Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry — Week of July 20-26, 2026

Start a Conversation

Time: 4 minutes
Setting: House-to-house
Objective: Offer a Bible course and show what the lessons are like.
Lesson: Humility.

Publisher: Good afternoon. We’re making brief visits with our neighbors. With the pace of life today, many people feel that they could use some guidance to cope with their concerns. Do you think the Bible can still offer useful advice?

Person: Honestly, I don’t know. I respect the Bible, but it seems complicated and quite old.

Publisher: I understand. Many people have told us something similar. We offer a free course that helps people get to know the Bible in a simple way. But I wouldn’t want you to think that you have to accept anything. May I take just a couple of minutes to show you how it works, and then you can decide for yourself whether it seems useful?

Person: All right, if it’s just for a moment…

Publisher: Thank you. We use this publication, entitled Enjoy Life Forever! The first lesson raises this question: “How Can the Bible Help You?” It discusses concerns such as family, stress, suffering, and the future. Which of those subjects interests you most?

Person: Maybe the future. I have children, and when I see the way things are, I don’t know what kind of world awaits them.

Publisher: That’s understandable. The course gives you an opportunity to examine what the Bible says about questions like that. You see, each section contains a brief explanation, a Bible verse, and a few questions. For example, here is 2 Timothy 3:16, which says: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.” According to this verse, would you say that the Bible is useful only for religious matters?

Person: No, the verse says that it is beneficial. But the fact that the Bible itself says so doesn’t prove that its advice works today.

Publisher: That’s a reasonable point. I wouldn’t expect you to trust it without examining it either. Also, the course isn’t about studying my opinions. We read the verses directly, consider what they say, and you reach your own conclusions.

Person: So what is a lesson like? Do you do the talking while the other person listens?

Publisher: No. It’s more like a conversation such as this one. We read a short paragraph, look up the Bible, and ask questions so that the person can express what he or she thinks. There are also pictures and short videos. You can ask any questions you want and even say that you disagree.

Person: That’s good, because I wouldn’t like someone to try to tell me that everything I believe is wrong.

Publisher: I understand. The purpose isn’t to impose our beliefs on you but to help you learn what the Bible teaches. Also, the course is free, it can be held in person or by video call, and you choose the time. There is no obligation to continue it either.

Person: And how long does each lesson last?

Publisher: You decide. Some people prefer to start with just 15 or 20 minutes. Since you mentioned that you’re concerned about your children’s future, we could begin by seeing what hope the Bible offers families.

Person: I could try it once, but I can’t promise that I’ll continue every week.

Publisher: Of course, you don’t have to promise anything. Would it suit you if I stopped by on Tuesday afternoon and we spent 15 minutes looking at that first lesson?

Person: Yes, Tuesday could work, but it would have to be brief.

Publisher: Perfect. I’ll leave you the link so that you can look at it beforehand if you wish. Then on Tuesday we can see together whether the course could be useful to you.

Make Return Visits

Time: 4 minutes
Setting: House-to-house
Objective: Continue discussing the tract left on the previous visit.
Lesson: Empathy.
Tract: Would You Like to Enjoy Life Forever?

Publisher: Hello, I’m glad I found you at home. Last week we spoke for a few minutes, and I left you the tract Would You Like to Enjoy Life Forever? I remember that you mentioned that your mother was waiting for some test results. How is she?

Person: Thank you for asking. She’s the same. We still don’t know exactly what is wrong, and the waiting is becoming difficult.

Publisher: I’m very sorry. Uncertainty can be very distressing, especially when it involves someone so close to you. If today isn’t a good time, I can come back another day.

Person: Don’t worry. I have a couple of minutes.

Publisher: Thank you. Last time you said that you wished the future described in the tract could be possible, especially if it meant that no one would ever have to get sick. The tract begins with a promise found at Psalm 37:29. May we read it again?

Person: Yes.

Publisher: It says: “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” What two details about the future does this verse highlight?

Person: That people will live on the earth and that they will be able to do so forever. But honestly, it seems too good to be true. The reality is that we all get sick and die.

Publisher: I understand why you find it hard to believe, especially in view of what you’re going through with your mother. The Bible doesn’t ask us to ignore reality or pretend that suffering doesn’t hurt. Still, do you think it would make a difference if these words were merely a human wish or if they really were a promise from God?

Person: If it really were a promise from God, of course that would be different. But then I would wonder why he still hasn’t fulfilled it.

Publisher: That’s a very reasonable question. This verse shows us what God’s purpose is, although by itself it doesn’t explain why he has allowed suffering to continue until now. We could discuss that question calmly another day. But there is another expression that often raises doubts: The verse says that “the righteous” will live forever. What do you understand “the righteous” to mean?

Person: I suppose it means perfect people, and in that case I don’t think any of us could be there.

Publisher: It’s understandable to think that, but the Bible isn’t speaking about people who never make mistakes. It refers to those who want to do what is right and accept God’s guidance. So the promise isn’t reserved for a small group of perfect people.

Person: Even so, I find it hard to believe. My mother has always been a believer, and that hasn’t prevented her from getting sick.

Publisher: You’re right. Having faith doesn’t prevent a person from becoming sick today, and I wouldn’t want to minimize what you’re going through. The Bible’s promise refers to something that God will do in the future. That is why the tract also mentions that the day will come when everyone will enjoy perfect health. Is that the promise you would most like to see fulfilled?

Person: Yes, without a doubt. Right now, health is what concerns me most.

Publisher: That’s completely understandable. The tract quotes Isaiah 33:24, which promises that no resident will say: “I am sick.” When I come back, we could discuss why we can trust that promise and not regard it as merely wishful thinking.

Person: All right, but I would prefer to keep it brief.

Publisher: Of course. I’ll adapt to the time you have. I sincerely hope that your mother’s results are as favorable as possible. Next week, if you agree, we can discuss that verse.

Person: All right. Thank you.

Explain Your Beliefs — (Talk)

Time: 4 minutes
Title: What Does the Bible Say About Free Will?
Lesson: Give an Effective Conclusion.

People sometimes say, “Everything happens for a reason” or “It was meant to be.” Such expressions may seem comforting when something good happens. However, when someone suffers an illness, an accident, or an injustice, an important question arises: Did God decide that the person should go through that? Does he control every detail of our lives?

The Bible’s answer is that God has granted us free will, that is, the ability to make our own decisions. Genesis 1:26 explains that God created humans in his image. Unlike animals, which act mainly on instinct, we can reason, display love and justice, and choose between different paths.

Jehovah doesn’t force us to obey him. Notice the invitation he gives at Isaiah 48:18: “If only you would pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

The words “if only” show that each person can decide whether he or she will pay attention to God. This invitation would make no sense if he had already decided beforehand everything that we will do. Jehovah teaches us which is the best path and explains its benefits, but he allows us to choose.

However, having free will doesn’t mean that we can control everything that happens. Other people’s decisions, circumstances, or unforeseen events can also affect us. Even so, our future often does depend on the decisions we make. Proverbs 21:5 says: “The plans of the diligent surely lead to success, but all who are hasty surely head for poverty.”

Therefore, success or failure doesn’t simply depend on fate. If we want to reach a goal, we must plan well, work, and avoid hasty decisions. God can guide us, but he will not make those decisions for us.

Someone might ask: “If God is almighty, why doesn’t he control those who misuse their freedom?” It is true that Jehovah has unlimited power, but he has chosen not to use it to control every human action. For now, he allows people to choose even when they use their freedom to cause harm. Nevertheless, Psalm 37:10, 11 assures us that he will not tolerate wickedness forever.

Free will also makes it possible for us to love God genuinely. Jesus said at Matthew 22:37: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’” Forced love would not be genuine love. Jehovah wants us to love him because we know him and want to do so, not because he programs or forces us.

In conclusion, the Bible doesn’t teach that we are puppets controlled by God or by fate. Jehovah has given us the dignity of choice, he shows us the path that leads to peace, and he allows us to decide whether we want to follow it. So rather than blaming fate for our life, let us ask ourselves: “What decisions can I make today to draw closer to God and have a better future?” Jehovah offers us his guidance, but the final decision is ours.