Living as Christians for the week of February 1-7, 2027

How to maintain enthusiasm in the ministry

At first, how did Sara, Young-jae, and Nane feel about the latest changes in the ministry?

Comment 1: At first, not everyone reacted in the same way. Their experiences show relief at no longer reporting certain details, but also a decrease in activity and difficulty abandoning an automatic way of conversing. They needed to understand the purpose of the changes better and examine their attitude toward the ministry.

Comment 2: I am struck by the honesty with which it is acknowledged that no longer reporting hours felt like a weight had been lifted. The problem was that afterward, they went out less often and took the ministry more casually. That initial relief did not result in greater enjoyment of the ministry. On the contrary, changes had to be made to regain the desire to participate.

Comment 3: In the case of return visits, it is acknowledged that when they stopped reporting them, they also stopped visiting those who had shown interest. One of those people sent a message asking why they had not come to see her the previous week. That caused a great deal of embarrassment and the feeling that they had failed to fulfill a responsibility. Someone was still waiting to receive help, even though that visit was no longer recorded on a report.

Comment 4: Another difficulty was continuing to converse automatically. A subject and a scripture were memorized, and the same introduction was used even when it did not fit the situation. The example of the comment about the garden makes this very clear: even the person saying it was not convinced. The changes had not eliminated that habit by themselves; it was necessary to learn to observe and to take a genuine interest in each person.

Comment 5: Something that makes me think is how the loss of enthusiasm is described: the less they preached, the less they enjoyed preaching, and that led them to participate even less. It was not simply a change in schedule; it was affecting their desire to preach. Recognizing that situation was important because it moved them to ask Jehovah for the desire and strength needed to change and enjoy the ministry again.

What has not changed in our ministry? How does keeping this in mind help us maintain our enthusiasm?

Isaiah 43:10 — “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none.

Comment 1: The honor we have of being Jehovah’s Witnesses has not changed. The Workbook relates this scripture to our contribution to defending his name. Remembering this helps us view the ministry as something much more important than submitting a report. We still have a very valuable reason to preach with enthusiasm.

Comment 2: People still need us to care about them. The video explains that what matters most to Jehovah is not figures but that we show love. Keeping this in mind changes the way we go out in the ministry: instead of focusing on how much we have done, we think about whom we can help. That motivation enables us to find satisfaction in a sincere conversation and in following up on someone’s interest.

Comment 3: Our purpose is still to help people and make disciples. That is how it is expressed at the end of the video. The changes have not eliminated that objective; they help us focus on it. When we remember why we preach, it is easier to adapt a conversation to what the person needs instead of feeling that we have to complete a presentation prepared in advance.

Comment 4: The ministry is still the most important work being done on earth. Its value does not depend on having to report hours. It helps me to think that what changed was the way we report our activity, not the importance of sharing the good news. That gives us a stable reason to continue participating, even as we adjust to a different way of conversing.

Comment 5: Our responsibility to care for those who show interest has not disappeared. The message sent by the person in the video demonstrates that a return visit can mean a great deal to the one receiving it. Remembering that someone is waiting for our visit helps us not to view the ministry only from our own perspective. It moves us to think about the good we can do and to remain committed to returning.

Comment 6: Love is still essential. I liked the explanation that the brochure Love in Action teaches qualities, not techniques. We are not trying to act like salespeople but like people who sincerely care about others. When we focus on listening and showing empathy, the ministry becomes less automatic. The video explains that this made the ministry much more interesting and enjoyable.

Comment 7: The good news continues to help people. The video relates that some ended the conversation by saying that they felt better or had enjoyed talking. Those expressions brought great joy because they showed that the message was reaching them. Keeping that benefit in mind helps us maintain our enthusiasm: we do not go out simply to say something but to share a message that can help them.

Why is it important for us to develop a sense of responsibility and commitment in our ministry?

Comment 1: Because no longer reporting certain details does not mean that we no longer have a responsibility. The video shows that we can confuse the two things and begin participating less. A personal commitment helps us continue preaching because we want to please Jehovah and help others, not because we have to submit a figure.

Comment 2: There are people who count on our help, even though we may not realize it. The person who sent the message asking about the visit from the previous week had noticed that absence. That is why it is important to take the interest we find seriously. Commitment moves us to make plans to return and not allow a promising conversation to be forgotten. Behind every return visit there is a person, not merely an activity.

Comment 3: A sense of responsibility can help us when we do not really feel like going out. Sara had to motivate herself to get up and preach, remembering that she would feel better when she returned than if she stayed on the sofa. She did not wait for the desire to appear on its own. Her experience helps us see that taking the initiative and participating can help us regain our enthusiasm instead of continuing to feed inactivity.

Comment 4: It is important because good intentions need to become plans. The video relates that the ministry was organized again during the month and that different brothers were called to go out together. This shows one concrete way to accept responsibility. They did not stop at recognizing that improvement was needed; they made changes that made it easier to participate more and enjoy the ministry again.

Isaiah 43:10 — “You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none.

Comment 5: Being Jehovah’s Witnesses is an honor that carries responsibility. The Workbook reminds us that our ministry contributes to defending his name. Therefore, we want to take this work seriously. Thinking about whom we represent helps us value our participation and not treat the ministry as something we do only if it is convenient for us.

Comment 6: Responsibility and love are not opposed to each other. At the end of the video, it is acknowledged that we have a duty to fulfill, but that we enjoy preaching much more when we do so out of love. Commitment helps us be consistent, and love moves us to care about how the person is doing and what he or she needs. We need both things: not merely to be present in the ministry but to participate with genuine concern for others.

What suggestions from the video would you like to put into practice this month?

Comment 1: I would like to be more specific in my prayers about the ministry. In the video, Jehovah was asked for both the desire and the strength to change. If I notice that I lack enthusiasm, I want to speak to him honestly and ask for help to enjoy the ministry more instead of simply accepting that I feel this way.

Comment 2: This month I would like to make concrete plans to preach, as was done in the video. Instead of leaving it until an opportunity arises, I want to organize my time and call some brothers to go out together. It seems to me to be a good way to put the desire to participate more into practice. In this way, the purpose of improving does not remain merely an intention but is reflected in the way I organize myself.

Comment 3: I would like to watch again the videos that explain the changes in the ministry. I was struck by the fact that it was necessary to watch them several times to understand their purpose well. Perhaps I also need to review some explanation, not just remember what the change involved. I want to keep in mind more clearly that what matters to Jehovah is that we care about people and show them love.

Comment 4: I would like to work on one of the qualities discussed in the brochure Love in Action, especially empathy. When conversing, I want to pay closer attention to what the person needs at that moment and think about how to help. The example of always repeating the same thing even when it did not fit the situation made me reflect. I do not want to be so focused on my presentation that I stop paying attention to the person in front of me.

Comment 5: I want to review whom I could visit again. The experience of the person who asked why they had not come to see her reminded me that someone may be waiting for our help. This month I would like to make plans to follow up better on the interest I have found. Even though return visits are not reported, they are still an opportunity to show that our concern for the person is sincere and does not end with the first conversation.

Comment 6: I resolve not always to wait until I feel very motivated before going out. Sara reminded herself that after preaching she would feel better than if she stayed home doing nothing. I would like to keep that thought in mind when it is difficult for me to take the first step. The video explains that as she participated more, her enjoyment of the ministry increased. I want to give myself the opportunity to enjoy it instead of simply thinking about the effort involved.

Comment 7: I would like to converse in a more natural and sincere way. I do not want to say something merely because it seems like a good introduction; I want my words to reflect genuine interest. The video explains that people noticed the difference when the conversation focused on something they needed. This month I want to listen more carefully and adapt what I say so that the person senses that I care about her and want to help her.

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