For many Christians, the implied answer to this question is no. In fact, when it comes to JW outreach, there are at least two patterns that I have recognized in the Church. First, many believers in Christ have not concerned themselves with evangelizing JW’s. Surely enough, I have had several Christians tell me that they have become accustomed to circumventing potential discussions with JW’s by either not answering the door when they come to their home, or by brushing them off after they do open the door.
Second, many of our churches have never offered any training on how to effectively evangelize JW’s using the Bible. This was confirmed to me when I conducted a training session on this very topic at my local Youth for Christ office several months ago. Before I began the presentation, I asked the following question: “How many of you have had this topic covered in your church?” Out of the dozen or so attendees, only one hand went up in response. As you read this, ask yourself, “Has my church ever offered some form of training on biblical evangelism among JW’s?” I would not be surprised if the answer is no.
The fact is, JW’s are by-and-large sincere Bible students who have simply been misled. As proponents of the biblical gospel, it is our responsibility to bring light wherever there is darkness. As you may know, JW’s are in the dark with regards to biblical teaching, and we must love them enough to give of ourselves to see them turned from darkness to light. (see Acts 26:18)
Don’t avoid the Witnesses in your life. Rather, give of yourself to bring the same message to them that the apostles of the first-century took to those in their midst. In so doing, you can faithfully participate in the Great Commission.
*Taken from the book Conversations Worth Having: Insights from a Year’s Worth of Discussions with a Jehovah’s Witness (April 2014). See home page for more information.
Well said and as you present, way over due.
I AGREE. I CAN’T REMEMBER WHEN A – J. W OR MORMAN LAST – CALLED. I USED TO HAVE THEM IN AND LET THEM TALK SO THEY WERN’T ABLE TO BOTHER THE UNSAVED FOR HALF A HOUR THEN AT THE END TELL THE I WAS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN. I DO NOT THINK WE HAVE MANY ABOUT MY TOWN BUT I HAVE BEEN IN A CAR LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SEEN THEM IN TWO’S WITH BREIF CASES KNOCKING AT DOORS. AS FOR ME PERSONALLY I HAVE GONE TO CLASS IN THE PAST AND I HOPE AT 62 I COULD REALLY STAND UP BECAUSE THE LORD WILL BE THERE IN EVERYTHING I SAY. BUT AGAIN I AGREE WITH YOU IF SOME TEACHING IS AVAILBLE I SHOULD REFRESH. PASTOR IS A WONDERFUL MAN AND I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR HIM AS A TEACHER HE IS GREAT VERY WISE . SO MAYBE I MIGHT ASK HIM TO DO A TEACHING ABOUT THEM AND WHAT TO SAY. WE HAVE ABOUT 45/50 COME SUNDAY MORNINGS. 35/40 EVENINGS. 20/25 TUESDAY BIBLE AND PRAYER NIGHT. WE OUR A CHURCH THAT VERY MUCH LOVES THE LORD AN OUR MOVING WITH THE LORD. ELIM PENTECOSTAL CHURCH PORT TALBOT SOUTH WALES. U/K. GOD BLESS YOU FOR THAT.
Thanks for the post. In my experience with JW and most other religious unbelievers, most of them are not sincere seekers of TRUTH, hence, they hardly consider the verse of Scriptures one shares with them. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Heb 11:6). And if any man seeks God sincerely, the Scriptures affirms that he will come to Christ Jesus (John 6:44).
For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Heb 2:2-3)
My prayer for such non-seekers is that God will deliver them from the spiritual blindness and carelessness of their lives, and that the Truth and light of the Gospel will shine into their hearts, being convicted by the Holy spirited and reconcilled to God via the blood of Christ Jesus.