The doorstep conversation

What you'll learn

Describe how Jehovah's Witnesses are trained and what they expect when they call.
Plan a respectful conversation that builds trust, asks questions about the organisation and uses John 1:1-3 and the Kingdom Interlinear well.
Describe how to show long-term patience with Witnesses and how to care wisely and lovingly for former Witnesses.

Who is at your door

Witnesses who call are usually “publishers” (baptised or approved members sharing in the ministry), sometimes “pioneers” who commit to a set number of hours in the ministry. (Since November 2023 ordinary publishers no longer report hours, only whether they shared in the ministry; pioneers still report hours.) They are trained in the weekly midweek meeting, which includes practice presentations, and they often work from a prepared approach: a short question, a verse, an offer of a publication or a free Bible study using Enjoy Life Forever!.

They have been taught that most churchgoers know little Bible, that churches teach unscriptural doctrines (Trinity, hellfire, immortal soul), and that “apostates”, former Witnesses who oppose the organisation, are spiritually diseased and should be avoided. They may end the conversation if you bring out ex-Witness literature or websites. This is why your approach matters as much as your arguments.

Describe who is usually at your door and how they have been prepared, and explain why this shapes your approach.Show answer

Usually publishers, sometimes pioneers, trained in the midweek meeting with practice presentations and a prepared approach, often offering a free Bible study with Enjoy Life Forever!. They have been taught that churchgoers know little Bible, that churches teach unscriptural doctrines, and that apostates should be avoided. So they may end the conversation if you bring out ex-Witness material, which is why approach matters as much as argument.

publishers and pioneers
trained with prepared presentations
taught to avoid apostates
approach matters as much as arguments

Building trust

Begin with genuine warmth. Offer water on a hot day. Learn their names and remember them. Tell them you respect their commitment and their concern for the divine name, and mean it. Ask about their story: how they became Witnesses, what they love about it.

Make it clear you are a Christian who takes the Bible seriously and would love to keep talking. Many Witnesses expect anger or a door shut in their face. Kindness is disarming. If they return, it is because they felt respected. Greg Koukl's Tactics, which you met in Tactics and Debate, Lesson 1, is helpful here: keep the pressure off yourself by asking questions, and aim to “put a stone in their shoe” rather than win in one visit.

Be honest about time. Say, “I have twenty minutes; could we look at one passage together?” Short, focused visits repeated over months are better than a two-hour argument.

Expect them to steer. A trained Witness will often move to the next prepared topic when a point lands, or answer a question with a question. That is fine. Note the topic you were on, gently return to it, and if necessary write the verse down and say, “Could we start here next time?” Pray before they arrive and after they leave; you are not the one who opens blind eyes (2 Cor 4:4-6).

Give three practical ways from the lesson to build trust with Witnesses, and explain why kindness matters so much.Show answer

Offer water on a hot day, learn and remember their names, tell them sincerely that you respect their commitment and care for the divine name, and ask about their story. Many Witnesses expect anger or a shut door, so kindness is disarming. If they return, it is because they felt respected.

practical hospitality and names
genuine respect and interest in their story
they expect hostility
kindness brings them back

What should you do when a trained Witness changes the subject once a point lands, and why is that not a defeat?Show answer

Expect them to steer, and accept it calmly. Note the topic you were on, gently return to it, and if necessary write down the verse and ask to start there next time. Short, focused visits over months are better than a long argument, and you pray because only God opens blind eyes (2 Cor 4:4-6).

expect steering
note and gently return to the topic
"Could we start here next time?"
short visits; God opens eyes

Ask questions about the organisation

Because the Witness trusts the organisation, gentle questions about its claims can help. Use their own literature, not apostate websites. Possible questions:

“How did the Governing Body come to be identified as the faithful and discreet slave, and how would you know if they were mistaken?”
“What did the organisation teach would happen in 1914? In 1925? In 1975? Have you read those publications?”
“If Jehovah's organisation had been wrong on an important teaching, how would you find out? Could you raise it without being considered an apostate?”
“Did the first-century Christians need an organisation to understand the gospel, or could they read the apostles' letters and test them (Acts 17:11)?”
“Do you have assurance that you will have everlasting life?”

Why does the lesson recommend asking questions about the organisation using their own literature rather than apostate websites? Give one example question.Show answer

The Witness trusts the organisation and has been taught to avoid apostate sources, so gentle questions using their own literature can be heard. An example is: "If Jehovah's organisation had been wrong on an important teaching, how would you find out? Could you raise it without being considered an apostate?" Questions invite them to think rather than defend.

they trust the organisation
own literature avoids the apostate barrier
a question from the list
invites reflection

One passage, done well: John 1:1-3

Rather than jumping across ten proof texts, take one passage slowly. John 1:3 is particularly powerful because it does not depend on technical grammar: “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” In the NWT: “All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.”

Ask: “If Jesus was created, did he create himself?” Since everything that came into existence came into existence through him, he cannot be among the things that came into existence. He stands outside the category of created things. That means he is not a creature. And the only uncreated one is God (Isa 44:24).

If they raise Colossians 1:16 and the word “other”, gently show them the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures (1969, revised 1985), published by the Watchtower itself. It is older and less common today, so you may need to bring your own copy. Its word-for-word line under the Greek shows what the Greek says before the NWT rendering is applied. For Colossians 1:16 the interlinear line shows “all things” with no “other”. For John 1:1 the interlinear line reads “god was the Word”, which raises the question of why the main text adds “a”. Because it is their own publication, it carries weight and avoids the “apostate source” barrier. Use it humbly; do not gloat.

Example: Talking with a Witness at the door: John 1:3

Witness: We'd love to show you what the Bible really teaches about Jesus. He is God's Son, the first of his creations, but he isn't Almighty God.

You: Thanks for coming back, Sarah. Could we look at just one verse together, in your Bible? John 1:3.

Witness: Sure. “All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.”

You: So how many things came into existence through Jesus?

Witness: All things. Well, all other things. Jehovah created him first, then used him to create everything else.

You: I can see why you'd say that. But the verse says not even one thing came into existence apart from him. If Jesus came into existence, wouldn't he have had to be there to create himself?

Witness: I'd have to think about that. Colossians says “all other things”.

You: That's a fair place to go. Next time, could we look at Colossians 1:16 in your Kingdom Interlinear and see whether “other” is in the Greek line?

Witness: I suppose we could.

You: Thank you. Here's why it matters so much to me. If Jesus is the eternal Word who made all things, then when he died for my sins, God himself came to rescue me, not a creature sent in his place. That's why I can trust him completely. I'll be praying for you both this week.

Explain why John 1:3 is especially useful at the door, and what question it lets you ask.Show answer

It does not depend on technical grammar: everything that came into existence came into existence through him, even in the NWT. So you can ask, "If Jesus was created, did he create himself?" Since he cannot be among the things that came into existence, he stands outside created things, and the only uncreated one is God (Isa 44:24).

no technical grammar needed
all things came through him
"Did he create himself?"
only the uncreated one is God

Why can the Kingdom Interlinear Translation be useful, and how should you use it?Show answer

It is published by the Watchtower itself, so it avoids the apostate-source barrier and carries weight. Its word-for-word line shows Colossians 1:16 with "all things" and no "other", and John 1:1 with "god was the Word", raising the question of why the main text adds "a". It should be used humbly, without gloating.

Watchtower's own publication
no "other" in Col 1:16
John 1:1 has no "a"
use humbly

Testimony and the gospel

Your personal story of grace speaks to the heart. Witnesses rarely hear an evangelical speak of being sure of forgiveness and eternal life because of Christ's finished work, and of praying to Jesus and loving him as Lord and God. Tell them how you came to know Christ, how you have assurance, and how that frees you to obey from love rather than fear.

Keep the gospel central. The goal is not that they leave one organisation for another, but that they come to Jesus himself (John 5:39-40). Share Romans 4:5, John 5:24 and Ephesians 2:8-9.

Speak of Jesus personally. Tell them what it means to you that the one who died for you is the eternal Son, that “the Word became flesh” (John 1:14), and that God himself came to rescue you rather than sending a created intermediary. For many Witnesses, hearing a Christian talk with warmth about praying to Jesus and worshipping him is new and quietly unsettling.

Example: Sharing assurance with a Witness

Witness: We hope to survive Armageddon and live forever on a paradise earth. We just have to stay faithful.

You: Can I ask you something personal? If you died tonight, do you know that Jehovah would give you everlasting life?

Witness: No one can know that. We have to keep enduring to the end.

You: Can I tell you why I'm sure? It isn't because I've been faithful enough; I haven't. It's because of what Jesus has done. On the cross he took the punishment my sins deserved, and God credits his perfect righteousness to everyone who trusts him (2 Cor 5:21). Paul says God “justifies the ungodly” (Rom 4:5).

Witness: But surely we have to do our part.

You: I want to obey God with all my heart. But I obey because I'm already forgiven, not to become forgiven. Jesus said whoever hears his word and believes “has eternal life. He does not come into judgement” (John 5:24). John wrote so “that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).

Witness: We understand those verses differently.

You: That's fine; let's read them together next time. But notice that Jesus doesn't send us to an organisation first. He says, “Come to me” (Matt 11:28). Would you like to know him like that?

Why is personal testimony of assurance and love for Jesus so powerful with Witnesses?Show answer

Witnesses rarely hear an evangelical speak of being sure of forgiveness and eternal life through Christ's finished work, or of praying to Jesus and loving him as Lord and God. Hearing this with warmth is new and quietly unsettling. It also keeps the gospel central, pointing them to Jesus himself rather than to another organisation (John 5:39-40).

rarely hear of assurance
praying to and worshipping Jesus
quietly unsettling
point to Jesus, not an organisation

Patience over years, and care for ex-Witnesses

Many former Witnesses say it took years, and many conversations, before they dared to question. Pray for the Witnesses who visit you by name. Accept that you are planting and watering, but God gives growth (1 Cor 3:6-7).

When someone leaves, the cost is severe: shunning by family and friends, loss of community, and often deep fear or confusion about God. Some swing into atheism because the organisation taught that it alone was true. Be a friend first. Offer practical help, invite them into your home and your church, and give them time. Avoid forcing a new list of rules on them. Point them to resources by former Witnesses who found Christ, and be ready to listen to long, painful stories. The Reformed doctrine of God's sovereign grace is good news here: their security in Christ does not depend on their performance, nor on an organisation's approval.

What does someone leaving the Witnesses face, and how should a Christian care for them?Show answer

They may face shunning by family and friends, loss of community, and fear or confusion about God; some swing into atheism. A Christian should be a friend first: offer practical help, open their home and church, give time, listen to painful stories, and avoid imposing a new list of rules. God's sovereign grace is good news because their security in Christ does not depend on performance or an organisation's approval.

shunning and loss of community
risk of atheism
friendship, hospitality, patience
security rests on God's grace

In their own words

“We are sharing the good news of God's Kingdom, as Jesus commanded, to help people learn what the Bible really teaches.” (Matt 24:14; Enjoy Life Forever! (2021))

“Apostates who oppose Jehovah's organisation spread spiritual poison; loyal Witnesses should avoid their writings and websites.” (2 John 10; The Watchtower (various issues))

“Jehovah's Witnesses are the one true religion because they alone honour God's name, preach worldwide and stay neutral from politics.” (John 17:6; Isa 43:10; Reasoning From the Scriptures (1985), “Religion”)

Key texts

1 Peter 3:15-16: Give a reason for the hope, with gentleness and respect; the manner of our witness matters.
John 1:3: Everything that came into existence came through the Word; therefore the Word did not come into existence.
Acts 17:11: The Bereans tested even an apostle by Scripture; this models individual Bible reading over organisational authority.
John 5:39-40: Jesus warns that it is possible to search the Scriptures and still not come to him.
2 Timothy 2:24-26: The Lord's servant must be kind, patient and gentle, hoping God will grant repentance.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7: We plant and water; God gives the growth. This frees us from pressure to win every visit.

Objections and answers

Try answering each one yourself before you open the response.

“Your church is part of Christendom, Babylon the Great. Why should I listen to someone from a false religion?”Show a response

I understand why you see it that way, and I will not defend everything done in the name of Christianity; much of it grieves me too. But let us not decide this by labels. I simply want to know what the Bible says, and I suspect you do too. Can we agree to let Scripture be the judge, read in context, and ask what John meant when he wrote it? If I am wrong I want to know. If I show you something in the New World Translation that doesn't fit what you have been taught, would you be willing to take it seriously too? Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for testing even Paul by Scripture. That's all I'm asking us both to do.

“I'm not allowed to read apostate material. Where did you get this information?”Show a response

That is fair, and I don't want to put you in a difficult position. Everything I want to show you comes from your own publications or your own Bible. Here is the Kingdom Interlinear the Watchtower published; here are the titles and years of the Watchtower books on 1925 and 1975, and you can look them up in your own library or on the Watchtower online library. I'd rather you check them yourself than take my word. But may I ask a gentle question? If the truth is the truth, why would it need protection from questions? Jesus invited people to examine his claims and his works (John 10:37-38). I'm not asking you to trust me; I'm asking you to look.

“You Christians just believe whatever your pastor tells you. We actually study the Bible.”Show a response

Honestly, I admire how much time you spend in study, and I'm challenged by it. You are right that many churchgoers don't know their Bibles well. But I want to ask, kindly: when you study, are you reading the Bible itself, or a publication that tells you what each verse means and asks questions with set answers? I'm not trying to score a point. I do the same thing with my pastor: I test what he says by Scripture, like the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). Would you be willing to read the Gospel of John with me, just the text, no study aid from either side, and talk about what we see?

“Why do you pray to Jesus? Jesus taught us to pray to the Father, "Our Father in the heavens." We pray to Jehovah through Jesus, as the Bible says.”Show a response

I pray to the Father through Jesus too, and I love the Lord's Prayer. But the New Testament also shows believers calling on Jesus himself. Stephen, as he was dying, prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). Paul describes Christians everywhere as those who "call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor 1:2). Paul pleaded with the Lord three times about his thorn, and the answer was, "My grace is sufficient for you," which Paul calls the power of Christ (2 Cor 12:8-9). The Bible ends with the prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20). In Scripture, prayer belongs to God alone. If the first Christians prayed to Jesus, what does that tell us about who they believed he was? I'd love to tell you what it means to me to talk to him.

“Even if I had questions, if I left the organisation I would lose my family and every friend I have. Why would I risk everything?”Show a response

Thank you for being honest. That is a real and painful cost, and I won't pretend otherwise or rush you. Jesus never hid the cost of following him; he said that loving him might set us against our own households (Matt 10:35-37). But he also promised that no one who leaves home or family for his sake will fail to receive far more, in this life and in the age to come (Mark 10:29-30). Part of that promise is his people: a church family who will open their homes to you. Whatever you decide, I will still be your friend. You don't have to settle anything today. The most important question is not which organisation you belong to, but whether you know Jesus himself and have eternal life in him (John 5:39-40). Would you be willing to keep reading the Gospel of John with me?

Written task

Write a 300-400 word plan for a series of four visits with a Witness who has agreed to come back. For each visit give a goal, one passage or question, and how you will maintain trust. Include how you will share your testimony and the gospel of grace.

Hand this in to Mr Scott. He will look for:

Shows a realistic understanding of JW training and the apostate barrier.
Builds visits progressively (trust, organisation questions, Christ's deity, gospel).
Uses John 1:1-3 or the Kingdom Interlinear appropriately.
Includes a clear, grace-centred gospel presentation and personal testimony.
Displays patience, kindness and prayer throughout.