Watchtower Study, April 6-12, 2026, How to Help Our Non-Witness Family Members, Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Response

Light Yellow: Additional Response

Celeste: Additional Points

“Let us not neglect to do what is right” (GAL. 6:9).

1, 2. Why might our relationship with our family members be affected when we learn the truth?

When a man told Jesus that he wanted to become his disciple, Jesus replied: “Go back to your relatives and tell them all that Jehovah has done for you” (Mark 5:19). In this way, Jesus acknowledged that it is natural for us to feel the desire to tell our loved ones when we hear about something good.

2 Do you remember how you felt when you learned the truth? I'm sure you were eager to share it with your family. However, some may not have responded as you expected. Or perhaps you were so enthusiastic that you spoke the truth rather tactlessly, which ultimately offended them. In that case, what can he do to get along with or restore a good relationship with his family members without giving up Christian principles?

3. What will we see in this article?

3 In this article we will look at four ideas. First, how compassion motivates us to show love and patience to our family members even if they do not wish to accept the truth. Second, how to react if we are spoken to or treated negatively. Third, how can it benefit them if we are patient and do not lose hope that they will come to serve Jehovah? And fourth, how can we show them that we love them?

Compassion motivates us to help them

4. How did Jesus treat those who were not interested in his message?

4 Jesus did not quickly give up on those who were not interested in his message. He compared himself to a vineyard worker who did everything in his power to try to make a fig tree bear fruit. (Luke 13:6-9). When Jesus made this comparison, he had already been trying to help the Jews cultivate their faith for more than three years. Why was he so patient with them and didn't give up? Because he understood their situation and had compassion for them.

5. Why did Jesus feel compassion for the Jews?

5 Jesus felt compassion for the Jews because their religious leaders had not helped them cultivate true faith in God. In fact, he saw the Jews as “like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mar. 6:34). Shortly before his death, he even wept for Jerusalem because he knew that most of its inhabitants would lose their lives due to their lack of faith. (Luc. 19:41-44). If we strive to imitate Jesus' empathy and compassion, we will be moved to help our family members spiritually.

6. Why should we be patient with our non-Witness family members? (Galatians 6:9).

6 (Read Galatians 6:9). Even if our family members are not yet interested in our beliefs, let us be patient with them and “not neglect to do what is right.” We know that it takes time for people to overcome certain prejudices and come to have faith in Jehovah. The truth is that many of us were also among those who “had no hope and were without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). However, someone was patient with us and helped us spiritually. Wouldn't we all like to do the same for our families, if possible?

IF THEY SPEAK TO US OR TREAT US IN A NEGATIVE WAY

7. Why might it be that Jesus' half-brothers did not demonstrate faith in him?

7 Jesus’ half brothers likely heard of the miracles he had performed in Galilee (Luke 4:14, 22-24). However, at first they did not show faith in him (John 7:5). The Bible doesn't state the reason, but it does give at least two reasons why some Jews didn't want to follow Jesus. Some were afraid of being rejected by their community (John 9:18-22). Others had known him since childhood and therefore found it difficult to believe that he was the Messiah (Mark 6:1-4). It's possible that Jesus' half-brothers were influenced by this way of thinking. Do our family members experience something similar?

8. What might lead our family members to speak to us or treat us negatively?

8 Let us consider why we are spoken to or treated negatively. Jesus’ brothers may have been among the relatives who once said: “He has gone mad” (Mark 3:21). What could have led them to say that? The context indicates that Jesus was so busy with his ministry that he didn't even have time to eat (Mark 3:20). Perhaps his relatives thought he had become a fanatic. Similarly, our relatives may think that we take our religion too seriously. If we see that they feel this way, we do well to show them with what we say and do that we are actually reasonable people.

9. What can help our family members change their opinion about Jehovah’s Witnesses? (1 Peter 3:1, 2; see also the pictures.)

9 Let our conduct speak for itself. If we treat our relatives with kindness and gentleness, they may change their opinion of Jehovah's Witnesses. (it’s 1 Peter 3:1, 2). For example, it's easy for a non-Witness husband to feel lonely or annoyed when his wife attends meetings or goes out preaching. To prevent him from feeling this way, she could make some adjustments to her schedule of spiritual activities to spend more time with him. Perhaps she could go out preaching when he's busy or not at home. And who knows, that flexible and reasonable attitude might even help him change how he sees us.

ILLUSTRATION

Series of images: 1. A sister prepares a bag of food and a thermos of coffee for her husband, who is not a Witness, to take to work. 2. Later, the sister is preaching from house to house with another sister and shows a woman a Bible verse on her phone.

If we treat our spouse with kindness and gentleness, perhaps he or she will change their opinion about Jehovah's Witnesses. (See paragraph 9.)

10. How can we imitate Jesus' example when we are criticized?

10 We shouldn't feel obligated to respond every time we're criticized. When Jesus was accused of eating and drinking too much, he didn't get defensive. Rather, he encouraged people to look at their actions and draw their own conclusions. (Matt. 11:19). Moreover, by his example he showed that he lived a balanced life (compare John 2:2, 6-10). Similarly, we don't need to defend ourselves against everything our relatives say about Jehovah's Witnesses. It's often better to show them through our actions that we live a happy and balanced life and let them draw their own conclusions. Perhaps then they will realize for themselves that the things they have heard about us are false.

LET US BE PATIENT AND NOT LOSE HOPE

11. How did Jesus treat his brothers?

11 The Gospels show how patient Jesus was with his brothers. For example, when he performed his first miracle, it is very likely that they were also in Cana (John 2:11, 12). Even so, they did not believe in him. However, Jesus did not cut ties with them. In fact, about three years later, he appears in another account speaking kindly to them.  (Juan 7:5-8).

12. What helps us not to lose hope that some family members will take Jehovah's side?

12 What we have recently learned about Jehovah’s mercy helps us not to lose hope. Why? Because now we know that, even after the great tribulation begins, people may have the opportunity to take Jehovah's side. So, when false religion is destroyed, our relatives may remember that we told them that would happen and decide to serve Jehovah. (Apoc. 17:16). On the other hand, if we see that they are going through difficulties, we will certainly do everything we can to help them. When they see that our love and kindness are sincere, they may be more willing to learn about Jehovah.

LET'S SHOW THEM THAT WE LOVE THEM

13. Although we are busy serving Jehovah, what do we not want to do?

13 Although we are busy serving Jehovah, we do not want to give our family members the impression that we do not have time for them or that we no longer love them. (Matt. 7:12). Let's look at some ways to show them that we care about them.

14, 15. What is one way to show our non-Witness family members that we love them? Give an example.

14 Keeping in touch. We can show our family members affection by frequently telling them how we are doing. For example, if we've been on vacation or with friends, we could send them a message with some nice photos. A simple gift or a short note with kind words might help improve our relationship with them. With gestures like these, we show them that we truly care about them.

15 Consider the example of Anna, a sister from Armenia. Her family used to spend a lot of time together, especially on birthdays and holidays. When she became a Witness, her family members were very worried. They feared that their relationship with her would be affected and that she was jeopardizing her future. What does Anna do to ease their concerns? She says: “When I visit them, I tell them how I’m doing and what I’ve been up to. I also invite them to my home and introduce them to my friends. As a result, most of my family members know them and feel comfortable around them.” She adds: “Many of my family members have said that they see me happy and are no longer worried about me.”

16. How did Jesus show his concern for his brother James? (See also the footnote.)

16 Showing them that they are important to us. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his brother James, thus showing his interest in him. (1 Cor. 15:7). Can we imagine how James felt when he realized that Jesus had not turned his back on him? This reunion was probably what convinced him that Jesus was the Messiah. It's possible that he then went and told his family members so they too would be convinced. (Hebrews 1:14).

17. How can we apply what Romans 12:15 says? (See also the image.)

17 (Read Romans 12:15). If we show our family members that we are by their side in important moments of their lives, both good and bad, perhaps they will change their attitude towards us. For example, if a relative has a baby, we can congratulate them and give them a gift to show that we share their joy. Or, if they lose a loved one, we can comfort them with kind words, send them a card, or offer our help. And of course, we can write, call, and visit our family members regularly, especially when they are going through difficult times.

ILLUSTRATION

The sister in the previous pictures is taking a selfie with her husband and mother-in-law, who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. Her mother-in-law is in a wheelchair.

If we stand by our family members when they need us most, perhaps they will change their attitude toward us and our religion. (See paragraph 17.)

18. How can we imitate the disciple Andrew?

18 Introducing them to the brothers of the congregation. As soon as the disciple Andrew realized that Jesus was the Messiah, he went to find his brother Peter to introduce him to him. (John 1:40-42). How can we imitate Andrew? For example, could we occasionally invite a relative to the Kingdom Hall or for a meal with our friends? That way they can see that we Witnesses are decent, normal people.

19. How should we treat our family members even if they do not fully understand some of our beliefs? (1 Peter 3:15).

19 (Read 1 Peter 3:15). Our family members may not fully understand why we refuse to do certain things, but they will always remember that we treated them with kindness and respect. And, although we may no longer participate with them in certain festivities and traditions, they will surely appreciate it if we make an effort to spend time with them at other times. For example, we can visit them, eat together, and give them gifts on other occasions.

LET'S NOT GIVE UP

20. Why is it so encouraging to think about the example of Santiago?

20 It is true that James did not take advantage of the opportunity to accompany Jesus during his ministry, but later he became a disciple (Gal. 1:18, 19; 2:9). And it is evident that he must have learned from Jesus' many teachings. For example, by divine inspiration he wrote a letter in which he taught lessons reminiscent of those in the Sermon on the Mount.

21. Why should we not give up on our non-Witness family members?

21 Despite all our efforts to treat our non-Witness family members kindly and show them that we love them, they may not change their attitude or want to learn about Jehovah. Even so, we must not give up on them. Why? Because every time we treat them with kindness, we are imitating the mercy of Jehovah and Jesus (Luc. 6:33, 36). And perhaps, in time, our displays of love will inspire them to change how they see us. Furthermore, maybe in the future they will remember the beliefs we share with them now. If we keep trying to help them, perhaps one day we will have the immense joy of their accepting the truth and worshipping Jehovah along with us.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

How does compassion motivate us to help our non-Witness family members?

The compassion that Jesus felt for the Jews, whom the religious leaders had not helped to cultivate a true faith in God and who were “like sheep without a shepherd”, motivates us to help our non-Witness family members spiritually.

Why should we be patient and not lose hope?

We must be patient, because we know that it takes time for people to overcome certain prejudices and come to have faith in Jehovah.

We must not lose hope, because we now know that even after the great tribulation begins, people may have the opportunity to take Jehovah's side.

How can we show our non-Witness family members that we love them?

We can show our non-Witness family members that we love them by staying in touch and showing them that they are important to us. A simple gift or a short note with kind words might help improve our relationship with them. With initiatives like these, we demonstrate that we truly care for them.