Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the week of December 21-27, 2026

Starting a Conversation

Publisher: Good morning. Are you talking on the phone? I ask because of the headphones. If I’m interrupting, I can come back another time.

Householder: No, it’s a message from my daughter. It’s finished now. She sent me three in a row to tell me the same thing. Go ahead.

Publisher: Then, if it’s all right with you, we can talk for a moment. But if you need to answer her first, that’s no problem.

Householder: I’d rather answer her afterward. She’s thinking about changing her studies and wants to explain all the reasons to me. I already told her what I think, but we keep going around in circles.

Publisher: Of course, changing your studies is an important decision. And perhaps it isn’t as easy to understand each other through a message as it is when talking calmly.

Householder: We have the same problem in person. She says I don’t listen to her. But listening to her doesn’t mean I have to agree with her, does it?

Publisher: No, you can listen to her reasons and still think differently. Sometimes the difficult thing is letting the other person finish without already preparing our answer. I find that difficult too.

Householder: That happens to me. As soon as she starts, I think, ‘You’ve already told me this.’ And I interrupt her because I think I know what she’s going to say next.

Publisher: There’s a Bible principle that helps me resist that impulse. It doesn’t talk about which studies to choose but about how we listen to one another. May I read you a sentence?

Householder: All right, if it’s brief. Although I don’t usually read the Bible.

Publisher: Yes, it’s just one sentence. Notice the order James 1:19 gives for listening, speaking, and controlling anger.

Publisher: James 1:19 — Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, Listening comes first. It doesn’t say that we have to agree with everything. In your situation, it could mean understanding why your daughter wants to change before explaining your own concerns to her.

Householder: But she has to listen to me too. If I let her talk and then I can’t say anything, we aren’t having a conversation either.

Publisher: You’re right; both of you are needed. You can begin by listening to her without giving up your right to express what you think. For example, before giving her advice, check whether you understand what concerns her most.

Householder: Ask her why she wants to quit? I already asked her that, and she said she doesn’t like it.

Publisher: Rather, pick up on something specific that she explained. If she mentions job opportunities, ask whether that is what concerns her most. That way she can clarify it instead of starting over from the beginning.

Householder: She talked about that in her last message. I was thinking more about the time she has already invested. Maybe we’re talking about two different things.

Publisher: That may be so. Listening to that detail won’t resolve the decision, but it allows you to talk about what really concerns each of you.

Householder: I’m going to listen to that last message again before answering. I don’t promise to be that patient, but I can try.

Publisher: I’ll let you do that in peace. My name is Ana. If we meet another day and you feel like it, we can continue our conversation.

Publisher: Trying is already a good beginning. And if you notice that you’re getting angry while listening to the message, you don’t have to answer immediately. You can take a moment to think about how to express your concern without making it sound like a reproach.

Householder: The thing is, if I don’t answer, she may think I’m not interested in what she’s telling me.

Publisher: You could send her something brief: “I received your messages. I’d rather we talk calmly. When would be a good time for you?” That way you don’t leave her message unanswered, and you can look for a time that works for both of you.

Householder: I can do that. I’ll listen to it and suggest that we find some time to talk.

Householder: I’m Luis. All right, Ana. Good morning.

Following Up

Publisher: Good morning. Is Eduardo here? We spoke last week, and he told me I could find him in the morning. I’m Andrés.

Householder: I’m his son. He went to the hardware store, and I don’t know how long he’ll be. Are you the one who spoke with him about the Bible?

Publisher: Yes, I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. We hadn’t arranged a specific time, so I can come back another day. Am I interrupting you now?

Householder: I’m waiting for some files so I can continue working. I can talk for a moment, but I should tell you that religion doesn’t interest me much. My father enjoys those conversations.

Publisher: Thank you for telling me. The fact that your father wants to talk doesn’t mean that you have to. Would you prefer that I simply leave him a greeting?

Householder: It’s not that I mind talking. What I don’t like is someone coming to tell me how to live without knowing me. That happens to me quite a lot, even here at home.

Publisher: I understand. You wouldn’t want this to be another conversation in which someone draws conclusions about you without listening to you first.

Householder: Exactly. I work designing things from home. Since people see me in front of the computer, some think I’m just amusing myself. They ask me to run errands at any time, and if I say I can’t, it seems that I don’t want to help.

Publisher: So you’re not saying that you don’t want to cooperate, but that you need them to respect your work schedule. Is that what you find difficult to make them understand?

Householder: Yes, although my schedule isn’t always the same either. Some days are quiet, and on others I have an urgent deadline. But before I can explain that, they’re already comparing me with my brother, who works outside the home.

Publisher: Then simply telling you to organize yourself better wouldn’t take into account what you’ve just told me. There are deadlines that change and responsibilities that others may not see.

Householder: That’s right. Although I suppose you’re going to tell me now that the Bible has the solution. I don’t see how such an old book could understand a job like mine.

Publisher: It doesn’t speak about your profession, of course. But it does speak about what happens when we answer without knowing the situation. If you don’t mind, I can read you one sentence related to that.

Householder: All right, one sentence. What I don’t want is for us to end up talking about something unrelated to what I’ve told you.

Publisher: Agreed. It has to do precisely with listening before judging. Notice what Proverbs 18:13 says.

Publisher: Proverbs 18:13 — When anyone replies to a matter before he hears the facts, It is foolish and humiliating. I need to apply this to myself too. If I gave you advice without letting you explain what is happening, I would be doing exactly what bothers you.

Householder: The idea seems reasonable to me. But listening doesn’t mean agreeing with me. My father could hear my whole explanation and still think I should look for another job.

Publisher: That’s true. Listening doesn’t guarantee agreement. But it allows you to talk about the real problem. It’s not the same to think that you’re wasting time as it is to know that you have to deliver a design that afternoon.

Householder: It may also be that he doesn’t know when to ask me. Sometimes he says something and I answer badly because I’m concentrating. Then we both remain angry over something fairly small.

Publisher: From what you say, there is something that both sides need to clarify. You need to explain your deadlines and perhaps also listen to what your father needs before answering him.

Householder: Yes. I could talk to him when I finish, not while I’m waiting for a deadline. That doesn’t mean I’m going to become interested in religion, but that sentence is useful to me.

Publisher: Of course; you don’t have to decide anything else. And I won’t keep you, since you’re waiting for work. When do you think I might find your father?

Householder: He’s usually here Saturday morning. I’ll tell him Andrés came. And write down where that sentence was, because I won’t remember later.

Publisher: I’m glad you want to remember the idea. Although finding an idea useful is one thing, and finding a way to discuss it without making the other person feel criticized is another.

Householder: That worries me. If I tell my father that he should listen before speaking, he’ll probably think I’m lecturing him. I don’t want to use the Bible to throw what he does in his face.

Publisher: I understand; you want to draw closer to him, not start another argument. Perhaps you could begin by acknowledging your own part: “Dad, I’m sorry I answered you badly. What did you need?” That way you put the idea into practice without first demanding that your father change. Afterward you could explain when you will be available.

Householder: That feels more natural to me. Ask him first, instead of assuming that he’s coming to interrupt me. Then leave me the reference so I can remember it—not to use it against him.

Publisher: Certainly: Proverbs, chapter 18, verse 13. I’ll write it down for you. Thank you for explaining your point of view. I hope the deadline goes well.

Making Disciples

Publisher: Did you find the pictures you wanted to show your sister?

Householder: Student: Yes, they were in another box. She’s coming Saturday, and we’re going to sort them. I wanted to take the opportunity to tell her that I’m studying the Bible, but I’ve been thinking for several days about how to do it. I don’t want her to think I invited her over to give her a lecture.

Publisher: Of course, you invited her to spend time together, and that doesn’t have to change. Does she know anything about the course, or would this be the first time you mention it?

Householder: Student: She knows that a friend helps me understand the Bible. Once she asked me what we were doing, but we were talking on the phone and she had to hang up. I didn’t continue either because I didn’t know where to start.

Publisher: So she has already shown some curiosity. You could return to that question without preparing a long explanation. What would you like to tell her—something that has really been important to you since you began studying?

Householder: Student: That I’m getting to know Jehovah better. I used to think of God as someone very distant. But saying it that way may sound strange to her. And if she asks me something difficult, I’ll draw a blank.

Publisher: You don’t need to know how to answer everything in order to tell her something you’ve learned. There’s a passage that can help us choose a simple goal for that conversation. Notice what Jesus told a man at Mark 5:19. It is very appropriate for this situation. Shall we read Mark 5:19?

Publisher: Mark 5:19 — However, he did not let him but said to him: “Go home to your relatives, and report to them all the things Jehovah has done for you and the mercy he has shown you.” Jesus told him to speak to his relatives about what Jehovah had done for him. That gives us an idea: you can begin with something personal, without trying to explain everything you are learning to your sister.

Householder: Student: The part about compassion catches my attention. That is exactly what is helping me see Jehovah differently. But something extraordinary had happened to that man; my situation is different.

Publisher: Yes, the circumstances are different. We are not saying that the same thing happened to you. We can learn from the direction to speak with one’s family. You could explain in your own words why you like learning about Jehovah’s compassion.

Householder: Student: I could explain that to her. My sister knows me and knows that before I hardly ever spoke about God. She’ll probably be surprised that I’m so interested now.

Publisher: Would you like to practice how you might tell her? You don’t have to memorize anything. Think about the question she asked you on the phone and one thing you would like to share.

Householder: Student: I could say: “The other day you asked me about the course. Well, I’m learning things about God that I didn’t know. For example, I’m enjoying discovering that Jehovah is compassionate. That has changed the idea I had of him.”

Publisher: There you explain what you are learning and why it matters to you. Then you could let her respond. If she is curious, what could you show her so that she can see where you got that idea?

Householder: Student: This same verse. I could tell her that I was impressed by the way Jesus spoke about Jehovah’s compassion. Although I don’t know whether she’ll want to read the Bible while we’re looking at the pictures.

Publisher: She may not want to, and you can respect that. If she asks more, you can offer to show her the passage. If she prefers to continue with the pictures, you don’t have to insist. Your interest in her does not depend on whether she wants to read it.

Householder: Student: That reassures me. I was worried that once I started, I would have to carry the explanation through to the end. Besides, she immediately notices when I have something too carefully prepared.

Publisher: Preparing can help you keep one idea clear, but it does not force you to follow a script. It is like when you want to tell her some news: you know what you want to say, although the conversation may then take a different direction.

Householder: Student: What if she tells me that she already has her own beliefs and does not intend to change them? I don’t want us to end up arguing. Sometimes we both insist on having the last word.

Publisher: In that case, what could you say so that she sees that you respect her decision and only wanted to share something important to you?

Householder: Student: That I’m not asking her to change her beliefs. I only wanted to answer her question and tell her why I’m enjoying the course. Then I would drop the subject, even if I still had things to say.

Publisher: That would give her room. And if she asks you something you don’t know how to answer, you can admit it and suggest looking for the answer. You don’t have to improvise. So, what goal would you like to set for Saturday?

Householder: Student: Return to her question and tell her one thing I’m learning, if we have a quiet moment. Not try to explain the whole course to her. I’ll mark Mark 5:19 in case she wants to see it.

Publisher: And when we study again, if you like, you can tell me how it went. If a question comes up, we can look for the answer together. The important thing now is for you to be clear about what you want to share and to listen to your sister.

Householder: Student: It will help me to tell you about it afterward. But I may get discouraged if I manage to speak with her and she shows no interest. I think that, without realizing it, I’m expecting her to like it as much as I do. How can I avoid feeling that I accomplished nothing?

Publisher: By distinguishing between your goal and her reaction. You can decide to speak to her lovingly, but you cannot decide how she will feel. For example, if she listens to you and then comments on a picture, that does not mean you did anything wrong. What would help you value your effort?

Householder: Student: Thinking about whether I had the courage to speak, not whether she wanted to continue the conversation. I may have reached my goal even if her response is brief. That way I also won’t be focused on getting a particular reaction while I listen to her.

Publisher: Exactly. When you finish, ask yourself what helped you take that step. Recognizing it will allow you to benefit from the experience next time, without demanding results that do not depend on you.

Householder: Student: Yes, that goal seems possible to me. I’m going to reread the passage before Saturday. I want to understand the idea well so I can explain it in my own words, not give her a speech while we sort the pictures.

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