Lesson 6—Starting a Conversation—Boldness
LESSON 6
Principle: “We mustered up boldness by means of our God to tell you the good news.”—
(1 Thessalonians 2.2: For although we had first suffered and been insolently treated in Philippi, as you know, we mustered up boldness by means of our God to tell you the good news of God in the face of much opposition.)
What Jesus Did
1. Watch the VIDEO, Or Read Then consider the following questions:
(Luke 19.1-7: He then entered Jericho and was passing through. Now a man named Zacchaeus was there; he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. Well, he was trying to see who this Jesus was, but he could not see because of the crowd, since he was short. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see him, for he was about to pass that way. Now when Jesus got to the place, he looked up and said to him: “Zacchaeus, hurry and get down, for today I must stay in your house.” With that he hurried down and joyfully welcomed him as a guest. When they saw this, they were all muttering: “He went as a guest to the house of a man who is a sinner.”)
a. Why might some people have avoided Zacchaeus?
b. What moved Jesus to share the good news with him anyway?
What Do We Learn From Jesus?
2. We need boldness to preach the Kingdom message impartially.
Imitate Jesus
3. Rely on Jehovah. God’s spirit empowered Jesus to preach, and it can empower you too.
(Matthew 10.19, 20: However, when they hand you over, do not become anxious about how or what you are to speak, for what you are to speak will be given you in that hour; for the ones speaking are not just you, but it is the spirit of your Father that speaks by you.)
(Luke 4.18: “Jehovah’s spirit is upon me, because he anointed me to declare good news to the poor. He sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and a recovery of sight to the blind, to send the crushed ones away free,)
Ask Jehovah for boldness to preach to those you might find intimidating.—
(Acts 4.29: And now, Jehovah, give attention to their threats, and grant to your slaves to keep speaking your word with all boldness,)
4. Do not prejudge people. We may hesitate to approach some people because of their physical appearance, social or economic status, lifestyle, or religious beliefs. But remember:
a. Jehovah and Jesus can read hearts; we cannot.
b. No one is beyond the reach of Jehovah’s mercy.
5. Balance boldness with tact and caution.
(Matthew 10.16: “Look! I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; so prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.)
Avoid arguing. Politely end the conversation if the person is unreceptive to the good news or if you feel unsafe.—
(Proverbs 17.14: Beginning a fight is like opening a floodgate; Before the quarrel breaks out, take your leave.)
STARTING A CONVERSATION
SEE ALSO
(Acts 4.31: And when they had made supplication, the place where they were gathered together was shaken, and they were one and all filled with the holy spirit and were speaking the word of God with boldness.)
(Ephesians 6.19, 20: Pray also for me, that the words may be given to me when I open my mouth, so that I may be able to speak boldly in making known the sacred secret of the good news, for which I am acting as an ambassador in chains, and that I may speak about it with boldness, as I ought to speak.)
(2 Timothy 1.7: For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of soundness of mind.)