Teach Publicly and From House to House

“I did not flinch from . . . teaching you publicly and from house to house.”​—ACTS 20:20, “Byington.”

1. How did a Catholic priest comment on the effectiveness of the house-to-house ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

“CATHOLICS Take Gospel Door to Door.” So read a headline in The Providence Sunday Journal of October 4, 1987. The newspaper reported that a major objective of this activity was to “invite some of their inactive parishioners to return to a more active parish life.” Priest John Allard, director of the Office for Evangelization in the Diocese of Providence, was quoted as saying: “Sure, there’s going to be a lot of skepticism. People are going to say, ‘There they go, just like the Jehovah’s Witnesses.’ But the Jehovah’s Witnesses are effective, aren’t they? I’ll bet you can go into any Kingdom Hall in the state [of Rhode Island, U.S.A.,] and find congregations filled with former Catholics.”

2. What question is appropriately raised?

² Yes, Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for their effective house-to-house ministry. But why do they go from house to house?

The Apostolic Method

3. (a) What commission did Jesus Christ give his disciples? (b) In what chief way did Christ’s early followers carry out their commission?

³ Jesus Christ gave his followers this meaningful commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And, look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matthew 28:19, 20) The principal way in which that work would be done became evident immediately after the day of Pentecost 33 C.E. “Every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.” (Acts 5:42) Some 20 years later, the apostle Paul was engaging in the house-to-house ministry, for he reminded Christian elders from the city of Ephesus: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house.”​—Acts 20:20.

4. Why can we say that Acts 5:42 and Acts 20:20 mean that the preaching of Jesus’ followers was distributed from house to house?

⁴ At Acts 5:42 the words “from house to house” are translated from kat’ oiʹkon. Here ka·taʹ is used in a “distributive” sense. Hence, the preaching of the disciples was distributed from one house to another. Commenting on Acts 20:20, Randolph O. Yeager wrote that Paul taught “both in public assemblies [de·mo·siʹa] and from house to house (distributive [ka·taʹ] with the accusative). Paul had spent three years in Ephesus. He visited every house, or at least he preached to all of the people (Ac 20 verse 26). Here is scriptural warrant for house to house evangelism as well as that carried on in public meetings.”

5. At Acts 20:20, why was Paul not referring solely to social calls upon elders or to shepherding visits?

⁵ A similar use of ka·taʹ appears at Luke 8:1, which speaks of Jesus preaching “from city to city and from village to village.” Paul used the plural form kat’ oiʹkous at Acts 20:20. Here some Bible translations read “in your homes.” But the apostle was not referring solely to social calls upon elders or to shepherding visits in the homes of fellow believers. His next words show that he was speaking about a house-to-house ministry among unbelievers, for he said: “But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21) Fellow believers had already repented and exercised faith in Jesus. Hence, both Acts 5:42 and Acts 20:20 have to do with preaching to unbelievers “from house to house,” or from door to door.

No Substitute for It

6. What has been said about the nature of Paul’s preaching work in Ephesus?

⁶ Commenting on Paul’s words at Acts 20:20, in 1844 Abiel Abbot Livermore wrote: “He was not content merely to deliver discourses in the public assembly, and dispense with other instrumentalities, but zealously pursued his great work in private, from house to house, and literally carried home the truth of heaven to the hearths and hearts of the Ephesians.” More recently, it has been observed: “House to house dissemination of the gospel characterized the first-century Christians from the beginning (cf. Acts 2:46; 5:42). . . . [Paul] had thoroughly discharged his responsibility both to Jews and Gentiles at Ephesus, and they were left without excuse if they perished in their sins.”​—The Wesleyan Bible Commentary, Volume 4, pages 642-3.

7. Why can it be said that God approves of the house-to-house ministry of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

⁷ Though public speaking has its place in declaring the good news, it is no substitute for personal contact at the door. In this regard, scholar Joseph Addison Alexander said: “The church has yet invented nothing to supply the place or rival the effect of church and household preaching.” As scholar O. A. Hills put it: “Public teaching and house-to-house teaching must go hand in hand.” Jehovah’s Witnesses provide instruction through discourses at their weekly Public Meetings. They also have clear evidence that the apostolic method of spreading Bible truth from house to house is effective. And Jehovah surely approves of it, for as a result of such ministry, he is causing thousands to stream to his exalted worship each year.​—Isaiah 2:1-4; 60:8, 22.

8. (a) What has been said about the reason why house-to-house preaching is effective? (b) How may Jehovah’s Witnesses be compared to Paul in doorstep preaching and other witnessing?

⁸ Another authority has said: “People find it easier to remember teaching at their doorstep than at the church step.” Well, Paul was at doorsteps regularly, setting a fine example as a minister. “He was not content with teaching and discoursing in the synagogue and the market,” wrote Bible scholar Edwin W. Rice. “He was ever diligently ‘teaching’ ‘from house to house.’ It was a house-to-house, hand-to-hand, face-to-face contest with evil, and to win men to Christ, that he waged in Ephesus.” Jehovah’s Witnesses realize that person-to-person discussions on the doorstep are effective. Moreover, they make return visits and are happy to talk even with opposers if these individuals will allow reasonable discussions to take place. How like Paul! Concerning him, F. N. Peloubet wrote: “Paul’s work was not all in meetings. No doubt he visited many people personally at their homes wherever he learned of one who was inquiring, or so interested or even opposed as to be willing to converse on religion.”

Elders to Take the Lead

9. What example did Paul set for fellow elders?

⁹ What example did Paul set for fellow elders? He showed that they should be bold and tireless house-to-house proclaimers of the good news. In 1879, J. Glentworth Butler wrote: “[The Ephesian elders] knew that in [Paul’s] preaching he had been utterly unaffected by thought of personal danger or popularity; that he had withheld nothing of needed truth; that he had not, with one-sided partiality, dwelt upon peculiar or novel aspects of truth, but had urged only and all that which was profitable ‘to the use of edifying,’ or building up: the whole counsel of God in its purity and fullness! And this faithful ‘showing,’ this fervid ‘teaching’ of the Christian truth had been his practice, not only in the school of Tyrannus and in other gathering places of disciples, but in every accessible household. From house to house, and from soul to soul, day by day had he borne the glad tidings with Christlike desire and yearning. To all classes and races, to the hostile Jew and the sneering Greek, his one theme​—that which, fully expounded, includes all other essential saving truths—​was repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

10, 11. (a) As regards the Christian ministry, what did Paul expect of the Ephesian elders? (b) Like Paul, in what kind of preaching do Jehovah’s Witnesses, including the elders, engage?

¹⁰ In essence, then, what did Paul expect of the Ephesian elders? Scholar E. S. Young paraphrased the apostle’s words in this way: “I did not only speak in public, but I labored from house to house, with all classes, both Jews and Gentiles. The theme of my ministry to all classes was ‘repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.’” Putting Paul’s words another way, W. B. Riley wrote: “The plain meaning was: ‘I expect you to continue that which I began, both to do and to teach and I expect you to resist as I resisted; to teach both privately and publicly as I did in the streets and from house to house, to testify likewise to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, for these are the fundamentals!’”

¹¹ Clearly, in Acts chapter 20, Paul was showing fellow elders that they were expected to be house-to-house witnesses of Jehovah. In this regard, the first-century elders were to take the lead, setting a proper example for other members of the congregation. (Compare Hebrews 13:17.) Like Paul, then, Jehovah’s Witnesses preach from house to house, telling people of all nations about God’s Kingdom, repentance toward Him, and faith in Jesus Christ. (Mark 13:10; Luke 24:45-48) And in such house-to-house work, appointed elders among the modern-day Witnesses are expected to take the lead.​—Acts 20:28.

12. What did some former elders refuse to do, but in what do elders take the lead today?

¹² In 1879, Charles Taze Russell began to publish Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence, now called The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. Russell and other Bible Students declared the Kingdom message in the apostolic manner. In later years, however, some congregation elders did not live up to their witnessing responsibilities. For instance, one Witness wrote: “All went along well until the announcement came of all taking part in house-to-house witnessing with literature and particularly the Sunday house-to-house work​—this in 1927. Our elective elders opposed and tried to discourage the whole class from taking up or engaging in any part of such work.” In time, men who would not engage in house-to-house preaching were no longer privileged to serve as elders. Today, too, those serving as elders and ministerial servants are expected to take the lead in house-to-house witnessing and other forms of the Christian ministry.

Everyone a Witness

13. (a) What should we do even if people do not listen to the Kingdom message? (b) How has Paul been compared with Ezekiel?

¹³ With Jehovah’s help, Christians should declare the Kingdom message from house to house, even if it is not received with appreciation. As God’s watchman, Ezekiel was to warn people whether they listened or not. (Ezekiel 2:5-7; 3:11, 27; 33:1-6) Drawing a parallel between Ezekiel and Paul, E. M. Blaiklock wrote: “From [Paul’s speech in Acts chapter 20] emerges a clear picture of the ministry in Ephesus. Note the following: First, Paul’s urgent faithfulness. He was no seeker after popularity or the public’s approval. Set like Ezekiel to a watchman’s task, he discharged his duty with honest zeal and character to back his speech. Second, his loving sympathy. He was not the man to take words of doom upon his lips without emotion. Third, his indefatigable evangelism. Publicly and from house to house, in the city and throughout the province, he had preached the gospel.”

14. Why is witnessing the responsibility of everyone who makes a dedication to Jehovah God in prayer through Jesus Christ?

¹⁴ God’s abundant blessing upon his present-day servants leaves no doubt that he is pleased to have them bear the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Isaiah 43:10-12) Moreover, they are Christ’s witnesses too, for Jesus told his followers: “You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) So witnessing is the responsibility of everyone who makes a dedication to Jehovah God in prayer through Jesus Christ.

15. What has been said about the witnessing work of the early Christians?

¹⁵ It has been said of witnessing: “It involved the entire church. The missionary enterprise of the early church was not the responsibility of the Women’s Missionary Society or the Foreign Mission Board. Nor was the work of witnessing left to professionals like elders, deacons, or even apostles. . . . In those early days the church was mission. The missionary program of the early church was based on two assumptions: (1) The chief task of the church is world evangelization. (2) The responsibility for carrying out this task rests with the entire Christian community.”​—J. Herbert Kane.

16. Even writers in Christendom make what acknowledgment regarding Christians and witnessing?

¹⁶ Although modern-day writers of Christendom do not agree with the Kingdom message, some do acknowledge that Christians have an obligation to witness. For instance, in the book Everyone a Minister, Oscar E. Feucht observes: “No pastor can fulfill the ministry God gave to each believer. Unfortunately centuries of erroneous thinking in the church has made the tasks of 500 parishioners the task of a single pastor. It was not so in the early church. They who believed went everywhere preaching the Word.”

17. What can be said about the place witnessing had in the lives of early Christians?

¹⁷ Witnessing was paramount in the lives of early Christians, even as it is among Jehovah’s people today. “Broadly speaking,” wrote Edward Caldwell Moore of Harvard University, “the first three centuries of the Christian movement were characterized by a great enthusiasm for the dissemination of the faith. The Christian passion was evangelism, the telling of the message of redemption. . . . The spread of the influence and teachings of Jesus was, however, in the earliest period, owing in but small part to men whom we should call missionaries. It was the achievement of men of every trade and occupation and of every order in society. [They] carried to the farthest limits of the [Roman] empire that secret of the inner life, that new attitude toward the world, which in their experience constituted salvation. . . . [Early Christianity] was profoundly convinced of the approaching end of the present world-order. It believed in the sudden and miraculous setting up of a new world-order.”

18. What grand hope far surpasses the dreams of political leaders?

¹⁸ In house-to-house witnessing and other forms of their ministry, Jehovah’s Witnesses joyously direct their hearers to the new world God has promised. Its foretold blessings of endless life far surpass the fondest dreams of today’s would-be builders of a new world order. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-4) Though it would seem that everyone would want to live in God’s wonderful new world, that is not the case. However, let us next consider some effective ways in which Jehovah’s servants can teach those seeking eternal life.

Seek Those Rightly Disposed for Everlasting Life

“All those who were rightly disposed for everlasting life became believers.”​—ACTS 13:48.

1. As regards the human heart, what ability does Jehovah have?

JEHOVAH GOD can read the heart. This was made clear when the prophet Samuel went to anoint a son of Jesse as king of Israel. Upon seeing Eliab, Samuel “at once said: ‘Surely his anointed one is before Jehovah.’ But Jehovah said to Samuel: ‘Do not look at his appearance and at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.’” Accordingly, Samuel was directed to anoint David, who proved ‘agreeable to God’s heart.’​—1 Samuel 13:13, 14; 16:4-13.

2. What is rooted in a person’s figurative heart, and thus what do we read about this in the Scriptures?

² A person displays a certain dominant attitude. He has a particular disposition that is rooted in his figurative heart. (Matthew 12:34, 35; 15:18-20) Thus, we read of a person whose “heart is disposed to fight.” (Psalm 55:21) We are told that “anyone disposed to rage has many a transgression.” And we read: “There exist companions disposed to break one another to pieces, but there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24; 29:22) Happily, many prove to be like some Gentiles in ancient Antioch in Pisidia. Upon hearing about Jehovah’s provision for salvation, “they began to rejoice and to glorify the word of Jehovah, and all those who were rightly disposed for everlasting life became believers.”​—Acts 13:44-48.

Believers Are “Pure in Heart”

3, 4. (a) Who are the pure in heart? (b) How do those pure in heart see God?

³ Those believers in Antioch became baptized Christians, and the faithful among them could apply to themselves Jesus’ words: “Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8) But who are “the pure in heart”? And how do they “see God”?

⁴ The pure in heart are inwardly clean. Theirs is a purity of appreciation, affections, desires, and motives. (1 Timothy 1:5) They see God now in that they observe him acting in behalf of integrity keepers. (Compare Exodus 33:20; Job 19:26; 42:5.) The Greek word here rendered “see” also means “to see with the mind, to perceive, know.” Since Jesus perfectly reflected God’s personality, insight into that personality is enjoyed by “the pure in heart,” who exercise faith in Christ and in his sin-atoning sacrifice, gain forgiveness of their sins, and are able to render acceptable worship to God. (John 14:7-9; Ephesians 1:7) For anointed ones, seeing God reaches its apex when they are resurrected to heaven, where they actually see God and Christ. (2 Corinthians 1:21, 22; 1 John 3:2) But seeing God through accurate knowledge and true worship is possible for all those who are pure in heart. (Psalm 24:3, 4; 1 John 3:6; 3 John 11) They are rightly disposed for everlasting life in heaven or on a paradise earth.​—Luke 23:43; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57; 1 Peter 1:3-5.

5. How only can one become a believer and true follower of Jesus Christ?

⁵ Those not rightly disposed for everlasting life will not become believers. It is not possible for them to exercise faith. (2 Thessalonians 3:2) Moreover, nobody can become a true follower of Jesus Christ unless he is teachable and Jehovah, who sees what the heart is, draws that person. (John 6:41-47) Of course, in preaching from house to house, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not prejudge anyone. They cannot read hearts but leave the results in God’s loving hands.

6. (a) What has been said about personal contact in the house-to-house ministry? (b) What provisions have been made to help Jehovah’s Witnesses find those rightly disposed for everlasting life?

⁶ One scholar has appropriately said: “[Paul] taught the truth publicly and from house to house. Not only from the platform, but in personal contact with individuals he preached Christ. Oftentimes the personal touch is far more effective than any other type or method in reaching souls.” (August Van Ryn) Such publications as the Theocratic Ministry School Guidebook, Reasoning From the Scriptures, and Our Kingdom Ministry help Jehovah’s Witnesses to give talks and to make the most of personal contact in their field service. Helpful, too, are Service Meeting demonstrations and Theocratic Ministry School counsel. Those attending the school receive valuable training in such speech qualities as good introductions, proper use of the Scriptures, logical development, convincing argument, use of illustrations, and effective conclusions. Let us see how the Bible augments this instruction that can make God’s people more effective as they seek those rightly disposed for everlasting life.

Thought-Provoking Introductions

7. The opening words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount teach what about introductions?

⁷ From Jesus’ example, those preparing for house-to-house witnessing can learn something about introductions that arouse interest. In opening his Sermon on the Mount, he used the word “happy” nine times. For instance, he said: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them. . . . Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:3-12) The sentences were direct and clear. And that introduction surely aroused interest and got his listeners involved, for who does not want to be happy?

8. In the house-to-house ministry, how should a topic of conversation be introduced?

⁸ Any topic of conversation used in the house-to-house ministry should be introduced in a positive, pleasant way. But no one should use a shocking introduction, such as, “I have a message for you from outer space.” The good news does have a heavenly source, but such an introduction might well make a householder wonder whether the Witness should be taken seriously or dismissed as quickly as possible.

Handling God’s Word Aright

9. (a) How should scriptures be introduced, read, and applied in the ministry? (b) What example is cited to show how Jesus used questions?

⁹ In the field ministry, as on the platform, scriptures should be properly introduced, read with suitable emphasis, and applied in a clear, accurate way. Questions that make a householder think about Scriptural points may also be helpful. Again, Jesus’ methods are instructive. On one occasion, a man versed in the Mosaic Law asked him: “Teacher, by doing what shall I inherit everlasting life?” In response Jesus asked: “What is written in the Law? How do you read?” Doubtless, Jesus knew that this was a question the man could answer. He did respond correctly, saying: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole strength and with your whole mind,’ and, ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” This led Jesus to give commendation, and further discussion ensued.​—Luke 10:25-37.

10. What should be kept in mind as far as one’s topic of conversation is concerned, and what should be avoided when asking householders questions?

¹⁰ Those witnessing from house to house should emphasize the theme of the topic of conversation and make clear the reason for reading Bible texts that develop that subject. Since the Witness is trying to reach the heart of the householder, he ought to avoid asking embarrassing questions. In using God’s Word, ‘may our utterance always be gracious, seasoned with salt.’​—Colossians 4:6.

11. In using the Scriptures to correct wrong views, what example do we have from Jesus’ temptation by Satan?

¹¹ Especially on return visits there may be a need to correct wrong views by showing what the Scriptures actually say or mean. Jesus did something similar in rebuffing Satan, who said: “If you are a son of God, hurl yourself down [from the battlement of the temple, like a potential suicide]; for it is written, ‘He will give his angels a charge concerning you, and they will carry you on their hands, that you may at no time strike your foot against a stone.’” Psalm 91:11, 12, quoted by Satan, does not justify the jeopardizing of life, a gift from God. Realizing that it was wrong to test Jehovah by taking chances with his life, Jesus told Satan: “Again it is written, ‘You must not put Jehovah your God to the test.’” (Matthew 4:5-7) Of course, Satan is not a truth-seeker. But when reasonable people express wrong views that would hinder their spiritual progress, the minister of God’s Word should tactfully show what the Scriptures really say and mean. This is all part of “handling the word of the truth aright”​—one of the important lessons taught in the Theocratic Ministry School.​—2 Timothy 2:15.

Persuasion Has Its Place

12, 13. Why is it right to use persuasion in the ministry?

¹² Persuasion has a proper place in the Christian ministry. For instance, Paul urged his coworker Timothy to continue in the things he had learned and was “persuaded to believe.” (2 Timothy 3:14) In Corinth, Paul “would give a talk in the synagogue every sabbath and would persuade Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 18:1-4) In Ephesus, he successfully ‘gave talks and used persuasion concerning the kingdom of God.’ (Acts 19:8) And when under house arrest in Rome, the apostle called people to him and gave them a witness, “using persuasion,” and some became believers.​—Acts 28:23, 24.

¹³ Regardless of how persuasive the Witness may try to be, of course, only those rightly disposed for everlasting life will become believers. Convincing arguments and clear explanations, tactfully presented, may persuade them to believe. But what else can be helpful in persuading them?

Be Logical and Convincing

14. (a) What does logical, coherent development involve? (b) Convincing argument calls for what?

¹⁴ One of the speech qualities emphasized in the Theocratic Ministry School is logical, coherent development. This involves putting all the key ideas and relevant material in reasonable order. Also essential is convincing argument, which requires laying a good foundation and providing sound proof. Akin to this is helping listeners to reason by maintaining a common ground, developing points adequately, and applying them effectively. Again, the Scriptures provide guidelines.

15. (a) How did Paul capture attention and establish a common ground when he spoke on Mars’ Hill? (b) In Paul’s speech, what evidence do we have of logical, coherent development?

¹⁵ These speech qualities are evident in the apostle Paul’s renowned speech on Mars’ Hill in ancient Athens. (Acts 17:22-31) His introduction captured attention and established a common ground, for he said: “Men of Athens, I behold that in all things you seem to be more given to the fear of the deities than others are.” To them, this no doubt seemed to be a compliment. After mentioning an altar dedicated “To an Unknown God,” Paul proceeded with his logical, coherent development and convincing argument. He pointed out that this God that they did not know had “made the world and all the things in it.” Unlike Athena or other Greek deities, ‘he does not dwell in handmade temples, nor does he need to be attended to by human hands.’ The apostle next indicated that this God gave us life and does not make us grope for him blindly. Paul then reasoned that our Creator, who has overlooked times of idolatrous ignorance, ‘is telling mankind everywhere to repent.’ This logically led to the point that ‘God will judge earth’s inhabitants in righteousness by an appointed man whom he resurrected from the dead.’ Since Paul had been “declaring the good news of Jesus and the resurrection,” those Athenians knew that this Judge would be Jesus Christ.​—Acts 17:18.

16. How can one’s ministry be affected by Paul’s speech on Mars’ Hill and by training in the Theocratic Ministry School?

¹⁶ True, Paul was not witnessing from house to house on Mars’ Hill. But from his talk and the training given in the Theocratic Ministry School, Jehovah’s Witnesses can learn much that can enhance their field ministry. Yes, all of this helps to make them more effective ministers, even as Paul’s logical development and convincing argumentation persuaded some of those Athenians to become believers.​—Acts 17:32-34.

Use Instructive Illustrations

17. What kind of illustrations should be used in the ministry?

¹⁷ The Theocratic Ministry School also helps God’s ministers to use good illustrations in house-to-house witnessing and other avenues of their ministry. To emphasize important points, simple illustrations that are in good taste should be used. The Witness should draw them from familiar situations and be careful to make their application clear. Jesus’ illustrations met all these requirements.

18. How might Matthew 13:45, 46 prove useful in the ministry?

¹⁸ For instance, consider Jesus’ words: “The kingdom of the heavens is like a traveling merchant seeking fine pearls. Upon finding one pearl of high value, away he went and promptly sold all the things he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45, 46) Pearls are precious gems found inside the shells of oysters and other mollusks. But only some pearls are “fine.” The merchant had the discernment needed to appreciate the surpassing value of this one pearl and was willing to part with all else to acquire it. Perhaps during a return visit or a home Bible study, this illustration could be used to show that an individual who truly appreciates God’s Kingdom will act like that merchant. Such a person will give the Kingdom priority in life, aware that it is worth any sacrifice.

Conclude With Motivation

19. In the house-to-house ministry, what should conclusions show the householder?

¹⁹ In the Theocratic Ministry School, God’s people also learn that the conclusion of a talk or discussion should have a direct relationship to the theme and should show hearers what to do and encourage them to do it. In the house-to-house ministry, the householder needs to be shown definitely what course he is expected to take, such as accepting a Bible publication or agreeing to a return visit.

20. What fine example of a motivating conclusion do we have at Matthew 7:24-27?

²⁰ The conclusion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount provides a fine example. By means of an easily understood illustration, Jesus showed that it would be the wise course to heed his words. He concluded: “Therefore everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass. Furthermore, everyone hearing these sayings of mine and not doing them will be likened to a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and struck against that house and it caved in, and its collapse was great.” (Matthew 7:24-27) How well this shows that God’s ministers should endeavor to motivate householders!

21. What has our discussion illustrated, but what must be recognized?

²¹ The foregoing points illustrate how the Theocratic Ministry School can help many to be qualified Kingdom proclaimers. Of course, being adequately qualified issues primarily from God. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) And regardless of how qualified the minister may be, no one can persuade people to become believers unless they are drawn by God through Christ. (John 14:6) Yet, God’s people should surely take advantage of all the spiritual provisions made by Jehovah as they seek those rightly disposed for everlasting life.