessly
interrupting. >Jas. 4:45? 2raciously ac!nowledge their comments. >)ol. %:(? ;ou might simply say: -hat1s
interesting. -han! you for sharing that with me." )ommend them if you can do so sincerely. Jindly as!
additional *uestions to find out what they thin! and why they feel as they do. 9ee! common ground. When
you want to direct their attention to a scripture, you might say, Have you ever considered this as a
possibilityB" Avoid being dogmatic or argumentative.#& -im. &:&%, &'.
%
How others respond to our *uestions may depend much on how we listen. Geople can tell if we are
listening with our heart. A traveling overseer observed, When you show patient willingness to listen to
people, it has the amaDing power to attract and is a wonderful e+pression of warm personal interest."
Cistening to others accords them honor, and it may move them to listen to the good news that we see! to
share.#0om. 4&:46.
!!! E4 %0 '( B5 ) G,,2 L-+05.5* !!!
B5 ) G,,2 L-+05.5*
4
.t ta!es discipline to listen attentively. .t also re*uires a desire on the part of the listener to learn and
benefit from what is heard. Hence, Jesus stressed the need to pay attention to ho! you listen."#Cu!e 7:47.
&
-his especially applies when we attend congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions. -hese are
occasions when we must listen carefully. >Heb. &:4? Here are some points that will help you to be a good
listener at these )hristian gatherings.
T Appreciate the value of the meetings. -hey are a ma/or way by which we are taught by Jehovah" through
the faithful steward."#.sa. '%:4= Cu!e 4&:%&.
T Grepare in advance. 0eview the material to be discussed, and be sure to bring along your ,ible and
personal copy of the publication being studied.
T <uring the meetings, ma!e a special effort to concentrate. -al!ing to those who are sitting with you as well
as watching what others in the audience do should be avoided. -ry not to be distracted by thin!ing about
what you are going to do after the meeting or about other personal matters.
T AnalyDe what is presented. As! yourself: @How does this apply to meB When am . going to apply itB1
T $a!e brief notes of main points and scripture te+ts. -his helps you to focus your thoughts on what is being
discussed and contributes to your remembering !ey points for later use.
=
T5)81 Y,;* C1-?2*5. 0, L-+05.H )hildren need spiritual instruction. ><eut. =4:4&? .n ancient times all
intelligent enough to listen" among 2od1s people had to be attentive as the Caw was read to them. >:eh. 7:4A
=? .f parents are involved in the meetings and pay close attention, their children are li!ely to do the same. .t is
not wise to bring toys or coloring boo!s to !eep children amused. Nnnecessary trips to the restroom also
interfere with their listening. 9ince foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy," parents should put forth
earnest effort to see that their children sit still and listen at meetings.#Grov. &&:4'.
%
,y being good listeners, we prove that we are truly wise and want to ta!e in more instruction."#Grov.
4:'.
!!! E4 $%=$ '( 9 ')*+( -9 F*-5.2?F C,.75*+)0-,.+ C). R5)81 015 H5)*0 !!!
)onversation can be defined as an oral e+change of ideas." 9tarting friendly conversations on a topic
that concerns others may capture their interest and can aid us in reaching their hearts with the Jingdom
message. 3+perience has shown that it is far more effective to engage people in a friendly and rela+ed
conversation than to give them a sermon.
&
H," 0, S0)*0 ) F*-5.2?F C,.75*+)0-,.H Iur being able to converse with others does not mean that we
have to present some stri!ing lineup of thoughts and scriptures. .t simply involves getting the other party to
tal! with us. For e+ample, when we have a friendly conversation with our ne+tAdoor neighbor, it is not rigid
but rela+ed. We are not thin!ing about our ne+t words but are responding naturally to the ideas he
e+presses. 9howing genuine interest in what he says may encourage him to continue conversing with us.
-he same should be true when witnessing to others.
=
-opics such as crime, the problems of youth, local issues, world conditions, or even the weather can be
used to start friendly conversations. 9ub/ects that directly affect the lives of people are very effective in
arousing their interest. Ince a conversation has been started, we can gently turn it toward the Jingdom
message.
%
Having a rela+ed conversation does not mean that advance preparation is not necessary. .t is. However,
there is no need to formulate a rigid outline or to memoriDe a sermon, which would result in a conversation
that is not fle+ible or adaptable to the circumstances at hand. >)ompare 4 )orinthians 5:&6A&=.? An e+cellent
way of preparing is to select one or two 9criptural themes, with a view to building conversations around
them. 0eviewing sub/ects found in the 4easoning boo! will prove helpful for this.
'
E++5.0-)? M;)?-0-5+ B,* ) F*-5.2?F C,.75*+)0-,.H When we converse with others, we should be warm
and sincere. A smile and a cheerful appearance help to reflect these *ualities. We have the best message in
the world it is most appealing to honesthearted ones. .f they feel that our interest in them is motivated by a
sincere desire to share some good news with them, then they may be moved to listen.#& )or. &:48.
(
3ngaging in conversation ought to be a pleasant e+perience. -herefore, we should be !ind and tactful in
presenting the Jingdom message. >2al. ':&& )ol. %:(? 9trive to leave the other party with a favorable
impression. -his way, even if we are not successful initially in reaching his heart, he may be more receptive
the ne+t time a Witness converses with him.
8
9tarting a friendly conversation is not the result of mastering a comple+ sermon. .t is simply a matter of
arousing interest in a sub/ect that is of concern to a person. Ince we have prepared in advance, we will then
be ready to engage people in friendly conversations. Cet us endeavor to reach the hearts of those whom we
meet by sharing with them the best news to be found, that of everlasting Jingdom blessings.#& Get. =:4=.
!!! E4 #%0 ''( D-$ Y,; C). <-0.5++ I.B,*4)??FN !!!
4
How many in your congregation first came into contact with the truth through informal witnessingB ;ou
might be surprised by the answer. .nformal witnessing involves sharing the good news with people whom we
meet in our daily activities#when traveling, visiting relatives or neighbors, or shopping, as well as at school,
at wor!, and so forth. .n one group of over &66 baptiDed Witnesses, %6 percent were first contacted through
informal witnessingL -herefore, this method of preaching is very effective.
&
3vangeliDers in the first century often witnessed informally. For e+ample, while traveling through
9amaria, Jesus witnessed to a woman who was drawing water at Jacob1s fountain. >John %:(A&(? Ghilip
started a conversation with an 3thiopian court official who was reading from the boo! of .saiah by as!ing:
<o you actually !now what you are readingB" >Acts 7:&(A=7? When imprisoned in Ghilippi, the apostle Gaul
witnessed to a /ailer. >Acts 4(:&=A=%? Cater, while under house arrest, Gaul would !indly receive all those
who came in to him, preaching the !ingdom of 2od to them and teaching the things concerning the Cord
Jesus )hrist." >Acts &7:=6, =4? ;ou too can witness informally, even if you are shy. HowB
=
G500-./ S0)*052H $any of us find it difficult to start conversations with strangers. 3ven with regard to
ac*uaintances, bringing up the truth may seem a bit aw!ward. We will be motivated to spea! up, however, if
we meditate on Jehovah1s goodness, the spiritual treasures he has given his servants, and the dire condition
of people in the world. >Jonah %:44 Gs. %6:' $att. 4=:'&? .n addition, we can as! Jehovah to help us @muster
up boldness.1 >4 -hess. &:&? Ine 2ilead student said: . have often found that prayer helps when it is difficult
for me to tal! to people." .f you are hesitant to spea!, say a brief, silent prayer.#:eh. &:%.
%
As the name suggests, informal witnessing does not re*uire that we begin the conversation with a
formal introduction or a scripture. We may find it helpful to have the goal of simply starting a conversation
without feeling that we must give a witness right away. $any publishers report that accomplishing this step
gives them the confidence they need to introduce the good news eventually. .f the person does not wish to
converse, there is no need to force the issue. Golitely conclude the conversation and move on.
'
While shopping at the mar!et, one shy sister first ma!es eye contact and offers a friendly smile. .f the
person smiles bac!, she ma!es a brief comment. .f the person responds favorably, this gives her the
confidence to converse further. 9he listens carefully and tries to discern which aspect of the good news
would appeal to the person. Nsing this approach, she has placed much literature and even started a ,ible
study.
(
I.-0-)0-./ C,.75*+)0-,.+H What can we say to initiate a conversationB When Jesus conversed with the
woman at the well, he started by simply re*uesting that she give him a drin!. >John %:8? 9o perhaps we can
start a conversation with a friendly greeting or *uestion. As you tal! you may find an opportunity to introduce
a 9criptural thought and perhaps plant a seed of truth. >3ccl. 44:(? 9ome have found success by ma!ing an
intriguing statement that arouses curiosity and prompts an in*uiry. For e+ample, while waiting to see the
doctor, you may spar! a conversation by saying, .1ll be glad when . won1t get sic! anymore."
8
,eing observant will also help us to stri!e up conversations. .f we observe a parent with wellAbehaved
children, we might commend the parent and as!, What has helped you to be a successful parentB" Ine
sister ta!es note of the sub/ects discussed by others at wor! and then shares specific information based on
what her cowor!ers are interested in. When she learned that a woman at her /ob was planning to get
married, she gave her an A!ake. that discussed how to plan a wedding. -his led to further ,ible discussions.
7
Another way to start conversations is by reading our literature where others can see us. Ine brother
opens The "atchto!er or A!ake. to an article with an intriguing title and *uietly begins to read it. .f he
notices someone nearby loo!ing at his magaDine, he as!s a *uestion or ma!es a brief comment on the
article. -his often leads to a conversation and a witness. 9imply leaving one of our publications where it is
visible may arouse the curiosity of wor!mates or classmates and prompt them to in*uire about it.
5
C*5)0-./ O'',*0;.-0-5+H .n view of the urgency of the preaching wor!, we should not view informal
witnessing as something that can be left merely to chance. 0ather, we should see! to create opportunities to
give a witness as we go about our daily activities. -hin! ahead about the people you are li!ely to meet, and
consider how you might start a friendly conversation. Jeep a ,ible handy as well as literature that you can
share with those who show interest.#4 Get. =:4'.
46
,y being resourceful, many publishers have found ways to create opportunities to witness informally. A
sister who lives in a highAsecurity apartment building uses the facility1s recreation area to put together /igsaw
puDDles of beautiful nature scenes. When people stop and comment on the beauty of the scene, she uses
that opportunity to start a conversation and tell them about the ,ible1s promise of a new heaven and a new
earth." >0ev. &4:4A%? )an you thin! of ways that you could create opportunities to witness informallyB
44
F,??,"-./ U' I.05*5+0H .f you find a listening ear, try to follow up the interest. .f appropriate, you might
say to the person: . have thoroughly en/oyed tal!ing with you. Where can . reach you so that we can tal!
againB" 9ome publishers /ust hand their address and phone number to the person and say: . en/oyed our
conversation. .f you would li!e to !now more about what we discussed, here is how you can contact me." .f
you cannot personally follow up the interest, arrange for the appropriate congregation to do so by promptly
submitting a 0lease Aollo! Bp >9A%=? form to your congregation secretary.
4&
-he time we spend doing informal witnessing should be reported. -herefore, be sure to !eep a record
of it, even if it is only a few minutes a day. )onsider this: .f every publisher witnessed informally for five
minutes each day, that would add up to more than 48 million hours each monthL
4=
We have the noblest reasons to witness informally#love for 2od and neighbor. >$att. &&:=8A=5? Hearts
filled with appreciation for Jehovah1s *ualities and purposes impel us to spea! about the glory of the
splendor of his !ingship." >Gs. 4%':8, 46A4&? 2enuine concern for our neighbors moves us to ta!e advantage
of every appropriate opportunity to share the good news while there is still time. >0om. 46:4=, 4%? With a little
forethought and preparation, all of us can witness informally and perhaps e+perience the /oy of introducing
the truth to someone of honest heart.
KB?;*: ,. ')/5 >L
;ou may find it helpful to have the goal of simply meeting people and starting conversations
KB?;*: ,. ')/5 &L
,y being resourceful, many publishers have found ways to create opportunities to witness informally
KB,G ,. ')/5 &L
S;//5+0-,.+ B,* S0)*0-./ C,.75*+)0-,.+
T Gray for help to get started
T )hoose those who seem friendly and unhurried
T 3stablish eye contact, smile, and comment on something of mutual interest
T ,e a good listener
KB,G ,. ')/5 $L
I.B,*4)? <-0.5++-./ G50+ R5+;?0+N
V While at a garage waiting for his car to be repaired, a brother witnessed to those around him and gave
them handbills inviting them to the public tal!. At a convention a year later, a brother he did not recogniDe
greeted him warmly. .t was one of the men to whom he had given a handbill at the garage the year
beforeL -he man had gone to hear the public tal! and had turned in his name for a ,ible study. ,oth he
and his wife had been baptiDed.
V A sister who learned the truth through informal witnessing considers her special territory to be the people
she meets through her three children. Her territory includes neighbors and parents she meets at school
and at meetings for parents. Whenever she introduces herself, she ma!es a simple but heartfelt
statement that the ,ible is a valuable aid to her in rearing her children, and then she moves on to some
other topic. ,ut having bro!en the ice, she finds it much easier to bring the ,ible into subse*uent
discussions. ,y using this method, she has helped 4& persons to baptism.
V When a sister was visited by an insurance salesman, she too! the opportunity to give a witness. 9he as!ed
him if he would li!e to be guaranteed good health, happiness, and everlasting life. He said yes and as!ed
her which insurance policy she was tal!ing about. 9he showed him the ,ible1s promises and offered one
of our publications, which he read in one evening. A ,ible study was arranged. He began attending
meetings and was later baptiDed.
V While traveling by plane, a sister began tal!ing with the woman seated beside her and was able to give a
witness. At the conclusion of the flight, the sister gave the woman her address and phone number and
encouraged the woman to as! for a ,ible study the ne+t time that Jehovah1s Witnesses visited. -he very
ne+t day, two Witnesses called at the woman1s door. -he woman started studying the ,ible, made rapid
progress, got baptiDed, and was soon conducting three ,ible studies of her own.
V A 466AyearAold blind brother who lives in a nursing home often says, We need the Jingdom." -his has led
to *uestions from nurses and patients that enable him to e+plain what the Jingdom is. Ine of the women
who wor!s there as!ed him what he will do in the Garadise. He replied, . will see and wal! again and
burn my wheelchair." 9ince he is blind, he as!s her to read the magaDines to him. When the brother1s
daughter visited, the wor!er as!ed the daughter for permission to ta!e the magaDines home. A nurse told
the daughter, Iur new theme in the nursing home is: @We need the Jingdom.1"
V A sister waiting in line at a restaurant overheard a group of elderly men sitting nearby who were discussing
political issues. Ine man stated that the government cannot solve our problems. -he sister told herself,
@-his is my chance.1 9he said a brief prayer and approached them. After introducing herself, she told them
about a government that will solve man!ind1s problems, 2od1s Jingdom, and offered them a brochure that
she had with her. Just then the manager approached. -he sister thought he was going to as! her to
leave. .nstead, he told her that he had been listening and would li!e a brochure too. An employee who
was also listening approached with tears rolling down her face. 9he was a former ,ible student who
wanted to resume her study.
!!! E4 2%=& ''( D-> L500-./ O;* L-/10 S1-.5 C,.0-.;,;+?F !!!
4
What is lightB -he dictionary defines it as something that ma!es vision possible." ,ut really, despite his
advanced technology, man still does not fully !now the answer to the *uestion Jehovah raised as recorded at
Job =7:&%. )an we get along without lightB Without light we could not e+ist. Cight is essential for physical
sight, and the ,ible tells us that in a spiritual sense, 2od is light." >4 John 4:'? We are totally dependent
upon the Ine who gives us light."#Gs. 447:&8.
&
-his is true in a physical sense but even more so in a spiritual way. False religion has misguided the
masses of people, leaving them in spiritual dar!ness, groping for the wall /ust li!e blind men." >.sa. '5:5, 46?
Grompted by his unsurpassing love and compassion, Jehovah @sends out his light and truth.1 >Gs. %=:=?
Citerally millions of appreciative ones have responded, coming out of dar!ness into his wonderful light."#
4 Get. &:5.
=
Jesus )hrist plays a vital role in bringing this light to the world. He said: . have come as a light into the
world, in order that everyone putting faith in me may not remain in the dar!ness." >John 4&:%(? All his time,
energy, and resources were directed toward ma!ing the light of truth !nown. He traveled the length and
breadth of his homeland, preaching and teaching in virtually every city and village. He endured relentless
persecution from every side, but he remained steadfast in his commission to spread the light of truth.
%
Jesus concentrated on selecting, training, and organiDing disciples, with a specific goal in mind. At
$atthew ':4%A4( we read his instructions to them: ;ou are the light of the world. . . . Cet your light shine
before men, that they may see your fine wor!s and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens." Just li!e
Jesus, they were to be illuminators in the world," disseminating the light of truth far and wide. >Ghil. &:4'?
-hey gladly accepted that responsibility, viewing it as their primary purpose in life. A short time later, Gaul
was able to say that the good news was preached in all creation that is under heaven." >)ol. 4:&=? -he
entire )hristian congregation was united in accomplishing that great wor!.
'
We today should be than!ful that we have come to be among those who have put off the wor!s
belonging to dar!ness." >0om. 4=:4&, 4=? We can show our appreciation by imitating the e+ample set by
Jesus and the faithful )hristians in the past. -he need for others to hear the truth is more urgent and critical
now than at any time in human history. :o other activity can begin to compare with this wor! in its urgency
and farAreaching benefits.
(
H," C). <5 S1-.5 )+ I??;4-.)0,*+A -he primary way to let our light shine is to share in the JingdomA
preaching wor!. 3very congregation has regular, organiDed arrangements for preaching in its assigned
territory. Huge *uantities of literature are made available in great variety and in many languages. 3+tensive
education is provided through the meetings, and assistance in training others personally is offered by those
who are e+perienced. Ipportunities to participate are open to men, women, older ones, and even children.
3very individual in the congregation is invited to participate at whatever level his abilities and circumstances
permit. All the functions of the congregation are focused on preaching, with provisions to help every member
share in some way. 0egular, close association with the congregation is the best way to ensure that our light
!eeps shining.
8
We can shine in ways that may not involve a verbal witness. We can attract the attention of others
simply by our conduct. -hat is what Geter had in mind when he urged: $aintain your conduct fine among the
nations, that . . . they may as a result of your fine wor!s of which they are eyewitnesses glorify 2od." >4 Get.
&:4&? $any /udge a wor! or an organiDation by the conduct of those associated with it. When observers note
people who are morally clean, honest, peaceable, and lawAabiding, they view such people as different and
conclude that they live by standards that are on a much higher level than those followed by the ma/ority. 9o a
husband is letting his light shine when he honors and cherishes his wife in a loving manner the wife does the
same by respecting her husband1s headship. )hildren stand out as different when they obey their parents
and avoid se+ual immorality and the use of drugs. An employee who is conscientious about his wor!, honest,
and considerate of others is highly valued. ,y demonstrating these )hristian *ualities, we are letting our light
shine, recommending our way of life to others.
7
Greaching is tal!ing to others about what we have learned from 2od1s Word. -hat is done from the
public platform or at the doors, but it is by no means limited to such occasions. Iur daily activities put us in
contact with scores of people. How many times a day do you spea! to your ne+tAdoor neighborsB How often
does someone !noc! at your doorB How many different people do you rub shoulders with when you do your
shopping, ride the bus, or wor! at your secular /obB .f you are a young person in school, can you count the
number of individuals you spea! to each dayB -he opportunities to spea! to others are virtually unlimited. All
you need to do is to get a few 9criptural thoughts in mind, !eep a ,ible and some tracts handy, and ta!e the
initiative to spea! up when you get the chance.
5
3ven though informal witnessing is *uite simple, some feel reluctant to try it. -hey may be reticent,
insisting that they are too shy or too nervous to approach strangers. -hey may feel apprehensive about
drawing attention to themselves or getting a harsh response. -hose who are e+perienced in informal
witnessing can tell you that there is rarely any cause for an+iety. Ithers are basically /ust li!e us they have
the same needs, feel the same concerns, and want the same things for themselves and their families. $ost
will respond in a !indly manner to a cheerful smile or a friendly greeting. -o get started, you may have to
@muster up boldness.1 >4 -hess. &:&? Ince you get going, however, you may be surprised and delighted with
the results.
46
<5 A*5 B?5++52 <15. <5 L50 O;* L-/10 S1-.5H Here are some e+amples of refreshing e+periences
resulting from informal witnessing: A ''AyearAold lady was attempting to cross the street. Just as a car was
about to hit her, a sister grabbed her arm and pulled her to safety, saying: Glease ta!e care. We are living in
perilous timesL" 9he then e+plained why the times are so dangerous. -he lady as!ed, Are you one of
Jehovah1s WitnessesB" Having obtained one of our boo!s from her sister, the lady wanted to meet one of
Jehovah1s Witnesses, and this encounter made it possible.
44
A sister started a conversation with a woman in a waiting room at the doctor1s office. -he woman
listened attentively and then said: For some time, Jehovah1s Witnesses have been crossing my path but if
sometime in the future . actually become one of Jehovah1s Witnesses myself, it will be because of what you
/ust told me. Cistening to you is li!e starting to see light in a dar! place."
4&
An act of !indness can be a steppingAstone to helping others learn the truth. While wal!ing home from
field service, two sisters noticed an elderly woman who appeared to be ill as she got off the bus. -hey
stopped and as!ed the lady if she needed help. 9he was so surprised that two complete strangers would
show interest in her that she insisted on !nowing what it was that spar!ed such a !ind gesture. -his opened
the door for a witness. -he lady readily gave her address and warmly invited them to visit her. A study was
started. 9oon the lady began attending meetings and is now sharing the truth with others.
4=
An elderly sister ta!es advantage of earlyAmorning witnessing on the local beach. 9he meets
housemaids, babyAsitters, ban! cler!s, and others who ta!e their morning stroll on the boardwal!. 9he
conducts ,ible studies, sitting on the benches. 9everal people have learned the truth from her and are now
Jehovah1s Witnesses.
4%
At her secular /ob, a sister heard a fellow wor!er tal! about a political party that she believed could
solve the world1s problems. -he sister spo!e up, relating promises about what 2od1s Jingdom will do. -his
discussion at wor! led to a regular ,ible study in the home, and eventually the lady and her husband became
Witnesses.
4'
N575* F,*/50 Y,; A*5 ) <-0.5++N When Jesus described his disciples as the light of the world," he
reasoned that they should be helping others to benefit from the spiritual enlightenment of 2od1s Word. .f we
apply Jesus1 counsel, how will we view our ministryB
4(
When searching for employment, some people choose a partAtime /ob. -hey put limits on how much
time and effort they will put into it because they prefer to use most of their time pursuing activities they find
more rewarding. Are we ta!ing a similar view of our ministryB 3ven though we might feel obligated and even
be willing to set aside some time for the ministry, should our primary interests be elsewhereB
48
0ealiDing that there is no such thing as a partAtime )hristian, we made our dedication, @disowning
ourselves1 and agreeing to follow Jesus continually&' >$att. 4(:&%? Iur desire is to continue being wholeA
souled," ta!ing advantage of every opportunity to let our light shine in order to reach people wherever they
are. >)ol. =:&=, &%? We must resist worldly attitudes, maintain our Deal as in the beginning, and ma!e sure
that our light continues to shine forth brilliantly. 9ome may have allowed their Deal to cool off and their light to
become only a faint glow, hardly visible a short distance away. 9uch a one may need help to recover lost
Deal for the ministry.
47
9ome may tend to hold bac! because our message is unpopular to many. Gaul said that the message
about the )hrist was foolishness to those who are perishing." >4 )or. 4:47? :o matter what others said,
however, he forcefully declared: . am not ashamed of the good news." >0om. 4:4(? Ine who is ashamed
feels inferior or unworthy. How could we possibly feel ashamed when we spea! about the 9upreme
9overeign of the universe and the marvelous provisions he has made for our eternal happinessB .t is
unthin!able that we would feel inferior or unworthy when we spea! these truths to others. .nstead, we should
feel compelled to do our utmost, displaying our conviction that we have nothing to be ashamed of&'#& -im.
&:4'.
45
-he light of truth that is now shining in lands all around the earth warmly offers the hope of everlasting
life in a paradise new world. Cet us show that we have ta!en to heart the admonition to let our light shine
continuouslyL .f we do, we will have cause to re/oice /ust li!e the disciples who every day continued !ithout
letup teaching and declaring the good news about the )hrist, Jesus."#Acts ':%&.
!!! E4 $%=$ '( 9 ')*( $ F*-5.2?F C,.75*+)0-,.+ C). R5)81 015 H5)*0 !!!
(
3ngaging in conversation ought to be a pleasant e+perience. -herefore, we should be !ind and tactful in
presenting the Jingdom message. >2al. ':&& )ol. %:(? 9trive to leave the other party with a favorable
impression. -his way, even if we are not successful initially in reaching his heart, he may be more receptive
the ne+t time a Witness converses with him.
!!! E4 $%0D ''( D-> B5 D-?-/5.0 -. B5)*-./ T1,*,;/1 <-0.5++ !!!
4
Ci!e Jesus and many other faithful servants of old, the apostle Gaul was a Dealous preacher of the good
news, bearing thorough witness" regardless of the setting. 3ven while under house arrest, he would !indly
receive all those who came in to him, preaching the !ingdom of 2od to them and teaching the things
concerning the Cord Jesus )hrist with the greatest freeness of speech."#Acts &7:4(A=4.
&
We too can be diligent in bearing thorough witness" at all times. -hat includes witnessing to people we
meet in our travels to and from the 2ive 2od 2lory" <istrict )onvention and while in the host city.#Acts
&7:&= Gs. 4%':46A4=.
=
I.8-25.0)? ,* I.B,*4)? <-0.5++-./A .s there a differenceB ;es. 9omething that is incidental occurs
merely by chance or without intention, as if it was not planned or is of little importance. -hat certainly does
not describe our ministry. As was true of Gaul, giving 2od glory by our witnessing is important to us, and it
should be our intention to give a witness wherever appropriate in the course of our travels this summer.
However, the manner in which we approach others can rightly be described as informal1that is, rela+ed,
friendly, and unofficial. -his approach can produce good results.
%
P*5')*5 0, G-75 ) <-0.5++H Gaul had to ma!e opportunities to witness while under house arrest in
0ome. From his place of lodging, he too! the initiative to invite the local Jewish leaders to his house. >Acts
&7:48? 3ven though there was a )hristian congregation in 0ome, Gaul learned that the Jewish community in
that city had little firsthand information about the )hristian faith. >Acts &7:&& 0om. 4:8? He did not hold bac!
from bearing thorough witness" about Jesus )hrist and the Jingdom of 2od.
'
-hin! of all the people you may contact in your travels who have only a passing !nowledge of Jehovah1s
Witnesses. -hey may not even !now that we offer free home ,ible studies. ,e alert to opportunities to
witness to those you meet while traveling, ma!ing rest stops, refueling, shopping, staying in hotels, eating in
restaurants, using public transportation, and so on. <etermine in advance what you might say to initiate a
conversation and to give a brief witness. Gerhaps in the days ahead you can practice by witnessing
informally to your neighbors, relatives, wor!mates, and other ac*uaintances.
(
;ou will need a supply of publications to use when witnessing informally. Which onesB ;ou might use
the tract "ould -ou <ike to #no! 2ore About the /ible5 Goint to the first five paragraphs, where various
reasons are given for reading the ,ible. 9how the coupon on the bac! for re*uesting a free home ,ible
study. When you find a responsive person, offer the 4eCuire brochure. .n anticipation of meeting people who
spea! another language, ta!e along the boo!let :ood e!s for All ations& Gage & e+plains how to use it to
give a witness. .f traveling by car, you may be able to ta!e along a few other basic publications for those who
show real interest in the Jingdom message.
8
C,.+-25* Y,;* A''5)*).85 ).2 C,.2;80H We must ma!e sure that our conduct as well as our dress
and grooming will not give others a wrong impression or cause them to @spea! against1 Jehovah1s
organiDation. >Acts &7:&&? -his applies not only while attending the convention but also while traveling and
during leisure time. -he August 4, &66&, "atchto!er, page 47, paragraph 4%, cautioned: Iur appearance
should not be showy, biDarre, provocative, revealing, or faddish. .n addition, we should dress in a manner
that reflects @reverence for 2od.1 -hat gives food for thought, does it notB .t is not simply a matter of dressing
appropriately when attending congregation meetings Eor convention sessionsF and then throwing all caution
to the wind at other times. Iur personal appearance should always reflect a reverent, honorable attitude
because we are )hristians and ministers &% hours a day."#4 -im. &:5, 46.
7
We should dress modestly and with dignity. .f our appearance and conduct always reflect our belief in
2od, we will never feel obligated to hold bac! from witnessing informally because our personal appearance
leaves something to be desired.#4 Get. =:4'.
5
I.B,*4)? <-0.5++-./ I+ F*;-0B;?H <uring the two years that Gaul was under house arrest in 0ome, he
saw good results from his witnessing efforts. Cu!e reported that some began to believe the things said."
>Acts &7:&%? Gaul himself evaluated the effectiveness of his bearing thorough witness" when he wrote: $y
affairs have turned out for the advancement of the good news rather than otherwise, so that my bonds have
become public !nowledge in association with )hrist among all the Graetorian 2uard and all the rest and
most of the brothers in the Cord, feeling confidence by reason of my prison bonds, are showing all the more
courage to spea! the word of 2od fearlessly."#Ghil. 4:4&A4%.
46
Cast summer, after spending the day at the district convention, a couple had a fruitful e+perience
witnessing informally to a waitress who as!ed them about their convention badge cards. -hey told her about
the convention and also about the hope the ,ible holds out for the future of man!ind. -hey gave her the tract
"ould -ou <ike to #no! 2ore About the /ible5 and e+plained the free home ,ible study arrangement. -he
woman said that she wanted someone to visit her, filled in her name and address on the bac! of the tract,
and as!ed the couple to ma!e the arrangements. What success might you en/oy this year by being diligent in
bearing thorough witness"B
44
T1,*,;/1?F A27).85 015 G,,2 N5"+H .magine how happy Gaul was when he heard that fellow
)hristians were imitating his Dealous e+ampleL $ay we do all we can to advance the good news by
witnessing informally about our ,ibleAbased beliefs as we also benefit from this summer1s district convention.
KB,G ,. ')/5 DL
P;:?-8)0-,.+ N55252 B,* I.B,*4)? <-0.5++-./
W "ould -ou <ike to #no! 2ore About the /ible5 >tract?
W "hat Does :od 4eCuire of Bs5 >brochure?
W :ood e!s for All ations >boo!let?
W Ither basic publications
KB,G ,. ')/5 >L
D, N,0 F,*/50 T154N
Forget whomB All the interested ones who attended the $emorial of )hrist1s death or the special tal!. Have
we invited them to attend this year1s district conventionB Ci!ely many of them, if given !indly encouragement,
would attend. As they en/oy the upbuilding association at the convention and the encouraging spiritual
program, they will be drawn closer to Jehovah and to his organiDation. Why not e+tend an invitation and see
what happensB 2ive them all the details they need, including the dates of the convention, directions to the
convention site, the times for the sessions to begin and end, and the preview of the program that is outlined
on the bac! cover of the June 7, &66=, issue of A!ake.
!!! E4 0%2 '( D ')*( 9 U+5 T*)80+ 0, S'*5)2 015 G,,2 N5"+ !!!
8
I.B,*4)? <-0.5++-./H .t is easy to witness informally with tracts. Ine brother puts a few in his poc!et
whenever he leaves home. When he meets someone, such as a store cler!, he simply offers to give him
something to read and hands him a tract. When one couple went to :ew ;or! )ity to do some sightseeing,
they realiDed that they would come in contact with people from various countries. 9o they too! along the
ations boo!let and several tracts in different languages. -hen, when they heard someone spea!ing in a
foreign language who was selling items on the sidewal! or who was sitting near them in the par! or in a
restaurant, they would offer him a tract in his native tongue
!!! E4 2% '( ')*( D <5 A*5 N575* OBB D;0F !!!
=
N,0 0,lternative1 <-0.5++-./H .n the past we sometimes used the word alternative" to refer to
preaching on the street and in par!ing lots, par!s, places of business, and so forth. However, alternative"
could seem to suggest that such efforts are out of the ordinary, unconventional, or optional. -he apostle Gaul
said that he preached publicly" and from house to house. >Acts &6:&6? 9o public" witnessing would be a
more appropriate term than alternative" witnessing. .t is true that the houseAtoAhouse ministry continues to
be our primary and most effective way of reaching people with the Jingdom message. However, firstAcentury
evangeliDers focused on people, not houses. -hey too! advantage of every opportunity to tal! about the truth
#publicly, informally, and from house to house. $ay we have the same mindAset in order to accomplish our
ministry fully.#& -im. %:'.
!!! E4 9%D ''( >-$ N5" I.-0-)0-75+ B,* P;:?-8 <-0.5++-./ !!!
N5" I.-0-)0-75+ B,* P;:?-8 <-0.5++-./
4
FirstAcentury )hristians did more than preach from house to house. -hey also preached publicly. >Acts
&6:&6? For e+ample, they went to the temple, where they !new many people could be found. >Acts ':%&?
When in Athens, the apostle Gaul preached every day to those on hand in the mar!etplace. >Acts 48:48?
-oday, our primary way of spreading the good news continues to be the houseAtoAhouse ministry. However,
we also go to par!ing lots, businesses, par!s, busy thoroughfares, and other places in order to preach to
people wherever they can be found. While every publisher is encouraged to engage in public witnessing
where possible, many will have the opportunity to participate in two e+citing new initiatives for public
witnessing.
&
S'58-)? M50*,',?-0). P;:?-8 <-0.5++-./H As reported in the DE*F -earbook on pages 4( and 48, a
trial initiative for public witnessing began in :ew ;or! )ity in :ovember &644. -ables and carts with attractive
displays and literature in several languages were strategically placed in areas of the city with high pedestrian
traffic. 3ach day thousands of people wal!ed by, including many who live in secured apartment buildings and
persons who are often away from home. -he response was overwhelming. .n /ust one recent month, =,858
magaDines and 8,57( boo!s were placed. $any passersby re*uested a ,ible study. 9ince the emphasis was
on starting ,ible studies, any addresses left by interested ones were immediately forwarded to the
appropriate congregation to follow up on the interest.
=
.n view of the initiative1s success, it is now being e+panded worldwide to other densely populated
metropolitan areas. -he local branch office will identify which cities would benefit. Nsually, these are cities
with transportation hubs or a large concentration of office or apartment buildings that results in high
pedestrian traffic. -hereafter, the branch office will initiate correspondence to the congregations that will
participate and provide additional instructions. 0egular and special pioneers are generally used, although in
some places au+iliary pioneers also have a share in the wor!.
%
H," 015 <-0.5++-./ I+ D,.5H -hose involved in special metropolitan public witnessing usually wait for
someone to come to the table or mobile display. When someone approaches, he is invited to ta!e any
literature that interests him. -he pioneers gladly answer from the 9criptures any *uestions he may have. .f
he ta!es literature, the pioneers do not mention the donation arrangement. ,ut if he in*uires about how our
wor! is funded, they may e+plain that donations can be sent to the address listed in the literature. When
possible, they as!: Would you li!e someone to visit your homeB" or Are you aware that a free ,ible study
comes with that publicationB"
'
9haring in this initiative has been very rewarding. Ine couple wrote: 9tanding at the table and seeing
thousands of people go by each day has impressed upon our hearts the vast wor! that is being done to
reach people all around the world. 9eeing these masses of people and thin!ing about how Jehovah truly
cares for each person has strengthened our resolve to continue putting the preaching wor! at the center of
our lives. We imagine Jehovah scanning the hearts of all those who pass by the table, searching for those
who are worthy. We have rarely felt so close to our angelic cowor!ers."
(
P;:?-8 <-0.5++-./ T1)0 I+ O*/).-J52 L,8)??FH .n addition to special metropolitan public witnessing,
another new initiative is being organiDed by many bodies of elders in their local territory. With this initiative,
publishers use a table or a mobile display at a busy location !ithin the congregation)s territory boundary& -his
is different from special metropolitan public witnessing, which uses participants from many congregations to
preach in the same highAtraffic areas in cities chosen by the branch office.#9ee the bo+ 2ood )ooperation
:eeded."
8
-he elders will consider whether the congregation1s territory has areas of high pedestrian traffic and
determine if it would be practical to organiDe public witnessing. Gossible locations for a table or mobile
display include transportation hubs, public s*uares, par!s, busy streets, shopping malls, college campuses,
airports, and locations of annual events. -here is an advantage in having a table set up in the same location,
on the same days, and at the same times. .t has been found that tables set up at shopping malls are more
effective than those outside a single large store where individuals are usually focused on their reason for
visiting that specific store. 9ome locations, such as busy sidewal!s, may be more conducive to a smaller
mobile literature display. 3lders can download from our Web site special files for ma!ing displays of the
"atchto!er and A!ake. magaDines and the /ible Teach boo!. -hese files have been prepared specifically
for use in this form of public witnessing. -hose who participate will carry out the wor! in much the same way
as those engaged in special metropolitan public witnessing and should follow the direction of the service
overseer closely. .f they obtain an address from an interested person who does not live in their territory, they
should promptly fill out a 0lease Aollo! Bp >9A%=? form and give it to the secretary.
7
P;:?-8 <-0.5++-./ -. Y,;* P5*+,.)? M-.-+0*FH 9ome congregations may not have a location in their
territory that has sufficient pedestrian traffic to /ustify setting up a table or ma!ing use of a mobile literature
display. However, even in those congregations, publishers are encouraged to consider including public
witnessing in their personal ministry. .s there a shopping area, a strip mall, or a busy store in your territoryB .s
there a par! or a place where people gatherB Are there public events that are periodically held in the
territoryB .f so, you may still be able to en/oy public witnessing.
5
.t is Jehovah1s will that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate !nowledge of truth."
>4 -im. &:%? -herefore, we are trying to reach as many people as possible with the Jingdom message before
the end comes. >$att. &%:4%? .n many places it is a challenge to find people at home. ;et, we may be able to
spea! to them when they are away from home in a public setting. Gublic witnessing may be the only way that
some people will get an opportunity to hear the good news. -herefore, may we fully accomplish our ministry
by preaching to people wherever they may be found.#& -im. %:'.
KB,G ,. ')/5 &L
G,,2 C,,'5*)0-,. N55252
.t has been reported that publishers from neighboring congregations sometimes engage in public
witnessing on the same street, in the same par!ing lot, and in front of the same businesses or transportation
hubs. Gublishers from different congregations have left magaDines in the same lobby, waiting room, or
laundromat and have preached to the same businesses. -his has caused businesspeople and neighborhood
residents to feel overwhelmed on occasion, even when publishers are not preaching at the same time.
-herefore, it is generally best to stay within the congregation1s assigned territory when witnessing publicly.
.f publishers wish to witness publicly in a neighboring congregation1s territory, they should tal! to their
service overseer. He can then contact the service overseer of the other congregation to obtain permission
before those in his congregation proceed. Where differentAlanguage congregations are assigned to preach in
the same area, the service overseers should communicate with each other so as to avoid irritating people in
the neighborhood unnecessarily. ,y means of good cooperation, all things can ta!e place decently and by
arrangement."#4 )or. 4%:%6.
KP-80;*5 ,. ')/5 $L
KP-80;*5 ,. ')/5 $L
!!! E4 =%=$ ''( >-& ')*+( >-$ P*5)81 015 G,,2 N5"+ E75*F"15*5 !!!
4%
<-0.5++-./ ,. P;:?-8 T*).+',*0)0-,.H Ine morning a number of pioneers decided to witness to
people who were waiting for the bus near a local college. While they had some pleasant conversations, there
was a problem. ,y the time the discussion got well under way, the bus would come, bringing the
conversation to an abrupt halt. -he pioneers solved the problem by boarding the bus and continuing to
witness to the passengers as they traveled across town. At the end of the line, the pioneers would ma!e the
return bus trip, witnessing as they went. After several trips bac! and forth, they totaled up the results of their
efforts: Iver &66 magaDines were placed and si+ ,ible studies were started. 9ome passengers willingly gave
their address and telephone number so that they could be visited at home. -he ne+t wee!, the pioneers
returned to the bus stop and followed the same method as before. -hey placed 4(% magaDines and started
one more ,ible study. At one stop a passenger boarded the bus and too! the only available seat#ne+t to a
pioneer. He loo!ed at the brother and said with a smile: . !now, you have a "atchto!er for me."
4'
$any publishers give an effective witness while traveling by bus, train, or airplane. How can you start a
conversation with a passenger seated ne+t to youB Ine 4&AyearAold publisher simply began reading a copy
of A!ake. on the bus, hoping to arouse the curiosity of a teenage girl seated ne+t to him. .t wor!ed. -he girl
as!ed him what he was reading, and the youth answered that he was reading about the solution to problems
young people have to face. He added that he had greatly benefited from the article and that it could help her
too. 9he gladly accepted the magaDines. -heir conversation was overheard by two other youths who also
as!ed for copies of the magaDines. At this, the bus driver pulled over to the side of the road and as!ed why
there was so much interest in these magaDines. When he found out, he also accepted copies. If course,
none of this would have been possible if the young publisher had not had an ample supply of magaDines to
share with everyone who showed interestL
4(
<-0.5++-./ -. P)*E+ ).2 P)*E-./ L,0+H Witnessing in par!s and par!ing lots is an e+cellent way to
reach people. Have you tried witnessing in the par!ing area of a shopping centerB Always ta!e a few
moments to observe your surroundings. Coo! for someone who is not in a hurry or who is waiting in a par!ed
car and try to initiate a friendly conversation. .f the conversation continues, bring in the Jingdom message.
-ry wor!ing separately but with another publisher in the vicinity. Avoid carrying a large, bul!y bag or in other
ways attracting attention to your wor!. ,e discreet. .t may be best to spend only a short time in one par!ing
lot and then move to another. .f someone does not wish to converse with you, politely go on your way and
loo! for someone else to approach. Nsing these methods, one brother placed 56 magaDines in one month
while witnessing in par!ing lots.
!!! E4 9%=9 '( <-0.5++ <15*575* T15*5 A*5 P5,'?5 !!!
4
0ecogniDing the role 2od1s spirit played in his ministry, the apostle Gaul stated: 2od !ept ma!ing it
grow." He also ac!nowledged: We are 2od1s fellow wor!ers." >4 )or. =:'A5? -his is a marvelous privilege.
How can we demonstrate publicly that we appreciate being fellow wor!ers with 2odB ,y declaring the good
news to all whom we meet in the houseAtoAhouse wor! and everywhere else.
&
We are commanded to ma!e disciples of people." >$att. &7:45? .f we contact only a few people when
we share in the ministry, we may tire *uic!ly and feel we have accomplished little. In the other hand, we
en/oy our ministry most when we are able to find many people and converse with them. -his can be rather
challenging, since it re*uires some initiative on our part to go wherever the people are so that we can ma!e
contact with them.
=
P*)80-8)? EG)4'?5+H We can witness to people at mar!ets, par!s, rest stops, and transportation
terminals. When you ride public transportation, are you prepared to give a witness along the wayB -wo
Witnesses who were riding in a crowded bus to their meeting for service carried on a conversation about the
picture of Garadise in the #no!ledge boo!, discussing 2od1s promises for the future. As they had hoped
would happen, a young man standing close by listened in and was impressed by what he heard. ,efore
leaving the bus, he accepted a boo! and re*uested that someone visit his home.
%
$any publishers have found /oy in doing informal witnessing. Ine sister went to the local shopping
center on an afternoon and approached people who had finished their shopping but who did not appear to be
in a hurry. 9he placed all the literature she had in her bag. Ine man who was waiting in his car was happy to
receive the magaDines from her. He had attended meetings before, and their conversation re!indled his
interest.
'
.t is a privilege to e+alt Jehovah1s name. ,y demonstrating our Deal for the preaching wor!, we show
that we have not missed the purpose of 2od1s undeserved !indness toward us. ,ecause now is the
especially acceptable time" to help others, let us go wherever there are people and witness to them about
Jehovah1s day of salvation."#& )or. (:4, &.
!!! E4 =%=$ ''( >-& ')*+( $-9 P*5)81 015 G,,2 N5"+ E75*F"15*5 !!!
4(
<-0.5++-./ -. P)*E+ ).2 P)*E-./ L,0+H Witnessing in par!s and par!ing lots is an e+cellent way to
reach people. Have you tried witnessing in the par!ing area of a shopping centerB Always ta!e a few
moments to observe your surroundings. Coo! for someone who is not in a hurry or who is waiting in a par!ed
car and try to initiate a friendly conversation. .f the conversation continues, bring in the Jingdom message.
-ry wor!ing separately but with another publisher in the vicinity. Avoid carrying a large, bul!y bag or in other
ways attracting attention to your wor!. ,e discreet. .t may be best to spend only a short time in one par!ing
lot and then move to another. .f someone does not wish to converse with you, politely go on your way and
loo! for someone else to approach. Nsing these methods, one brother placed 56 magaDines in one month
while witnessing in par!ing lots.
48
9ome people go to a par! to rela+ others go there to play a game or to spend time with their children.
Without unduly interfering with their activities, watch for an opportunity to give a witness. Ine brother began
a conversation with the grounds !eeper of a par! and found that he was concerned about drugs and the
future of his children. A home ,ible study was started and was regularly conducted in the par!.
!!! E4 $% '( 2 S0*550 <-0.5++-./ T1)0 I+ EBB580-75 !!!
S0*550 <-0.5++-./ T1)0 I+ EBB580-75
4
<uring his earthly ministry, Jesus did not hesitate to spea! with people he met on the road and in other
public places. >Cu!e 5:'8A(4 John %:8? He wanted to share his important message with as many people as
possible. -oday, street witnessing is an e+cellent way to help people obtain godly wisdom. >Grov. 4:&6? Iur
success will be enhanced if we ta!e the initiative and use discernment.
&
T)E5 015 I.-0-)0-75H .t is generally better to approach individuals rather than to stand or sit in one place
waiting for passersby to approach you. 9mile, ma!e eye contact, and have a calm, friendly manner. .f you
are wor!ing with other publishers, it is usually best to approach people separately. .nitiative is also needed to
follow up on the interest that you find. .f appropriate, at the end of the conversation, !indly as! how you may
contact the person again. 9ome publishers do street wor! regularly at the same location, enabling them to
spea! to the same people repeatedly and further their interest.
=
U+5 D-+85*.45.0H Nse good /udgment in deciding where to stand on the street and whom to approach.
.t is not necessary to witness to every passerby. ,e observant. .f the person is in a hurry, for e+ample, it may
be best to let him pass. When witnessing in front of a business place, be discreet so as to avoid causing
undue concern to the manager. .t is often better to witness to people as they leave the business rather than
as they enter. Approach people in a way that will not frighten or startle them. Also, be discerning when
offering literature. .f individuals display little interest, you may offer a tract instead of the magaDines.
%
9treet witnessing enables us to scatter many seeds of truth in a short period of time. >3ccl. 44:(? 9ome
people we meet may even be those we are unable to find at home when wor!ing from house to house. Why
not ma!e arrangements to engage in street witnessing, an en/oyable and effective form of field serviceB
!!! E4 2%= '( # ')*+( -$ P*5+5.0-./ 015 G,,2 N5"+CBF S0*550 <-0.5++-./ !!!
4
Groverbs 4:&6 says: -rue wisdom itself !eeps crying aloud in the very street. .n the public s*uares it
!eeps giving forth its voice." -hese words are especially true today as Jehovah1s servants Dealously preach
the good news of the Jingdom wherever they can find people. Ci!e Jesus and preA)hristian prophets, our
genuine love for people moves us to present the truth to everyone, everywhere.#Jer. 44:( $ar! (:'( Cu!e
4=:&&, &(.
&
Although a person1s home is usually the most desirable place to spea! to him about the truth, not many
people are at home when we ma!e houseAtoAhouse calls. When householders are home, often it is the same
person we spo!e to before that answers the door, and other members of the family are not contacted. -hus,
street witnessing should have a definite place in our ministry. ;ou may find that street witnessing is, as one
pioneer e+pressed it, an e+citing, fresh, and atAhome territory."
A <ARM POSITIVE ATTITUDE
=
Why not try doing your street witnessing in the same area on a regular basisB Ine sister who does this
says that she has become ac*uainted with most of the shop!eepers and other people who are fre*uently on
her" street. A good rapport has developed, which has opened the way for many productive ,ible
discussions. An au+iliary pioneer who thoroughly en/oys street witnessing said that he tries to approach
windowAshoppers, people sitting in their cars, people waiting for buses, and even those who have said no on
previous occasions. )ourage and good /udgment are needed so that we are bold and persuasive, yet not
overly persistent.
%
-he !ey to effective street witnessing is to have a warm, cheerful, and sincere approach. 9mile. )atch
the person1s eye if you can, but if not, go ahead and ma!e a friendly approach. Ibserve the circumstances,
and ma!e use of them. Ine sister observes women laden with grocery bags and says, . see you have been
food shopping. .t certainly is e+pensive these days. How about some encouraging food for the mind and
heartB . en/oyed this article . . . ." -o someone with children, she says, . see you have two lovely children.
<id you !now that the ,ible says children are a blessing from 2odB Here, let me show you . . . ."
Approaching a person deep in thought, she says, . see you are thin!ing about something. -he world is so
full of trouble today, don1t you agreeB <o you thin! a time will ever come when . . . B"
'
.f a person is rushing down the street, you may /ust hand him a tract with the comment, Here is some
good news for you to read when you have time." .f people do not seem to be rushed, offer the magaDines,
and e+plain the donation arrangement. .t is good to get the literature into the hands of people whenever
possible.
(
$any publishers who were at first nervous about street witnessing now view it as their favorite form of
preaching. If course, caution must be e+ercised when wor!ing in dangerous areas or at times when it is
unsafe. 3ven in small towns, there are usually busy areas, public transportation centers, or public par!ing
lots where people can be approached with the good news. 9eiDe the opportunity, and with wisdom let your
voice give forth the good news in the streets and public s*uares, to the blessing of the hearers and to the
honor of Jehovah.#Grov. 4:&6.
!!! "0# =%& ''( 2&-2$ M)*E50'?)85 <-0.5++-./ !!!
WH3: in the city of Athens, the apostle Gaul went every day to the mar!etplace to preach the good news
about Jesus. >Acts 48:48? Gaul chose the mar!etplace because that was the center of Athenian life.
Almost &,666 years later, Jehovah1s people still use the mar!etplace to spread the message of 2od1s
Jingdom. WhyB ,ecause many people can be found there. -oday, the mar!etplace may be a shopping
center or a mall. After having obtained permission from the manager or owner, some Witnesses have used a
table or a booth for displaying ,ible literature.
For e+ample, at a shopping mall in :ew Jersey, N.9.A., an attractive display of literature was arranged on
the theme $aintaining Family Kalues#HowB" -he resultB .n one day, 4'= boo!s in si+ languages were
placed.
Ine woman who approached the literature booth listened attentively to the e+planation given by one of
the Witnesses. -he woman agreed that it is important to have 2od in our life and in our family. 9he obtained
the following publications: <earn Arom the :reat Teacher, The Secret of Aamily ?appiness, and Guestions
-oung 0eople Ask1Ans!ers That "ork&
.n the early afternoon, a man passed by the display of literature as he was about to enter the store ne+t to
it. His eyes were drawn to the -oung 0eople Ask boo!. -he sister standing in the booth noticed a curious
loo! on his face. 9he as!ed him, .s there a boo! that interests youB" He nodded and pointed to the -oung
0eople Ask boo!. 9he handed him the boo!, which he was already reaching for. He said that he has three
children. As the conversation continued, he mentioned that he has discussions with them once a wee!. His
two oldest children are teenagers. While scanning the boo!, he said that he could very easily use it as a
guide for some of their family discussions. -he publisher also directed his attention to The Secret of Aamily
?appiness, assuring him that he and his wife would find some very helpful advice on ma!ing family
decisions. -he man was grateful for the suggestion, made a donation, and accepted the offer to have
someone visit them.
How did the Witnesses feel about their day of witnessing in the mallB . personally en/oyed this avenue of
preaching," said one sister. What an e+perience it was for meL" Another sister said: Jehovah says that the
good news will be preached to the most distant part of the earth. -oday, in Garamus, :ew Jersey, this good
news touched people of different languages. .t was wonderful to be a part of this arrangement. 3veryone
who participated in it was happy. :one of us wanted to leave at the end of the day."
)an you e+pand the ways in which you preach the good newsB Iur primary method is that of going from
house to house. >Acts &6:&6? However, would you consider witnessing in the mar!etplace or in the mall
!!! E4 =%=$ '( & ')*+( #-20 P*5)81 015 G,,2 N5"+ E75*F"15*5 !!!
47
I.B,*4)? <-0.5++-./ -. S1,''-./ M)??+H While it is not always possible to preach formally from store
to store in shopping malls because of local restrictions on such activities, some publishers create
opportunities to witness there informally. -hey sit down on a bench and stri!e up a friendly conversation with
others who stop to rest. When interest is shown, they discreetly offer a tract or a magaDine and endeavor to
ma!e arrangements for a return visit. After spending a few minutes witnessing in one section of the mall, they
proceed to another and engage someone else in conversation. If course, care should be ta!en not to attract
undue attention while witnessing informally in this way.
45
When greeting a person, begin the conversation on a friendly note. .f your listener responds, as! a
*uestion, then listen attentively as he e+presses himself. -a!e a personal interest in what he is saying. 9how
that you value his opinion. Where possible, agree with him.
&6
Ine sister had a delightful tal! with an elderly woman by mentioning how high the cost of living has
become. -he woman readily agreed, and a lively conversation resulted. -he sister was able to obtain the
name and address of the woman, and a return visit was made that same wee!
!!! E4 D%2 '( 2 <-0.5++ -. B;+-.5++ T5**-0,*F <-01 C,.B-25.85 !!!
<o you find the thought of witnessing at businesses to be intimidatingB .f so, do not despair, for even
Gaul, who was a bold and fearless minister, had to @muster up boldness1 in order to preach. >4 -hess. &:&?
,elow are some common concerns along with practical suggestions for addressing them.
&
<-?? I.05**;'0-./ 015 <,*E5*+ A..,F T154A .n many businesses, wor!ers serve the public and
e+pect interruptions. -hey will often be polite, since they may view you as a potential customer. ,y dressing
in a dignified manner and being warm and friendly, you will encourage respectful treatment.
=
<-?? I H)75 0, G-75 MF P*5+5.0)0-,. -. F*,.0 ,B M).F C;+0,45*+A .f possible, choose a time when
stores are not overly busy, such as when they first open. Wait until the manager or cler! is alone before
approaching him. $a!e your presentation very brief.
%
<1)0 S1,;?2 I S)FA 9pea! to the person in charge if there are several wor!ers. ;ou might say: .t1s
hard to find businesspeople at home, so we1re visiting you at your wor!place. . !now you1re wor!ing, so .1ll be
very brief." 9o that we will not be confused with salesmen, it is usually best not to mention the donation
arrangement unless we are as!ed how our wor! is financed. <epending on the nature of the business, you
may as! the manager for permission to spea! briefly to the wor!ers. 0epeat your presentation to them. .f a
wor!er seems busy, shorten your presentation and leave him a tract. .f it is not possible to tal! with the
wor!ers, perhaps you will be allowed to leave literature in the brea! room or other common area.
'
Jesus and Gaul preached to people at their places of business with confidence, and so can you. >$att.
%:47A&4 5:5 Acts 48:48? As! Jehovah to help you to have a calm heart and to be bold. >Acts %:&5? ,usiness
territory has few notAatAhomes, so why not give this productive form of witnessing a tryB
!!! E4 9%0> '( > ')*+( -9 H," 0, P*5)81 -. B;+-.5++ T5**-0,*F !!!
Would you li!e to preach in territory where people generally welcome visitors and where notAatAhomes are
rareB ;ou may be able to do so right in your congregation territory. HowB ,y calling on the businesses found
there. Gublishers witnessing from store to store often en/oy good results.
&
9ome congregations have business districts as part of their assigned territory. -he brother caring for the
territory may prepare special map cards of these heavily concentrated business sections. Any residential
territory map cards that overlap them should clearly indicate that the businesses are not to be wor!ed as part
of the territory. .n other territories, businesses can be wor!ed along with the residences. .f you have never
done business witnessing, start by trying a few smaller stores.
=
U+5 ) S-4'?5 A''*,)81H When witnessing from store to store, it is important to dress as you would for
a meeting at the Jingdom Hall. .t is also good to choose a time when the store is not busy. .f possible, enter
when there are no customers waiting to be served. As! to spea! to the manager or the person in charge. ,e
brief and to the point. What might you sayB
%
When spea!ing with a store!eeper or manager, you might say something li!e this: ,usiness people
have such full schedules that we rarely find them at home, so we are visiting you at your wor!place. Iur
magaDines give a global perspective on current events." -hen feature one brief point from one magaDine.
'
Ir you might try this simple approach: $any people would li!e to !now more about the ,ible but have
very little time. -his tract e+plains a free study program that is available to help you find answers to your
,ible *uestions." -hen point out pages %A' of the tract "ould -ou <ike to #no! 2ore About the /ible5
(
.f the person in charge seems to be busy, you might /ust offer a tract and say: . will stop by again when
you are not so busy. . would li!e to !now what you thin! of this tract."
8
C;?0-7)0-./ I.05*5+0 S1,".H ;ou may even be able to conduct a ,ible study in business territory. A
special pioneer regularly delivered the magaDines to a businessman. When the man e+pressed appreciation
for what he was reading, the pioneer demonstrated the ,ible study arrangement, using the 4eCuire
brochure. A study was established right there at the man1s place of wor!. -a!ing into account the
circumstances, the pioneer limited it to 46 or 4' minutes each time. $ay we, li!ewise, continue to search for
deserving ones by witnessing in business territory.
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&4
<,*E-./ F*,4 S0,*5 0, S0,*5H 9ome congregations have business districts as part of their assigned
territory. -he brother caring for the territory may prepare special map cards of these heavily concentrated
business sections. Any residential territory map cards that overlap them should clearly indicate that the
businesses are not to be wor!ed as part of the territory. .n other territories, business places can be wor!ed
along with the residences. -he elders may invite *ualified publishers to wor! the business territories on a
regular basis so that storeAtoAstore wor! is not neglected.
&&
.f you are invited to share in this wor! and you have never done it before, a good way to @muster up
boldness1 is to wor! a few smaller stores first then, when you feel more confident, wor! the larger ones.
>4 -hess. &:&? When wor!ing from store to store, dress as you would if you were attending a meeting at the
Jingdom Hall. .f possible, enter the store when there are no customers waiting to be served. As! to spea! to
the manager or to the person in charge. ,e warm, and above all, be brief. -here is no need to be apologetic.
$any businesses are customerAoriented and have come to e+pect interruptions.
&=
,fter greeting a storekeeper, you might say this: ,usinesspeople have such full schedules that we
rarely find them at home, so we are visiting you here at your place of business to leave you a very thoughtA
provo!ing article to read." -hen ma!e a comment or two about a magaDine being offered.
&%
Or you might try this !hen approaching a manager: We have noticed that businesspeople ma!e it
a point to be wellAinformed. -he latest issue of The "atchto!er >or A!ake.? features an article that affects all
of us personally." 3+plain what it is, and conclude by saying: We are sure you will en/oy reading it."
&'
.f there are employees, and it seems appropriate, you might add: Would you mind if . gave the
same brief presentation to your employeesB" .f permission is granted, remember you have promised to be
brief, and the manager will e+pect you to !eep your word. .f any employees wish to enter into a long
discussion, it would be best to call on them at their home.
&(
0ecently, a few publishers in a small town /oined the circuit overseer in storeAtoAstore wor!. 9ome of the
publishers were apprehensive at first, having never done the wor! before but they soon rela+ed and began
to en/oy it. .n less than an hour, they spo!e to =8 people and placed &% magaDines and % brochures. Ine
brother observed that normally they would not be able to contact as many people in one month of houseAtoA
house wor! as they did while wor!ing from store to store in that short time.
!!! E4 %0 ''( >-$ A H5?' B,* T5?5'1,.5 <-0.5++-./ !!!
While we properly give priority to the houseAtoAhouse method of preaching, telephone witnessing is an
effective way to spread the good news in a congregation1s assigned territory, especially where there are
many homes to which we cannot gain access.#Cu!e 46:'A8 Acts ':%& &6:&6.
-his feature of the ministry can be encouraging to brothers and sisters who are limited in mobility and
spend much of their time at home. Gublishers will en/oy an interchange of encouragement when they arrange
to share in this form of witnessing with these faithful ones. >0om. 4:44, 4&? Also, during inclement weather,
publishers may choose to participate in telephone witnessing. 2enerally spea!ing, groups should be !ept
small so that all ma!e the best use of time.
A helpful wor! sheet is provided on pages 'A( for use when witnessing by telephone. 9pace is provided to
add presentations that are effective in your territory or that you feel more comfortable using. Feel free to
photocopy the wor! sheet and write on the copy rather than on the original. ;ou may find it helpful to sit at a
table and have the wor! sheet in front of you.
What else will you need when witnessing by telephoneB 0eview this chec! list as you prepare.
T Gersonal ,ible
T 4easoning Arom the Scriptures
T :ood e!s for 0eople of All ations
T "hat Does the /ible 4eally Teach5
T )urrent magaDines and 6ur #ingdom 2inistry
T Kariety of tracts and brochures
T Handbills
T HouseAtoAhouse records and pencil or pen
SAVE
TELEPHONE <ITNESSING <ORK SHEET
KEEP THESE POINTS IN MINDH
T 0ela+. ,e yourself. <emonstrate courteousness, patience, and friendliness.
T 9pea! slowly, deliberately, and with sufficient volume.
T 9mile and gesture as if the person can see you.
T Avoid unnecessary pauses.
T Allow the householder to share in the conversation, and than! him for his e+pressions.
T .f you are as!ed a *uestion, repeat it out loud so that your partner can help you find the answer in the ,ible,
0easoning boo!, or another publication. >.t is usually better not to put the caller on a spea!erphone.?
T <o not mention the donation arrangement, as this could be misinterpreted as a form of telephone
solicitation. At an appropriate time after you have met the householder faceAtoAface, you may inform him
that our wor! is supported entirely by voluntary donations.
INTRODUCTIONS
T Hello. $y name is . . . . am calling because . am not able to come and see you personally. . live here in the
community. E;ou might give the name of your street or neighborhood.F .1m interested in your opinion
regarding . . ."
T Hello. $y name is . . . .1m helping people in the community with their ,ible *uestions as a public service.
Have you ever wondered . . . B"
T Hello. $y name is . . . .1m not a telemar!eter . am one of your neighbors from . . . 9treet. $any in the
community are concerned about . . ." E$ention a current news item of local concern.F
T E.nsert your own.F
KT15. 8,.0-.;5 "-01 F,;* '*5+5.0)0-,.( Y,; 4)F *5)2 ) +;//5+0-,. B*,4 015 Reasoning :,,E@ Our
2ingdom 3inistry, ,* '*5')*5 F,;* ,".(L
T E.nsert your own.F
To offer a /ible study on the initial call:
T Hello. $y name is . . . . am one of your neighbors from . . . 9treet. .1m calling because . give ,ible lessons
free of charge and . have openings in my schedule. Here are some of the sub/ects that will be discussed
from your ,ible. E0ead two or three of the chapter titles from the /ible Teach boo!.F Which of those
interests you the mostB EAllow for response.F What . read to you are chapter titles from a boo! entitled
"hat Does the /ible 4eally Teach5 . would be happy to come by and drop off a copy. -here is no charge
for the boo!."
.f the householder hesitates, you might say:
T -hen perhaps . could call you again to discuss briefly what the ,ible really teaches on the sub/ect you are
interested in. Are you usually home at this timeB"
T E.nsert your own.F
.f the householder says . . .
<HOM DO YOU REPRESENTA
T . am one of Jehovah1s Witnesses," and continue !ith your presentation&
HO< DID YOU GET MY NUMBERA
T From the directory," and continue !ith your presentation&
I3M ON A DO-NOT-CALL LIST(
T 9ince .1m not selling anything, . don1t have that list," and continue !ith your presentation&
.f the householder re"uests that 4ehovah5s 'itnesses not call him again . . .
T .1ll ma!e a note of that, and we will endeavor to honor your wishes," and discontinue your presentation& EA
dated note with the name of the person should then be placed in the territory envelope.F
.f you get an ans!ering machine . . .
T .1m sorry that . didn1t find you at home. $y name is . . . . was calling to invite you to a ,ibleAbased
discourse on the sub/ect ......
E<ay and time:F ......
EAddress:F ......
:o collections are ever ta!en."
T $y name is . . . , and . am calling as a public service to help people get answers to their ,ible *uestions. .
will call you again."
T E.nsert your own.F
CONCLUSIONSH
T . have a publication that .1d li!e to share with you that gives more information on the sub/ect. . would be
glad to come by and drop it off. -here is no charge."
T . en/oyed tal!ing with you. Would it be possible for me >and my husbandOwife? to visit your home to discuss
the sub/ect furtherB We could discuss the answer to this *uestion: ......"
T . en/oyed our conversation. -he ne+t time . call, .1d li!e to discuss the ,ible1s answer to this *uestion: ......
.s this a good time to callB"
T E.nsert your own.F
.f the person is reluctant for you to visit, you might say:
T .f you prefer, . would be happy to send the publication to you."
T -hen perhaps . could call you again to continue our discussion. Are you usually home at this timeB"
T . en/oyed our conversation. .1d li!e to invite you to a ,ibleAbased discourse on the sub/ect ......
E<ay and time:F ......
EAddress:F ......
:o collections are ever ta!en."
T E.nsert your own.F
!!! E4 #%=D ''( D-> T5?5'1,.5 <-0.5++-./CA <)F 0, R5)81 M).F !!!
4
3vidence abounds that we are now living in the last days." >& -im. =:4? Without a doubt the time left for
Jingdom preaching and disciple ma!ing is reduced. 3ach of us, therefore, should act with urgency to help
others become approved worshipers of Jehovah 2od.
&
-he apostle Gaul felt his responsibility to ma!e public declaration of his faith. >0om. 46:46? He !new that
2od1s will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate !nowledge of truth." >4 -im. &:%?
,ased on his !nowledge of truth, Gaul considered himself to be a debtor to all. -his increased his sense of
urgency in declaring the good news. He said: -here is eagerness on my part to declare the good news . . .
For . am not ashamed of the good news it is, in fact, 2od1s power for salvation to everyone having faith."#
0om. 4:4%A48.
=
<o we personally feel this same indebtedness and manifest a similar eagerness to reach everyone in
our territoryB While we prefer sharing the good news with others faceAtoAface, as in doorAtoAdoor and street
witnessing, why limit our activity to thisB .t is possible that many individuals in our congregation territory have
never spo!en with one of Jehovah1s Witnesses. How can this beB
%
U.",*E52 T5**-0,*FH <oes your territory have highArise apartments guarded by doormenB Gerhaps
there are highAsecurity apartment comple+es that are offAlimits to doorAtoAdoor visitation. Has the
congregation been denied entry to preach the good news in a military base or a private subdivision located in
the territoryB Kery li!ely some individuals living in such places have never heard about the blessings of 2od1s
Jingdom. Are there people who are never found at homeB
'
We need not despair of reaching these people because they are difficult to contact. How does Jehovah
view the situationB -he apostle Geter writes: Jehovah . . . does not desire any to be destroyed but desires
all to attain to repentance. . . . Furthermore, consider the patience of our Cord as salvation." >& Get. =:5, 4'?
Cives are involved, and Jehovah is interested in each one. >$att. 47:4%? How can we show the !ind of
compassion and mercy that Jehovah displays for these individualsB ,y seeing that everyone in our territory
receives a witness.#Acts &6:&6, &4 0ev. 4%:(, 8.
(
O*/).-J52 B,* T1,*,;/1 A80-7-0FH .n the past the 9ociety has encouraged those who are confined to
their homes, either temporarily or permanently because of illness or physical disability, to ma!e good use of
the telephone. -hose who find themselves in such a situation should continue this fine wor!. Also, reports
have been received that a number of brothers and sisters, including regular and au+iliary pioneers, have
used telephone witnessing as an ad/unct to their usual doorAtoAdoor ministry.
8
9ome congregations have made a concerted effort to arrange for telephone witnessing. When elders
ta!e the lead in organiDing the territories and providing support either personally or through other publishers,
greater success is reported. -he service overseer is responsible for supervising this activity. However, any
*ualified elder or responsible ministerial servant may be selected by the body of elders to wor! closely with
the service overseer in organiDing the wor!.
7
Gublishers who have overcome their initial reluctance and have gained e+perience in telephone
witnessing have found it to be a productive field. At the outset, perhaps only a few publishers and pioneers
will ma!e these calls. After they become familiar and comfortable with this type of witnessing, their
enthusiasm and encouraging e+periences may move others to learn how to share in this interesting aspect of
the preaching wor!.
5
<15*5 0, B5/-.H .t may be possible to get names of residents from the directory in the lobby of an
apartment building. -hen the telephone numbers may be loo!ed up in the telephone directory. A city directory
in the local library may list the names of occupants of every home and apartment in the community. .n some
communities a special boo! that lists telephone numbers by street locations is available. Ghotocopies of
pages from the latest edition could serve as territories. -he siDe of these territories should be !ept relatively
small.
46
.n all forms of witnessing activity, it is most beneficial to !eep accurate records. -his is also true for
telephone witnessing. )arefully note helpful information on a houseAtoAhouse record, such as the sub/ect
discussed, the interests of the householder, and the sub/ect that will be discussed on the ne+t call. .ndicate
whether another telephone call should be made at a later date or a personal visit has been arranged.
44
P5*+,.)? S8152;?5 N55252H A regular routine will help build your confidence and ward off
apprehension. .t is best to call when people are more li!ely to be home, such as in the evening and on the
wee!ends. 9chedule a regular time each wee! to ma!e these calls. 9ome have found the hour before the
)ongregation ,oo! 9tudy to be a productive time. Find out what wor!s best in your area.
4&
H," 0, P*5')*5H -al! with others who en/oy this privilege of service and get ideas. Always be positive.
Coo! to Jehovah as your source of power and strength, and see! his direction through prayer. >Gs. &8:4%
Ghil. %:4=? Glan to put your whole heart into this activity, /ust as in other forms of witnessing.#)ompare $ar!
4&:==.
4=
3+perience has proved that sitting at a des! or a table can be helpful. 9itting in an upright chair
promotes clear thin!ing and concentration. Cay out all the witnessing materials that you may use#tracts, the
literature currently being featured, the latest magaDines or some interesting older copies, the ,ible, the
4easoning boo!, an invitation to the meetings with specific meeting times and Jingdom Hall address listed, a
pen or a pencil, and houseAtoAhouse records. Have your literature readily available, perhaps even open to a
particular article. -horoughly rehearse your presentation. Jeep in mind that the purpose of your call is to give
a witness and to arrange a visit with the individual as soon as possible.
4%
M)E-./ 015 A80;)? C)??H 0ela+. ,e yourself. A warm, pleasing voice is needed for effective telephone
witnessing. -he smile on your face will be reflected in your tone of voice. 9pea! slowly and clearly, using
sufficient volume. ,e courteous, patient, and friendly. <o not fear re/ection. Accept the fact that people may
not be interested in your message. Kiew it the same as you would in your regular doorAtoAdoor ministry.
4'
.n your introduction, state your full name. .t is best not to say that you are phoning all the people in a
particular building or comple+, as this may result in raising barriers.
4(
$any introductions from the 4easoning boo! may be read word for word in a conversational manner.
For e+ample, you might introduce yourself this way: Hello, my name is XXXXXXXX. . am calling you because .
am unable to come and see you personally." -hen, without pausing, say: . am interested in getting your view
on whether the *uality of life will ever improve. $ost of us are glad to be alive, but many wonder, @.s a
genuinely happy life possibleB1 How do you feel about thatB EAllow time for answer.F What would you say is
one of the biggest obstacles to happiness todayB" Ir after introducing yourself as above, you could say: .
am involved in an international volunteer wor!, and . would li!e your thoughts on the meaning of life. As we
get up in years, we realiDe that life is very short. .s this all that life is meant to beB How do you feel about itB"
>9ee 4easoning boo!, page 4=, subheading CifeOHappiness."? A review of the suggestions in 6ur #ingdom
2inistry of July 4556, page %, with regard to using introductions and avoiding ob/ections faced in telephone
witnessing will provide further helpful information.
48
Nse the ,ible early in the discussion. At some point in the conversation, when it seems appropriate to
do so, mention that you are one of Jehovah1s Witnesses. Allow the householder to share in the conversation.
<o not be afraid to listen if the person wants to share what he thin!s. -han! him for his e+pressions and
observations. ,e ready to commend. However, if the individual begins to dominate the conversation or
argue, tactfully terminate the call. Cet 2od1s spirit direct your efforts and help you search for those whose
hearts are right toward him.
47
.t is better for you to bring the conversation to a close than to leave it to the householder to do so. ;ou
can conclude simply by inviting the person to the public tal! at the Jingdom Hall, giving the address and
meeting times. ;ou may also as! if a visit may be made to his home to spea! with him further on the sub/ect
discussed. .t may even be possible to present literature effectively over the telephone. $agaDines may be
offered with the goal of starting a magaDine route.
45
S1)*5 -. 015 J,F ,B T5?5'1,.5 <-0.5++-./H Will all the calls become ,ible studiesB :o, but some will.
For e+ample, one sister made over =66 calls in one month. After introducing herself, she e+plained why she
was telephoning rather than visiting each householder. 9he then gave a short presentation. -his resulted in
4& good calls. 9he is still contacting three interested persons by telephone, and four others agreed that she
could visit them at their homes. Ine individual accepted the <i%e Aore%er boo! and is now being visited
regularly.
&6
Jesus )hrist commanded his disciples to push the witnessing wor! to the most distant part of the
earth." >Acts 4:7? .n some areas, carrying out this command means witnessing by telephone. After reviewing
the above material, as! yourself: @)an . do more in my congregation territory to preach the good news to all
sorts of men," including those who are living in areas never before reachedB1 ,rothers who have followed
these suggestions have been greatly encouraged by the results. -hey have found telephone witnessing to be
an e+ceptional way to @glorify their ministry.1 >0om. 44:4=? $ay you e+perience this same /oy through
telephone witnessing.
DAY D
!!! "=# $%& ''( 22-2D J5+;+CT15 R;?5* <1,+5 O*-/-. I+ F*,4 E)*?F T-45+ !!!
John1s words draw attention to another privilege that 2od1s 9on en/oyed, namely, being a spo!esman.
From the beginning, he served as the Word. -hus, when Jehovah spo!e to Adam, and later when he
addressed Adam together with 3ve, he li!ely did so through the Word. And who better to convey 2od1s
instructions for man!ind1s welfare than one who had a fondness for themB#John 4:4, &.
How it must have pained the Word to see 3ve and then Adam disobey their )reatorL And how he must
have yearned to remedy the ills their disobedience brought on their offspringL >2enesis &:4'A48 =:(, 7
0omans ':4&? Addressing 9atan, who had encouraged 3ve to rebel, Jehovah declared: . shall put enmity
between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed." >2enesis =:4'? Having witnessed what
happened in 3den, the Word realiDed that as the primary part of the woman1s seed," he would become the
target of vicious hatred. He !new that 9atan was a manslayer.#John 7:%%.
When 9atan later *uestioned faithful Job1s integrity, the Word must have felt outrage at the slanderous
accusations leveled against his Father. >Job 4:(A46 &:4A%? .ndeed, in his role as archangel, the Word is
!nown as $ichael, whose name means Who .s Ci!e 2odB" and indicates how he champions Jehovah
against all who aspire to usurp 2od1s sovereignty.#<aniel 4&:4 0evelation 4&:8A46.
As the history of .srael unfurled, the Word observed 9atan1s attempts to turn humans away from pure
worship. Following the 3+odus from 3gypt, 2od told .srael through $oses: Here . am sending an angel
ahead of you to !eep you on the road and to bring you into the place that . have prepared. Watch yourself
because of him and obey his voice. <o not behave rebelliously against him, for he will not pardon your
transgression because my name is within him." >3+odus &=:&6, &4? Who was this angelB Ci!ely, the
prehuman Jesus
!!! "=9 0%& ''( 2#-D0 D-+85*.-./ 015 P*-.8-'?5 R5B?580+ M)0;*-0F !!!
,A< associations spoil useful habits. ;ou reap what you sow. >4 )orinthians 4':== 2alatians (:8? 3ither
physically or spiritually, each statement is an e+ample of a fundamental truth#a principle#and each one
provides a basis for laws. Caws, though, may come and go, and they tend to be specific. Grinciples, on the
other hand, are broad, and they can last forever. -hus, 2od1s Word encourages us to thin! in terms of
principles wherever possible.
"ebster)s Third e! 3nternational Dictionary defines a principle as a general or fundamental truth: a
comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption on which others are based or from which
others are derived." For e+ample, to a child one might give the la!, ;ou must not touch the stove." ,ut to an
adult the statement, -he stove is hot" would suffice. :otice that the latter is a more fundamental statement.
,ecause it governs what one may do#perhaps coo!, ba!e, or turn the stove off#it becomes in a sense a
principle.
Cife1s !ey principles, of course, are spiritual they govern our worship of 2od and our happiness. 9ome,
though, retreat from the effort re*uired to reason on principles. -hey prefer the comfort of a rule when faced
with a decision. -his is unwise and contrasts with the e+ample set by faithful men of old in ,ible times.#
0omans 4':%.
M5. ,B G,2?F P*-.8-'?5
Among imperfect men, Abel could be called the very first man of godly principle. He li!ely gave much
thought to the promise about the seed" and perceived that redemption from sin would involve a blood
sacrifice. >2enesis =:4'? He thus offered 2od some firstlings of his floc!." -he phrase even their fatty
pieces" shows that Abel gave Jehovah his very best. ;et, it would be over two thousand years after Abel1s
death that 2od would first spell out detailed re*uirements regarding sacrifices. .n contrast with the 2odA
fearing man of principle Abel, his brother )ain went through the motions of sacrificing to 2od. ,ut his attitude
left much to be desired, something about his offering indicating a heart lac!ing in principle.#2enesis %:=A'.
:oah too was a man of godly principle. While the ,ible record shows that 2od specifically commanded
him to build an ar!, we read of no command for him to preach to others. 9till, :oah is called a preacher of
righteousness." >& Geter &:'? 3ven though 2od li!ely directed that :oah preach, no doubt his sense of
principle and his love of neighbor also moved him to do so. 9ince we live in times li!e :oah1s, let us imitate
his fine attitude and e+ample.
Nnli!e the clergy of his day, Jesus taught the people to thin! in terms of principles. His 9ermon on the
$ount is an e+ample. .ts whole tenor is an appeal to principle. >$atthew, chapters 'A8? Jesus taught this way
because, li!e Abel and :oah before him, he truly !new 2od. 3ven as a lad, he revered the fundamental
truth: :ot by bread alone . . . but by every e+pression of Jehovah1s mouth does man live." ><euteronomy
7:= Cu!e &:%4A%8? ;es, the !ey to being a person of godly principle is really to !now Jehovah, his li!es, his
disli!es, and his purposes. When these fundamentals about 2od govern our lives, they become, in effect,
living principles.#Jeremiah &&:4( Hebrews %:4&.
P*-.8-'?5+ ).2 015 H5)*0
.t is possible to obey a law only reluctantly, perhaps out of fear of a penalty for disobedience. )ompliance
with a principle, however, precludes such an attitude, for it is in the very nature of principles that to be
governed by them is to respond from the heart. )onsider Joseph who, li!e Abel and :oah, lived before the
establishment of the $osaic Caw covenant. When Gotiphar1s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph responded:
How could . commit this great badness and actually sin against 2odB" ;es, Joseph !new the principle that
husband and wife are one flesh."#2enesis &:&% =5:5.
-oday the world is void of righteous principles. .t feeds li!e a glutton on violence and immorality. -he
danger is that a )hristian might be tempted to nibble, perhaps secretly, on the same /un! food#the movies,
videos, or boo!s. How commendable, then, when we li!e Joseph re/ect bad on principle, remembering that
2od will preserve only the loyal ones through the coming great tribulation." >$atthew &%:&4? ;es, it is
primarily what we are in private, not in public, that reveals what we truly are within.#Gsalm 44:% Groverbs
4':=.
.t follows that if we are guided by ,ible principles, we will not loo! for supposed loopholes in 2od1s laws
nor will we try to see how far we can go without actually brea!ing a certain law. 9uch thin!ing is selfA
defeating it hurts us in the end.
L,,E B51-.2 015 L)"
If course, laws play a vital role in a )hristian1s life. -hey are li!e sentinels that help to protect us, and at
their core are many important principles. A failure to perceive these principles may cool our love for the
related laws. -he ancient nation of .srael demonstrated this.
2od gave .srael the -en )ommandments, the first of which forbade the worship of any god other than
Jehovah. -hat Jehovah created all things is a fundamental truth behind this law. >3+odus &6:=A'? ,ut did the
nation live by this principleB Jehovah himself answers: @;ou are our father1 Esaid the .sraelitesF to a bloc! of
wood and Ethey criedF @$other1 to a stone. ,ut on me EJehovahF they have turned their bac!s and averted
their faces from me." >Jeremiah &:&8, The e! English /ible? What callous and unprincipled follyL And how it
hurt Jehovah1s heartL#Gsalm 87:%6, %4 .saiah (=:5, 46.
)hristians too have laws from 2od. For e+ample, they are to avoid idolatry, se+ual immorality, and the
misuse of blood. >Acts 4':&7, &5? When you thin! about it, we can see underlying principles, such as: 2od
merits our e+clusive devotion we are to be faithful to our mate and Jehovah is our CifeA2iver. >2enesis &:&%
3+odus &6:' Gsalm =(:5? .f we both perceive and deeply appreciate the principles behind these directives,
we see that they are for our own good. >.saiah %7:48? -o us, 2od1s commandments are not burdensome."#
4 John ':=.
While the .sraelites at one time ignored 2od1s commandments, by Jesus1 time their doctors of the law,"
the scribes, had gone to the other e+treme. -hey had formulated a mountain of rules and traditions that
obstructed pure worship and buried godly principles. >$atthew &=:&, E/? Geople felt resigned to failure,
hopelessness, or hypocrisy. >$atthew 4':=A5? And many of the manAmade rules were inhumane. When about
to cure a man with a withered hand, Jesus as!ed the Gharisees present: .s it lawful on the sabbath to do a
good deedB" -heir silence shouted no, ma!ing Jesus feel thoroughly grieved at the insensibility of their
hearts." >$ar! =:4A(? -he Gharisees might come to the aid of a stranded or in/ured domestic animal >a
financial investment? on the 9abbath but never to a man or a woman#not unless it was a matter of life and
death. .ndeed, they were so obsessed with human rules and technicalities that li!e ants scurrying about on a
painting, they failed to see the whole picture#the divine principles.#$atthew &=:&=, &%.
3ven young ones, however, when their hearts are sincere, can bring honor to Jehovah by their
appreciation for ,ible principles. -hirteenAyearAold 0ebecca1s teacher as!ed the class who would gamble.
$ost said they would not. ;et, when various situations were mentioned, all e+cept 0ebecca conceded that
they would gamble in one way or another. -he teacher as!ed 0ebecca if she would buy a &6Acent raffle
tic!et for a worthy cause. 0ebecca said no and gave the 9criptural reasons why doing so would be a form of
gambling. Her teacher then said to the whole class: @.n my opinion, 0ebecca is the only one here who has
what . call principles" in the true sense of the word.1 ;es, 0ebecca could simply have replied, .t is against
my religion," but she thought more deeply than that she could answer why gambling is wrong and why she
refused to ta!e part in it.
3+amples li!e Abel, :oah, Joseph, and Jesus show us how we benefit by using our thin!ing ability" and
our power of reason" in worshiping 2od. >Groverbs &:44 0omans 4&:4? )hristian elders do well to imitate
Jesus as they shepherd the floc! of 2od in EtheirF care." >4 Geter ':&? As Jesus well e+emplified, lovers of
godly principles are the ones who thrive under Jehovah1s sovereignty.#.saiah (':4%.
!!! "=9 0%& ''( 2#-2= D-+85*.-./ 015 P*-.8-'?5 R5B?580+ M)0;*-0F !!!
M5. ,B G,2?F P*-.8-'?5
Among imperfect men, Abel could be called the very first man of godly principle. He li!ely gave much
thought to the promise about the seed" and perceived that redemption from sin would involve a blood
sacrifice. >2enesis =:4'? He thus offered 2od some firstlings of his floc!." -he phrase even their fatty
pieces" shows that Abel gave Jehovah his very best. ;et, it would be over two thousand years after Abel1s
death that 2od would first spell out detailed re*uirements regarding sacrifices. .n contrast with the 2odA
fearing man of principle Abel, his brother )ain went through the motions of sacrificing to 2od. ,ut his attitude
left much to be desired, something about his offering indicating a heart lac!ing in principle.#2enesis %:=A'.
:oah too was a man of godly principle. While the ,ible record shows that 2od specifically commanded
him to build an ar!, we read of no command for him to preach to others. 9till, :oah is called a preacher of
righteousness." >& Geter &:'? 3ven though 2od li!ely directed that :oah preach, no doubt his sense of
principle and his love of neighbor also moved him to do so. 9ince we live in times li!e :oah1s, let us imitate
his fine attitude and e+ample.
Nnli!e the clergy of his day, Jesus taught the people to thin! in terms of principles. His 9ermon on the
$ount is an e+ample. .ts whole tenor is an appeal to principle. >$atthew, chapters 'A8? Jesus taught this way
because, li!e Abel and :oah before him, he truly !new 2od. 3ven as a lad, he revered the fundamental
truth: :ot by bread alone . . . but by every e+pression of Jehovah1s mouth does man live." ><euteronomy
7:= Cu!e &:%4A%8? ;es, the !ey to being a person of godly principle is really to !now Jehovah, his li!es, his
disli!es, and his purposes. When these fundamentals about 2od govern our lives, they become, in effect,
!!! E4 9%0# '( > P*5')*)0-,.CA K5F 0, EBB580-75 R50;*. V-+-0+ !!!
4
Jesus thoroughly prepared his disciples to be effective preachers of the good news of the !ingdom."
>$att. %:&= 5:='? -he training too! place in the confined area of Galestine. However, before ascending to
heaven, Jesus made it !nown that the )hristian ministry would be widely e+panded so as to ma!e disciples
of people of all the nations."#$att. &7:45, &6.
&
-hat wor! would involve calling bac! on individuals who manifested interest in the good news of 2od1s
Jingdom and teaching them to observe all the things that )hrist commanded. -o ma!e such effective return
visits, we need to be well prepared.
=
P?). A15)2H 9ome publishers endeavor to raise a *uestion at the end of the initial call and then
promise to return and discuss the answer. -hey have found that ma!ing reference to information in the /ible
Teach boo! on the return visit has helped them lead right into a ,ible study.
%
Having /ust one set of magaDines for each month does not mean that we should wait until we receive
the ne+t month1s issues before calling bac!. .t may be possible to stimulate interest by discussing information
featured in the magaDine the person already has.
'
H)75 ). O:6580-75H ,efore going bac!, ta!e a few minutes to review your records and to determine
what you want to accomplish. For e+ample, discuss a point from the publication you left previously. Ir leave
additional literature that relates to a prior conversation. .f you raised a *uestion the last time, your ob/ective
will surely include answering that *uestion. When highlighting a scripture that establishes a point being
made, endeavor to read directly from the ,ible.
(
O;* G,)?H If course, our goal is to start a ,ible study. Ine brother offered a ,ible study on a return
visit, but the man refused. -he brother returned with the latest magaDines and said, While we are here, we
are answering one ,ible *uestion for people today." After obtaining the man1s comments, the brother read a
scripture and an applicable paragraph from a publication used for ,ible studies. -hat led to a regular ,ible
study.
8
-a!ing the time to prepare for return visits is well worth the effort. Iur /oy will be increased, and we may
have the privilege of assisting a rightly disposed" one on the road to life.#Acts 4=:%7.
!!! E4 >%=# ''( D-> ')*+( $-# <).052CM,*5 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
(
I4'*,75 P5*+,.)? O*/).-J)0-,.H )onsidering the number of magaDines, brochures, and boo!s placed,
there is no doubt that a great amount of seed is being scattered. -hese seeds of truth that have been sown
hold tremendous potential for producing new disciples. ,ut would a farmer or a gardener be truly satisfied if
he continually planted and, after all his efforts, never too! the time to reapB Hardly. Ci!ewise, a followAup
ministry is necessary.
8
<o you regularly schedule time to ma!e return visitsB )all bac! promptly on all interest found. $a!e
return visits with the ob/ective of starting a ,ible study. <o you !eep a neat, upAtoAdate, and wellAorganiDed
record of your return visitsB Along with the name and address of the householder, be sure to record the date
of the initial call, any placements, a brief description of what was discussed, and a point that can be
developed on the ne+t call. Ceave space on your record for additional information to be added after each
return visit.
7
A.)?FJ5 H," 0, M)E5 ) R50;*. V-+-0H What are some points to have in mind when ma!ing a return visit
on an interested personB >4? ,e warm, friendly, enthusiastic, and informal. >&? <iscuss sub/ects or *uestions
that interest him. >=? Jeep the discussion simple and 9criptural. >%? In each visit, endeavor to teach the
householder something that he will recogniDe as being of personal value to him. >'? ,uild up anticipation for
the sub/ect to be discussed on the ne+t visit. >(? <o not stay too long. >8? <o not as! *uestions that
embarrass the householder or put him on the spot. >7? Nse discernment so as not to condemn wrong views
or bad habits of the householder before spiritual appreciation has been cultivated.#9ee the $arch 4558 6ur
#ingdom 2inistry insert for additional help on how to be successful in ma!ing return visits and starting ,ible
studies
!!! E4 D%=9 '( D M;+05* U' B,?2.5++ 0, M)E5 R50;*. V-+-0+ !!!
4
<o you en/oy ma!ing return visitsB $any publishers do. ;ou may have been apprehensive at first,
especially when calling bac! on householders who showed only limited interest when they were initially
contacted. ,ut as you @muster up boldness by means of our 2od to spea! the good news1 in ma!ing return
visits, you may be surprised to find how easy and rewarding this wor! can be. >4 -hess. &:&? How soB
&
For one thing, there is an important difference between a return visit and the initial call. -he return visit is
being made on an ac*uaintance, not on a stranger, and it is generally easier to converse with an
ac*uaintance than with a stranger. As for the rich rewards that result from sharing in this wor!, return visits
may lead to productive home ,ible studies.
=
When we wor! from house to house, we call repeatedly on people who were not interested when we
previously visited them. Why, then, do we !eep callingB We realiDe that people1s circumstances change and
that an individual who seemed indifferent or even opposed on a previous visit may be interested the ne+t
time we call. With that in mind, we prepare well and pray for Jehovah1s blessing so that something we say
this time will stri!e a responsive chord.
%
.f, in our houseAtoAhouse wor!, we willingly preach to people who previously showed no interest at all,
should we not all the more willingly call bac! on anyone who shows some interest in the Jingdom messageB
#Acts 46:=%, ='.
'
$any of us are in the truth today because a publisher patiently made return visits on us. .f you are one
of these, you may as! yourself: @What initial impression did . ma!e on that publisherB <id . immediately
embrace the Jingdom message when . first heard itB )ould . have seemed indifferentB1 We should be happy
that the publisher who called bac! /udged us worthy of a return visit, @mustered up boldness by means of
2od,1 made the call, and proceeded to teach us the truth. What of those individuals who show some interest
at first but later seem to be avoiding usB A positive attitude is vital, as the following e+perience bears out.
(
While engaging in street witnessing early one morning, two publishers met a young lady pushing a child
in a stroller. -he woman accepted a magaDine and invited the sisters to come to her home the following
9unday. -hey arrived at the appointed time, but the householder told them she had no time to tal!. 9he did
promise, however, to be available the following wee!. -he sisters were doubtful that she would !eep the
appointment, but the lady was waiting for them when they returned. A study was started, and the woman1s
progress was amaDing. Within a short time, she began attending meetings regularly and sharing in field
service. 9he is now baptiDed.
8
L)F G*,;.2",*E ,. 015 I.-0-)? C)??H -he groundwor! for a successful return visit is often laid on the
initial call. Cisten carefully to the householder1s comments. What do they tell youB .s he religiously inclinedB
.s he concerned about social issuesB .s he interested in scienceB historyB the environmentB At the
conclusion of the call, you may raise a thoughtAprovo!ing *uestion and promise to discuss the ,ible1s answer
when you return.
7
For e+ample, if the householder responds to the ,ible1s promise of a paradise earth, a further discussion
of the topic may be in order. Just before you leave, you might as!: How can we be sure that 2od will fulfill
this promiseB" -hen add: Gerhaps . can stop by when the rest of the family is at home, and then . can show
you the ,ible1s answer to this *uestion."
5
.f the householder has not shown interest in any particular sub/ect, you could raise one of the *uestions
that are featured in the presentations on the bac! page of 6ur #ingdom 2inistry and use that as the basis for
your ne+t discussion
!!! E4 >%00 '( # M)E5 S;*5 T1)0 Y,; G, B)8EN !!!
4
What a good conversationL .1ll have to remember to ma!e a return visit there." Have you ever said those
words and later forgotten where the person livesB .f so, you !now that the only way you can ma!e sure that
you go bac! is to put it in writing.
&
<*-05 I0 A?? D,".H While a conversation with an interested person is still fresh in your mind, ta!e a
moment to write down all the pertinent information about the call. :ote the person1s name and how you will
recogniDe him. Gut down his address, but do not guess at it#chec! to be sure that what you write is correct.
:ote the sub/ect you tal!ed about, any scriptures that you read, and what literature was placed.
=
.f you left the person with a *uestion to be answered on the ne+t call, write it down. <id you learn
something about the person, his family, or his religionB .f so, ma!e a notation of this. -hen the ne+t time you
call, your ma!ing mention of it will demonstrate your personal interest in the individual. Finally, include the
day and time that you made the initial call and when you said you would return. ,y ma!ing good notes, you
will have clear reminders and will be less li!ely to forget your promise to return.#4 -im. 4:4&.
%
Ince your record is complete, put it with the rest of your field service e*uipment#boo! bag, ,ible,
4easoning boo!, and literature#so that it will always be handy. .t is best to record notAatAhomes on houseA
toAhouse records that are separate from those that you use to ma!e note of your return visits. If course,
regardless of the wor! you put into !eeping trac! of return visits, the important thing is to ma!e sure that you
go bac!L
!!! E4 2%0$ '( ')*( 2 C)?? B)8E ,. A?? <1, S1," ) M5)+;*5 ,B I.05*5+0 !!!
&
D-+85*. I.05*5+0H 3ven if an individual does not accept literature, his facial e+pression, tone of voice, or
choice of words may reveal a measure of appreciation for the Jingdom message. In that basis we may
ma!e a return visit. Ine brother made calls on an individual for five consecutive wee!s without placing
literature. In the si+th visit, the person accepted literature, and eventually a ,ible study was started
!!! E4 % '( ')*( > S552+ M;+0 B5 <)05*52 -. O*25* 0, G*," !!!
P5*+575*5H 9atan will not rest in his efforts to @ta!e away the word1 planted in a person1s heart. >$ar!
%:4%, 4'? -herefore, do not give up if you have difficulty finding the interested person at home again. )ould
you send a letter or leave a note in the doorB Ine pioneer started a doorstep study with a woman but was
unable to find her at home again, so she sent a letter. When the sister eventually found her at home, the
woman e+pressed how deeply touched she was by the personal interest shown to her. As we water seeds of
truth, we can e+perience the /oy that comes from seeing them sprout, grow to maturity, and bear fruit
thirtyfold and si+ty and a hundred."#$ar! %:&6
!!! E4 2%D '( H," 0, P*5')*5 EBB580-75 I.0*,2;80-,.+ !!!
4
Just as a flavorful appetiDer builds anticipation for the meal that follows, a good introduction opens the
door to a positive 9criptural discussion. 3ffective introductions may vary in their length and content, but /ust
li!e tasty food, they always re*uire advance thought and preparation. >Grov. 4':&7? What ma!es an
introduction effectiveB
&
C1,,+5 T,'-8+ ,B I.05*5+0H Iur introduction must arouse interest, or the householder may end the
conversation. 9o when preparing, thin! about local interests. Are people in the community interested in good
government, happy family life, or an end to warB Geople generally li!e to give their opinion, so prepare a
thoughtAprovo!ing viewpoint *uestion. )ould you use one of the sample introductions from 6ur #ingdom
2inistry and adapt it to your territoryB Why not occasionally practice some introductions during your Family
Worship eveningB
=
C,.+-25* C;?0;*5 ).2 B)8E/*,;.2H .n some places, we are e+pected to state the reason for our visit
right away. .n other places, it is considered impolite if a visitor does not first in*uire about the welfare of the
householder and perhaps share some personal information. .n some areas, the religious bac!ground of
people allows us to refer freely to the ,ible in our introduction. >Acts &:4%A48? However, where people belong
to a nonA)hristian religion, or to no religion at all, it may be better to mention the ,ible on a return visit, rather
than at the outset.#Acts 48:&&A=4.
%
T15 O'5.-./ <,*2+H Grepare your opening words carefully. 9hort, simple sentences are usually best.
-he way we deliver our opening words is also vital. ,e enthusiastic. Have a sincere, friendly smile that
reflects personal interest in the householder. Following these suggestions will help us to prepare appetiDing
introductions that will encourage people in our territory to feed at the table of Jehovah."#4 )or. 46:&4.
!!! E4 %=2 '( # <1)0 <-?? Y,; S)F <15. Y,; R50;*.A !!!
4
-o be effective in our ministry re*uires preparation so that when we call bac! on those who initially
showed interest, we will be able to re!indle their interest and continue our conversation. How might we do
thisB
&
9ince true )hristians are sincerely interested in others, you might first refer to something you learned
about the householder on the previous visit.
To a person !ho revealed his concern about crime, you could say:
T -he last time we spo!e you said you were troubled by the noticeable increase of lawlessness. <o you
thin! that hiring more policemen would solve the problemB"
.f a person e$pressed an$iety over recent developments in the !orld situation, you could say:
T -he last time we spo!e together you made an interesting point about the lac! of peace in the world. <o
you thin! that world leaders will bring in a new world orderB"
To a person !ho is disturbed by the selfishness of others, you could say:
T -he last time we spo!e you made an e+cellent point concerning the greediness we see in people in
general. What do you thin! 2od1s view is of greedy peopleB EAllow response.F -his is what the ,ible says at
3phesians ':'."
=
Other e$pressions that have been used effectively include:
T . en/oyed our last conversation very much, so . researched this brief thought to show you how Jehovah
recogniDes the plight of the homeless. :ote .saiah (':&4A&=."
T . en/oyed your comment that man!ind needs better government."
T ;ou as!ed an interesting *uestion on whether all religion meets with 2od1s approval."
T ;ou really got me thin!ing on what you said about predestination."
T .1ve been thin!ing about our conversation, and there1s a point in the boo! The :reatest 2an "ho E%er
<i%ed that . thin! you will en/oy. E$ay show householder selected points in boo!.F"
.ntroductions li!e these show that we appreciated our previous conversation and that we are interested in
spea!ing with the householder again.
%
,efore you ma!e the return visit, give thought to what you will say. -ailor your presentation to each
person.
'
.f the person !e are visiting is busy, !e can still be effective by saying:
T . !now you have only a few minutes, but here is something you can thin! about while you are finishing your
wor!. E0ead $atthew ':=.F"
O* F,; 8,;?2 +)FH
T . wrote these three scriptures down for you. 9ince it is not a good time to tal!, let me leave them, and when
. come bac!, . would li!e to ta!e five minutes to discuss them with you."
(
N5/)0-75 A''*,)815+ 0, A7,-2H Huestions that might bring a negative response or that might put the
householder in an aw!ward position usually do not produce good results. -hese include: <id you read the
material . left youB" <o you have any *uestionsB" <o you remember meB" . called to as! if you are still
interested in tal!ing about 2od1s purposes for this earth."
8
We will be eager to call on individuals who previously manifested interest if we prepare ahead of time to
give them assistance that is truly meaningful.
!!! E4 =%=$ '( B5 ). EG)4'?5 -. S'5)E-./ ).2 -. C,.2;80 !!!
4
-he apostle Gaul e+horted -imothy to become an e+ample in spea!ing and in conduct. >4 -im. %:4&? We
also should display e+emplary speech and conduct, especially when engaging in the ministry, for doing so
may determine whether or not we reach the heart of those we meet.
&
We need to display all aspects of good manners, including courtesy, consideration, !indness, politeness,
and tact. ,y reflecting these *ualities, we show that we are aware of how our actions affect the feelings of
others. 2ood manners in the ministry may be compared to seasonings, which are used to enhance the flavor
of food. Without them, wholesome food can taste bland and unappetiDing. -he failure to display good
manners in our dealings with others can have a similar effect.#)ol. %:(.
=
B5 ). EG)4'?5 -. S'5)E-./H A friendly smile and a warm greeting are vital elements of our
presentation of the good news. When we flavor our introduction with warmth and sincerity, we let the
householder !now that we are genuinely interested in him. When he spea!s, listen carefully and show due
respect for his opinion. When you spea!, do so with tact and graciousness.#)ompare Acts (:7.
%
Iccasionally we meet an individual who may be unfriendly, even belligerent. How should we reactB
Geter urged us to spea! in a way that displays a mild temper and deep respect." >4 Get. =:4' 0om. 4&:48,
47? Jesus said that if a householder rudely re/ects the Jingdom message, we should simply @sha!e the dust
off our feet.1 >$att. 46:4%? Iur displaying e+emplary manners under such circumstances may eventually
soften the heart of the opposer.
'
B5 ). EG)4'?5 -. C,.2;80H Greaching the good news on busy streets and in public places re*uires
that we be considerate, never loud or insistent, and that we do not interfere with the flow of passersby. When
in the homes of interested persons, we ought to maintain proper decorum and conduct ourselves as gracious
guests, showing appreciation for their hospitality. Any children who accompany us must show respect for the
householder and his property and should be mannerly and attentive when we are conversing. .f children are
unruly, this will leave an unfavorable impression.#Grov. &5:4'.
(
Iur personal appearance should ma!e it obvious to others that we are ministers of 2od1s Word. .n our
dress and grooming, we should be neither slovenly and un!empt nor flashy and e+travagant. Iur
appearance should always be worthy of the good news. >)ompare Ghilippians 4:&8.? ,y giving careful
attention to our appearance and e*uipment, we will not give others a cause for stumbling or for finding fault
with our ministry. >& )or. (:=, %? Iur e+emplary speech and conduct add an appealing *uality to the Jingdom
message, bringing honor to Jehovah.#4 Get. &:4&.
DAY &
!!! E4 #%0> '( P)*0 2CC,.2;80-./ P*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
P*5')*-./ 0, C,.2;80 015 S0;2F
4
-eaching effectively on a ,ible study involves more than /ust discussing the material and loo!ing up the
cited scriptures. We need to present the information in a way that touches the student1s heart. -his re*uires
thorough preparation with the student in mind.#Grov. 4':&7.
&
H," 0, P*5')*5H ,egin by praying to Jehovah about the person and his needs. As! Jehovah to help
you reach the student1s heart. >)ol. 4:5, 46? -o get the theme clearly in mind, ta!e a moment to consider the
title of the chapter or lesson, the subheadings, and any visual aids. As! yourself, @What is the thrust of the
materialB1 -his will help you to focus on the main points as you conduct the study.
=
)arefully review the material paragraph by paragraph. .dentify the answers to the printed *uestions,
mar!ing only the !ey words and phrases. AnalyDe how the cited scriptures relate to the main point of the
paragraph, and decide which ones to read during the study. ;ou may find it helpful to ma!e brief notes in the
margin of the publication. -he student should clearly see that what he is learning is from 2od1s Word.#
4 -hess. &:4=.
%
P5*+,.)?-J5 015 L5++,.H :e+t, consider the lesson with the particular student in mind. -ry to anticipate
his *uestions and the points that he may have difficulty understanding or accepting. As! yourself: @What does
he need to understand or wor! on in order to ma!e spiritual progressB How can . reach his heartB1 -hen
adapt your teaching accordingly. At times, you may see a need to prepare an illustration, an e+planation, or a
series of *uestions to help the student grasp the meaning of a certain point or scripture. >:eh. 7:7? ,ut avoid
inserting additional information that contributes little to the theme. A brief review at the end of the study will
help him to retain the main points.
'
What /oy we have when new ones bear righteous fruit to Jehovah1s praiseL >Ghil. 4:44? -o help them
reach that goal, prepare well each time you conduct a ,ible study.
!!! E4 2%0& '( $ P)*0 $CC,.2;80-./ P*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
<15. ) S0;25.0 R)-+5+ ) M;5+0-,.
4
Ince a ,ible study is well established, it is usually best to consider ,ible teachings in an orderly manner
rather than /ump from sub/ect to sub/ect. -his helps the student to build a foundation of accurate !nowledge
and to progress spiritually. >)ol. 4:5, 46? Iften, though, students raise *uestions on various sub/ects during
the study. How should these be handledB
&
B5 D-+85*.-./H Huestions related to the study material being considered can usually be answered on
the spot. .f a *uestion will be addressed later in the study publication, it may be sufficient simply to point that
out. However, if a *uestion is unrelated to the study material or will re*uire research to answer properly, it
may be better to consider the matter after the study or at another time. 9ome find that writing the *uestion
down assures the student that his *uestion is being ta!en seriously and helps prevent the study from
becoming sidetrac!ed.
=
$any ,ible teachings are considered only briefly in our basic study publications. What if a student has
difficulty accepting a certain teaching or holds strongly to a false beliefB .t may be beneficial to consider
additional material that thoroughly discusses what the ,ible says on that sub/ect. .f the student is still not
convinced, leave the sub/ect for another time and continue on with his regular study. >John 4(:4&? As he
gains a broader !nowledge of the ,ible and progresses spiritually, he may come to understand that ,ible
teaching.
%
B5 M,25+0H .f you are not sure of the answer to a *uestion, resist the temptation to venture an opinion.
>& -im. &:4' 4 Get. %:44? 3+plain that you will research the matter and return with an answer. ;ou might even
use the opportunity to teach the student how to do research. Grogressively show him how to use the various
research tools provided by Jehovah1s organiDation. .n this way he will eventually be able to answer his own
*uestions.#Acts 48:44.
!!! E4 %0& '( P)*0 &CC,.2;80-./ P*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
D505*4-.-./ H," M;81 M)05*-)? 0, C,75*
4
When teaching, Jesus too! into consideration his disciples1 limitations, spea!ing to them as far as they
were able to listen." >$ar! %:== John 4(:4&? .n a similar way, teachers of 2od1s Word today need to gauge
the pace at which they cover material on a ,ible study. -he amount of material that can be considered will
depend on the ability and the circumstances of both the teacher and the student.
&
B;-?2 S,?-2 F)-01H 9ome students may re*uire two or three sessions to grasp what other students can
easily ta!e in during one session. We do not want to sacrifice the student1s having a clear understanding for
the sa!e of speed. 3very student needs a solid basis for his newfound faith in 2od1s Word.#Grov. %:8 0om.
4&:&.
=
As you conduct the study wee! by wee!, spend whatever time is necessary to help the student
understand and accept what he is learning from 2od1s Word. Avoid a hurried pace that detracts from the
richness of the truths being taught. Allow sufficient time to focus on the main points and to consider !ey
scriptures that provide the basis for the teachings.#& -im. =:4(, 48.
%
K55' 015 S0;2F M,7-./H While we want to avoid rushing through the study, we also want to avoid
becoming sidetrac!ed. .f a student is inclined to spea! at length about personal matters, we may need to
arrange to discuss these after the study.#3ccl. =:4.
'
In the other hand, our own enthusiasm for the truth can ma!e it a challenge not to tal! e+cessively
during the study. >Gs. 4%':(, 8? An occasional side point or e+perience can enrich a study, but we would not
want these to become so numerous or lengthy that they hinder the student from ac*uiring an accurate
!nowledge of basic ,ible teachings.
(
,y covering a reasonable amount of material at each study session, we help ,ible students to wal! in
the light of Jehovah."#.sa. &:'.
!!! E4 D%D '( D H," 0, U+5 <1, A*5 D,-./ J51,7)13+ <-?? T,2)FA !!!
H," 0, U+5 'ho ,re &oing 4ehovah5s 'ill Today)
N5" B*,81;*5 D5+-/.52 0, D-*580 B-:?5 S0;25.0+ 0, 015 O*/).-J)0-,.
4
Have you started using the new brochure "ho Are Doing $eho%ah)s "ill Today5 .ts purpose is >4? to
familiariDe ,ible students with us as a people, >&? to help them learn about our activities, and >=? to show
them our organiDation in action. -he $eho%ah)s "ill brochure contains oneApage lessons that can easily be
covered in /ust five to ten minutes at the end of each study.
&
H," I0 I+ D5+-/.52H -he brochure is divided into three sections, each of which discusses a different
aspect of Jehovah1s organiDation, as noted above. -he title of each of the &7 lessons is written as a *uestion,
and the bold subheadings that follow answer that *uestion. Ghotographs from over '6 countries are labeled
throughout to show the international scope of our wor!. A number of lessons have Find Iut $ore" bo+es,
which contain suggestions that you can encourage your student to pursue.
=
H," Y,; C). U+5 I0H 9tart by calling attention to the *uestion that is the title of the lesson. -hen, as
you read the lesson together, highlight the bold subheadings. Finally, consider the review *uestions at the
bottom of the page. ;ou can read the lesson straight through or read and discuss it in sections. Nse your
/udgment in deciding which cited scriptures to read. <o not forget to consider the pictures and the Find Iut
$ore" bo+es. .n most cases, the lessons should be discussed in order. However, feel free to /ump ahead to a
lesson that deals with something of immediate interest. For e+ample, if an assembly or a convention is
coming up, you could s!ip to lesson 44.
%
When we study the ,ible with someone, we help him to get ac*uainted with our heavenly Father.
However, we also need to teach him about Jehovah1s organiDation. >Grov. (:&6? How happy we are to have
this new tool that ma!es it easy to do soL
!!! "=$ %& ''( $-9 ')*( # J51,7)13+ S155' N552 T5.25* C)*5 !!!
7
.f our ministry is to be effective, good advance preparation is essential. -herefore, the two publishers
might first get together to practice presentations suggested in the monthly issues of 6ur #ingdom 2inistry&
When they begin their field service, the more e+perienced one might ta!e the first door or two. After a friendly
introduction, both publishers could share in giving a witness. Wor!ing together in the ministry for a few wee!s
may lead to fine return visits and even a home ,ible study in the boo! #no!ledge That <eads to E%erlasting
<ife& -he more e+perienced publisher might conduct the study for a while and then turn it over to the new
Jingdom proclaimer. How happy both publishers will be if the ,ible student manifests appreciation for the
!nowledge of 2odL
!!! E4 2%02 '( & ')*( # P*5)81 015 <,*2 ,B G,2 F;??F !!!
47
M;)?-B-52 B-:?5 S0;25.0+H After a ,ible student has ta!en in !nowledge and attended meetings for a
while, he may want to become a Jingdom publisher. .f you are conducting the study with such a student,
consider these *uestions: .s he ma!ing progress, consistent with his age and abilityB Has he begun to share
his faith informally with othersB .s he putting on the new personality"B >)ol. =:46? <oes he meet the
*ualifications for unbaptiDed publishers, outlined on pages 58A5 in the 6ur 2inistry boo!B .f so, you should
contact the )ongregation 9ervice )ommittee so that arrangements can be made for two elders to meet with
you and the student. .f he *ualifies, the two elders will inform him that he can begin sharing in the public
ministry
!!! E4 $%=$ '( & ')*( = H," 0, M)E5 D-+8-'?5+ <-01 015 K.,"?52/5 B,,E !!!
45
-he procedure to be followed for determining whether one *ualifies to share in the public ministry is
outlined in the January 4', 455(, "atchto!er, page 4(, paragraph (. When the student *ualifies, it would be
helpful to conduct a practice session to prepare him for his first day in field service. .n a positive manner,
discuss the people1s reactions and ob/ections that are common in your territory. 9tart him in the houseAtoA
house wor! first if at all possible, and progressively train him in other features of the ministry. .f you !eep
your presentation short and simple, it will be easy for him to imitate. ,e upbuilding and encouraging,
radiating /oy in the wor!, so that he pic!s up your spirit and reflects it. >Acts 47:&'? -he goal of a new disciple
should be to become a regular, Dealous publisher of the good news. Gerhaps you can help him to wor! up a
practical schedule for service. .n order for him to progress in his ability to witness to others, you may suggest
that he read the "atchto!er issues of August 4', 457%, pages 4'A&' July 4', 4577, pages 5A&6 January
4', 4554, pages 4'A&6 and January 4, 455%, pages &6A'.
!!! "=$ %& ''( $-9 ')*( # J51,7)13+ S155' N552 T5.25* C)*5 !!!
7
.f our ministry is to be effective, good advance preparation is essential. -herefore, the two publishers
might first get together to practice presentations suggested in the monthly issues of 6ur #ingdom 2inistry&
When they begin their field service, the more e+perienced one might ta!e the first door or two. After a friendly
introduction, both publishers could share in giving a witness. Wor!ing together in the ministry for a few wee!s
may lead to fine return visits and even a home ,ible study in the boo! #no!ledge That <eads to E%erlasting
<ife& -he more e+perienced publisher might conduct the study for a while and then turn it over to the new
Jingdom proclaimer. How happy both publishers will be if the ,ible student manifests appreciation for the
!nowledge of 2odL
!!! E4 $%0& '( P)*0 0CC,.2;80-./ P*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
T*)-.-./ S0;25.0+ -. 015 H,;+5-0,-H,;+5 M-.-+0*F
4
When the elders determine that a ,ible student *ualifies as an unbaptiDed publisher, he may begin to
share with the congregation in the public preaching wor!. >9ee 6rgani9ed to Do $eho%ah)s "ill, pp. 85A74.?
How can we help the student to meet the challenge of preaching from house to houseB
&
P*5')*-./ T,/5015*H -here is no substitute for good preparation. 9how the student where he can find
suggested presentations in 6ur #ingdom 2inistry and the 4easoning boo!, and help him select a simple
approach that is practical for the local territory. From the start, encourage him to feature the ,ible in his
ministry.#& -im. %:&.
=
Gractice sessions are very beneficial for a new publisher. As the student rehearses the presentation,
show him how to handle tactfully the responses that are common in the territory. >)ol. %:(? Assure him that
)hristian ministers do not need to !now the answer to every *uestion that a householder might raise. Iften it
is best to handle such *uestions by offering to do research and to return to discuss the matter further.#Grov.
4':&7.
%
P*5)81-./ T,/5015*H -he first time the student shares in the houseAtoAhouse ministry, let him observe
as you give the presentation that the two of you prepared together. -hen get him involved. .n some cases, it
may be best to have the new publisher give only part of the presentation, such as reading and commenting
on a scripture. -a!e into consideration the personality and abilities of the student. >Ghil. %:'? ,e generous in
giving commendation as you progressively train him in the various aspects of the preaching wor!.
'
.t is important to help a new publisher establish a regular schedule for participating in the ministry, doing
so wee!ly if possible. >Ghil. =:4(? $a!e definite arrangements to wor! together in service, and encourage
him to wor! with other Dealous ones also. -heir e+ample and association will help him to develop s!ill and
find /oy in preaching from house to house.
!!! E4 9%0& '( P)*0 CC,.2;80-./ P*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
H5?'-./ S0;25.0+ 0, M)E5 R50;*. V-+-0+
4
When a ,ible student begins to share in the preaching wor!, he will meet people who show interest in
the good news. How can we help the new publisher to ma!e effective return visits and to cultivate the
interest he findsB
&
Greparation for a return visit begins with the initial call. 3ncourage the student to ta!e a sincere interest
in those with whom he spea!s. >Ghil. &:%? Grogressively train him to draw them out, to listen to their
comments, and to note the things that concern them. When someone shows interest, have the new publisher
write down the pertinent information about the call. Nse that information to help him plan further discussions.
=
P*5')*-./ 0, R50;*.H 0eview the initial call, and show the student how to select an aspect of the
Jingdom message that will appeal to the householder. >4 )or. 5:45A&=? Grepare together a brief presentation
that features one ,ible te+t along with a paragraph in a study publication. .n addition, prepare a *uestion that
can be raised at the conclusion of the discussion to lay the groundwor! for the ne+t visit. 9how the new
publisher how to add to the person1s !nowledge of 2od1s Word with each successive visit.
%
.t is also helpful to provide the student with a simple introduction. After greeting the householder, he
might say: . en/oyed our previous conversation, and . have returned to share further ,ible information on
Emention the topicF." ;ou may also need to show the new publisher how to respond if a different person
answers the door.
'
F,??," U' D-?-/5.0?FH 3ncourage the student to set a good e+ample in returning promptly on all who
show interest. Finding people at home may re*uire persistence in calling bac!. -each the student how to
ma!e appointments to visit again, and help him appreciate the need to return as promised. >$att. ':=8? -rain
the new publisher to be !ind, considerate, and respectful as he searches for sheepli!e ones and cultivates
their interest.#-itus =:&.
!!! E4 #%0& '( # S0)*0-./ B-:?5 S0;2-5+ )0 015 D,,*+05' ).2 :F T5?5'1,.5 !!!
4
Geople today are busy. ;et, many have an interest in spiritual things. How can we help them to satisfy
their spiritual needB >$att. ':=? $any publishers are able to study the ,ible with people at their doorstep or
by telephone. )ould you e+pand your ministry in this mannerB
&
-o start ,ible studies, we need to be prepared to demonstrate a ,ible study whenever the opportunity
presents itself. How and where can this be doneB
=
A0 015 D,,*+05'H When you meet a person who is willing to converse about the ,ible, simply open to a
paragraph that you have prepared in advance, such as the first paragraph of lesson 4 in the 4eCuire
brochure, and begin. 0ead the paragraph, consider the *uestion, and discuss one or two cited scriptures.
Iften this can be done right at the doorstep in five to ten minutes. .f the person en/oys the discussion, ma!e
an arrangement to consider the ne+t paragraph or two at another time.#Further suggestions on using the
direct approach to start studies can be found in the January &66& 6ur #ingdom 2inistry, p. (.
%
A similar approach can be used to start ,ible studies when ma!ing return visits. For e+ample, you might
introduce the 4eCuire brochure and feature 2od1s name, using lesson &, paragraphs 4A&. In the ne+t visit,
you could discuss what the ,ible reveals about Jehovah1s *ualities, using paragraphs =A%. For the following
discussion, you could consider paragraphs 'A( and the picture on page ' to highlight how a study of the
,ible helps us to get to !now Jehovah. All of this can ta!e place while standing at the doorstep.
'
BF T5?5'1,.5H 9ome people may be more willing to study the ,ible by telephone than in person.
)onsider the following e+perience: While preaching from house to house, a sister met a young woman who
is a mother and a busy career woman. When the sister was unable to contact her again at home, she
decided to telephone her. -he young woman e+plained that she really did not have time to discuss the ,ible.
-he sister said: .n 46 or 4' minutes, you can learn something new, even by telephone." Well, if it1s by
phone, then, IJL" answered the woman. ,efore long, a regular study was being conducted over the
telephone.
(
Would some of those whom you visit be willing to study by telephoneB ;ou could try the approach /ust
described, or you might simply say: .f you prefer, we could discuss the ,ible by telephone. Would that be
better for youB" ,y adapting our ,ible study program to the circumstances of others, we may help them to
find the very !nowledge of 2od."
!!! E4 #%=> ''( D-> K55' <)?E-./ P*,/*5++-75?F -. ). O*25*?F R,;0-.5 !!!
4
-he apostle Gaul had a special affection for the congregation in Ghilippi, which he was instrumental in
forming. He was grateful for their !ind material provisions and spo!e of them as a good e+ample.#& )or.
7:4A(.
&
Gaul1s letter to the Ghilippians was prompted by deep love. -he 3nsight boo!, Kolume &, page (=4,
reports: -hroughout the letter he encourages the Ghilippian congregation to continue in their fine course#
see!ing greater discernment and getting a sure grip on the Word of life, a stronger faith, and hope in the
priDe to come." -hey responded warmly, cementing a bond of love between them and the apostle. Gaul1s
words ta!e on special meaning for us today, giving us good reason to reflect carefully on his admonition,
particularly what is stated at Ghilippians =:4'A48.
=
A M)0;*5 M5.0)? A00-0;25 I+ E++5.0-)?H At Ghilippians =:4', Gaul wrote as a man with years of
e+perience. He ac!nowledged the Ghilippians1 spiritual advancement, appealing to them as mature
)hristians with a right mental attitude. As long as their mental attitude reflected the humility and appreciation
demonstrated by Jesus, they would continue to be blameless and innocent, children of 2od without a
blemish . . . , !eeping a tight grip on the word of life." >Ghil. &:4', 4(? When we read Gaul1s words, we should
feel that he is tal!ing to us. -hus we earnestly desire to have the same mental attitude that Jesus had and to
display humble appreciation for our privileges. We continually appeal to Jehovah in prayer, as!ing for help in
this and in other matters.#Ghil. %:(, 8.
%
As Ghilippians =:4( indicates, all of us should endeavor to ma!e progress. -he word progress" means
moving forward, ma!ing advancement." Geople who are progressive are interested in new ideas, findings,
or opportunities." Gaul wanted the Ghilippians to understand that )hristianity is never stagnant and those
who profess it must !eep moving forward. -heir progressive spirit would be demonstrated by a willingness to
e+amine themselves, to ac!nowledge their wea!nesses, and to reach out for opportunities to do more or to
improve the *uality of what they were doing. -oday Jehovah1s earthly organiDation !eeps moving forward
progressively, ever e+panding its scope of activity and its understanding of 2od1s Word. 3ach one of us must
!eep pace with it, ta!ing advantage of all its provisions and sharing fully in its wor!.
'
P*,/*5++ R5I;-*5+ ). O*25*?F R,;0-.5H Gaul continued by urging his brothers to go on wal!ing
orderly in this same routine." >Ghil. =:4(? ,eing orderly re*uires us to put persons or things in their proper
places in relation to one another and to be well behaved. -he )hristians in Ghilippi !ept themselves in their
proper place, staying close to Jehovah1s organiDation and to one another. -heir lives were governed by the
law of love. >John 4':48 Ghil. &:4, &? Gaul urged them to behave in a manner worthy of the good news."
>Ghil. 4:&8? -he need for orderliness and fine behavior is /ust as important for )hristians today.
(
A routine is a habitual performance of an established procedure. .t is thus closely related to a customary
way of doing things. Having a routine can wor! to our advantage because we do not have to pause and
deliberate when ma!ing decisions about our ne+t step#we have already established a set pattern that we
follow by force of habit.
8
An orderly theocratic routine consists of habits and customs that are wholesome, beneficial, godly#with
the ob/ective of building ourselves up spiritually, helping others, and, if possible, doing more in Jehovah1s
service. 9uccess in achieving these goals re*uires establishing and maintaining a routine that includes
personal study, regular attendance at meetings, and participation in the preaching wor!.
7
E++5.0-)?+ I.8?;252 -. ). O*25*?F R,;0-.5H Ine essential is accurate !nowledge and full
discernment." >Ghil. 4:5? Gersonal study deepens our faith, strengthens our appreciation for the truth, and
motivates us toward fine wor!s. However, some have found it difficult to be consistent in their study habits.
Ine of the principal reasons given is a lac! of time.
5
-he benefits of reading the ,ible daily cannot be overemphasiDed. .ts instruction is beneficial" in every
way. >& -im. =:4(, 48? How can we find time for ,ible study in our daily routineB 9ome have found that they
can get up a few minutes earlier each morning, when their mind is alert. Ithers find that they do better when
reading a few minutes before retiring at night. Wives who are at home during the day may be able to set
aside a little time in the afternoons before others get home from wor! or school. .n addition to regular ,ible
reading, some have included reading of the 0roclaimers boo! in their wee!ly study routine.
46
When we establish new habits, there is a real possibility that they will conflict with our former habits. .n
the past we may have been inclined to allow nonessential activities to consume available time. ,rea!ing
away from that pattern is not easy. :o one is going to dictate our study habits nor are we re*uired to ma!e
an accounting of what we do in this regard. -he consistency of our study habits depends largely on our
appreciation of the more important things" and our willingness to buy out the opportune time" to benefit
from them.#Ghil. 4:46 3ph. ':4(.
44
)hristian meetings play a vital role in our spiritual progress, providing necessary instruction and
encouragement. Hence, attending meetings is another essential part of our orderly routine. Gaul emphasiDed
the importance of this. .t is not an option determined by preference.#Heb. 46:&%, &'.
4&
How can orderliness be displayed when we plan our wee!ly schedule of activityB 9ome arrange for
specific times to care for personal pursuits and then try to s*ueeDe the meetings into any available openings,
but it should be the other way around. Iur wee!ly meetings should be given priority, with other activities
planned around them.
4=
0egular meeting attendance re*uires good planning and family cooperation. In wee!days most of us
have a busy schedule of activity that often leaves us pressed for time. -his means that, if possible, the
evening meal must be scheduled early enough for the family to have sufficient time to eat, get ready, and
arrive at the meeting before it begins. -o that end family members can cooperate in various ways.
4%
0egular field service is indispensable if we are to !eep wal!ing progressively in an orderly routine. All of
us clearly recogniDe our weighty responsibility to preach the Jingdom message. -hat is what ma!es us
Jehovah1s Witnesses. >.sa. %=:46? 9ince it is the most urgent and beneficial wor! being performed today,
there is no way that we can properly view it as an incidental part of our routine. Gaul admonished: Cet us
al!ays offer to 2od a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which ma!e public declaration to his name."#
Heb. 4=:4'.
4'
When we plan our activity for each wee!, specific times should be set aside for field service. Ci!ely the
congregation has meetings for service arranged several times each wee!, and it is simply a matter of
deciding which ones we can support. .t would be good to reach out for a share in each feature of service,
such as doing houseAtoAhouse wor! with magaDines and other literature, ma!ing return visits, and conducting
,ible studies. We may even plan ahead to do informal witnessing by carrying literature and being alert to
opportunities to start conversations. 9ince we usually go out with others, we need to in*uire about their
schedule so that we can ma!e arrangements that will be mutually convenient.
4(
Iur routine of preaching should be maintained despite indifference in the territory. We !now in advance
that only a few will respond favorably. >$att. 4=:4' &%:5? 3De!iel was commissioned to preach to people who
were @rebellious, insolent, and hardhearted.1 Jehovah promised to help 3De!iel by ma!ing his forehead
e+actly as hard as their foreheads," that is, li!e a diamond, harder than flint." >3De!. &:=, % =:8A5? A regular
routine for service therefore re*uires perseverance.
48
G,,2 EG)4'?5+ 0, I4-0)05H $ost of us do better in field service when there is someone to ta!e the
lead. Gaul and his companions set a good e+ample, and he urged others to imitate him. >Ghil. =:48? His
routine included all the elements needed to !eep himself spiritually strong.
47
-oday, too, we are blessed with fine e+amples. At Hebrews 4=:8, Gaul urged: 0emember those who
are ta!ing the lead among you, . . . and as you contemplate how their conduct turns out imitate their faith." If
course, )hrist is our 3+emplar, but we can imitate the faith e+ercised by those ta!ing the lead. Ci!e Gaul, the
elders must be conscious of the need to be good e+amples to others. While their personal circumstances
may vary, each one should be able to show that he is maintaining an orderly routine in !eeping Jingdom
interests first. 3ven with secular and family obligations, elders should have wellAestablished habits in
personal study, meeting attendance, and ta!ing the lead in the field service. ,y elders1 giving evidence that
they are @presiding over their households in a fine manner,1 all in the congregation will be encouraged to !eep
wal!ing in an orderly routine.#4 -im. =:%, '.
45
G,)?+ B,* 015 N5" S5*7-85 Y5)*H -he beginning of a new service year is a fitting time to reflect on our
personal routine. What does a review of our activity for the past year showB Were we able to maintain, or
possibly improve, our level of activityB We may have been more thorough in our personal study. We may
have attended meetings with better regularity or may have increased our field service by enrolling as
au+iliary pioneers. Gerhaps we are able to point to specific acts of )hristian !indness we have performed in
behalf of others in our congregation or family. .f so, we can re/oice that we have wal!ed in a way that pleases
2od, and we have good reason to !eep on doing it more fully."#4 -hess. %:4.
&6
What if our routine was somewhat inconsistent or sporadicB How were we affected spirituallyB Was our
progress hindered for some reasonB .mprovement begins with a re*uest for Jehovah1s help. >Ghil. %:(, 4=?
<iscuss your needs with the rest of the family, re*uesting their help in ad/usting aspects of your routine. .f
you have problems, as! the elders for assistance. .f we ma!e an earnest effort and respond to Jehovah1s
direction, we can be sure that we will avoid being either inactive or unfruitful."#& Get. 4:'A7.
&4
Wal!ing in an orderly routine leads to blessings that ma!e your efforts worthwhile. As you determine to
wal! progressively in an orderly routine, do not loiter at your business. ,e aglow with the spirit. 9lave for
Jehovah." >0om. 4&:44?#For a more detailed treatment of this sub/ect, see The "atchto!er of $ay 4, 457',
pages 4=A48.
!!! E4 =%0& ''( D-$ C,.2;80-./ P*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
-his insert is a compilation of !ey points from the series of articles on conducting progressive
,ible studies that has appeared in 6ur #ingdom 2inistry& All are encouraged to save this insert
and to consult it when conducting ,ible studies. .n addition, points from this insert may be
highlighted during meetings for field service, and service overseers may use it as the basis for
tal!s they present when visiting boo! study groups.
P)*0 H <1)0 I+ ) B-:?5 S0;2FA
.f you regularly and systematically have ,ible discussions, though brief, using the ,ible or along with it
one of the recommended publications, you are conducting a ,ible study. -he study may be reported when it
has been conducted two times after the study arrangement is demonstrated and if there is reason to believe
that the study will continue.#km 8O6% p. 4.
R58,445.252 P;:?-8)0-,.+
T "hat Does :od 4eCuire of Bs5
T #no!ledge That <eads to E%erlasting <ife
T "orship the 6nly True :od
T -ou =an /e :od)s Ariend. may be used to study with people who have limited education or reading ability.
P)*0 2H P*5')*-./ 0, C,.2;80 015 S0;2F
We need to present the information in a way that touches the student1s heart. -his re*uires thorough
preparation with the student in mind.#km 7O6% p. 4.
H," 0, P*5')*5
T 3+amine the title, subheadings, and visual aids of the chapter or lesson.
T .dentify the answers to the printed *uestions, mar!ing only !ey words and phrases.
T <ecide which cited scriptures to read during the study. $a!e brief notes in the margin of the study
publication.
T Grepare a brief review of main points.
P5*+,.)?-J5 015 L5++,.
T Gray about the student and his needs.
T Anticipate points that the student may have difficulty understanding or accepting.
T )onsider: What does he need to understand or wor! on in order to ma!e spiritual progressB How can .
reach his heartB
T As needed, prepare an illustration, an e+planation, or a series of *uestions to help the student grasp a point
or a scripture.
P)*0 DH EBB580-75 U+5 ,B 015 S8*-'0;*5+
Iur purpose in conducting ,ible studies is to ma!e disciples" by helping people to understand and
accept the teachings of 2od1s Word and apply them in their lives. >$att. &7:45, &6 4 -hess. &:4=? -herefore,
the study should center on the 9criptures.#km 44O6% p. %.
T5)81 F*,4 G,23+ <,*2
T 9how the student how to find specific te+ts in his own copy of the ,ible.
T Coo! up and discuss ,ible te+ts that show the 9criptural basis for our beliefs.
T Nse *uestions. .nstead of e+plaining ,ible te+ts to the student, have him e+plain them to you.
T Jeep it simple. <o not try to e+plain every aspect of a scripture. .nclude only what is needed to ma!e the
point clear.
T $a!e practical application. Help the student to see how ,ible te+ts apply to him personally.
P)*0 >H T*)-.-./ S0;25.0+ 0, P*5')*5
A student who reads the lesson beforehand, mar!s the answers, and thin!s of how to e+press them in his
own words ma!es rapid spiritual progress. -herefore, once a regular study has been established, prepare a
lesson together to show the student how. With most students, it will be helpful to prepare an entire chapter or
lesson together.#km 4&O6% p. 4.
M)*E-./+ ).2 N,0)0-,.+
T 3+plain how to find direct answers to the printed *uestions.
T 9how the student your copy of the study publication in which you have mar!ed only the !ey words or
phrases.
T Help the student to see that each cited te+t supports a point in the paragraph, and show him how to ma!e
brief notations in the margin of his study publication.
S;*75F ).2 R57-5"
T 9how the student how to e+amine the chapter or lesson title, subheadings, and illustrations before
beginning his detailed preparation.
T 3ncourage the student to review the main points at the conclusion of the preparation session.
P)*0 &H D505*4-.-./ H," M;81 M)05*-)? 0, C,75*
-he amount of material that can be considered will depend on the ability and the circumstances of both
the teacher and the student.#km 4O6' p. 4.
B;-?2 S,?-2 F)-01
T <o not sacrifice the student1s having a clear understanding of 2od1s Word for the sa!e of speed.
T 9pend whatever time is necessary to help the student understand and accept what he is learning.
T Allow sufficient time to consider !ey scriptures that provide the basis for the teachings.
K55' 015 S0;2F M,7-./
T .f the student is inclined to spea! at length about personal matters, you may need to arrange to discuss
these after the study.
T <o not tal! e+cessively during the study. Cimit the discussion of side points and e+periences so as not to
hinder the student from ac*uiring an accurate !nowledge of basic ,ible teachings.
P)*0 $H <15. ) S0;25.0 R)-+5+ ) M;5+0-,.
Ince a ,ible study is wellAestablished, it is usually best to consider ,ible teachings in an orderly manner
rather than /ump from sub/ect to sub/ect. -his helps the student to build a foundation of accurate !nowledge
and to progress spiritually.#km &O6' p. (.
B5 D-+85*.-./
T Huestions related to the study material can usually be answered on the spot.
T Huestions unrelated to the study material or that re*uire research can be considered at another time. .t
may be helpful to write down such *uestions.
T .f the student has difficulty accepting a certain teaching, consider additional material that thoroughly
discusses the sub/ect.
T .f the student is still not convinced, leave the sub/ect for another time and continue with the study.
B5 M,25+0
T .f you do not !now the answer to a *uestion, do not venture an opinion.
T Grogressively teach the student how to do research.
P)*0 9H OBB5*-./ P*)F5* )0 015 S0;2F
.n order for ,ible students to ma!e spiritual progress, Jehovah1s blessing is essential. -herefore, it is
proper to open and close an established study with prayer.#km =O6' p. %.
H," 0, I.0*,2;85 P*)F5*
T With those who are religiously inclined, prayer can often be offered from the very first study.
T With others, we need to discern the appropriate time to introduce prayer.
T Gsalm &':%, ' and 4 John ':4% can be used to e+plain why prayer is offered.
T John 4':4( can be used to show that we should pray to Jehovah through Jesus )hrist.
<1)0 0, I.8?;25 -. P*)F5*+
T .t is fitting to praise Jehovah as the 9ource of instruction.
T 3+press sincere interest in the student.
T 3+press appreciation for the organiDation that Jehovah is using.
T 0e*uest Jehovah1s blessing on the student1s efforts to apply what he is learning.
P)*0 #H D-*580-./ S0;25.0+ 0, 015 O*/).-J)0-,.
Iur goal in conducting ,ible studies is not only to teach doctrinal information but also to help students
become part of the )hristian congregation. -a!e a few minutes each wee! on the study to share a point
about Jehovah1s organiDation.#km %O6' p. 7.
C,./*5/)0-,. M550-./+
T <escribe each congregation meeting. From the first study, invite them to attend.
T 9hare outstanding points that were presented at the meetings.
T ,uild enthusiasm for the $emorial, assemblies, and the visit of the circuit overseer.
T Nse photographs in our publications to help them visualiDe what ta!es place.
T 3ncourage them to read the brochure $eho%ah)s "itnesses1"ho Are They5 "hat Do They /elie%e5
U+5 V-25,+ 0, B;-?2 A''*58-)0-,.
T $eho%ah)s "itnesses1The 6rgani9ation /ehind the ame
T 6ur "hole Association of /rothers
T Bnited by Di%ine Teaching
T To the Ends of the Earth
P)*0 =H P*5')*-./ S0;25.0+ 0, <-0.5++ I.B,*4)??F
As ,ible students begin to e+ercise faith in what they are learning, they are impelled to spea! about it.#
km 'O6' p. 4.
E.8,;*)/5 T154 0, <-0.5++
T Are there friends and family members whom they could invite to sit in on the studyB
T Have any of their wor!mates, schoolmates, or other ac*uaintances e+pressed interestB
T*)-. T154 0, S1)*5 T15-* B5?-5B+
T At selected points during the study, as! the student, How would you use the ,ible to e+plain this truth to
your familyB"
T Help the student appreciate the need to be respectful and !ind when spea!ing with others about 2od and
his purposes.
T -he brochure $eho%ah)s "itnesses1"ho Are They5 "hat Do They /elie%e5 can be used by students to
help friends and family members understand our ,ibleAbased beliefs and activities.
P)*0 0H T*)-.-./ S0;25.0+ -. 015 H,;+5-0,-H,;+5 M-.-+0*F
When the elders determine that a ,ible student *ualifies as an unbaptiDed publisher, he may begin to
share with the congregation in the public preaching wor!.#km (O6' p. 4.
P*5')*-./ T,/5015*
T 9how the new publisher where he can find suggested presentations.
T Help him select a simple approach that is practical for the local territory.
T 3ncourage him to feature the ,ible in his ministry.
T 0ehearse together. 9how him how to handle common responses tactfully.
P*5)81-./ T,/5015*
T Cet the student observe as you give the presentation that you prepared together.
T -a!e into consideration the personality and abilities of the student. .n some cases, it may be best to have
him give only part of the presentation.
T Help the new publisher establish a regular schedule for participating in the ministry.
P)*0 H H5?'-./ S0;25.0+ 0, M)E5 R50;*. V-+-0+
Greparation for a return visit begins with the initial call. 3ncourage the student to ta!e a sincere interest in
those with whom he spea!s. Grogressively train him to draw them out, to listen to their comments, and to
note the things that concern them.#km 8O6' p. 4.
P*5')*-./ 0, R50;*.
T 0eview the initial call, and help the student select a sub/ect that will appeal to the householder.
T Grepare a brief presentation that features one ,ible te+t along with one paragraph in a publication.
T Grepare a *uestion that can be raised at the conclusion of the discussion.
F,??," U' I.05*5+0 D-?-/5.0?F
T 3ncourage the student to return promptly on all who show interest.
T Help the student see the need to persist in trying to reach those who are hard to find.
T 9how the new publisher how to ma!e appointments, and help him appreciate the need to return as
promised.
P)*0 2H H5?'-./ S0;25.0+ S0)*0 ).2 C,.2;80 B-:?5 S0;2-5+
;our imitating Jesus by setting a proper e+ample in your own ministry is vital. As your student observes
your lead in the ministry, he will appreciate that the ob/ective in ma!ing return visits is to start ,ible studies.#
km 7O6' p. 4.
OBB5*-./ ) B-:?5 S0;2F
T 3+plain to the student that it is not generally necessary to describe the study arrangement in detail.
T Iften it is best simply to demonstrate the study using one or perhaps two paragraphs from a study
publication.
T 0eview and rehearse one of the suggestions for starting ,ible studies.#km 7O6' p. 7 km 4O6& p. (.
T*)-.-./ S0;25.0+ 0, B5 T5)815*+
T 3ncourage students to enroll in the -heocratic $inistry 9chool.
T Arrange for new publishers to go on other ,ible studies in which they might have a small share in teaching.
!!! E4 D%0= '( 2 H," 0, U+5 015 G,23+ L,75 B,,E 0, C,.2;80 B-:?5 S0;2-5+ !!!
4
How thrilled we were at our 2uided by 2od1s 9pirit" <istrict )onvention to receive the new boo! #eep
-oursel%es in :od)s <o%e'L As announced, this publication is designed to help us !now and love Jehovah1s
standards of conduct and not for teaching basic ,ible doctrines. We will not be offering this boo! from door to
door.
&
-his boo! will serve as the second publication to be studied with ,ible students after completing the
/ible Teach boo!. Jeep in mind that people have different rates of spiritual growth. 3ach study should be
conducted at a pace comfortable to the student. $a!e sure that the material considered is clearly
understood. .n most cases, this boo! should not be used to start ,ible studies with people who may have
already studied several boo!s in the past but who are not attending congregation meetings and clearly are
not interested in conforming their lives to the ,ible truths they were taught.
=
.f you are presently conducting a study in the "orship :od boo! and are in the last few chapters, you
may decide to complete that publication and to encourage the student to read the :od)s <o%e' boo! on his
own. Itherwise, it would be best to transfer to the new boo! and start from the beginning. As with the /ible
Teach boo!, discussion of the topics in the appendi+ is optional.
%
.f a student gets baptiDed before completing both boo!s, then the study should continue until the :od)s
<o%e' boo! is finished. 3ven though the student is baptiDed, you may report the time, the return visit, and the
study. A publisher who accompanies you and participates in the study may also count the time.
'
.f you are assigned by a member of the )ongregation 9ervice )ommittee to conduct a ,ible study with
someone who has become inactive in the preaching wor!, you may be as!ed to consider specific chapters in
the :od)s <o%e' boo!. 9uch studies need not be conducted for a prolonged period of time. What a fine
provision we have in this new boo!, which has been designed to help us remain in 2od1s love"L#Jude &4.
!!! E4 $%00 '( > ')*+( 9-# H," C,;?2 I ( ( ( U.?5++ S,45,.5 G;-252 M5A !!!
8
.t is a mar! of )hristian love to give close, personal attention to each interested person with whom we
study. Iur ob/ective is to help the student achieve greater insight into the truth of 2od1s Word. -hen he can
ta!e a definite, !nowledgeable stand for the truth and dedicate his life to Jehovah, symboliDing that
dedication by water baptism.#Gs. %6:7 3ph. =:48A45.
7
<o you remember what happened after the 3thiopian eunuch was baptiDedB He !ept going on his way
re/oicing" as a new disciple of Jesus )hrist. >Acts 7:=5, %6? $ay we and those whom we successfully guide
in the way of the truth find great /oy in serving Jehovah 2od#now and foreverL
!!! E4 >% '( 2 M;5+0-,. B,G !!!
M;5+0-,. B,G
T H," ?,./ +1,;?2 "5 +0;2F "-01 ) '*,/*5++-75 B-:?5 +0;25.0A
.t is best to continue studying with a progressive ,ible student until he has completed two publications#
"hat Does the /ible 4eally Teach5 and #eep -oursel%es in :od)s <o%e&' -his is true even if the student
gets baptiDed before finishing both boo!s. After his baptism we may continue to report the time, the return
visits, and the study. .f a publisher accompanies us and participates in the study, he may also count the time.
#9ee the $arch &665 6ur #ingdom 2inistry, page &.
.t is important for new ones to have a good foundation in the truth before they are left on their own. -hey
need to be rooted" in )hrist and stabiliDed in the faith" so as to withstand the trials they are sure to face.
>)ol. &:(, 8 & -im. =:4& 4 Get. ':7, 5? Additionally, to teach others effectively, they must have an accurate
!nowledge of truth." >4 -im. &:%? ,y completing two boo!s with our students, we are helping them attain a
solid footing on the road leading off into life."#$att. 8:4%.
,efore approving someone for baptism, elders should ensure that he clearly understands primary /ible
teachings and is li%ing in harmony !ith them& 3lders should be especially careful when considering a student
who has not yet completed the first study boo!. .f someone is not ready for baptism, the elders will ma!e
sure that he receives the necessary personal assistance in order to *ualify for baptism in the future.#9ee
6rgani9ed to Do $eho%ah)s "ill, pages &48A&47.
DAY $
!!! "=& %& ''( -2 T15 J,F ,B J51,7)1 I+ O;* S0*,./1,?2 !!!
N,01-./ :;0 J,FB;?
%
Ine outstanding reason for /oy is the provision Jehovah ma!es for assembling together. -he assemblies
and conventions of Jehovah1s Witnesses bring them /oy today, /ust as the annual festivals held by the
.sraelites brought /oy to their hearts. -he people of .srael were told: 9even days you will celebrate the
festival Eof boothsF to Jehovah your 2od in the place that Jehovah will choose, because Jehovah your 2od
will bless you in all your produce and in every deed of your hand, and you must become nothing but /oyful."
><euteronomy 4(:4=A4'? ;es, 2od wanted them to become nothing but /oyful." -he same is true of
)hristians, for the apostle Gaul urged fellow believers: Always re/oice in the Cord. Ince more . will say,
0e/oiceL"#Ghilippians %:%.
'
9ince Jehovah wants us to be /oyful, he gives us /oy as one of the fruits of his holy spirit. >2alatians
':&&, &=? And what is /oyB .t is the delightful emotion caused by the e+pectation or ac*uisition of good. Joy is
a state of true happiness, even e+ultation. -his fruit of 2od1s holy spirit sustains us under trial. For the /oy
that was set before him EJesusF endured a torture sta!e, despising shame, and has sat down at the right
hand of the throne of 2od." >Hebrews 4&:&? -he disciple James wrote: )onsider it all /oy, my brothers, when
you meet with various trials, !nowing as you do that this tested *uality of your faith wor!s out endurance."
,ut what if we do not !now what to do about a certain trialB -hen we can confidently pray for wisdom to deal
with it. Acting in harmony with heavenly wisdom enables us to resolve problems or to cope with persistent
trials without losing the /oy of Jehovah.#James 4:&A7.
(
-he /oy that Jehovah gives strengthens us to promote true worship. -hat is what happened in the days
of :ehemiah and 3Dra. Jews of that time who had the /oy of Jehovah as their stronghold were strengthened
to further the interests of true worship. And as they promoted the worship of Jehovah, their /oy increased.
-he same is true today. As worshipers of Jehovah, we have grounds for great re/oicing. Cet us now consider
a few more of our many reasons for /oy.
!!! "=& D%& ''( D-> H," C). Y,; E.*-81 Y,;* P*)F5*+A !!!
H," C). Y,; E.*-81 Y,;* P*)F5*+A
G0A;30 is uni*ue among the loving provisions of Jehovah 2od. Ipposers may confiscate your ,ible or
prevent you from meeting with fellow worshipers, but no one can rob you of prayer. -o overstate the value of
prayer is impossible. How important it is, then, for each one of us to cherish and ta!e full advantage of this
privilege. What can help you to enrich your prayersB
-he ,ible is not a prayer boo!. ;et, it could be described as man!ind1s greatest te+tboo! on prayer. -he
Hebrew 9criptures alone contain over 4'6 prayers. 9ome are short others are long. -hey were uttered in
public or in private, by !ings or by captives, in triumph or in tribulation. As <avid sang in Gsalm (':&, people
of all flesh" turn to Jehovah, the Hearer of prayer." Why did 2od inspire the writers of the ,ible to record
such a broad selection of prayersB
-o answer that *uestion, consider & -imothy =:4(. .t says: All 9cripture is inspired of 2od and beneficial."
-hus, ,iblical prayers are there to guide us, as are 9criptural prophecy, principles, and history. How can
these prayers be of benefit to usB
,y loo!ing closely at 9criptural prayers, we can identify those said in situations similar to our own. We
can learn how prayers vary in purpose and setting. $oreover, we will discover new e+pressions of praise and
than!sgiving and will find fresh words for our petitions and supplications. .n short, ,iblical prayers can help
us to enrich our own prayers.
$ary, who became the mother of Jesus, was a person who apparently benefited from e+pressions used
in a prayer recorded in the ,ible. 9he visited her relative 3liDabeth after each of them had conceived a son
with divine assistance. $ary offered praise and than!sgiving to 2od, and some of her words are remar!ably
similar to those contained in a prayer in the Hebrew 9criptures. .t seems li!ely that $ary was familiar with the
prayer uttered by Hannah, the mother of 9amuel the prophet. Hannah had also conceived a son with 2od1s
help, more than 4,666 years earlier. )ould it be that $ary meditated on this prayer because it reflected her
own feelingsB#4 9amuel &:4A46 Cu!e 4:%(A''.
What about youB )an you recall a ,iblical prayer spo!en under circumstances similar to your ownB
Finding, reading, and meditating on such prayers will help you to enrich your own communication with 2od.
.n the ne+t article, we invite you to e+amine three prayers from the Holy 9criptures. -hey were offered under
different circumstances, perhaps similar to yours.
!!! "#9 9%& '( = ')*( > P*)F5*+ R5I;-*5 <,*E+ !!!
4%
-he principle that prayers re*uire wor!s also applies to these words of the disciple James, the half
brother of Jesus: .f any one of you is lac!ing in wisdom, let him !eep on as!ing 2od, for he gives generously
to all and without reproaching and it will be given him." >James 4:' $atthew 4=:''? ,ut does 2od impart
this wisdom to us by some miracleB :o. First of all, we must have the right attitude, as we read: He will
teach the mee! ones his way." >Gsalm &':5? And how does 2od teach the mee! ones"B ,y means of his
Word. Again, we must put forth an effort to understand it and apply it, as indicated at Groverbs &:4A(: $y
son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure up my own commandments with yourself, so as to pay
attention to wisdom with your ear, that you may incline your heart to discernment if, moreover, you call out
for understanding itself and you give forth your voice for discernment itself, if you !eep see!ing for it as for
silver, . . . in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very !nowledge of 2od.
For Jehovah himself gives wisdom."
!!! "92 =% '( &2& ')*+( 2D-2> Y,; A*5 N575* A?,.5 !!!
From all parts of the world come modernAday e+amples, proving that true )hristians are never alone. .n
2ermany, during World War .., thousands of Witnesses were put in Hitler1s concentration camps, usually
deprived of their ,ibles. Ine of those Witnesses, after his release, wrote: When . was arrested . was
than!ful that . had not neglected personal ,ible study, as it helped me to have the faith to endure. Fre*uently
. thought about the endurance mentioned by the ,ible writer James, who said: @Coo!L We pronounce happy
those who have endured.1#Jas. ':44.
&%
Although the prison officials too! the ,ible away from me, they permitted other prisoners Ewho were not
WitnessesF to have it. -hey thought that my faith would become wea! if . did not have the ,ible, and . would
renounce my faith by signing a declaration to that effect prepared by the :aDis. -hey failed to realiDe that .
had impressed the truth of 2od1s Word deeply upon my mind by personal and group ,ible study long before .
was imprisoned. -hey could not remove those faithAstrengthening truths from my mind."