Preaching and Suggestions

CyndiaS

Well-known member
Yesterday before starting driving, I prayed to Jehovah to help me have a conversation with someone about spiritual truths. Many of the rides that I give are very short, only 5 or 10 minutes and often they gave earbuds and are preoccupied listening to their music or viewing their phone or talking on it. But one man who is just turning 30 years old wanted to talk with me. And, he asked me what my opinion was on the most impactful thing that one can do to have a happy life. He is afraid of turning 30 years old with no marriage prospects or family and he is apparently very unsure of what to do with his life. It was a great opportunity to plant a seed but it was almost like an elevator speech as far as timing and I had to think fast.

I told him that the most impactful thing in my opinion is to develop a deep relationship with our Creator and that is the only one we can truly count on to give us good direction. He then asked me if I was a christian and I said yes. He was asian and very possibly a Buddhist since that is common in Hawaii. I also talked to him about how I met my husband at a bible study and we have now been married nearly 28 years.

He then wanted to let me know about his failed relationships with women and then made the hysterically funny comment that he thought I was “smoking hot”. I simply replied, “Well that’s very embarrassing”. Then we arrived at his home and he exited the car. Just an ordinary experience but at least with a bit of humor.
That's very encouraging, as well as entertaining. I am going to pray to Jah to "help me have a conversation with someone about spiritual truths" too. Idk always how to ask for help with preaching in prayer, esp since I don't engage in the formal house to house ministry. But I still report time and want to have a regular share in it, not so much for the "counting time" aspect, but because it's one of the few things that bring me joy to engage in, and it also gives me a lift from my often low mood- to know that I am being obedient to Jah, as to our preaching commission. Thanks for the inspiration.
🙏 😊 💜
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
Yesterday before starting driving, I prayed to Jehovah to help me have a conversation with someone about spiritual truths. Many of the rides that I give are very short, only 5 or 10 minutes and often they gave earbuds and are preoccupied listening to their music or viewing their phone or talking on it. But one man who is just turning 30 years old wanted to talk with me. And, he asked me what my opinion was on the most impactful thing that one can do to have a happy life. He is afraid of turning 30 years old with no marriage prospects or family and he is apparently very unsure of what to do with his life. It was a great opportunity to plant a seed but it was almost like an elevator speech as far as timing and I had to think fast.

I told him that the most impactful thing in my opinion is to develop a deep relationship with our Creator and that is the only one we can truly count on to give us good direction. He then asked me if I was a christian and I said yes. He was asian and very possibly a Buddhist since that is common in Hawaii. I also talked to him about how I met my husband at a bible study and we have now been married nearly 28 years.

He then wanted to let me know about his failed relationships with women and then made the hysterically funny comment that he thought I was “smoking hot”. I simply replied, “Well that’s very embarrassing”. Then we arrived at his home and he exited the car. Just an ordinary experience but at least with a bit of humor.
Well it’s certainly better that being accused of ‘smoking pot’. It was a nice compliment to have anyway..
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
I think talking about the return of Christ and the world blowing up is a good conversation starter :geek:
The question does not appear appealing to about eight billion people thus far in my experience. Certainly I know personally of 61 million that are more interested in the supply of toilet rolls, food and free healthcare. I have long thought that the opening gambit of English witnesses should not be the watchtower approved “Have you ever thought about living forever on a paradise earth….?”, but would be better put as “Have you ever wondered about living without toilet paper for ever on a paradise earth?” That might gain their attention - certainly a conversation starter in this country, essentially so in Japan, but if you want to gain the attention of the Russians, then substitute ‘vodka’ for ‘toilet rolls’. They are not really interested in the latter anyway no matter the circumstances.
 

SusanB

Well-known member
I don’t want to make this thread all about me but I am hoping by sharing some of my experiences that will encourage others to share in kind. Since I no longer count time, I often forget these small conversations that just happen naturally and so excuse me if I am boring you. I want each of you to know that I really enjoy reading about your personal experiences because it helps me get to know you and many daily experiences are common issues we all face.

Yesterday I had a rider that I have guessed is a minister because he revealed that he is officiating a wedding and I took him to the event at the YWCA in Honolulu. I generally find Christendom ministers to be very arrogant but my rider was very nice and he sang along to my car music, What’s Up by 4 Non-Blonds (which I have posted on the forum’s music thread by the way). Then he let me know that he was nervous about a talk he was on his way to give and he wanted to know if he could practice it in my car. So I turned down the music and said sure. He gave a beautiful wedding talk that predictably centered on the principle of love and not looking for your own interests. Even though it was an event outside of Jehovah’s worship, marriage is an institution that Jehovah himself started and it is almost always beautiful. He honestly did a very good job with his talk and he didn’t mention even once that he thought Jesus was God. He was taking a Pikake Lei (pikake is Hawaiian jasmine and a beautiful small white blossom) to give the bride and so my car was filled with the scent of pikake.

After he practiced his talk, we were able to talk about Jehovah’s wisdom and how beneficial the principle of love is in the marriage arrangement. It was a lovely conversation but very short as we arrived at his destination and off he went.
 

SusanB

Well-known member
I have another experience from driving Uber yesterday that I wanted to reveal. I picked up a lady from Longs Drug store and drove her home. Coincidentally, her home was near the territory where I lived for 2 years around the year 2000 and it is possible that she could have been in the congregation that I attended and I just didn’t recognize her, partially because of the mask and partially because of my poor memory. She is fully masked and I cannot have a conversation with people with a mask on because I can’t understand what they are saying and so I don’t even try. As we approached her home, she says “Sister, just pull in behind the white truck”. I was shocked and taken aback and I really wanted to ask her if I was her sister, meaning is she one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But I couldn’t get over my shock quick enough and she was out of the car. I am still puzzling on that one. By the way the brother who was presiding Elder at the time when I attended this Kalihi Congregation as a brother named “Abraham Lincoln”, and you better not make a joke about his name because he would not laugh at it. He was and may still be the Branch Overseer or whatever they call it now.
 
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SusanB

Well-known member
Well it’s certainly better that being accused of ‘smoking pot’. It was a nice compliment to have anyway..
Actually, what the rider said was not really a compliment. The truth is that I sometimes have riders who are perverts. Some are more blatant than others and I have had to ban some from my car and yell at others with the threat that if they didn’t change direction of the conversation they would get kicked out of my car. I have learned from my 8 years of driving that many times when a male rider starts asking for relationship advice it is a ruse to start talking about something they find titillating, sex. The absurdity is that he is young at 30 yrs and I am old at 68 yrs with gray hair but that doesn’t matter to perverts. And, in looking back probably absurd for me to try to talk about the scriptures to a pervert but as they say hindsight is 20/20 and I didn’t realize until his faux “compliment” that he is a perv.
 

BARNABY THE DOG.

Well-known member
Actually, what the rider said was not really a compliment. The truth is that I sometimes have riders who are perverts. Some are more blatant than others and I have had to ban some from my car and yell at others with the threat that if they didn’t change direction of the conversation they would get kicked out of my car. I have learned from my 8 years of driving that many times when a male rider starts asking for relationship advice it is a ruse to start talking about something they find titillating, sex. The absurdity is that he is young at 30 yrs and I am old at 68 yrs with gray hair but that doesn’t matter to perverts. And, in looking back probably absurd for me to try to talk about the scriptures to a pervert but as they say hindsight is 20/20 and I didn’t realize until his faux “compliment” that he is a perv.
It must be a worry for you. Maybe you should have an ejector seat fitted, if not for them, then for yourself! I expect though you have your car fitted with a mace spray! Keep safe ❤️
 

SusanB

Well-known member
Yesterday my daily prayer included a request that both Medi-Tator and I find someone to talk with about spiritual matters. Medi-Tator talked to THREE people in one day and I talked with a lady who lost her husband recently and we spoke about who God is, his name Jehovah, where to find instructions in the bible on how to pray and why God allows suffering! My prayer was answered and it was a great day.
 

CyndiaS

Well-known member
Yesterday my daily prayer included a request that both Medi-Tator and I find someone to talk with about spiritual matters. Medi-Tator talked to THREE people in one day and I talked with a lady who lost her husband recently and we spoke about who God is, his name Jehovah, where to find instructions in the bible on how to pray and why God allows suffering! My prayer was answered and it was a great day.
👏 😍
 

goldie

Well-known member
Yesterday my daily prayer included a request that both Medi-Tator and I find someone to talk with about spiritual matters. Medi-Tator talked to THREE people in one day and I talked with a lady who lost her husband recently and we spoke about who God is, his name Jehovah, where to find instructions in the bible on how to pray and why God allows suffering! My prayer was answered and it was a great day.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could set up on this forum some type of way to carry out our ministry.
 

goldie

Well-known member
Not sure what you mean.
I'm not sure either. Just trying to figure out some ways to carry out my ministry. I'm not very out going, kind of shy, it's not that easy for me to strike up conversations with strangers. Oh well, just thinking out loud. I don't work so I don't have much contact with people. I enjoy letter writing though, I need to pray about it like you did, sounds like you and Medi-Tator had great experiences..that's awesome.
 

goldie

Well-known member
That's very encouraging, as well as entertaining. I am going to pray to Jah to "help me have a conversation with someone about spiritual truths" too. Idk always how to ask for help with preaching in prayer, esp since I don't engage in the formal house to house ministry. But I still report time and want to have a regular share in it, not so much for the "counting time" aspect, but because it's one of the few things that bring me joy to engage in, and it also gives me a lift from my often low mood- to know that I am being obedient to Jah, as to our preaching commission. Thanks for the inspiration.
🙏 😊 💜
I'm in the same boat. I'm going to pray about it too.
 

SusanB

Well-known member
I'm not sure either. Just trying to figure out some ways to carry out my ministry. I'm not very out going, kind of shy, it's not that easy for me to strike up conversations with strangers. Oh well, just thinking out loud. I don't work so I don't have much contact with people. I enjoy letter writing though, I need to pray about it like you did, sounds like you and Medi-Tator had great experiences..that's awesome.
It is true that I am around the public for at least 40 hours week. With my job I have to be careful so that I am not starting a conversation that is not wanted and I would’t want a complaint. We don’t want to force anyone to listen to bible counsel, right? But when my rider brings the conversation up themselves then that opens the door. I would recommend to stay fresh with simple topics and keep it in mind and pray. Jehovah can open doors and it is his will that people learn about him and so I know he will answer your prayer.
 

StopTheInsanity

Well-known member
I would talk about what do people think about Elon Musk's brain chip and the new digital dollar that's going to come out. It's already in the news (TSA at airports is now using biometric face reading technology). Most people DO NOT want any of this.

I think tell them about the total control that they want to have including over our brains and bodies. Then I tell them how this is fulfilling Bible prophecies about the mark of the beast and the UN is prophesied about in the book of Revelation.

Once I have their full attention, THEN I tell them "But, God will not allow these people to win" because there are other prophecies that point to the fact that he's got a plan to get rid of these evil people and his government will rule from heaven over the whole earth and turn the earth back into a paradise just like the Garden of Eden.

All humans will have to pick a side. Which side do you see yourself wanting to be on?

One of the things that has been REALLY hard is how to share what's really going on in the world at the door when the WT has counseled us to "not talk about conspiracy theories" and what I say could get back to the congregation.

I agree with what you said, Susan, that it's like we are under ban and have to be really careful about what we say and to whom. Satan is trying desperately to suppress the truth like a madman.

The other sticking points is that I cannot direct them to the meetings or to the organization because I do not want to be responsible for them getting the jab in the next pandemic that they are planning and will no doubt be told to take.

During COVID, I had a couple get baptized and helped a sister get reactivated. None of them got the jab, but still, I wonder about future Bible students.
 

Deborah

Well-known member
I would talk about what do people think about Elon Musk's brain chip and the new digital dollar that's going to come out. It's already in the news (TSA at airports is now using biometric face reading technology). Most people DO NOT want any of this.

I think tell them about the total control that they want to have including over our brains and bodies. Then I tell them how this is fulfilling Bible prophecies about the mark of the beast and the UN is prophesied about in the book of Revelation.

Once I have their full attention, THEN I tell them "But, God will not allow these people to win" because there are other prophecies that point to the fact that he's got a plan to get rid of these evil people and his government will rule from heaven over the whole earth and turn the earth back into a paradise just like the Garden of Eden.

All humans will have to pick a side. Which side do you see yourself wanting to be on?

One of the things that has been REALLY hard is how to share what's really going on in the world at the door when the WT has counseled us to "not talk about conspiracy theories" and what I say could get back to the congregation.

I agree with what you said, Susan, that it's like we are under ban and have to be really careful about what we say and to whom. Satan is trying desperately to suppress the truth like a madman.

The other sticking points is that I cannot direct them to the meetings or to the organization because I do not want to be responsible for them getting the jab in the next pandemic that they are planning and will no doubt be told to take.

During COVID, I had a couple get baptized and helped a sister get reactivated. None of them got the jab, but still, I wonder about future Bible students.
I also wrestle with directing folks to meetings, and org as well. It really bothers me with so many other issues going on inside.

That is the other thing, having to be so discreet about what we say to others. Truly a big thorn in my side. Cautious as serpents..............

But as shared here, prayer to Jehovah for his help will always work in these matters 👍 as well as knowing how to navigate once Jehovah helps us by giving us that opening and we then have the courage to proceed with caution.

Who would have thought we would be dealing with these kinds of things regarding the ministry. WOW!!
 

SusanB

Well-known member
I had a rider yesterday who is an active promoter of Christendom. She asked me what “church” I belong to and I told her that I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and then started to explain that I don’t attend meetings any longer and why but she interrupted me and wasn’t really interested in why I no longer attend meetings. She wanted to let me know that she was talking to a Muslim man and was surprised that they acknowledge Jesus was a prophet and we talked about that for a bit.

Then I asked her what account in the bible about Jesus is one that she enjoys and that sticks out in her mind. She was very perplexed and had to think about it. Then, she said his birth because it was a happy occasion and his death was disturbing to think about and so she likes to consider his birth. I mentioned to her that the angels announced Jesus birth and I asked her if she remembered who they made the announcement to. She wasn’t sure and she guessed that it was announced to the “Magi”. I reminded her that the angels announced Jesus birth to the shepherds in the field. They were just ordinary people and the angels announced it to them. Isn’t that amazing! Then we talked for a little about how the “Magi” were actually magicians and Herod was really using them to try to find and kill the newborn “King of the Jews” and that was why Joseph and Mary had to flee for a time to Egypt.

That was really all that we had time to discuss and I’m hoping that the seed that I planted is that Jehovah uses people who seem ordinary from a human standpoint instead of the so-called “prominent ones”. I’m hoping that if Jehovah makes that “seed” grow when the chosen ones “prophesy” perhaps it will be something she will recall to her mind and pay attention to the coming message.
 
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