Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry — Week of August 10-16, 2026

The three parts are timed to last approximately 4 minutes, including the reading of the scriptures and natural pauses.

STARTING A CONVERSATION

Length: 4 minutes
Setting: House to house
Objective: Start with a current topic and switch to another one that is more interesting to the householder
Lesson: Be natural
Material: Religion and politics and victims of crime
Scripture: Psalm 37:10, 11

Publisher: Good morning. We are asking people in the neighborhood for their opinion on a matter that comes up a lot in the news. Do you think religions should support particular political parties?

Householder: Honestly, I am not very interested in politics. They all promise things and then do whatever they want.

Publisher: I understand. Is there some current problem that concerns you more?

Householder: Crime. A few days ago someone tried to steal my daughter’s phone while she was walking home. Luckily she was able to get into a shop, but now she is afraid to go out alone.

Publisher: I am very sorry she went through that. Even though they did not manage to rob her, the fright and the fear that stays afterward are very real.

Householder: Exactly. Since then I go and pick her up everywhere. But we cannot live like this forever.

Publisher: No. I can see that this subject affects you far more than politics does. If it is all right with you, let us leave the first matter aside. I was actually reading an article that explains how the Bible can help people who have suffered a crime or who live in fear.

Householder: And what can the Bible do? The criminals are still out on the street.

Publisher: That is true. The Bible does not say that reading a verse makes crime disappear immediately. The article offers practical advice, such as seeking support, being patient with yourself and not isolating yourself. But it also presents a hope for the future.

Householder: What kind of hope?

Publisher: Notice this promise at Psalm 37:10, 11: “Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; you will look at where they were, and they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”

Householder: It sounds very good, but it is hard to believe that one day there will be no criminals.

Publisher: That is understandable. No human government has managed to eliminate crime. Yet the Bible promises that God’s Kingdom will do away both with people who insist on doing harm and with the causes that feed violence.

Householder: But that would be in the future. My daughter is afraid now.

Publisher: You are right, and I would not want to make light of that. Right now she needs to feel listened to and to gradually regain her sense of security. The article even explains that each victim recovers at her own pace and that we should not pressure her or blame her.

Householder: I keep telling her she has to forget about it, but maybe I am pressuring her too much.

Publisher: You say it because you want to help her. Perhaps you could ask her what she needs in order to feel safe again and listen to her without rushing her. Knowing that her fear is understandable can bring her relief.

Householder: I could do that. Sometimes I try to encourage her, but I end up telling her what she should have done.

Publisher: That is a normal reaction from a worried parent. If you like, I can send you the article. It has five practical suggestions and the promise of a world without crime.

Householder: Yes, send it to me. I am more interested in this than in talking about politics.

Publisher: Of course. And when we see each other again, I would like to know how your daughter is doing.

FOLLOWING UP

Length: 4 minutes
Setting: Informal witnessing at a bus stop
Objective: Use a truth from Appendix A of the brochure A Work of Love
Truth chosen: “God wants us to pray to him”
Lesson: Show empathy
Scripture: Psalm 62:8
Material: Appendix A: Bible Truths We Love to Teach

Publisher: Hello, Diego. It is good to see you again. Last week you told me you had a job interview. How did it go?

Householder: They did not hire me. They told me they were looking for someone with more experience.

Publisher: I am very sorry. I know you had quite a lot of hope in that interview.

Householder: Yes. My contract ends in two weeks and I have the rent, the car and all the other expenses. I can hardly sleep.

Publisher: With so many responsibilities, it makes sense that you are worried. Have you found any other openings?

Householder: I have sent out résumés, but nobody answers. My family tells me to be positive, as if that solved anything.

Publisher: Sometimes those phrases are said with good intentions, but they can make us feel that no one understands how serious the problem is.

Householder: Exactly. Last time you talked to me about praying, but I have already done that and I still have no job.

Publisher: I understand why you wonder what good it does. I have been thinking about what you told me, and I found a very simple truth in this brochure: God wants us to pray to him. Look at how Psalm 62:8 puts it: “Trust in him at all times, O people. Pour out your hearts before him. God is a refuge for us.”

Householder: What does “pour out your heart” mean?

Publisher: To speak to him with complete sincerity. You do not have to use special words. You can tell him that you are afraid you will not be able to pay your expenses, that you feel frustrated, or even that you are disappointed because you do not see an answer.

Householder: Would it not be wrong to tell God that I am disappointed?

Publisher: No, because he already knows how you feel. The text does not say that we should hide our emotions, but that we should pour out our heart. Jehovah prefers a sincere prayer to beautiful words that do not reflect what we carry inside.

Householder: The thing is, I hardly ever pray. Now I remember God because I have problems.

Publisher: I understand that this makes you feel uncomfortable. But think of a father who has not heard from his son for a long time. If the son calls him because he needs help, would he hang up or would he be glad to hear from him?

Householder: I suppose he would be glad.

Publisher: Jehovah also wants to listen to you. Prayer does not replace looking for work, nor does it guarantee that you will get a call tomorrow. But it can give you the calm to think clearly, the strength to keep searching and the wisdom to make decisions.

Householder: That I really do need, because I am starting to think that I am no good for any job.

Publisher: Not being chosen does not determine your worth. You are making an effort, and that interview has given you experience for the next one. If you like, next time we can look at another text that explains how to face anxiety without giving up on taking action.

Householder: Yes, I would like that. Look, here comes my bus.

Publisher: Perfect. I hope another opportunity comes up soon. We will keep talking the next time we run into each other.

MAKING DISCIPLES

Length: 4 minutes
Setting: Auditorium
Objective: Encourage a Bible student who is struggling to give up an addiction
Lesson: Be frank
Addiction chosen: Vaping
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 7:1; Philippians 4:13
Material: Can the Bible Help Someone to Overcome an Addiction?

Publisher: Marcos, last week you told me you wanted to talk with me about vaping. How has it been going?

Householder: I have cut back quite a bit. I used to vape all day long, and now I try to do it only after work.

Publisher: I am glad you are making an effort. Cutting back shows that you want to change. But I want to ask you something frankly: do you have a plan to quit completely?

Householder: Not exactly. I thought cutting back was enough. Besides, it calms me down when I am stressed.

Publisher: I understand that quitting is hard for you, especially if you connect it with relieving stress. Even so, it would not be honest of me to tell you that you can keep an addiction indefinitely and that it will not affect your spiritual progress.

Householder: I knew we would end up talking about that. I feel like you are pressuring me.

Publisher: I do not want to pressure you or decide for you. But I care about you, and that is why I need to explain clearly what the Bible teaches. Let us read 2 Corinthians 7:1: “Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” What do you understand from that?

Householder: That God wants us to take care of our body. But quitting vaping is not that simple.

Publisher: You are right. Knowing that something is wrong does not automatically remove the dependence. Jehovah does not expect you to fight alone or to never have a relapse. But he does expect you to take decisive steps to cleanse yourself.

Householder: I have tried to quit twice and I always go back. That is why I do not want to set another date.

Publisher: A relapse does not mean that you are incapable of doing it. But neither is it good to think, “Since I relapsed, I will stop trying.” When do you feel the strongest urge to vape?

Householder: When I leave work and when I am with two coworkers who also vape.

Publisher: Then you have already identified two risky situations. You could get the device out of the house, ask your coworkers not to offer it to you, and change for a while the routine you follow when you leave work.

Householder: I could try, but I am worried about getting very edgy.

Publisher: Besides praying, you can ask a doctor or pharmacist what kind of help would be appropriate for you. Seeking professional assistance does not show a lack of faith. And notice the confidence conveyed at Philippians 4:13: “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.”

Householder: I like the text, but sometimes I feel that I lack willpower.

Publisher: That is exactly why it says that the power does not come only from us. Jehovah can give you strength, but you need to cooperate with him by making concrete decisions.

Householder: So what do you suggest?

Publisher: That this week you prepare a realistic plan: choose a date to quit, get rid of whatever you have stored away, avoid the moments that make you relapse and ask Jehovah for specific help. I will also be available when it gets especially hard for you.

Householder: All right. I am going to set a date. I am not promising you it will be easy.

Publisher: Nobody expects it to be easy. What matters is that you do not give up and that you face the problem honestly. Jehovah sees every effort you make to please him.