Reaching the Hearts of Non-Religious People - MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Be Positive.. Every year, there are non-religious people who become Jehovah's Witnesses.  Many already had high moral standards and felt disgusted by religious hypocrisy. Others had low moral standards and many had bad habits  that they needed to abandon.  With Jehovah's help, we can be sure that we all find those who are "rightly disposed for everlasting life." - ACTS 13:48; 1 TIMOTHY 2:3, 4.

Be Kind and Tactful.  Often, people respond to our message, not because of what we say, but because of the way we say it. They appreciate it when we are kind, tactful, and genuinely interested in them.  We do not force them to hear our point of view.  Instead, we try to discern the reasons for their view of religion.  For example, we learn that some do no like talking about religion with a stranger.  Others feel that it is bad manners to ask a person what he thinks about God. Still others feel embarrassed to be seen reading the Bible, especially with one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  Whatever the case, we try to be sensitive to their feelings. - 2 TIMOTHY 2:24.

What can we do if someone seems uncomfortable when we use such words as "Bible," "creation," "God," or "religion"?  We can imitate the apostle Paul and adapt our approach to them.  When speaking with Jews, Paul reasoned from the Scriptures.  However, he spoke with Greek philosophers at the Areopagus, he made no direct reference to the Bible. (Acts 17:2, 3, 22-31) How can we follow Paul's example?  IF you meet a person who does not accept the Bible, it maybe best not make direct references to it when reasoning with him.  If you sense that a person might be uncomfortable being seen reading the Bible with you , try showing him scriptures in a less obvious way, such as an electronic device.  

Be Understanding.   We must try to understand the factors that have influenced the people we meet.  (Proverbs 20:5)  Consider again Paul's example.  He grew up among Jews. He surely had to adjust his preaching to the Gentiles, people who knew little or nothing about Jehovah and the Scriptures.  We might have to do some research or consult experienced ones in the congregation so that we can empathize with and understand the people in our territory. - Read 1 CORINTHIANS 9:20-23.

Our goal is to find "deserving" ones. (Matthew 10:11)  To be effective, we must invite people to express their opinions and then listen attentively.  A brother in England asks people for their opinion about how to have a happy marriage, how to raise children, or how to cope with injustice. After listening to their comments, he says, "What do you think of this advice written nearly 2,000 years ago?" Then, without saying the word "Bible," he shows them well-chosen scriptures on his phone.  

Next time: Reaching the Hearts of Non-Religious People - REACH THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE

From the jw.org publications