Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry – October 12–18, 2026

Script

Publisher: Looks like everyone came prepared with an umbrella today. The weather changes so quickly that it is hard to know what to bring.

Householder: Yes. It was clear this morning, and now look at it.

Publisher: Exactly. Sometimes it feels as if more than the weather changes. There are weeks when work, expenses, and the news all seem to shift at once.

Householder: That is true. You make plans, and then something else comes up.

Publisher: What helps you when too many things feel outside your control?

Householder: I try to stay organized. If there is nothing I can do, I guess I just have to wait.

Publisher: That makes sense. One Bible thought helps me because it recognizes that exact feeling. It says that we can throw our anxieties on God because he cares for us.

Householder: Where does it say that?

Publisher: First Peter 5:7. It is very short. I like it because it does not say that a person of faith never worries. It tells us what we can do with the worry.

Householder: That sounds more realistic.

Publisher: I think so too. If I have a medical appointment or a decision that I cannot fully control, I can tell God exactly what is bothering me. Then I try to focus on the step I actually can take today.

Householder: Nighttime is when I keep thinking about everything.

Publisher: A lot of people experience that. Maybe this verse could give you one practical thing to try before bed: identify one concern, put it into words in prayer, and leave until tomorrow what cannot be solved tonight.

Householder: I could try that.

Publisher: If you would like, I can show you the verse on my phone so you know where it is.

Householder: Sure.

Publisher: Here it is—1 Peter 5:7. You can read it again whenever you have a quiet moment.

Householder: Thanks. I like how simple it is.

Publisher: You are welcome. If we happen to meet here again, I would enjoy hearing whether it helped and showing you another verse about finding peace while a problem is still unresolved.

Householder: All right.

Publisher: Great. I hope you have a good day—and that the rain stops before we have to leave.

Script

Publisher: Good morning, Carlos. Last week we talked briefly about why there is so much suffering. You mentioned that what troubles you most is seeing good people suffer.

Householder: Yes. That is the hardest part for me to understand.

Publisher: I remembered what you said. I promised to come back with a verse that shows what God intends to do about suffering. Do you have a couple of minutes?

Householder: Yes, I do now.

Publisher: Thank you. Before we read it, may I ask you something? If God has the power to end pain, what would you hope he would do?

Householder: I would hope he would remove it. If he can, that seems only fair.

Publisher: I understand. Notice this promise at Revelation 21:4. We do not need to read the whole context now. Just look at the things that are said to disappear—death, mourning, crying, and pain.

Householder: That would change everything.

Publisher: Exactly. One Bible truth that gives me hope is that God does not intend suffering to continue forever. The Bible describes a future in which those things no longer belong to human life.

Householder: But if that is what he wants, why does he not do it now?

Publisher: That is an excellent question, and it deserves more than a quick answer at the door. The Bible explains why God has temporarily allowed problems that he himself promises to remove.

Householder: I have always thought that maybe everything happens because God wants to teach us something.

Publisher: I understand why many people reach that conclusion. What stands out to me in this verse is that pain is something God promises to remove, not something he wants to preserve. That gives us an important clue about how he views it.

Householder: I had not thought of it that way.

Publisher: If you would like, next time we can answer your question directly: Why has God allowed suffering for so long? We can look at just two verses, and you can decide whether the explanation makes sense.

Householder: Yes, I would be interested.

Publisher: Great. Would about this time next Saturday work for you?

Householder: Yes, I am usually home in the morning.

Publisher: Then I will try to stop by. In the meantime, you might read Revelation 21:4 again and think about which promise there you would most like to see fulfilled first.

Householder: Probably the end of death. I have lost family members, and that stays with you.

Publisher: I am sorry for your loss. Then next time we can begin with that hope and see why the Bible calls death an enemy that will be removed.

Householder: I would like that.

Publisher: Thank you for your time. I will see you Saturday.

Script

Introduction

In informal witnessing, we do not always have to create a subject from nothing. Sometimes the situation already gives us a clear opening. The key is to observe, approach respectfully, and let the conversation reveal what the person is actually interested in.

Picture

Think about the picture in the program. A man is sitting on a bus reading the Bible. We do not know his religion, what chapter he is reading, or what he thinks about Jehovah’s Witnesses, but we already know something useful: he is interested enough in a religious book to spend time reading it.

That can shape our approach. Instead of starting with a prepared presentation about a subject that may not matter to him, we can begin with what is right in front of us. One simple sentence may open a conversation without feeling intrusive.

A man is reading the Bible or another religious book. How could you start a conversation with him?

We might say: “Excuse me, I noticed that you are reading the Bible. Is there a Bible book you especially enjoy?”. Another option could be: “I saw what you were reading. Do you often read the Bible on your own?”. Both statements respect what the person is doing and give him freedom to answer briefly or continue talking.

If he is reading another religious book, there is no need to criticize it or compare religions immediately. We could ask, “What subject in that book caught your attention?”. That shows respect and allows us to listen before deciding where the conversation should go.

Imagine that he answers, “I have been reading the Psalms because I have been worried lately.” Now we have a natural opening. We do not need to switch into a speech; we can stay with the subject he raised.

What questions could you ask to determine what Bible truths he might be interested in?

A useful follow-up could be: “What helps you most in the Psalms—the prayers, the promises, or the way they talk honestly about problems?”. If he says that the promises interest him, we might ask, “Is there a situation you especially wish God would change?”.

Another broad question is: “When you read the Bible, what question are you hoping to answer?”. That can lead naturally to suffering, family life, the future, prayer, death, or God’s purpose. The advantage is that we do not have to guess what matters to the person.

Listening to the answer matters just as much as asking the question. If the person mentions a recent loss, it would be insensitive to jump immediately to an unrelated subject. We can acknowledge what he said and then choose a Bible truth that fits that need.

What Bible truth might you share with him?

The answer depends on the conversation. If he mentions anxiety, 1 Peter 5:7 can show that God cares about our concerns. If he talks about death, Revelation 21:4 offers a clear hope. If he wonders about the future of the earth, Psalm 37:29 gives a simple promise.

The point is not to use a verse merely because we have memorized it. One short Scripture that connects with what the person just said will often mean more than three verses that do not answer his concern. After reading it, we could ask, “What stands out to you in that promise?”.

We should also notice the person’s tone and body language. The man on the bus is using his personal time. He may enjoy talking, or he may prefer to keep reading. If his answers become very short or he turns back to his book, we can respect that signal and close kindly: “Thanks for talking with me for a moment. Enjoy your reading.”

A brief example

A conversation might sound like this: “Excuse me, I noticed you are reading Psalms. I enjoy that book because it speaks very honestly about worry. Is there a psalm you especially like?”. He answers, “Psalm 34. I have had a rough few weeks.”

We might reply: “I understand. That same psalm contains a thought showing that God is close to people whose heart is broken. What do you think about that idea?”. Now we are not giving a generic presentation; we are discussing something the person himself chose.

Conclusion

The picture teaches us to observe before speaking. An informal conversation can begin by simply recognizing what someone is reading, asking a sincere question, and listening to the answer. Then one well-chosen Scripture can connect the Bible with a real need.

We do not need to impress the person with everything we know. The goal is to leave him with one useful Bible thought and a reason to talk again. When we observe, ask, and listen, the conversation can feel natural because it truly grows out of the person in front of us.