Interventions are calculated to last approximately four minutes, including reading texts and natural pauses.
1. Start Conversations
Duration: 4 minutes
Place: From house to house
Objective: Present and analyze a video of the teaching kit, but do not put it
Lesson: Goodness
Video: Why study the Bible?
Biblical text: 2 Timothy 3:16
Situation: The person has little time and is going through a difficult family situation.
Publisher: Good morning. We’re making a very brief visit to the neighbors. I wouldn’t want to entertain her if she’s busy.
Person: Well, the truth is, I don’t have much time now.
Publisher: Sure, I get it. I just wanted to show you the title of a very short video we have. It’s titled Why study the Bible?
Person: I’m honest: I’ve never been too interested in the Bible.
Publisher: Thank you for telling me. Is it because it’s not religious or because you think the Bible is no longer useful?
Person: A little bit of the two. Besides, lately I have other problems to think about.
Publisher: I understand. Sometimes, when you go through a difficult situation, you don’t feel like listening to religious explanations.
Person: Exactly. My sister has been sick for months and some people have told me that everything happens because God wants it. That doesn’t help me at all.
Publisher: I’m so sorry about your sister. And I understand that explanation can hurt. This video does not attempt to give an easy answer or asks the person to accept something without checking it. Presents a question: if the Bible can help us find reasonable answers to the great questions of life.
Person: How do we suffer?
Publisher: Yes, in fact, I’m going to put it on. Did you notice? It also addresses whether the Bible can help us with daily problems and whether it offers hope for the future. The video is just an introduction; it encourages you to personally examine what the Bible says. There is a text that explains what utility it intends to have. Can I read it? It’s just a sentence.
Person: Well, a sentence yes.
Publisher: In 2 Timothy 3:16 says: All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, to censor, to rectify things and to educate according to what is right. I’m struck by the word, helpful. The Bible does not claim that it only serves religious ceremonies, but can help us in life.
Person: But they wrote it a long time ago. The world has changed.
Publisher: It’s a reasonable objection. They have changed the technology and our circumstances, but we continue to face the pain, injustice, guilt or loss of someone loved. The question would be to see whether their principles and explanations remained useful in those situations.
Person: I suppose by looking at what he says, he doesn’t lose anything either, but I don’t want them to try to convince me by force.
Publisher: Of course not. Each person must come to his own conclusions. If you like, another day I could show you without commitment – the Bible’s explanation of suffering. We could analyze a single text and you tell me honestly if it seems reasonable to you.
Person: It’s okay. Next week I’m usually home in the afternoon.
Publisher: Perfect. And don’t worry, I’ll be just as brief. I sincerely hope your sister gets better.
Person: Thank you very much.
2. Make Return Visits
Duration: 4 minutes
Place: From house to house
Objective: Offer a magazine on the subject of the previous visit
Lesson: Empathy
Magazine: Awakening number 1 of 2024: What is going on with respect?
Biblical text: Proverbs 15:1
Situation: On the previous visit, the person explained that her boss had humiliated her in front of her colleagues
Publisher: Hi, Marta. How are you? Last time you told me your boss had spoken bad enough in front of your mates. I kept thinking about you. Has the situation improved anything?
Person: Not too much. Then he behaved as if nothing had happened. I’m still angry.
Publisher: It’s understandable. To be disrespected is already painful, but that they do so in front of other people must be even more humiliating.
Person: Yes. And now some people tell me not to care. It’s easy to say when it hasn’t happened to you.
Publisher: You are right. It wouldn’t be fair to take away. Precisely from what you told me, I thought you might be interested in this magazine. Your title is What’s going on with respect?
Person: Of course, there seems to be less and less.
Publisher: The magazine talks about respect for others, about respect within the family and also about respect for oneself. It is not limited to saying that we must be educated; it offers principles to act when other people do not treat us well.
Person: The problem is, if you’re too nice, some take advantage of you.
Publisher: Yes, and being respectful does not mean allowing us to humiliate or remain silent about something unfair. We can defend ourselves and set limits without losing control. Look at this principle of Proverbs 15:1 A kind answer turns away fury, but a wounded word provokes wrath.
Person: Why do I have to answer kindly if he doesn’t?
Publisher: I understand what you mean. The text is not justifying their conduct. Rather it helps you not to let his behavior control your reaction. If you respond while you’re very angry, the discussion can get worse and maybe end up using it against you.
Person: That almost happened. I was about to tell you in front of everyone I thought of him.
Publisher: And it would have been a human reaction. But a calm response can be firm. For example: I understand that I want to correct my work, but I would prefer that we speak in private and with respect. You’re not accepting humiliation; you’re making the limit clear without getting into a fight.
Person: That sounds better. I don’t know if he would react well, though.
Publisher: It may not change immediately. The Bible does not promise that everyone will respond well. But acting in that way allows you to preserve your dignity and prevents you from regretting something said by impulse.
Person: That’s true.
Publisher: I leave the magazine. There is a section on how to respect those who think differently and another about respect for oneself. Maybe some idea will be useful to you to decide how to talk to your boss.
Person: Thank you. I’ll read it, because I have to do something with this situation.
Publisher: Next time, if you want, we can comment on the idea that seemed more practical to you. And I hope the conversation with your boss goes well.
3. Talk: “Jesus Is the Son of God”
Duration: 4 minutes
Location: Auditorium
Lesson: Talking with conviction
Texts: Matthew 16:16; John 3:16; 1 John 4:15
If someone asked us who Jesus is, what would we answer? There are those who consider him only a good teacher, a prophet or a historical character. But the Bible clearly identifies its true position.
Let’s read Matthew 16:16. When Jesus asked his disciples who they thought he was, Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Peter did not say that Jesus was simply an extraordinary man. He recognized it as the promised Christ and the Son of God. Jesus approved his answer.
Now, what does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? It does not mean that God had a wife or that Jesus was born in the same way as a human being. The Bible uses the word “son” to indicate that someone owes their life to another and can reflect its qualities. Jesus was created directly by God and lived in heaven before coming to Earth. That’s why he knew his Father perfectly and reflected his personality in a unique way.
Let us think about the importance of this. If we want to know how God thinks, how he treats people and what he expects from us, we must listen to his Son.
Moreover, knowing the identity of Jesus helps us to value God’s love. John 3:16 declares: God loved the world so much that He gave his only begotten Son so that no one who proves to have faith in him may be destroyed, but to have eternal life.
This verse clearly distinguishes God from his Son: it is God who sends and Jesus is the sent Son. But it also highlights how much we both love. The Jehovah was willing to deliver his beloved Son, and Jesus willingly accepted to give his life for us.
How do we show faith in him? It’s not enough to acknowledge that it existed. We show faith listening to their teachings, mimicking their way of treating others and obeying their mandates. Our relationship with God depends on us accepting the function he has given to Jesus.
That is confirmed in 1 John 4:15: If anyone recognizes that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in union with him and he remains in union with God.
Therefore, recognizing that Jesus is the Son of God is not a doctrinal detail without importance. It allows us to approach Jehovah, benefit from the sacrifice of Christ and hope to live forever.
We can be completely convinced of this truth: Jesus was not only a good man or just a great teacher. It is the Christ, the only begotten Son of God and the one through whom Jehovah offers us salvation. Listening to him, trusting him and following in his footsteps is a decision that can change our lives forever.
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