Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the Week of December 7-13, 2026

Starting a Conversation

Publisher: Hello, don’t worry—finish watering. I can wait here so I don’t get in your way.

Householder: There, that was the last one. I’m using the water left from washing the vegetables. I feel bad throwing it away when it can still be useful. Go ahead.

Publisher: That’s a good way to make use of it. I wanted to share a brief thought from the Bible. But what you’re doing caught my attention. Have you always liked plants?

Householder: Yes, ever since I was little. My mother had a patio full of them. Now I try to teach my grandchildren how to care for them, although they have trouble remembering to water them. Pulling out the flowers is more entertaining to them.

Publisher: So they’re learning that caring for plants takes work, not just that they’re pretty.

Householder: That’s what I’m trying to teach them. But honestly, sometimes I think it does little good. You save a bucket of water and then see how much is wasted. I worry about what kind of planet we’ll leave them.

Publisher: Of course, what you do doesn’t make up for everything others damage. Are you more worried about the damage that has already been done, or that we won’t manage to stop it?

Householder: That we won’t stop it. Many solutions are proposed, but afterward everything remains the same. And my grandchildren are little. I don’t want to frighten them, although I can’t tell them that everything is going wonderfully either.

Publisher: Yes, you want to give them hope without hiding the problems from them. The Bible teaches something simple about the earth’s future: It will not disappear. Had you heard that idea before?

Householder: I had heard the opposite—that the Bible announces the end of the world. That’s why I’ve never connected religion with having hope for this planet.

Publisher: I understand why that surprises you. If you’d like, we can look at a verse that speaks directly about how long the earth will last, without getting into other subjects right now.

Householder: Let me hear it. I’m curious to know what it says.

Publisher: Notice the contrast Ecclesiastes 1:4 makes between human generations and the earth. I’ll read it to you.

Publisher: Ecclesiastes 1:4 — A generation is going, and a generation is coming, But the earth remains forever. The earth is not presented here as something that will disappear. That’s the thought I wanted to share with you.

Householder: But its continuing to exist doesn’t mean that we can live well on it. It could still be there and be ruined. That’s what worries me.

Publisher: You’re right to distinguish between those two things. This verse answers whether the earth will remain; by itself, it doesn’t explain how the damage will be repaired. I wouldn’t want to attribute more to it than it says.

Householder: Well, I understand that. Keeping a house standing is one thing, and having it fit to live in is another.

Publisher: Exactly. And your question deserves an answer, not just a reassuring phrase. Another day, if you’d like, we can see what the Bible says about repairing environmental damage.

Householder: Maybe, if you find me around here. For now, write down that text for me; I’d rather read it again calmly.

Publisher: I’ll write it down for you. And, thinking about your grandchildren, are you concerned that talking to them about a better future might make them think they no longer need to care for nature?

Householder: Yes, exactly. If I tell them that God will repair the damage, they might answer, “Then why should we make any effort?” I wouldn’t want them to draw that conclusion.

Publisher: I understand. But expecting something to be repaired doesn’t mean neglecting it. If your home’s patio were going to be repaired, would you let them damage the plants in the meantime? Hope and care can go together.

Householder: That’s how I could explain it to them. But first I want to understand it well myself; that’s why I’d rather start by reading that text calmly.

Publisher: Of course, Ecclesiastes 1:4. I’ll leave it written down for you. I’ve enjoyed hearing your point of view. I’ll let you get back to your plants.

Starting a Conversation

Householder: May I look for a moment? I’m waiting for the library to open, and I saw the books as I walked by. There are still a few minutes left.

Publisher: Of course. Feel free to look. If anything catches your attention or you have a question, I’m here.

Householder: Oh, these are religious publications. Are you Jehovah’s Witnesses? I think I’ve seen that same name somewhere else.

Publisher: Yes, we are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Householder: I’ll be honest: A coworker told me that you’re a sect. I don’t mean to offend you, but that’s why I had never approached.

Publisher: I’m not offended that you asked. If you’ve heard that, I understand why you would have reservations. Did your coworker explain what she meant by that word?

Householder: That once you start listening, you have to believe whatever you’re told. And I don’t like people deciding for me, especially in religious matters.

Publisher: We agree on that: A belief shouldn’t be accepted simply because someone states it very confidently. Anything I explain should be something I can show you in the Bible, rather than asking you to take my word for it.

Householder: But many religions say they use the Bible. That alone doesn’t let me know who is right. Each one finds something that seems to support it.

Publisher: That’s true; saying that we use the Bible isn’t enough. You would need to check whether what we explain agrees with it. There is a Bible account that shows precisely that attitude: listening, but also checking.

Householder: And does it speak favorably of those who check? Questions aren’t always well received when someone is convinced that he has the truth.

Publisher: Yes, the account favorably highlights what they did. It’s brief; if you’d like, I’ll read it and then you can tell me what you think.

Householder: All right. I’m interested in seeing how it presents the matter.

Publisher: It’s at Acts 17:11. Notice what these people did to check what they were hearing.

Publisher: Acts 17:11 — Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they accepted the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. They did not merely listen with interest. They compared what they were taught with the Scriptures. So if you examine an explanation I give you, you’re doing something this account presents positively.

Householder: Yes, I understand that. But it also says they listened with interest. Right now I have more doubts than interest. I wouldn’t want you to mistake this conversation for wanting to become a Witness.

Publisher: I’m not assuming that. You approached to look and told me about a concern. We can discuss it without your having to make any decision.

Householder: Then how could I check a teaching without having to read all these books first? That would take quite a while.

Publisher: We could start with one question you have. We would look for what the Bible says and also read what appears around the passage. That way you could judge whether the explanation fits, rather than accepting only my conclusion.

Householder: Reading what appears around it seems important to me. A sentence in a book can sound very different if you don’t know what comes before it.

Publisher: Exactly. If I showed you only one sentence, you could ask me to read the rest. The point isn’t for me to win an argument, but for you to see what our teachings are based on.

Householder: Well, I still don’t know whether my coworker was wrong. But I’d rather check things for myself. Will you write down where the passage you just read is found?

Publisher: Certainly: Acts, chapter 17, verse 11. You can read it calmly in your Bible and review the entire account.

Householder: I’ll do that first. They’re opening the library now, and I have to go in. If I pass by again, perhaps I’ll ask you something else.

Householder: I have a difficulty: I’m not used to reading the Bible. If I find something I don’t understand, you’ll find it easier to explain than I will to know whether that explanation is correct. How can I avoid accepting something just because it sounds convincing?

Publisher: That’s a good question. You don’t have to answer it immediately. For example, when reading this account, you could write down what you understand and what raises questions. If we talk afterward, we can focus on one of those questions. And if I don’t know how to answer it, the best thing would be to admit that and look for the information, rather than give you just any explanation.

Householder: That would help me. Sometimes I say yes because I don’t know how to express what I find difficult to understand. I could write the question at home, without feeling that I have to find the words while we’re talking.

Publisher: Of course. And you can tell me that an explanation hasn’t cleared up your question. The point isn’t for you to agree with me out of courtesy, but for you to understand what you read. Start calmly with the account you’ve written down.

Publisher: You’re welcome. Have a good day.

Making Disciples

Publisher: Before I go, were you able to sort out the washing machine problem? Last week you were waiting to find out how much it would cost to repair.

Householder: Yes, they gave me an estimate, but it will have to wait. Between the rent and other things, I can’t pay for it now. I’m washing some clothes by hand.

Publisher: That has made things quite difficult for you. I wanted to mention something related to that, but it’s a personal matter. Would it be all right to discuss it now that we’re alone?

Householder: Go ahead. Although, with that introduction, you’re making me a little worried. Is something wrong?

Publisher: I’ve noticed a strong odor on your clothes a few times. I don’t want to jump to conclusions without hearing you out. I wondered whether the breakdown is making it difficult for you to have clean clothes to change into.

Householder: Yes, but I’m embarrassed to talk about it. I shower when I get back from the workshop. The problem is that sometimes I have to put the same shirt back on.

Publisher: I understand. So it isn’t that you don’t care about taking care of yourself. You’re bathing, but your clothes are causing problems. Is washing them or getting them dry the harder part?

Householder: Both. Work clothes are very hard to wash by hand. And indoors they take a long time to dry. Sometimes I put them away while they’re still a little damp because I need to get them out of the way.

Publisher: I didn’t realize you were dealing with all that. Thank you for explaining it. Have you been able to use a laundromat in the meantime, or is that difficult too?

Householder: There’s one nearby, but every load costs money. Besides, I thought the important thing in our study was learning about God. I didn’t know we would also talk about my clothes.

Publisher: I understand why that surprises you. I don’t want to turn the study into an inspection of your personal matters. But what we learn from Jehovah can also help us care for our daily life, including hygiene.

Householder: Do you mean that God cares about how I’m dressed? Because I can’t buy new clothes, and the work clothes have stains that won’t come out.

Publisher: I’m not talking about buying clothes or dressing in a certain way. A stain that won’t come out isn’t the same as a garment that hasn’t been washed. There’s a Bible principle that can guide us. Would you like to read it?

Householder: Yes, read it to me. I want to understand how it relates to this.

Publisher: Notice that Paul includes himself when speaking about cleanliness; he isn’t singling someone out to shame him. I’ll read 2 Corinthians 7:1.

Publisher: 2 Corinthians 7:1 — Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This counsel covers more than personal hygiene, but it helps us see that cleanliness of the body matters too. We can care for that aspect out of respect for Jehovah, not to impress anyone.

Householder: I understand that. What worries me is that it might seem as if I don’t care, when I’m actually trying to manage. I can’t fix the machine this week.

Publisher: I’m not asking you to fix it this week. I understand the difficulty better now. If you’d like, we can think of something you can do while you save the money.

Householder: I could take the clothes to my sister’s house. She already offered, but I don’t want to show up there every two days with a bag.

Publisher: Of course; you don’t want to take advantage of her help. Do you think you could agree on a day that works for her instead of going without warning?

Householder: I usually stop by on Saturdays. I could ask her whether it would be all right to bring a load of laundry. That way I wouldn’t have to make another trip either.

Publisher: That seems easier to maintain. And would you have enough clean clothes to change during the week, or would we need to think about that detail too?

Householder: I have shirts. The problem is that I let them all pile up. When I want to wash them, I don’t have any clean ones left. I could set aside the ones I’ll need.

Publisher: So you don’t need to start by buying more. You could organize the washing and have clean clothes ready for after your shower. What might prevent you from doing that this week?

Householder: Honestly, I’m embarrassed to ask my sister for the favor. I told her I was managing fine. Now I’ll have to admit that it hasn’t been so easy.

Publisher: You can explain exactly that: You tried washing by hand, but it hasn’t worked out. She already offered to help. Accepting her help for a while doesn’t mean that you want to leave all the responsibility to her.

Householder: I’ll call her this afternoon. But I’d prefer that this stay between us. I’d feel uncomfortable if other people started offering me clothes or asking me about it.

Publisher: I won’t arrange anything or mention it to others. If you want specific help, tell me. Would it be all right if I ask you next week how it went?

Householder: Yes, you can ask me. At first I was a little upset, but now I see what you meant. I’ll talk to my sister first and separate the clothes for Saturday.

Publisher: When you talk to her, you could also clarify what you would do. Asking her to take care of your clothes isn’t the same as asking permission to use her washing machine. Would you feel more comfortable putting it that way?

Householder: Yes, because I don’t want to give her more work. I can take care of the washing. But there’s one detail: If it finishes when I have to leave, I’d return home with all the clothes wet and would still have trouble drying them.

Publisher: That’s true; it would be good to plan for that. You could ask whether you may start the wash when you arrive and whether there is room to hang the clothes. If they need to stay there until they dry, agree on when you will pick them up. That way you’ll know whether the arrangement works for both of you before taking the bag.

Householder: That helps. I’ll ask her about both things, not just the washing machine. I want to accept her help without her ending up doing everything. Settling those details will make me feel more at ease when I call her.

Publisher: All right. And if that arrangement doesn’t work, we’ll look for another possibility together. You don’t have to solve everything at once; you’ve already identified one specific step you can take.