Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the Week of March 29–April 4, 2027

Starting Conversations

Householder: Are you going to sign up to work overtime? I can work some afternoons, but I want to look it over carefully before I say yes. Changing shifts afterward is a hassle.

Publisher: I’m looking at the same thing. I need to check the days. There’s one afternoon I’ve already set aside to attend the Memorial of Jesus’ death.

Householder: The Memorial? I didn’t know you were religious. My family is, but I haven’t gone to a church in years. Are you one of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Publisher: Yes. I don’t think we’ve ever talked about that. For me, that occasion is important because it allows us to remember Jesus’ death. That’s why I want to organize my schedule so I can be there.

Householder: Well, remembering a death seems sad to me. I understand that Jesus is important to you, but I’d rather remember how he lived or the things he taught.

Publisher: Of course, his life and teachings also deserve attention. Remembering his death does not mean forgetting those things. And it isn’t an idea we made up ourselves; it has a basis in the Bible.

Householder: That does make me curious. There were religious customs in my home, but when I asked where they came from, I was often told that it had always been done that way.

Publisher: And you wanted to know the reason, not just follow the custom. I have the Bible here on my phone. May I read you a verse that explains why we give attention to Jesus’ death?

Householder: Well, if it’s short, yes. I still have a few minutes before I leave. But I should warn you that I don’t know much about the Bible.

Publisher: You don’t need to know it well to see the point. The passage connects the bread and the cup with remembering Jesus’ death. Listen to what 1 Corinthians 11:26 says. There’s a passage that fits this point very well. Would you mind if we read 1 Corinthians 11:26?

Publisher: 1 Corinthians 11:26 — For whenever you eat this loaf and drink this cup, you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he comes. As you can see, the verse highlights the Lord’s death. That is the Bible-based reason why the Memorial focuses on his death, even though we also value everything he taught.

Householder: I understand where you get the idea. But there are things I don’t understand—for example, the bread and the cup. Reading one sentence is not enough for me to understand everything.

Publisher: Of course, this verse does not answer every question. I didn’t want to give you that impression. To understand those details, we would need to spend a little more time considering what the Bible explains.

Householder: I really have to leave now. But you can write down where that text is. I’d prefer to read what comes before and after it too, and then, if I have any questions, I’ll let you know.

Householder: Yes, although I’d feel a little uncomfortable continuing the conversation if you expect me to end up thinking the same way you do. I’m interested in understanding it, but I need to be able to ask questions and say when something doesn’t convince me.

Publisher: Of course, you can do that. You don’t have to agree with me just because we’re coworkers. What matters is that you can check in the Bible what I explain to you. For example, if we discuss the bread and the cup, we can look for the explanation given by the account itself instead of relying only on what I say.

Householder: That makes it easier for me. I could start with that specific question without trying to solve everything at once. And if another question comes up while I’m reading, I’d rather discuss it before moving on to another subject.

Publisher: That sounds good. That question can be the starting point, and we’ll go at your pace. If there’s something I can’t explain, I’ll tell you; we can look it up together.

Publisher: Of course. I’ll write it down for you: 1 Corinthians 11:26. Read it carefully, and if you’d like, we can discuss it during another break. And we’ll confirm the overtime schedule when we check our calendars.

Following Up

Householder: Hi! I can barely hear the doorbell. They just brought me the groceries, and I was putting the refrigerator items away. Give me a second and I’ll be right with you.

Publisher: Of course, take your time. I didn’t want to interrupt you. I was passing by and wanted to say hello. The other day, after the Memorial, we barely had time to say goodbye. Did you find your way home all right?

Householder: Yes, it was easier on the way back. And I liked that you came to meet me at the entrance. Arriving alone at a place where you hardly know anyone can be a little intimidating.

Publisher: It helps me too when someone I know welcomes me. I was glad I could be there with you. Was there anything you heard that especially caught your attention?

Householder: I kept thinking about what was explained about Jesus. But I wanted to tell you something: if you’re here about the Bible course you mentioned before I left, I don’t want to start it for now.

Publisher: Thank you for telling me, Marta. We don’t have to start a course. Accepting the invitation to the Memorial does not mean that you also have to accept anything else. I respect that you don’t want to right now.

Householder: It’s just that I have quite a few commitments. I went because I wanted to know what you were celebrating, but I don’t want it to seem as if I had agreed to anything more.

Publisher: I understand. An invitation should not turn into an obligation. We’ll leave the course aside. And, thinking about how you felt there, were you able to have a comfortable conversation with the people who greeted you?

Householder: Yes. A woman stayed and talked with me while you were helping someone else. She didn’t make me feel out of place. I liked that because I wasn’t really sure what to do.

Publisher: I’m glad you were able to talk. I wanted to invite you to the next meeting, if you would like to come again. Not to begin the course, but so that you can listen and continue getting to know us, as you did that day.

Householder: And why do you meet so often? I can read the Bible at home. Sometimes I even prefer being alone and quiet so I can think about what I’m reading.

Publisher: Reading and thinking quietly are very valuable. Meeting together adds something more: We can encourage one another. There are some Bible words that explain the difference. Would you like me to read them to you?

Householder: Yes, read them. I’m interested in knowing how that relates to attending a meeting.

Publisher: They are at Hebrews 10:24, 25. Notice what we can do for one another when we meet together. There’s a passage that fits this point very well. Would you mind if we read Hebrews 10:24-25?

Publisher: Hebrews 10:24-25 — And let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you see the day drawing near. The purpose is not simply for everyone to be in the same place. It is to be attentive to one another and encourage one another to do what is good. That conversation you had can help you understand it.

Householder: Well, talking with someone can encourage you. But I also do that when I have coffee with my sister. I don’t need to attend a meeting to have company.

Publisher: Of course, and it isn’t a matter of replacing those moments. At the meeting, in addition to talking, we pay attention to the Bible. What we learn can move us to show love and help others, as the passage says.

Householder: I understand. It isn’t just about meeting people. Even so, I’m concerned that if I go, everyone will expect to see me every week afterward. Right now I don’t want to commit to that.

Publisher: For my part, I’m not going to ask you to make that commitment. I’m inviting you to the next meeting; you decide whether you want to come. And if you’d rather think about it, we can leave it there without arranging anything now.

Householder: I’d rather think about it. Write down when it is and where. If I can arrange things, I might go, but don’t count on me yet.

Publisher: All right. I’ll write down the time and address. If you decide to go and want me to wait for you at the entrance, you can let me know. And if you ultimately don’t go, you don’t have to explain yourself to me.

Householder: That works for me. I have your number saved. If I go, I’ll text you, because it would be easier for me to go in with you again.

Publisher: Perfect, Marta. If you text me, we’ll arrange it. I’ll let you finish with the groceries. I’ve enjoyed hearing how the Memorial went for you. Have a good afternoon.

Following Up

Householder: Hello. We can sit out here; it’s shaded now. I have a few minutes before I leave to pick up my daughter. Then, between her activities and things at home, I never stop.

Publisher: I don’t want to delay you. I was glad to see you at the Memorial. There were quite a few people leaving, and we barely had time to talk. Did you have any questions about what you heard?

Householder: Yes, although I’m not sure how to explain it. A lot was said about Jesus. I’ve believed in him since I was a child, but almost everything I know is what others have told me. I’ve never read the Bible on my own.

Publisher: Would you like to check in the Bible what you’ve learned, or is there a specific question about Jesus that you would like to clarify first?

Householder: I would like to check it. My daughter is beginning to ask questions, and sometimes all I can tell her is that I was always taught that way. But getting into a study of religion now seems like too much. I’m not good at that sort of thing.

Publisher: I understand. You want to be able to give her a reason, not repeat something without being sure. If you like, we can try a question and a brief passage now. That way you can see how we could study together, without having to imagine a complicated class.

Householder: All right, that sounds good. But if you ask me names or dates, I probably won’t know the answer. I had a hard time memorizing things in school.

Publisher: We’re not going to give you a test. Let’s start with something related to what you just said: Is it enough to have heard about Jesus, or can we come to know him better? Notice how Jesus connects that knowledge with our future at John 17:3. There’s a passage that fits this point very well. Would you mind if we read John 17:3?

Publisher: John 17:3 — This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. Jesus places great importance on knowing both God and himself. Thinking about your question, would you say that knowing someone is the same as having heard a few things about that person?

Householder: Not exactly. Although, if it’s someone who lived so long ago, you can’t sit down and talk with him either. I suppose you can only learn what others wrote.

Publisher: That’s true; we can’t converse with Jesus as you and I are doing. But by reading the Bible accounts, we can note what he said and how he treated people. That helps us to know him, not merely remember facts.

Householder: I see the difference. I can know a neighbor’s name and what he does for a living, but that doesn’t mean I know him. For that, I would need to know what he is like.

Publisher: That example explains the idea very well. And returning to the passage, what future does Jesus connect with knowing his Father and knowing him? You can look at the text; you don’t have to remember it by heart.

Householder: It talks about living forever. That raises another question for me: How can someone learn about another person and gain something like that? It seems like a very big leap.

Publisher: Yes, it deserves an explanation. I wouldn’t want to give you the impression that memorizing information is enough. This passage shows us that knowing them is essential. To understand everything that involves, we would need to continue examining the Bible, without trying to resolve it with a single reading.

Householder: It seems more reasonable to put it that way. Sometimes, when I ask something about religion, people answer me with another phrase that I don’t understand either, and in the end I’m no better off.

Publisher: Then it is worthwhile to stop and consider whatever is not clear. Notice what we just did: We started with your concern, read a text, and discussed it. In addition, one of your questions came up that we can investigate. It isn’t a matter of your repeating my explanation.

Householder: I like that better. But would I have to know how to find all those passages? You found this one right away; I don’t even know where John is in the Bible.

Publisher: We can start with the table of contents. Look, John is listed here. Then we find chapter seventeen and verse three. We can do it together until it becomes familiar to you. You don’t need to know how to use the Bible before you begin learning.

Householder: Ah, the numbers separate the chapter and the verse. I saw the references but wasn’t really sure what they meant. That would help me find what we’ve read later on.

Publisher: Exactly. And if your daughter asks you something you don’t know, you don’t have to make up an answer. You can acknowledge that you are learning too and write down the question so that we can look up what the Bible says.

Householder: Well, I don’t want to promise you that I’m going to start a course. But I am interested in getting to know Jesus, not merely knowing his name. Could we look at an example of how he treated people?

Publisher: Of course. Next time we can read an account and discuss what it teaches us about his personality. We can also write down your question about everlasting life. Would you prefer that I come back at this time, or would another day interrupt you less?

Householder: I can do Thursday at this time. But let’s keep it brief, as we did today. That way I can see whether I can follow it and whether it really helps me with my questions.

Publisher: And to see whether it helps you, we can relate what we read to a situation in your life. For example, when your daughter asks you a question while you are busy, what is more difficult for you: finding the answer or stopping to listen to her?

Householder: Stopping. Sometimes I answer her right away so I can continue with what I’m doing, and then it turns out that she was asking about something that happened to her. But I don’t know whether reading an account can help me change that habit.

Publisher: Reading it will not automatically change a habit. But we can pay attention to how Jesus treated people and think about what we could imitate. Then you could choose something specific to put into practice. For example, before answering your daughter, ask her what made her think of that. That way you will better understand what is worrying her.

Householder: I could try that. I would like her to notice that her questions matter to me, even when I don’t always have an answer. So when you come, let’s consider the account in that way.

Publisher: All right, Thursday. We’ll start with the example that interests you and move ahead without rushing. I’ll let you get going to pick up your daughter.

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