STARTING A CONVERSATION
Duration: 3 minutes
Place: Public witnessing, at a cart in a public square
Lesson: Genuine interest
Bible verse: Isaiah 41:10
Situation: A woman stops when she sees a publication about how to deal with anxiety.
Publisher: Good afternoon. I see that this subject caught your attention.
Person: Yes, but I was just looking. Lately it seems that everyone is anxious.
Publisher: That’s true. Do you say that because of something you or someone close to you is going through?
Person: Because of my daughter. She has had a lot of anxiety for months and is still waiting to be seen by a specialist.
Publisher: I’m sorry. I imagine it can’t be easy for you either to see her suffer and not know how to help her.
Person: It isn’t. I try to listen to her and go for walks with her, but there are days when nothing works.
Publisher: Even so, being by her side and listening to her surely means a lot to her. What tends to worry her the most?
Person: She thinks she won’t get better and that she’ll always feel this way. She has even stopped doing some things she used to enjoy.
Publisher: It must be hard to see such a big change. Is there anything that still manages to cheer her up a little?
Person: Sometimes it helps her to walk with me or listen to music. But when she has a bad day, she shuts herself in her room and doesn’t want to talk to anyone.
Publisher: I understand. Perhaps at those moments she doesn’t need you to find a solution right away, but to know that you’re still there and that she can talk when she feels ready.
Person: Maybe. Sometimes I push too much because I’m worried she’ll end up alone.
Publisher: That’s completely understandable. You’re trying to help her because you love her. But it must also be exhausting for you to have been worried for so many months.
Person: Yes, the truth is I don’t rest well either. I’m always keeping an eye on how she’s doing.
Publisher: I’m sorry that you’re both going through this. There’s a Bible verse that doesn’t minimize the distress but does convey a lot of encouragement. May I show it to you?
Person: Yes, of course.
Publisher: At Isaiah 41:10, God says: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you”. Which expression do you think could encourage her the most?
Person: “I will fortify you.” There are moments when she says she can’t take it anymore.
Publisher: Then perhaps those words can remind her that she doesn’t have to face everything on her own strength alone. And they can also encourage you, because you’ve been supporting her for a long time.
Person: Although reading the Bible isn’t going to take away her anxiety.
Publisher: You’re right. The Bible’s help doesn’t replace medical care, and it’s good that you’re seeking it. But it can give her comfort, hope, and strength to keep going while she receives that help.
Person: That could really do her good. She feels very alone.
Publisher: On jw.org there’s practical information about how to deal with anxiety. If you like, I can show you how to find it so you can read it when you both feel ready.
Person: Yes, show me.
Publisher: Of course.
MAKING RETURN VISITS
Duration: 4 minutes
Place: House to house
Objective: Use one of the truths from Appendix A of the brochure A Work of Love
Truth chosen: “Our loved ones who have died will be resurrected”
Lesson: Empathy
Bible verse: John 5:28, 29
Source: Appendix A: Bible Truths We Love to Teach
Situation: On the previous visit, the person spoke about the recent death of her brother.
Publisher: Hello, Elena. I’m glad to see you. Last time you told me about your brother Javier. How have you been feeling these days?
Person: This week would have been his birthday, so it’s been quite hard.
Publisher: I’m very sorry. It makes sense that a date like that would make you remember even more everything you experienced together.
Person: Yes. My family wanted to get together, but I didn’t feel like celebrating anything.
Publisher: Each person experiences grief in a different way. You don’t have to pretend that you’re fine or do the same as everyone else.
Person: Some people tell me I have to get over it, but they don’t know what it’s like to lose a brother.
Publisher: Those words can hurt, even when they’re said with good intentions. The love you felt for him doesn’t disappear from one day to the next.
Person: Exactly. Last time you said that the Bible talks about seeing again those who have died. I’ve been thinking about that.
Publisher: Yes. It’s one of the Bible truths that can bring us the most comfort. Jesus explained it at John 5:28, 29: “The hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear his voice and come out”.
Person: Does it mean they will really live again?
Publisher: Yes. Jesus wasn’t talking about merely keeping their memory alive. He said that those in the tombs will hear his voice and come out. He promised to bring them back to life through the resurrection.
Person: I’d like to believe it, but I’ve never seen anyone come back to life.
Publisher: I understand that it’s hard for you. It’s an extraordinary promise. Do you remember that the Bible tells us Jesus resurrected some people?
Person: I remember the account of Lazarus.
Publisher: Exactly. Jesus didn’t just make a promise; when he was on earth he proved that he had the power to bring back life. The resurrection of Lazarus helps us to trust in what he will do on a much larger scale.
Person: But how could he rebuild a person after so many years?
Publisher: We couldn’t do it. But God perfectly preserves the personality, the memories, and all the details that make a person unique. The one who created life can also give it back.
Person: What scares me the most is forgetting my brother’s voice.
Publisher: It must be very painful to think about that. But Jehovah hasn’t forgotten him. To him, Javier isn’t a person lost forever. He is within his memory, and he can bring him back to life.
Person: No one had ever explained it to me like that.
Publisher: If you’d like, on the next visit we could look at where those who are resurrected will live and what life will be like then. But I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information today.
Person: Yes, I’d rather take it step by step.
Publisher: Of course. And thank you for telling me how you feel. I’ll come back next week and we can keep talking calmly.
MAKING DISCIPLES
Duration: 5 minutes
Place: Main hall
Objective: Demonstration of a portion of a Bible study
Lesson: Simplicity
Topic: Lesson 20, “How Is the Congregation Organized?”
Bible verses: Ephesians 5:23; 1 Peter 5:2; Psalm 148:12, 13
Source: Lesson 20: How Is the Congregation Organized?
Publisher: Today we’re going to begin Lesson 20, which explains how the congregation is organized. Before we get to the first point, what comes to mind when you hear the word “organization”?
Person: I think of a hierarchy, with one important person ruling over everyone else.
Publisher: That’s understandable, because many organizations work that way. But let’s see who really directs the Christian congregation. Can you read Ephesians 5:23?
Person: Yes: “Christ is head of the congregation, the savior of this body”.
Publisher: According to the verse, who is in charge?
Person: Jesus Christ.
Publisher: Exactly. That’s the main idea of the first point: Jesus directs the congregation. He oversees it from heaven.
Person: So what role does the Governing Body play?
Publisher: Jesus uses the Governing Body to give direction to Jehovah’s people all over the world. It is made up of a small group of experienced elders. But they are not the owners of the organization, nor do they decide whatever they please.
Person: What do they base their decisions on?
Publisher: They look for Jehovah’s guidance in the Bible and submit to Jesus’ authority. In the first century, the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem also helped the congregations to stay united. The Governing Body fulfills a similar role today.
Person: I see. Jesus is in charge and they follow his direction.
Publisher: Very good. That’s the main idea. Now let’s move on to the second point, which talks about the elders in each congregation. Can you read the main part of 1 Peter 5:2?
Person: “Shepherd the flock of God under your care […] willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly”.
Publisher: What does the verse compare the work of the elders to?
Person: To that of shepherds who care for a flock.
Publisher: Correct. A good shepherd doesn’t dominate the sheep or treat them harshly. He protects them, feeds them, and helps them when one is weak. In the same way, the elders teach from the Bible, encourage, and help the congregation.
Person: Do they get paid for doing that work?
Publisher: No. As we just read, they serve willingly and not to obtain gain. In addition, they have their jobs and family responsibilities, but they dedicate part of their time to caring for their brothers and sisters.
Person: And what if an elder makes a mistake? After all, he’s imperfect too.
Publisher: That’s true. Respecting the elders doesn’t mean thinking that they’re perfect. They too must accept Jesus’ authority and follow the Bible. If they make a mistake, they can receive counsel and correct it.
Person: So we don’t expect them never to make mistakes, but rather to let themselves be guided by the Bible.
Publisher: Exactly. So far we’ve seen two simple ideas: Jesus directs the congregation and the elders care for it. Let’s briefly look at the third: what role does each Witness play? Please read Psalm 148:12, 13.
Person: “Young men and virgins, old men and young together. Let them praise the name of Jehovah”.
Publisher: According to those verses, who can praise Jehovah?
Person: Everyone, no matter their age.
Publisher: That’s right. We all contribute to making the congregation work well. We do so by participating in the meetings, preaching according to our abilities, and helping others.
Person: I wouldn’t know how to preach yet. It would be really hard for me to talk to strangers.
Publisher: That’s normal. No one expects you to do everything right away. Right now you’re learning, and in time you’ll receive training to move forward little by little.
Person: And in the meantime, can I contribute something?
Publisher: Of course. You can prepare for the meetings, give a simple comment, talk with the brothers and sisters, and encourage anyone who needs it. Even showing interest in someone who is alone contributes to the well-being of the congregation.
Person: I like knowing that everyone can do something, not just those who have responsibilities.
Publisher: Exactly. Before we stop for today, let’s review the three ideas we’ve seen in this first part. Who directs the congregation?
Person: Jesus Christ.
Publisher: What do the elders do?
Person: They teach, encourage, and care for the congregation.
Publisher: And how do the others cooperate?
Person: By praising Jehovah at the meetings, preaching, and helping one another.
Publisher: Very good. You’ve grasped the main ideas of this first part: Jesus directs, the elders care, and we all cooperate. In our next study we’ll continue with the rest of the lesson and look at more details about how the congregation works.
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