Lesson 21

By means of his Kingdom, Jehovah will soon eliminate all of our problems. That news is too good to keep to ourselves. Jesus wanted his followers to share this message with everyone! (Matthew 28:19, 20)

How have Jehovah’s Witnesses responded to Jesus’ command?

Jesus foretold: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14)

Jehovah’s Witnesses are happy to share in this important work. We are preaching the good news worldwide in over 1,000 languages! This colossal work requires tremendous effort and organization. It could not be done without Jehovah’s help.

We preach wherever we can find people. Like first-century Christians, we preach “from house to house.” (Acts 5:42)

This systematic method allows us to reach millions of people each year. Since people are not always at home, we also preach in many public places. We are always looking for opportunities to tell others about Jehovah and his purposes.

All real Christians have the responsibility to share the good news with others. We take our responsibility seriously. We preach as much as our personal circumstances allow because we realize that lives are at stake.

Read 1 Timothy 4.16: Pay constant attention to yourself and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

We are not paid to do this work, for the Bible says: “You received free, give free.” (Matthew 10:7, 8)

Not everyone accepts our message. But we continue because preaching is part of our worship and it makes Jehovah happy.

Learn more about the efforts of Jehovah’s Witnesses to preach worldwide, and see how Jehovah helps us.

Jehovah’s Witnesses make special efforts to preach the good news to people everywhere. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

What impresses you about the efforts Jehovah’s Witnesses make to preach?

Read Matthew 22.39: The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’

Read Romans 10.13-15: For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” However, how will they call on him if they have not put faith in him? How, in turn, will they put faith in him about whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent out? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!”

Discuss these questions:

How does our ministry show that we love our neighbors?

How does Jehovah feel about those who preach the good news?—See verse 15.

Many experiences show that Jehovah is directing our work. For example, in New Zealand a brother named Paul met a woman in the house-to-house work one afternoon. That very morning, the woman had prayed to God, using God’s name, Jehovah, and asking that someone call on her. “Three hours later,” says Paul, “I arrived at her doorstep.”

Read 1 Corinthians 3.9: For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field under cultivation, God’s building.

Discuss this question:

How do experiences such as the one in New Zealand show that Jehovah is directing the preaching work?

Read Acts 1.8: But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the most distant part of the earth.”

Discuss this question:

Why do we need Jehovah’s help to accomplish our ministry?

Each week at our midweek meeting, we receive training to help us preach. If you have attended one of these meetings, what did you think of the training offered?

In the first century, opposers tried to stop Jesus’ followers from preaching. Early Christians defended their right to preach by “legally establishing... the good news.” (Philippians 1:7)

Jehovah’s Witnesses do the same today. Footnote 1

Play the VIDEO.

Read Acts 5.27-42: So they brought them and stood them before the Sanhedrin. Then the high priest questioned them and said: “We strictly ordered you not to keep teaching on the basis of this name, and yet look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.” In answer Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a stake. God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit, which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.” When they heard this, they were infuriated and wanted to do away with them. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel rose in the Sanhedrin; he was a Law teacher esteemed by all the people, and he gave the command to put the men outside for a little while. Then he said to them: “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you intend to do about these men. For instance, before these days Theudas rose up, saying he himself was somebody, and a number of men, about 400, joined his party. But he was done away with, and all those who were following him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration, and he drew followers after himself. That man also perished, and all those who were following him were scattered. So under the present circumstances, I say to you, do not meddle with these men, but let them alone. For if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. Otherwise, you may even be found fighters against God himself.” At this they took his advice, and they summoned the apostles, flogged them, and ordered them to stop speaking on the basis of Jesus’ name, and let them go. So they went out from before the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy to be dishonored in behalf of his name. And every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.

Discuss this question:

Why will we not stop preaching?—See verses 29, 38, and 39.