FAQ About Reaching Loved Ones

What Can I Say to Keep Jehovah’s Witnesses Coming Back?

“I have been meeting with the same Jehovah’s Witnesses and side-kick for the last 3 years. The experience has been amazing for both parties! I hope. Last week we were working through Heb. 9:14 and Phil. 2:5, 11. Two of 25 Scriptures I compiled for us to discuss in our ‘Trinity study.’ The meeting went well till the end of my, possibly heavy handed exegesis. When the Jehovah’s Witness leader sat back in his chair and folded his arms and stated he doesn’t think he can win me over to the Jehovah’s Witness rejection of the Trinity doctrine and that we might end the study in its entirety,  MY HEART SANK!  How might I navigate this potential ‘Break-up’? These two Jehovah’s Witnesses have become friends over the YEARS!  I have successfully navigated their judgments of me as an apostate so far and shared my life, family and gently a bit of the Gospel with them. I don’t have control and I don’t want it to end.  Please help?”

Read more

How can I help my student who is a Jehovah's Witness?

bullets

I AM A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND ONE OF MY STUDENTS IS A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS. —How can I help my Jehovah’s Witness student feel welcome?

I am a public school teacher and I have a young lady in my class whose father just informed me that they are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Please tell me what types of activities my Jehovah’s Witness student might not be allowed to participate in. As a geography teacher, I show many videos based upon subject matter describing different cultures. I don’t want to offend.”

Read more

My Jehovah’s Witness Aunt is fighting cancer and is very fearful. How can I help her?

Resurrection of Jesus

MY JEHOVAH’S WITNESS AUNT IS FIGHTING CANCER AND IS VERY FEARFUL.  HOW CAN I HELP HER?

My aunt has been a Jehovah’s Witness for over 30 years and is battling with cancer.  She is extremely fearful.  I have experienced this cancer battle with my husband. We are both Christians who believe that the Bible is an open book to us as God speaks to us through it.  What is my aunt facing relative to being a Jehovah’s Witness with cancer? How does a Jehovah’s Witness cope when she is faced with life threatening news?  I’d like to know if she is able to obtain peace and comfort through her reading of the Bible and how this can be accomplished if its words are primarily for the 144,000?  I hope that you can help me and pray for my aunt, not so much for her physical recovery, but for her spiritual deliverance.”

Read more

How Can I Reach My Jehovah’s Witness Sister?

Reaching Sister

HOW CAN I REACH MY JEHOVAH’S WITNESS SISTER?

“My sister converted to the Jehovah’s Witnesses years ago. I’ve tried to witness to her by sending letters and emails about the problems I’ve found with the Watchtower and why their beliefs will not lead her into eternal life.

However, she has not answered any of my correspondence and I wonder if she is even reading the letters.  Now, I just found out that she is planning to attend a wedding with all of our other relatives.  My hope is that when she is here, I will be able to have a talk with her about her faith. I am not sure how this will be accepted, but I’m thinking of showing her my New American Standard Bible and giving her examples of how her Bible has been changed.  I have also studied Ron Rhodes, Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah’s Witnesses that provides questions to challenge Jehovah’s Witness’ thinking.  Do you have any other suggestions?”

OUR RESPONSE:

It is encouraging that you will get a chance to see your sister at the wedding. Will it be in a Christian church?  If so, it is surprising that she will be there since Jehovah’s Witnesses are warned that churches are under the control of demons; so many are afraid that demons will jump on them if they enter a church.  If indeed the ceremony is held in a church, you will need to be extra careful in the way that you approach her since she will automatically be on “guard” against what she would view as an “attack” on her beliefs from Satan.

Read more

What Can I Say To My Jehovah’s Witness Brother?

Reaching Brother

WHAT CAN I SAY TO MY JEHOVAH’S WITNESS BROTHER?

I’m a Christian, but my brother is a Jehovah’s Witnesses. He started studying when he was about 19 years old. That was 21 years ago. Recently, we started an open dialogue about our beliefs.

It is frustrating at times. He seems so happy and sincere. I feel like he might be saved but just in this controlling organization. He seems to have an answer for everything. I love my brother but some of the things he says are ridiculous. I thought I knew my brother, but I had never really asked him about his faith. Now, I’m not sure I know my brother after all. I’m not sure how to help him. I’ve quoted John 14:6 about Jesus being “the Truth” and the only One we are to go through to get to God, but I don’t think he let himself really hear what that verse is saying. Do you have any suggestions on what I can say to get through to my brother?

Read more

I'm frustrated! How can I get through to Jehovah's Witnesses?

 

 Reaching Loved Ones

I’M FRUSTRATED! HOW CAN I GET THROUGH TO JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?

“I’m discouraged.  It just seems like to me that there is NO WAY to reach Jehovah’s Witnesses. As an evangelical Christian, I do not want to slam my front door in their faces, like some people do.  I really do want to talk them, but not on their terms—only on my terms.  After all, the burden of proof lies with the one making the claim.  They must prove to me that the true name for God is indeed “Jehovah.”  They must prove to me that the Watchtower is God’s only true means of communication with mankind.  At any rate, I have stayed awake at night trying to figure out a way to reach these people with convincing and powerful arguments from the Bible, and I come up with a blank slate every time.  Perhaps you can give me an encouraging word.”

Dear friend,

We truly do understand your frustration.  We’ve been there many times.  I think the mistake many make in trying to reach Jehovah’s Witnesses is thinking that Jehovah’s Witnesses believe what they do because it makes sense.  While that may be true to some extent, it is only partially true.

Read more

How Can I Reach My Jehovah’s Witness Co-Worker?

Witnessing

HOW CAN I REACH MY JEHOVAH’S WITNESS CO-WORKER - My Christian friends told me not to talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses, but my co-worker is one and we have become friends. What should I do?

“My job is one that teams people up with others in the workplace.  I ended up working on a team with a Jehovah’s Witness and we have become good friends.  It is funny how this worked out because when I was growing up, I was told by the Christian leaders in my church to never talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses.  We were made to feel like any interaction with a Jehovah’s Witness was sinful and that we would be betraying God.  So now, as I had already become friends with him before I know he was a Jehovah’s Witness, it is awkward for me.  I do recognize that if Christians never open themselves up to talk to Jehovah’s Witnesses, they will never hear the truth.  Yet, when I consider the things I have also been told by strong Christians whom I respect—things like the idea that Jehovah’s Witnesses will never change and that my faith can be damaged from interactions with them—I don’t know how to approach this situation.  My friend has given me a Watchtower publication, which in the past, I always refused to accept at the door.  Yet, he wants me to read an article in it.  Since he is my personal friend and I care about his eternal destiny, it is much harder for me to be firm in saying, “No Thank-you.”  Should I refuse to take this information?  I am SO stressed out about “going head-to-head” so to speak, over our different faiths.  He is much more intelligent, well studied, and better spoken than I amI feel very intimidated.  I know that God’s truth stands alone. Yet, I am afraid. Any help or counsel you could provide would be much appreciated.  Thank you!”

Read more

How can I share my faith with Jehovah’s Witnesses without getting into an argument?

argument

HOW CAN I SHARE MY FAITH WITH JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ARGUMENT?

“This past Saturday, Jehovah’s Witnesses came to my door offering a ‘free home bible study’. I told them that I am comfortable in my Christian beliefs, but that I am always interested in a good “Bible study.” So, they asked me if they could come back at a more convenient time. I agreed and we set up an appointment for next week.  To be honest, I am nervous. Although I am willing to talk to them, I do not feel strong enough in my faith to go ‘head-to-head’ with them on their beliefs.  I am not a very confrontational person and I don’t like debating. Is there anything I can share with these Jehovah’s Witnesses that will not turn into an argument?

Read more

Can you help me reach my Jehovah's Witness friend?

Help Reach My Friend

CAN  YOU HELP ME REACH MY JEHOVAH'S WITNESS FRIEND? If not, how can I witness to her?

My friend is a Jehovah's Witness and seems to have all the answers. I don’t feel prepared enough to defend my beliefs with her. If I give you her information, can you talk to her? If not, do you have suggestions of what I can say to her?

Read more

What can I mail to a Jehovah’s Witness who wrote me a letter?

WitnessingWHAT CAN I MAIL TO A JEHOVAH’S WITNESS WHO WROTE ME A LETTER?

I just received a letter from a Jehovah’s Witness who invited me to study the Bible with them. I don’t have time to study well enough to feel comfortable talking to this person face-to-face. Is there anything I can mail to this Jehovah’s Witness who sent me the letter?”

OUR RESPONSE:

Thank you for asking about resources that are good to mail to Jehovah’s Witnesses.  The fact that this Jehovah’s Witness took the time to write and invite you to do a “Bible Study” with them gives you an open door to share your faith through the mail, without feeling pressured to engage in face-to-face contact.

The advantage of corresponding through the mail and/or email versus face-to-face contact can be that it allows you more time to research their objections before you respond.  On the other hand, corresponding can make it more difficult to convey emotion and a caring attitude as it is easier to just state the facts on paper and more difficult to see the Jehovah’s Witness’ emotional response to those facts.  This can make it difficult to determine if the direction you are going in your witnessing is truly impacting the person. 

Read more

How should my Church Minister to Prison Inmates who are Jehovah's Witnesses?

Help Reach My Friend

HOW SHOULD MY CHURCH MINISTER TO PRISON INMATES WHO ARE JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?

“We have a prison ministry in our church. Last week, our team talked with a Jehovah’s Witness inmate who seems to be open to the Word of God.  We offered to do a Bible study with her and she is open to this, although she still believes that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have the truth.  How can we minister to her in a way that will help her see the fact that Watchtower doctrine is wrong on the key essentials of salvation? Our ministry team is scheduled to visit this lady again next weekend. Do you have suggestions of what we can share with her?”

OUR RESPONSE:

Dear Friend,

We are excited to see you and your church are reaching out to this Jehovah’s Witness prisoner with the love of the Lord Jesus Christ.  One of the reasons Jehovah’s Witnesses are able to gain so many converts among inmates is due to the fact that they actively pursue prison ministry, offering their “free bible studies” to prisoners on a regular basis.  In reality, these “bible studies” turn out to be nothing more than a study of one of their Watchtower publications that explains the Bible from their perspective (actually twists the meaning of Scripture to fit their unbiblical doctrines). 

Read more

What Advice Would You Give For Counselors Of Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Witnessing

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE FOR COUNSELORS OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES?

I’m a licensed counselor and my client is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. What advice would you give to a therapist/counselor working with current or former members of Jehovah Witnesses?”

OUR RESPONSE:

We appreciate your request for information on how to best counsel current and former members of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  

Read more

How Can I Obtain Old Watchtower Literature?

Help Reach My Friend

HOW CAN I OBTAIN OLD WATCHTOWER LITERATURE?

“I’m looking for documentation of Watchtower false prophecies, doctrinal changes, etc. Where can I obtain copies of old Watchtower literature to use in witnessing to my Jehovah’s Witness friends? Some of my Jehovah’s Witness friends refuse to look at old Watchtower literature. Do you have any suggestions on how I can overcome this objection?”

Read more

If my Jehovah’s Witness friend does not accept the deity of Jesus Christ, is he destined for the lake of fire?

Help Reach My Friend

IF MY JEHOVAH’S WITNESS FRIEND DOES NOT ACCEPT THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST, IS HE DESTINED FOR THE LAKE OF FIRE?

“I am a Christian. By this I mean I am a follower of Jesus Christ and a careful student of the Scriptures. I believe God’s Word is infallible and eternal, and I believe in the doctrine of the Trinity and Deity of Jesus Christ.  A good friend of mine is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He does not believe in the Trinity and the idea that Jesus is Almighty God. He and I have debated these doctrines on a number of occasions and both of us have made some serious statements and stood our ground. I really admire this man for his commitment to study and his thirst for answers.  If only his energy was focused in the direction of truth. He is convinced that the Jehovah’s Witness Bible, The New World Translation, ‘is truth’. His biggest stumbling blocks are found in the Scriptures that make Jesus’ subordinate to God the Father. He does not believe that Jesus is ‘uncreated and eternal,’ but that God created him as the greatest of His angels.  I have not been able to adequately convince him otherwise.  Are Jehovah’s Witnesses destined for the Lake of fire? Or will some spend eternity with God?”

Read more

Our Jehovah’s Witness Family is Pleading With Us to Return to the Organization

Husband Wife Shunned

Should we go back as secret Christians to reach our family?

 “We received a phone call from our Jehovah’s Witness daughter begging my husband and me to come back to the organization.  She told us how much she and the kids miss us and how they have felt like ‘orphans’ ever since we left ‘the truth.’  We have yet to be allowed to see our own grandchildren, yet they are being raised in this counterfeit religion and the shunning is tarring us apart.  This weekend, my daughter is getting baptized and she wrote to invite us to attend with this heart-wrenching message:

‘You are missing out on your children’s lives, and their children, and a family that loves you.  Do you honestly believe that we are all a bunch of idiots that just blindly follow what we are told?  This is the last time I will beg you to put your pride aside. Come back to Jehovah, come back to your kids, choose life, and choose me.I love you, and I know you’re sad.  But how sad do you think I feel without my mom and dad?

We just don’t know how to respond. It takes us back to such a miserable feeling of guilt that we try to push aside. We just don’t know what to do.  How can we go back when we know this organization is not of Jehovah?  How can we deny the truth we have found and pretend that we believe the lies in the organization when we don’t?  Yet, the pain of being separated from our daughter, our sons and grandchildren is almost unbearable.  Is there anyway we can go back as secret Christians in hopes of getting them out?”

Read more

This post is also available in: Spanish Portuguese (Portugal) Czech Italian Russian German Twi