Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the Week of February 22-28, 2027

Making Disciples

Publisher: A new idea is easier to understand when we can relate it to something we already know. That is the advice in Enjoy Life Forever, lesson 11, “Simplicity,” point 4: use what our student already knows to help him understand new ideas. Let’s think about how to apply it during a Bible course.

Householder: The example in the lesson is very practical. Before beginning to study the resurrection, we can briefly review what the student already knows about what happens to us when we die. That way, we do not start from zero or assume that he remembers everything we have studied.

Publisher: We could ask him what he remembers learning about the condition of the dead. The purpose is not to test him but to find out what he understands clearly and what he needs to review. To recall together the Bible’s basis for that teaching, let’s read Ecclesiastes 9:5.

Householder: Ecclesiastes 9:5 — For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have any more reward, because all memory of them is forgotten. This passage helps us remember that the dead are not conscious of what is happening. If the student understands that idea, we already have a starting point for the next lesson. We can ask him to explain it in his own words and listen to his answer before continuing.

Publisher: What if his answer shows that he still has doubts? Instead of rushing to present the new idea, it would be better to clarify that point first. A brief review may be enough. What matters is not that he repeat a memorized answer but that he understand what we are going to build on.

Householder: Once that is clear, we can connect it with the subject of the resurrection: we have already recalled the condition of the dead; now we are ready to study the hope the Bible offers. The transition makes sense because it starts with a teaching the student knows and understands.

Publisher: As we prepare for the next Bible course, let’s ask ourselves: What does this person already know that could help him understand what comes next? Choosing that point of reference and briefly reviewing it will help us teach simply, without complicating the explanation or adding unnecessary information.

Making Disciples

Publisher: Did you find the notebook? If you want, I’ll wait while you look for it.

Householder: I have this one, but I had written some things in another. When I organized the shelf, I moved them around. Well, I have the book; we can begin.

Publisher: Yes, we can continue with the book. We are up to the introduction of lesson 30. It talks about a promise from Jehovah that gives us hope: people who have died can live again.

Householder: I saw the picture before you arrived. It looks as if a family is welcoming a child. It caught my attention, although I did not really understand what was happening.

Publisher: It shows a family welcoming a child who has just been resurrected. The introduction explains that Jehovah will resurrect millions upon millions of people so that they can enjoy life forever.

Householder: It sounds nice, but I find it hard to imagine. I have heard the word resurrection many times, and I am not sure I understand it the way you are using it.

Publisher: Here we are talking about living again. Death causes tremendous pain, and this promise allows us to think about something other than loss and sadness.

Householder: I understand that. What I am not clear about is how it fits with what we discussed about the dead. I actually had a note about that in the other notebook.

Publisher: We already covered that subject; it will become clearer as we go along. First, notice how the Bible views death. I’m going to read 1 Corinthians 15:26, because it explains why we need Jehovah to do away with it.

Publisher: 1 Corinthians 15:26 — And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. Death is an enemy, not something we should consider good. Jehovah promises to eliminate it. The introduction reminds us that we already studied that promise in lesson 27.

Householder: Yes, I remember that we talked about a future without death. But I was thinking about those who have already died. I do not know whether I am mixing up what I learned with other ideas.

Publisher: Well, this lesson is specifically about them. It not only presents a future without death; it also explains that Jehovah will bring countless people back to life. That is why the picture shows a reunion.

Householder: I understand what it represents. But to me there is a step between the two things that I still do not see. Could we look for a moment at what we studied before?

Publisher: We can leave that review for later. The questions in this introduction will guide us: Is it really possible to live again, and will the resurrection be in heaven or on earth?

Householder: Now I have those questions too, but I still have the first doubt. I would like to explain in my own words what we already studied before adding something else.

Publisher: You will learn more details later. For now, keep in mind the main idea of the introduction: Jehovah promises a resurrection, and those who have died will be able to live again.

Householder: For example, if my sister asks me what I am learning, I would like to explain it without confusing her. She has also heard about the resurrection, but perhaps she understands it differently. How will I notice the difference if my own ideas are still unclear?

Publisher: In that conversation, you can focus on the purpose of the promise: it is not merely a matter of living again but of enjoying life forever. That shows why it is such a beautiful hope.

Householder: Yes, although she might ask me exactly what resurrection means. I would not want to limit myself to repeating a sentence from the book.

Publisher: For now, you can tell her that Jehovah will bring the dead back to life.

Householder: I can repeat that idea, but I still would not know how to explain it. I would rather look for my notes before continuing; otherwise, I keep turning pages without being sure that I understand.

Making Disciples

Publisher: So many pictures! Are these the ones you wanted to put in the album?

Householder: Yes, my sister brought me another box. Look, this is my grandmother. She always looked serious, but she made us laugh so much. I am setting some aside to show my children.

Publisher: That way they can learn something about what she was like, not just see her face.

Householder: That is what I want. Although it makes me sad to think that they never got to know her. Well, I’ll put these aside and we can begin.

Publisher: What you just said relates to the introduction of lesson 30. But first let’s recall something we already studied. In lesson 27 we learned what Jehovah will do about death. What do you remember about that promise?

Householder: That he will do away with it. I remember because we said that living without fear of losing someone would be very different.

Publisher: Yes, that was the idea. And because of the pain caused by losing someone, the Bible presents death as an enemy. Let’s recall how that promise is expressed. I’ll read First Corinthians 15:26. This passage is very appropriate. Shall we read 1 Corinthians 15:26?

Publisher: 1 Corinthians 15:26 — And the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing. This speaks of eliminating death, not merely easing the sadness it causes. Thinking about what you said regarding your grandmother, what question do you still need answered?

Householder: What happens to those who have already died. Because having no one die again would be wonderful, but that is not the same as getting someone back.

Publisher: That is true; they are two different things. What you have already learned leads us to that new question. The introduction explains that Jehovah also promises to resurrect millions upon millions of people so that they can enjoy life forever.

Householder: Does resurrection mean that they will really live again? Isn’t it referring to our continuing to remember them, as I do with these pictures?

Publisher: It refers to their really living again. The photographs help you remember your grandmother, but they do not allow you to talk with her. The promise presented in this lesson goes far beyond preserving a memory.

Householder: I would like to believe it, but I find it difficult. I have never seen anyone come back to life. I do not want to get my hopes up just because the idea is beautiful.

Publisher: You do not have to accept it without examining it. The introduction itself raises the question of whether it is really possible. Look also at the illustration in this lesson: a family welcomes a child who has just been resurrected. What does it make you think?

Householder: About the joy of embracing him again. But the picture does not prove that it will happen. And I also do not understand where those people would live.

Publisher: Of course, the picture represents the hope; it does not replace the reasons for believing in it. You have identified the two questions we will study: Is the resurrection possible, and will resurrected people live in heaven or on earth? Shall we begin with the first?

Householder: Before we continue, I am concerned about how to talk about this with my children. If they see that picture, they may ask when they will meet their great-grandmother. I would not know what to answer without promising them something I do not yet understand well.

Publisher: You can simply tell them what you are learning and acknowledge what you do not yet know. For example: “We are studying Jehovah’s promise to bring those who have died back to life. I still have questions and want to understand it better.” You do not need to have all the answers now.

Householder: That way I could share what I am learning without giving them a date or assuring them of something about their great-grandmother. That reassures me.

Publisher: Exactly. Would it help you to examine the basis for that hope first and then think about how to explain it to them?

Householder: Yes. First I want to understand why we can be sure that someone can live again. Then we can see where.

Making Disciples

Publisher: Is that easier for you to read, or would you prefer that we make the letters a little bigger?

Householder: This is fine. Before, I sometimes skipped a line. I already have lesson 19 open, but when I saw that it is about Jehovah’s Witnesses, a question came to mind.

Publisher: Go ahead. We can talk about that before we begin.

Householder: All Christian religions say that they follow Jesus. So do you. How, then, can I know who really follows him? If I ask each one, I suppose they will tell me that their religion is the right one.

Publisher: It is reasonable that you would not want to decide that based only on what someone says about himself. Before comparing those claims, we can start with something you have already learned. When we studied what Jesus was like, what stood out to you about the way he treated people?

Householder: That he was interested in them. He did not merely explain things to them. What I remember most is that his love could be seen in what he did.

Publisher: What you remember helps us with your question. If someone says that he follows Jesus, it would be logical to look for that same love in his conduct. But we do not have to rely on our opinion. Notice the sign Jesus himself gave; I’m going to read John 13:35.

Publisher: John 13:35 — By this all will know that you are my disciples—if you have love among yourselves.” Jesus was talking about how his disciples could be identified. Relating this to what you just remembered about him, what would we need to observe—only what they say, or also how they treat one another?

Householder: How they treat one another. Although I know good people from different religions. One of my neighbors helps others a lot, and she is not one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Publisher: Of course, and we should not deny the good your neighbor does. This verse does not ask us to do that. It invites us to focus on the love Jesus’ disciples have for one another, not simply on whether a person is kind.

Householder: I understand the difference, but to know how a group treats one another I would have to get to know it fairly well. On a first visit, almost everyone can seem kind.

Publisher: Yes, a first impression does not tell us everything. Think of a friendship: Is it enough for someone to tell you that you can count on him, or do you find that out over time?

Householder: Over time. Especially when I need something or we disagree. That is when I see whether he really cares about me or whether we only get along when everything is easy.

Publisher: You can examine this matter with that same calm attitude. There is no need to reach a conclusion before studying the lesson. Notice how the introduction presents what we will consider.

Householder: Yes, I would rather know what I should look for before deciding whether I agree.

Publisher: It says: “Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that we are true Christians. Why? Let’s examine the basis for our beliefs and the name that distinguishes us, and let’s also see the kind of love we show one another.”

Householder: So it is not only about love. We will also see where your beliefs come from and why you are called that.

Publisher: Yes. And you already have a basis for beginning: what you know about Jesus and what we have read about his disciples. That will allow you to relate the new information to something you already understand instead of memorizing a list of characteristics.

Householder: It helps me to see it that way. But I still wonder how to verify that your beliefs come from the Bible and are not simply ideas that have been repeated over time.

Publisher: We can keep that question in mind as we continue studying. The lesson’s pictures show Jehovah’s Witnesses talking with others about the Bible. It is not enough merely to show it; what matters is examining whether what we teach is based on it.

Householder: That interests me. I want to be able to ask questions and look at the scriptures, not feel that I have to accept an explanation just because it is already written in the book.

Publisher: Of course. If something does not convince you or is not clear, we can discuss it. Shall we begin with the basis for our beliefs and check the explanations with the Bible as we go?

Householder: Yes, let’s start there. And afterward I would like to return to the subject of love, because I understand the idea, but I want to learn more about how it is put into practice.

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