APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY: Week of July 7-13, 2025, Explain Your Beliefs: Role-Play. Topic: What do Jehovah's Witnesses think about divorce? Lesson 4, point 3. Prepared Assignment.

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY: July 7-13, 2025, Explain Your Beliefs: Role-Play. Topic: What do Jehovah's Witnesses think about divorce? Lesson 4, point 3. Prepared Assignment.

Explain your beliefs (5 mins.) Role-play. ijwfq article 54. Topic: What do Jehovah's Witnesses think about divorce? (lmd lesson 4 point 3).

Setting: The publisher visits a close cousin who is facing marital problems. During the conversation, the cousin asks, "What do Jehovah's Witnesses think about divorce?" The publisher explains Bible principles clearly, showing respect for his cousin's feelings, and offers practical tools to strengthen the marriage.

Publisher(s): [Name], I was just passing by and thought I'd say hi. How are you?

Assistant: [Name], nice to see you. Come in, come in. I'm fine...

Publisher(s): Really? I notice you're a little down in the dumps... Is everything okay?

Assistant: Well, not really. I've had a lot of problems with my husband lately. Honestly, I'm thinking about getting a divorce.

Publisher(s): I'm so sorry you're going through this, [Name]. Relationship problems hurt, especially when there's love involved.

Assistant: You're one of Jehovah's Witnesses, aren't you? What do you think about divorce?

Publisher(s): Good question. We are guided by the principles of the Bible, and according to the Bible, God intended marriage to be a permanent, lifelong bond.

Assistant: So Jehovah's Witnesses never get divorced?

Publisher(s): Look, the only reason the Bible allows for divorce is in Matthew 19:9. If you want, I'll read it to you from my phone: "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife—except for sexual immorality—and marries another commits adultery."

Assistant: So… only if there has been infidelity.

Publisher(s): Exactly. God views marriage as sacred. That's why he doesn't approve of divorce except in cases of sexual immorality, because it implies that one of the two has broken the commitment of fidelity.

Assistant: My husband hasn't been unfaithful to me, that's for sure. It's just that sometimes I feel like he doesn't pay attention to me anymore… but I recognize that he's very busy with work and the kids.

Publisher(s): And that's very valuable, [Name]. It's clear you're a responsible man. Sometimes routine and fatigue make you lose connection, but it doesn't necessarily mean a lack of love.

Assistant: What if someone doesn't want a divorce, but wants to separate? What does the Bible say about separation? Is it valid?

Publisher(s): Let's let the Bible answer that question. Look, read what 1 Corinthians 7:10, 11 says.

Assistant: "Now to the married, I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife should not depart from her husband. 11 But if she does depart, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband. And the husband must not leave his wife." Wow!

Publisher(s): This text shows that Jehovah doesn't look favorably on separation either, although there are exceptional situations where some Christians have had to separate based on biblical principles, such as when a spouse refuses to support the family or there is serious physical abuse. But if there isn't such a serious reason, the ideal is to work together to improve.

Assistant: Well, yes... In my case, there's no abuse or abandonment, just a lot of arguments. But I don't think I have biblical grounds for separating. So... What do Jehovah's Witnesses do when they have marital problems?

Publisher(s): We have many resources available. For example, in our meetings we examine the practical advice the Bible gives to married couples. The congregation's elders also provide personalized attention to married couples, reviewing Bible passages with them. And our publications often contain information that helps strengthen marriages.

Assistant: It's very nice how you have guidelines and tools that focus on taking care of the marriage.

Publisher(s): Look, if you'd like, I can bring you some of those posts that have helped my husband and me a lot. Maybe we can read them together, and you could share them with him later.

Assistant: Yes! I'd love to. I'm free at this time tomorrow.

Publisher(s): Perfect. Then I'll stop by tomorrow. I'm so glad I came to see you today.

Assistant: Thank you, [Name]. You really helped me see things from a different angle.

Publisher(s): That's what we're here for. See you tomorrow, cousin!

Assistant: Yes, with pleasure. Take care.