Living as Christians for the week of August 31 to September 6, 2026

“Be Adaptable—Use JW.ORG”

How could I show empathy before giving a witness? James 1:19

Comment 1:
First, I should listen carefully and let the person explain what happened. James 1:19 says that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. Before trying to give a Bible answer, I would need to show that I genuinely care about how the person feels.

Comment 2:
I could acknowledge the person’s pain with a simple statement, saying that I understand how, after such a difficult experience, it may be hard to understand why God allowed it to happen. It would not be the time to correct the person’s view immediately, but to listen.

Comment 3:
It would also be good to ask a tactful question to better understand what the person has gone through. That way, I would not assume that I know exactly how the person feels. Listening to the answer would also help me choose Bible information that truly addresses the concern.

Comment 4:
I would not try to minimize what happened by immediately saying that everything will be all right. If the person feels that God abandoned them, they first need to see that we are not ignoring their suffering. Then it will be more natural to show what the Bible says about Jehovah.

Comment 5:
Empathy is also shown by our tone and attitude. We can speak calmly, avoid interrupting, and show sincere interest. That way, the person will see that we are not simply trying to deliver a prepared presentation but are trying to help personally.

What scripture would I use? How would I find it on jw.org?

Comment 1:
I could use Revelation 21:4, which is the very scripture searched for in the video demonstration. In the jw.org search box, I would type “Revelation 21:4.” The results make it possible to go directly to the verse and also find information that explains it.

Comment 2:
Revelation 21:4 would be very appropriate because it shows that Jehovah is not indifferent to suffering. He promises to eliminate death, pain, and tears. I could simply search for the reference and then read the verse directly from the Bible on jw.org.

Comment 3:
The video shows a very practical advantage: we do not need to go through many menus. If we know the scripture, we can type the Bible reference directly into the search box. That allows us to adapt quickly without losing the flow of the conversation.

Comment 4:
After finding Revelation 21:4, I could also look at the related results. In the video, besides the verse, there is content that explains that promise. So if the person wants to know more, we can expand the conversation right away.

Comment 5:
I could also have other comforting scriptures prepared, but the important lesson from the video is to know how to use the search feature well. If I remember the reference, I type it directly. That way I can quickly find the verse and focus attention on the Bible.

If no scripture comes to mind, what could I type in the search box to find suitable information?

Comment 1:
I could type a simple word related to the person’s concern, such as “death”. The video shows this kind of topic search when we do not have a specific Bible reference in mind.

Comment 2:
I could also search for “death of a loved one” or “when a loved one dies”. In the demonstration, results appear about what to do when someone we love dies. That can quickly lead us to suitable articles or videos.

Comment 3:
If the person is speaking more generally about a tragedy, I could type “why does God allow suffering”. I do not need to remember the exact title of an article; a few key words can help me find useful information.

Comment 4:
I could type words that reflect exactly what the person has just said, for example “God has abandoned me”, “suffering”, or “tragedy”. The idea is to adapt the search to the specific problem instead of insisting on the subject we had prepared.

Comment 5:
The video teaches me that the search box can be a quick aid during a conversation. If I cannot remember a scripture, I can think: “What is the main issue troubling this person?” Then I search those words and review the most suitable results.

If I do not have access to jw.org or JW Library®, how could I help the person?

Comment 1:
I could use the Bible directly, either a printed copy or a scripture I know well. Technology is a very useful tool, but the most important thing is still to help the person with God’s Word.

Comment 2:
If at that moment I cannot remember exactly which scripture to use, I would not need to make up an answer. I could say that the question is very important and offer to research it so I can return another day with information that can truly help.

Comment 3:
I could also focus on listening and offering comfort. Even if I cannot access jw.org at that moment, I can show empathy and leave the conversation open. Later I can look up suitable information and prepare for a return visit.

Comment 4:
If I have a printed publication that discusses suffering, hope, or death, I could use it. That way I can still share a Bible teaching even without an Internet connection or access to JW Library.

Comment 5:
This also shows why it is good to prepare in advance and know some basic scriptures. The more familiar we are with the Bible and the resources on jw.org, the easier it will be to adapt even when technology is not available.