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1. What feelings do some have when going out to preach? (See also the image).
Many brothers are fascinated by preaching, but some find it more difficult to enjoy it, that is, they love Jehovah, they are good people, but perhaps they are shy or lack self-confidence or do not feel comfortable knocking on doors without being invited. There are those who are afraid of being rejected and others do not like discussions with the householders, but they are people who love Jehovah and love to serve him, but there are certain facets or uncomfortable moments that make them not enjoy preaching.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Despite these challenges, they love Jehovah very much and understand the importance of the preaching work, which is why they participate in it frequently. Consequently, Jehovah is very happy with them for their effort and dedication.
There are other brothers who are very shy and are a little afraid of facing other people who reject them, but I really liked the ending that despite all the circumstances, Jehovah sees the effort we make, that's why he says how happy he is. that Jehovah be with them, that is, Jehovah, whatever we do, we feel fear or fear of man, but he was carrying out that message, that commission that Jehovah has given us and we carry it with love towards him.
ILLUSTRATION
In the image we can see two sisters preaching from house to house, one of them looks happy preaching, but the other sister does not look so cheerful, but it is not that she committed a sin or If you don't love Jehovah, you simply can't get used to what preaching entails. For this reason, it is good to ask ourselves these questions: What about us? Do we enjoy preaching? And how do we feel when we are there? These are very good questions we can ask ourselves.
We see the contrast between the way the sister on the left enjoys preaching on the one hand, it seems that she has just left a publication on the person we see further back, and on the other hand, the sister on the right, because she is a little more distressed, overwhelmed by preaching in itself because she does not enjoy it as much as the other sister, there we see the contrast of what we were saying. Not all of us feel in the same way what preaching means, which at the end of the day is something that is not natural to have. what to do as human beings.
Two sisters preaching from house to house. One of them looks happy, but the other looks uncomfortable and nervous. Do you enjoy preaching? (See paragraph 1).
2. Why shouldn't you get discouraged if you have trouble feeling comfortable in ministry?
Well here it is approached from a positive perspective, since perhaps it is a sign of humility, because perhaps he does not want to draw attention to himself, or he does not want to find himself in arguments and nobody likes to be rejected, so in that sense it is understandable.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Another thing that helps us not become discouraged is to understand that Jehovah understands very well the challenges we face, and he wants to help us. If sometimes, and perhaps we wonder if, someone understands what these uncomfortable moments in preaching mean.
While it is true, we should not get discouraged, but if we did we should not feel bad, because our heavenly father understands very well the challenges that his servants face when preaching. On the other hand, these difficulties are normal and we must face them with a positive attitude and with the confidence that Jehovah can help us overcome them.
In Isaiah 41:13 it says: I, the Lord your God, have taken hold of your right hand. I am the one who tells you, "Don't be afraid, I will help you?", then, if we have felt this discomfort or we have felt not very happy in preaching. This article provides some practical suggestions that will help us have new shine in our ministry.
We are not alone. Jehovah understands the challenges we face and because he wants to help us, as the paragraph says, he is going to give us a hand and the proof that he does is that this article is going to give us five suggestions to see how we deal with the challenges. feelings we have when we go out to preach.
And let us also think that when we are preaching we should not have any fear because Isaiah, to whom Isaiah 41:13 says, do not be afraid, I will help you, we know that Jehovah is always on our side and will give us the necessary strength to fulfill our mission.
If it is difficult for us to preach, perhaps we do not feel ashamed by comparing ourselves with other brothers who are more active in preaching, but the paragraph says that we should not become discouraged because perhaps the insecurity we feel is a sign of humility or perhaps it is that We don't want to draw attention to ourselves nor do we want to get in the way of people who are doing other things, so our reasons why we find it difficult to preach can be good personality traits in themselves.
RECEIVE STRENGTH FROM THE WORD OF GOD
3. Where did Jeremiah get the strength to preach?
Jeremías felt intimidated and said I don't know how to speak, since I was only a boy. However, he managed to overcome his insecurities by receiving strength from the word of God to the point that his words became like a burning fire locked in his bones and he could no longer contain them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the same way, those who are shy or feel uncomfortable or intimidated when preaching could overcome these obstacles if they analyze the example of Jeremiah to whom the word of God provided the necessary strength to fulfill his mission despite the fact that the territory was not easy at all.
Yes, he had a lack of self-confidence and by comparing this observation with the boldness and firmness that Jeremiah demonstrated throughout his prophetic ministry it can be deduced that these exceptional qualities were not inherent but rather the result was as has been commented. of his complete trust in Jehovah.
The paragraph says that he received strength from the message he had to proclaim but it is curious because that message was violence and destruction. In other words, it is a bit of a contradiction to think that that message itself gave him strength but in reality the point is that when he decided Not speaking, I couldn't be silent, as the text says, His words became like a burning fire locked in my bones. It's the same thing that happened to us. Saying, "Yes, we try to keep quiet, what we know we won't be able to do," so our strength comes from the message itself. that Jehovah commissions us.
If he says that he felt the words of Jehovah, the message like a fire that was inside him and he was so tired of containing them and keeping silent that he actually got tired and that is why he began to speak.
Yes, he felt intimidated because as verse 8 shows, it says that they continually insulted and mocked him.
4. What do we achieve when we read the Word of God and meditate on it? (Colossians 1:9, 10).
When we read the word of God and meditate on it, we strengthen our faith in Jehovah and better understand why it is so important to spread the message of the Kingdom through preaching.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The apostle Paul in Colossians chapter 1 verses 9 and 10 indicates that accurate knowledge of the word of God can motivate Christians to behave in a manner worthy of Jehovah and to bear fruit in every good work, which includes preaching the good news. . Therefore, when we read and meditate on the word of God, we not only strengthen our faith, but we understand more clearly the importance of our work in preaching.
But just as a friend cannot console us when we are discouraged, reading and meditating on the word of God is as if we had to bring it to our side telling us, don't worry, this is the importance of the message and I am going to be by your side, not simply so that do it but for you to enjoy and in that way reading and meditating on the word of Jehovah will make us feel that fire or that desire to preach to people just like Jeremiah had.
That they would be filled with exact knowledge of what the will and wisdom of Jehovah was and thus they could have all kinds of fruit in all kinds of good works, then on the one hand there is the fruit of the spirit but also good works such as preaching that is the most important.
5. What will help us get the most out of the Bible?
We are suggested to take the necessary time to enjoy it.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul tells the Thessalonians that they should check and the study guide indicates that the word adds that here it is translated as check speaks of confirming the authenticity of precious metals, at that time it was very common we know Even the apostle Paul had written other letters that They were not inspired. There were other apostates against Christianity who also wrote, so it was very important to verify and examine under proof that those writings were inspired.
Also to get more out of the study of the Bible we have the notes of The Study Bible that give us additional details to what we are reading about certain verses and on the organization page under biblical teachings there is a section called biblical texts explained where we are also given explanatory notes and references to better understand these texts.
Yes, of course we have a lot of information, it says at the beginning we cannot read, study and meditate on the run, of course we have a lot of ease, we can underline quickly but we have to go deeper into the scriptures to dedicate enough time to the study so that the word of God reaches inside and this It is what will move us later and will make it easier for us when it comes to preaching. To get the most out of the word of God, it is important not to read or study or meditate in a hurry. Rather, if we come across a biblical text that we do not understand, we should look for an explanation of the verse in the index of WatchTower publications or the study guide for Jehovah's Witnesses, because by dedicating enough time to study our confidence in the word of God as mentioned in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 21 will grow.
Hence the excellent recommendation not to settle when preparing the Meetings or to do our personal study in a superficial way, since the more we delve into the Bible, the more we will trust it and the more we will enjoy sharing with others what we have learned.
PREPARE WELL FOR PREACHING
6. Why should we prepare well for the ministry?
We must prepare well for the Ministry, because if we do we will surely feel more comfortable talking to people.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Well, if we prepare well for preaching, we will be more comfortable talking to people and we have the example of Jesus, he prepared his disciples before going out to preach and how they put into practice what Jesus had taught them, well he says that They felt very happy about what they had achieved, so preparation is very important to go out into the ministry.
Jesus gave us the example. He prepared his disciples before sending them to preach as mentioned in Luke Chapter 10 verses 1 to 11, for his part when the disciples put into practice what Jesus had taught them they felt very happy for everything they achieved. . Therefore, proper preparation will also help us feel more comfortable and confident when going out to share the message of the Bible with others.
Yes, in those verses we see how Jesus sends the 70, makes arrangements, sends them two by two, gives them a territory and also tells them what they have to say and what they have to do when they arrive at the territories, which is exactly what we do. Today, we too today in the meeting places arrangements are made arrangements are made we are given a territory and thanks to the meeting of life and ministry we are told that we can say to people in the territory.
And we see in Luke 10:17 that that was what they did, not how they obeyed. It says that they returned happy and said, Lord, even the demons were subjected to us when we used your name. In other words, they had returned very happy because the people had listened to them because of the results. that they had had.
Even in verses 2 and 3 we can see how Jesus explains to them what they are going to find, in verse 2 we see that he tells them the need that exists because there are few workers but there is a lot of harvest and in verse 3 what is they are going to face.
And Jesus also told them that not everything was going to be easy because there were those who would not listen to them, but he told them how they had to act. He said that they should shake off the dust from their feet and move on to other people, so we also have to take that into account. They will not always listen and accept the message we carry.
7. How could we prepare for preaching? (See also the image).
Some ways in which we could prepare for preaching are to think about how to express the message of truth in our own words, and consider two or three common reactions that usually occur in the territory and what we would say in each case.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If we follow these suggestions when we go out to preach, we can focus on being relaxed, smiling and being friendly without worrying about how to express the message that will make it possible for it to reach people's hearts and at the same time enjoy our service.
And we see there the sister who is preparing for the preaching using the manual pamphlet making disciples a work of love which enables us there there are different sections as we are seeing in the midweek meeting to start conversations make return visits and also make disciples through lead Bible courses.
This topic of objections is important because of course what are the normal reactions, he says, habitual to the territory, I'm not interested, I'm busy, I don't want to know anything about the Witnesses, if we are not prepared to think about how we are going to react to those objections, we may become tense, nervous, the master. The household notices it, but on the other hand, if we more or less have something friendly in mind that can to a certain extent refute or nullify that objection, then we will be calm, smiling, friendly, and that can have a good effect on the householder as well.
Well, as the paragraph says here, proposing two or three common reactions in our territory.
ILLUSTRATION
The sister who was uncomfortable and nervous in the previous image is now at home reading the booklet “Making Disciples: A Labor of Love.” Prepare well for the preaching. (See paragraph 7).
8. How are Christians like clay pots?
Christians are like clay vessels in the sense that they carry a valuable treasure preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, just as merchants carried precious items in clay vessels in Paul's time, we as servants of God carry the good news and although we are fragile and limited, Jehovah sustains us and gives us the strength to faithfully fulfill our mission. For this reason we must ask Jehovah for courage and he will sustain us and give us the strength and courage we need.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
And thinking about this can relax us because then we are not the protagonists, clay is a cheap material, it is fragile, we are also fragile and imperfect, but the most important thing is the message, so if we concentrate more on the message than on what they are going to think of us in how they are going to treat us, then we are going to relax and enjoy our ministry more.
Yes, and with that great support we will have the necessary strength to faithfully fulfill our mission of carrying the message.
Well, the message is what is in the container and the container serves to transport that message.
ASK GOD FOR COURAGE
9. How can we overcome the fear of men and the fear of rejection? (See also the image).
To overcome the fear of man and the fear of rejection, we can follow the example of the apostles. Instead of allowing fear to overcome us, let us ask Jehovah for help in prayer, so with his support we will be able to speak with courage and we will overcome the fear of man with love for our neighbor.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As we see in Acts 4:18, we see the situation that the disciples went through, which was very difficult, but they did not give up until the very moment because they began to pray to Jehovah and he gave them the courage and strength as we saw in verse 31. Well, Jehovah answered him immediately that such a beautiful example that we have we can imitate today as well.
The photograph that we have seen before of this the sister was preparing to preach and she looked happy she was prepared here in this photograph you can see the sister who is going through a different moment so she sees the need to pray to Jehovah to continue preaching so What a good example for any of us that depending on the situation we are experiencing at that moment we are not going to stop preaching because we have to continue preaching but we do have to pray to Jehovah for help.
If we have seen in the previous verses how important it was to preach the good news because we have seen that it saved lives, then it is mentioned that when we have fear of man it is important that this love of neighbor helps us overcome the fear of man because we know that if We preach the result can be saving lives.
It was a heartfelt prayer and Jehovah's response was immediate because when they finished that prayer he filled them with the Holy Spirit.
And in the application of the image we see that courage is more necessary here than before, here the sister is alone, before she preached with the help of another sister, here there are people who are going to see her and hear her, what are the people going to do? Of the surrounding stalls, there was only one person before, that is, the situation, let's say, is much more evident, but then we will see the good result that that prayer has.
ILLUSTRATION
The same sister is in a market praying silently. Ask God for courage. (See paragraph 9).
10. What help do we have to fulfill our commission as Jehovah's Witnesses? (Isaiah 43:10-12).
Jehovah has made us his witnesses and promises to help us be brave. He has also commissioned the Angels to help us and also gives us his Holy Spirit as a helper who makes us remember what we have learned. In the same way, he gives us brothers and sisters to accompany us and Jesus to be with us in preaching.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
So we have everything necessary to fulfill our commission as Jehovah's Witnesses to be adaptable and positive. Jesus also helps us because when he gave his disciples the commission to preach he told them I will be with you until the conclusion of the system of things so he is with us when we are preaching the good news.
The second. point as we read in Revelation 14:6 we read that there is another angel who flew in the middle of heaven and had eternal good news to announce to him, so we can clearly see that Jesus has commissioned us with this commission. Jehovah put the Angels responsible to help us and help us. accompany in this work.
And this is the point that I like the third one that says that the helper will help us remember John 14:25 says that the father will send in my name and he will teach you all things and will make you remember everything that I have told you , we have seen before the sister studying preparing for the preaching and now she has the help of the holy spirit who sometimes not only helps you remember but also tells you how to say it to reach people's hearts.
Yes we see how Jehovah is giving us brothers and sisters to accompany us on this path that is preaching and we are very happy to have this global brotherhood everywhere because the truth is an encouragement for everyone.
BE ADAPTABLE AND POSITIVE
11. What can you do to reach more people with the message? (See also the image).
To reach more people with the message, you have to be adaptable, for this I can consider preaching on the streets looking for opportunities in markets, shopping centers and public parking lots.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Joshua mentioned in the paragraph has done very well with this strategy. In addition, visits can be made in the evening or on Sundays after noon, since it is more feasible to find people in their homes.
And we can also be adaptable in our schedules, we can perhaps talk to people in the evening or on Sundays after noon like Bridget did.
Well, here the apostle Paul thought about where there were people and they knew where there were and they went and spoke effectively with women. Let's remember that Lydia was among them who became Christians and each one of us moves in a habit that goes shopping because there are people who go to the hospital, there are people, so think about what our usual and good territory may be and prepare for it.
And we see in the drawing in the photo that the sister is adaptable to the situation because she offers him a card thinking that it is a sales stand that people can come to buy and so as not to entertain the person who is there too much because she will have told him He will have given you a small message along with the card.
ILLUSTRATION
The same sister is at the market giving a jw.org contact card to a vendor. Be adaptable. (See paragraph 11).
12. How can we find out what people believe and the topics they are interested in?
To find out what people believe and the topics that interest them, we can base ourselves on relevant questions following the example of Joshua and Bridget, we could ask what you think about the Bible, do you believe it comes from God. This way we can start a conversation and discover their beliefs and concerns.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The best way to find out is to ask them, that's why we can ask them what they think or what they believe or what worries them. We have the example of Joshua and Bridget, when they offer the treatise apart from the question they say or what other people think. They ask them what they think.
Also to determine it, it is important to be observers of the environment in which we are going to preach, be aware of the latest news, also what is happening in the world at a national level and even our own JW page. The cover articles are very well thought out and prepared because they are current needs and sometimes we find about mental health of young people, social networks or the problems of armed conflicts and they are hot topics.
13. How is it possible to be successful in preaching even if no one listens to us? (Proverbs 27:11).
Even if no one listens to us, we can be successful in preaching by fulfilling what Jehovah and his son ask us to witness. On the other hand, our satisfaction comes from having pleased our heavenly father regardless of the visible results.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We must also remember what Proverbs chapter 27 verse 11 says where we are encouraged to be wise and rejoice the heart of Jehovah. So although no one listens to us or many reject us, we are being successful in our collaboration with Jehovah to respond to Satan's challenge, since we remain faithful, loyal, obedient and happy because our efforts do not go unnoticed.
And besides, the testimony doesn't matter, maybe no one attends to us, we cannot start conversations as we would like or how we prepare, but many times the people who do not attend to us may see us or a car that passes by and the merchants also see us, so the testimony is there, people know that what we Jehovah's Witnesses go through, so by being their witnesses we are already giving this testimony.
Of course, and here it is highlighted that we should not worry if we do not manage to talk to anyone or if they reject the message, the important thing here is to always please our father Jehovah as Proverb 27:11 says.
We must follow all the steps that we have seen to prepare ourselves, but even if no one attends to us or if they reject us, so as not to become discouraged, we have to take into account what we are seeing that Jehovah is happy to know that we give a complete testimony.
14. How do we feel when a publisher finds someone interested in the truth, and why?
When a publisher finds someone interested in the truth, we all feel happy and rejoiced. To understand it better we can illustrate it with the search for a missing child, many participate covering several sections and when the child is finally found everyone is happy because the team work was successful and the objective was achieved.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Furthermore, when a publisher sees that his Bible students begin to attend the Meetings we all share that joy, because making disciples is a team effort, where we are all needed, the success of that publisher is the success of the entire congregation.
And we also have to see that if this person continues to advance, apart from accompanying the brother to the sister, giving the study, he will also begin to go to the meetings, attend the meetings and then we all have a job with that person, that is, if someone finds someone in the territory everyone in the congregation has a job.
FOCUS ON LOVE
15. What will help our enthusiasm grow? (Matthew 22:37-39; see also image).
To grow our enthusiasm in preaching, we must focus on love for Jehovah and neighbor as mentioned in Matthew chapter 22 verses 37 to 39.
We should also imagine how happy Jehovah feels when he sees us preach, and how happy people who begin to study the Bible will also feel. Also let us remember that those who accept the message will receive salvation.
Of course, as the text said, first happy, not Jehovah and us, because he sees us preaching and the prophecy there in Matthew 22 37 to 39 is fulfilled, and then happy because if we find our neighbor, we love him, we help him, so that he knows Jehovah, we are also happy, so It is a work that brings happiness to Jehovah and to us as well.
And as we have seen, the key is that you have to fight your thoughts, probably because of your shyness and your shame, but if you focus on the message and that people need to hear that message and on your love, you will be able to win that battle.
And first Timothy 4:16 is quoted, we must not forget that those who listen to us and accept the message will save their lives.
ILLUSTRATION
Well, in that image you can see the same sister who at first seemed shy, then you could see her thinking and maybe she is saying a prayer, now you can see that she is enjoying the preaching because she is the one who is talking to the person and she is He sees her happy and happy.
And as we have seen, the key is that you have to fight your thoughts, probably because of your shyness and your shame, but if you focus on the message and that people need to hear that message and on your love, you will be able to win that battle.
And the Illustration shows us this little sister who at the beginning was with the other classmate who was happy but was already shy. It is not true in the first paragraphs and as if discouraged, but we see that later through study she prepared herself and prayed she faced the challenge of speaking in a public place and now she is doing it with another partner but we see that she is prepared and happy with the result because everything she had studied and prayed she put into practice.
Two sisters preaching from house to house. One of them is the same as in the previous images. He has a magazine in her hands and is confidently talking about her to a woman. Love for Jehovah and your neighbor will help you enjoy preaching more. (See paragraph 15).
16. How will we enjoy the ministry even if we can't leave the house? Include some example.
When we cannot leave the house, we can enjoy our ministry if we focus on what we can do to demonstrate love for Jehovah and our neighbors.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
An example of this is Samuel and Dania who during the Covid-19 pandemic were confined to their home, but found creative ways to preach and serve. They preached by phone, wrote letters to friends and family, and led Bible courses over Zoom.
These brothers continue to give examples of how to enjoy the ministry, even if we cannot leave home due to personal circumstances. Samuel gave testimony through conversations at the clinic, where he was being treated for cancer. Dania, on her part, due to a fall, was unable to leave the house for 9 months, but she preached to the nurse and the delivery people who went to her house. This shows that even if we are limited by circumstances, doing everything within our power brings us joy and allows us to continue serving Jehovah.
And we see that despite the circumstances, to maintain that motivation they set goals, they could have thought, well, when I am cured of this illness or when I get out of this situation I will start preaching well, they set goals every time they found someone who I wasn't a witness preaching to him, that's how they had that motivation.
17. When will the suggestions in this article work best?
The suggestions in this article will work best when applied together. Each one of them is like an ingredient in a recipe. By combining all the ingredients appropriately, we will obtain a delicious result. Similarly, if we put all of these suggestions into practice, we can deal with negative feelings and enjoy preaching more.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Well, when we put them into practice all together, just as to carry out a recipe, we use all the ingredients indicated, because in order for us to enjoy preaching we have to use each of the suggestions that we have seen.
Song 53 makes a very good summary of this suggestion, it says what things will give me strength and motivation, firstly, positive thoughts, prayer, the Angels who accompany us, good preparation, and my brothers who love me from the heart.
HOW DO THESE SUGGESTIONS HELP US ENJOY PREACHING MORE?
Prepare well.
May we feel more comfortable.
Because they help us express ourselves in our own words and prepare ourselves for possible reactions from people and of course it will help us to be prepared when the opportunity to deal with them arises, which will help us to be relaxed, smile and show to be friendly.
And if we prepare the message we already have it under control, so to speak, then we can focus on being relaxed, smiling and being friendly.
Ask God for courage.
As in the first century, we must ask Jehovah for help to give us the courage to overcome the fear of man with the love of our neighbor. Remember that Jesus supports us, that the Angels help us, that Jehovah gives us his holy spirit and we have the great brotherhood that accompanies us in the Ministry.
Well, we have seen four suggestions to see that Jesus is with us when we preach, how we also have the help of the Angels that Jehovah gives us his Holy Spirit through prayer and also our brothers and sisters who do not go alone, we are with them.
Focus on love for Jehovah and neighbor.
If we imagine how happy Jehovah is to see us preach, it will be a demonstration of our love for him. In addition to the happiness that people can feel who begin to study the Bible and have the opportunity to receive salvation thanks to our help.
Well, on the one hand, when we show sincere love, it will have a lot of power in the person we are talking to and will make those who are correctly disposed respond to the message, and also love, because it will help us prepare to be flexible and talk to people. people because of what interests and worries them.
And we will also make the people of our territory happy to Jehovah because we will even be able to save lives and we ourselves will be happy.
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