Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the Week of April 12-18, 2027

Starting Conversations

Publisher: Excuse me, is this the door for the drawing course? I walked down the hallway and think I ended up in the same place again.

Householder: Yes, this is it. I hesitated too. The sign is so small that you can hardly see it. The teacher hasn’t arrived yet.

Publisher: So I’m not late. Thanks. Have you come before, or are you starting today?

Householder: Today. And I was already thinking of leaving. I saw a woman with a folder of wonderful drawings. I just brought a notebook I had at home.

Publisher: I’m starting today too. The information said that you didn’t need to know anything. That encouraged me to sign up; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here either.

Householder: Well, I hope that’s true. Because saying you’re a beginner is one thing, but drawing a cup that looks like a crooked flowerpot is another.

Publisher: Well, as long as they don’t ask us to draw portraits on the first day… What made you want to try drawing?

Householder: My granddaughter. She sits and draws in my kitchen and always wants me to do something with her. I sharpen her pencils, but she says that doesn’t count.

Publisher: She wants you to participate too. Have you told her that you signed up?

Householder: No, because then she’ll want to see everything I do. I’d rather show her something when it turns out reasonably well. She isn’t embarrassed; I am.

Publisher: I understand. I don’t mind making mistakes at home, but having someone look over my shoulder while I draw is something else.

Householder: Exactly. My daughter tells me to watch videos and learn by myself. I tried, but the person explaining already had half the drawing done by the time I found my pencil.

Publisher: I paused one so many times that I ended up losing track. That’s why I prefer coming here. Here we’ll be able to ask them to explain something again.

Householder: If I dare to raise my hand. I always think I’ll hold everyone else up.

Publisher: Maybe I’ll have the same question sometime, and it will help me if you ask. But first we’ll see how the class goes; we haven’t even gone in yet.

Householder: That’s true. I’m already imagining problems. Did you bring all the supplies on the list?

Publisher: Just the pencil and notebook. The message said they would explain the rest to us today. I didn’t want to buy things I might not use afterward.

Householder: Thank goodness. I have a box of paints stored away from years ago, but I didn’t know whether it would be useful. My granddaughter has already told me to give it to her.

Publisher: She already has plans for the box. By the way, my name is Clara.

Householder: I’m Isabel. Do you live far away?

Publisher: No, I live ten minutes away on foot. The Wednesday schedule works well for me. Does it work for you too?

Householder: Yes, Wednesdays work for me. Look, they’re opening now. I’m going in to ask where I should sit; I need to be close so I can see well.

Publisher: Sure, go ahead. I won’t keep you. It was nice meeting you, Isabel.

Publisher: Yes, it’s better to find a place where you can see the explanation well. Would you rather sit right in front or to one side, near the window?

Householder: Near the window would be good because of the light, but it depends on where the teacher stands. If I sit in front and then she blocks what she’s drawing, that won’t help much either.

Publisher: You can mention that when you go in. For example, you could ask where she’ll put the model if we’re going to draw an object. Then you can choose your seat based on what you need to see, not just on being in the front row.

Householder: Good idea. I’ll ask her now, before everyone sits down. It looks as if we can go in.

Householder: Likewise, Clara. I’ll see you around here.

What Would You Say?

How can we show sincere interest before we begin talking? In this five-minute discussion, the setting is the house-to-house ministry. We will review Love People—Make Disciples, lesson 1, point 4: Be observant. We will examine the situation in the picture and consider how we might use Matthew 7:12.

The lesson invites us to think about what the person is doing and what she might be thinking. It also encourages us to observe what her clothing, appearance, and home may indicate about her beliefs or culture. And it raises a decisive question: Is this a good time to talk?

Let’s look at the picture. Outside a modest home in a rural area, a woman is cooking. Two children are playing nearby, and three older people are talking. The scene offers various details that we could take into account, but it does not tell us what concerns each person or what relationship they have with one another.

So being observant does not mean jumping to conclusions. We do not know whether the children are the woman’s children, whether she is preparing food for everyone, or whether she has time. What we do know is that she is busy. Our approach should show that we respect what she is doing.

Based on what we see in the picture, what could you say to start a conversation? One possibility would be to greet her and simply comment: “Good morning. I see that you’re preparing the meal; I wouldn’t want to interrupt you. Would you prefer that I come another time?” This is not a required formula but a way of acknowledging her situation.

Why could that be a natural opening? Because it is based on something visible, not on an assumption about her feelings. It also allows her to decide whether she wants to talk. We are not asking her to stop cooking or assuming that she can receive us simply because she is outside her home.

If she indicates that she is busy, we would respect that. We could say goodbye briefly and, if appropriate, ask when it would be better for her. Insisting on presenting everything we had prepared would not show that we had observed carefully. Sometimes sincere interest is shown precisely by our willingness to leave the conversation for another occasion.

Now, perhaps she says that she can talk while she finishes. In that case, we could ask a simple question related to her activity, such as whether she enjoys cooking. Then we would listen. Perhaps she enjoys it; perhaps she explains that she is in a hurry that day. Her response, not our original plan, would guide the conversation.

Suppose she mentions how much she appreciates others taking her tasks into account. That would give us common ground: We all value having our time respected. We could acknowledge this by saying that a small consideration can make the day more pleasant. There would be no need to exaggerate or praise her for qualities we do not yet know she has.

Let’s move to the second question: What text would you show? If the conversation has gone in that direction, Matthew 7:12 would be a good choice. We could explain that Jesus taught a simple principle about how to treat others. To see why it fits what we are discussing, let’s read Matthew 7:12.

Matthew 7:12 — “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean.

This principle invites us to think about the treatment we would appreciate and to take the initiative in treating others that way. In this situation, applying it starts with us: If we were preparing a meal, we would surely appreciate a visitor respecting our time and allowing us to decide whether we could talk.

After reading it, we could ask her what she thinks of that way of treating people. It would be a brief question that allows her to express her opinion. We would not need to add several explanations right away. Listening to her response would help us know whether she is interested in the subject or whether it would be better to end the visit.

She might also point out that she tries to be considerate but that others do not always do the same. We would not need to argue or promise that everyone will respond well. We could acknowledge that such a situation can be difficult and explain that Jesus’ advice guides our own conduct, although we cannot decide how others will act.

What if her initial comment leads us to another subject? Then we would not have to force the conversation in order to use the text we had chosen. Being observant includes remaining attentive while the person speaks. What she tells us may clarify her interests much better than what we had inferred when approaching the home.

The other details in the picture also require tact. The fact that older people are talking does not mean that they want to participate, and the fact that children are playing nearby does not authorize us to ask personal questions about them. We can be kind to everyone without invading their space or turning every detail we see into a subject of conversation.

The lesson reminds us that Jesus started a conversation with a woman who had gone to draw water. His way of beginning was related to that situation. We too can start with everyday matters, without rushing to introduce a subject that may have no connection with what the person is doing.

So we do not need to memorize an opening for every home. We need to observe, determine whether it is a good time, and truly listen. Our approach will be natural if it grows out of the situation, respectful if it allows the person to decide, and adaptable if we are willing to change direction according to what she tells us.

Talk

When someone is suffering, an explanation can relieve him or make his pain even greater. Think of a person who is dealing with an illness and hears that God sent it to teach him something. Perhaps the person saying this wants to comfort him. But he might be left wondering: Why would God want me to go through this?

That is not an unimportant question. If we attribute our suffering to God, we may find it difficult to trust him. And when we are distressed, those doubts can weigh heavily on us. So we need an answer that does not depend on personal opinions. The Bible enables us to learn what Jehovah is like and whether he would be capable of acting that way.

To begin, let’s consider this question: What does Jehovah’s personality tell us about the way he treats people? It is not enough to know that he has power; we also need to know how he uses it. Let’s note the description of him found at Deuteronomy 32:4.

Deuteronomy 32:4 — The Rock, perfect is his activity, For all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness who is never unjust; Righteous and upright is he.

This verse presents justice as a constant quality of Jehovah. It does not say that he acts properly only sometimes or that his conduct depends on circumstances. Everything he does is in harmony with what is just. Therefore, when thinking about our suffering, we should not attribute to him conduct that is contrary to his personality.

In addition, he is compared to a rock. That image makes us think of firmness and stability. When a painful situation changes our life, our feelings may vary from one day to the next. But Jehovah’s justice does not change with them. We may feel disoriented without that meaning that he has ceased to be trustworthy.

Consider a simple example. If someone accused a person we know well of committing a cruel act, we would not accept the accusation without examining it. We would remember how that person has always treated others. Similarly, before blaming Jehovah, we do well to stop and take into account what the Bible reveals about him.

Of course, knowing that God is just does not automatically make our questions disappear. Someone might think that he is not accusing God of being cruel but believes that God sends difficulties to test his faith. Is that idea correct? The Bible directly addresses this question. Let’s listen to what James 1:13 says.

James 1:13 — When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.

James refers precisely to what someone might think while going through a trial. At such times, when the pain seems to have no explanation, it would be easy to conclude that God is causing it. But the verse rules out that conclusion: Jehovah does not use bad things to test people.

This helps us distinguish between two ideas. A person may face a difficulty and demonstrate that he has faith. But that does not mean that God caused the difficulty to test his faithfulness. The way we respond to a painful experience does not prove who caused it. We must not confuse the two things.

The two passages complement each other. Deuteronomy helps us understand Jehovah’s personality: He is faithful and just. James clarifies how he does not act: He does not test us by means of bad things. Thus, the statement that God is not to blame for our suffering has a clear Bible basis; it is not simply a reassuring phrase.

We may still wonder why a specific tragedy occurred or why it was not prevented. We will not always be able to explain every detail of a situation. But recognizing what we do not know is very different from attributing it to God. We can continue seeking answers without abandoning what these texts make clear about him.

How can we use this teaching? If we are going through a difficult time, we could reread these two verses calmly. Instead of drawing conclusions about Jehovah solely from our pain, let us think about what they say regarding his way of acting. This can help us avoid making an unjust accusation against him.

And if someone else is suffering, let us listen before explaining. We do not need to resolve all his doubts in one conversation or correct him harshly if he expresses anger. We can acknowledge that his situation is painful and, when appropriate, share one of these passages to help him understand that God did not send him this suffering.

Therefore, let us avoid explanations that make Jehovah responsible for the harm someone is experiencing. Even when expressed with good intentions, they can make it harder for that person to trust him. It is much better to offer the comfort that the Scriptures truly provide and allow the person room to express his feelings.

Let us remember the main thought: God is not to blame for our suffering. He is just and does not test us with bad things. When doubts arise, let us return to these texts and allow them to guide our thinking. And when comforting others, let us lovingly help them preserve their trust in Jehovah.

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