Need advice: Witnessing to a JW at my door (page 4)

jhine

sorry , for the triple post , 1D 10 T syndrome again

Faithful Witness

Thanks! I'm now watching the driveway, and wishing I'd made an actual appointment.

He was anxious to book a return visit with his wife. I don't know if this was due to time constraints, or why... The people in the car kept looking over, like they wanted to go. The driver of the car turned around in the driveway while we were talking. Finally, his daughter (about 12) got out of the car and came up the walk. At that cue, he left right away...

Isn't it strange that they are in a lifesaving work where the "householder" almost never shows interest and when they do find interest, all they want to do is get the hell out of there?

They were in a "car group" and not desirous of actually accomplishing anything. They were just getting their time in and "placing" magazines so they could "count" them in September. They also wanted to discuss things with you later so they could "count a return visit" on their monthly report, even if it was for October.

All this guy saw was you jumping all over the subjects with what he considers half-truths. I got two pieces of advice.
1. Just tell them you are not interested.
2. Never ever ever accept literature as it just makes them feel obligated to come back.

I know you want to help. Maybe after an exhaustive several months/years with someone calling on you, you might help them. But I doubt it. Enjoy your life and put this behind you.

adamah

OTWO said-

I know you want to help. Maybe after an exhaustive several months/years with someone calling on you, you might help them. But I doubt it. Enjoy your life and put this behind you.

The OP is trying to 'save them' in the name of Christ, showing them the error of their ways. Of course, JWs aren't there to 'buy' other people's religions, they're 'selling', so they don't enter into a discussion in order to find truths, but to share THEIR truth.

Adam

OnTheWayOut

Trying to "save" JW's preaching at your door is not like you are talking "apples" and they are talking "oranges."

Many apple lovers recognize that oranges are good, and vice-versa.

It's more like talking apples and cyanide, but each of you thinks the other guy is talking cyanide to your apples.

I have met many Christians that think they know just what a JW needs to hear in order to abandon the cult and start praising Jesus properly.

Good luck with that. I figure, eventually you will give up on that and "Enjoy your life and put this behind you." I was just trying to save you some time.

Faithful Witness

OTWO: thank you. I will do that... "Enjoy your life and put this behind you." But before that...

Adam: I know that i do not have the power to save anyone. I am too small to take on the org that controls an honest hearted JW. I can't convert anyone, but am hoping that something might plant a seed in his mind, and he might later realize that he might want to question the reign of the GB over his life. He has at least one daughter.

In dealings with this man, and every other JW I meet, my intent is always compassion and love For that person. God has been changing my heart, to do this work. I am not going to put up any big tent and start yelling on a bullhorn or anything (even though I believe that is what needs to be done). My mission is small, and is leading toward my ultimate purpose. I'm on a path, just like everyone else here.

Everything JW's, from any level, current, new, born-ins, fading, disfellowshipped, elders, GB members... Everything they say has value. They are all clues. Windows into the mind of the borg itself. The organization in itself, has become a living, breathing animal that needs to be fed. Is it a sheep? Maybe... But it does not act like one. The Borg has swallowed a part of my family. I have walked away and left it behind... but something is calling me back. I think it might be the voice of my 12-year old niece. It is going to be extremely difficult, I know... But my ultimate mission is to get the message to her. There is life outside the Watchtower. Please God, tell me she is not baptized! (i don't dare to ask, and would prefer no guessing or speculating).

So yes, in a way, I am USING this poor JW man, to get inside info. I am also keeping him off the street, so he can't go deceiving any of my neighbors. While doing that, I can still care about him. He comes from a foreign country, and has been JW for 32 years. He has no idea there is a chance for a life out here. Maybe something I say will make him do some thinking of his own, someday. I'd rather be remembered for trying, than as someone who slammed a door in someone's face, for doing what they think is a good deed. His intentions are good, and mine should also be.

I admit, I was confused about the purpose and intentions of this message forum. I am really appreciative of each one who is wiling to share their story and opinion Here, regardless of your beliefs or practices. Especially the ones that do not agree with me. I am here to learn and move on. Thanks to everyone for your honesty.

Edit: I am reaching my posting limit. Everything i hear from JW's has value, especially what I am learning from those on this forum. Thank you again!

Faithful Witness

He didn't show up today. Either I scared him away, or he had something else come up.

This is a disappointment and a relief at the same time. Now I am left wondering if he will come back.

adamah

Yeah, no worries here: my point was that you're trying to sell to a salesman, but we're ALL trying to do the same thing, lol!

(Presumably with the goal of our loved ones awakening one day, being resurrected to us someday before this, the only life they'll ever know and share, is over....)

Oh, on this:

He didn't show up today. Either I scared him away, or he had something else come up. This is a disappointment and a relief at the same time. Now I am left wondering if he will come back.

I'm guessing he talked to Eric....

Adam

jgnat

I am a little concerned about your lack of preparation other than prayer. I don't show up for a lion fight unless I've got my pebbles lined up in a row.

My daughter, well versed in the bible and the Christian arguments against the doctrines of the Watchtower Society, spent an afternoon debating with my JW husband. I mediated or stayed out of the way. The best I could describe it was people hurling bible verses at each other for an afternoon, without either gaining understanding.

Both thought they "won".

Ironically, in the thick of it, they both begged me for help for locating key texts to hurl at each other.

I suggest you go through a WT book and study the scriptures in context AHEAD OF TIME before ever sitting down with a Witness. Know why they are wrong.

Faithful Witness

Thanks, jgnat. I truly appreciate the sentiments. I agree. Going into a Bible verse battle with a JW, is like throwing ping pong balls at a brick wall. I've been academically preparing myself for months. Only now, am I finally submitting to God to help me do things according to his plan, instead of mine.

I have been praying this week for this man and his family, that God would guide me if I am meant to reach out to him. My prayer is for me to submit to the will of God, because I tend to get all full of confidence and think I have the right answers for someone else.

I have been in preparation for this work for a long time. Since turning our backs on the watchtower, i have kept looking over my shoulder, watching my parents and sister go deeper and deeper, until they've been swallowed by the Borg. Not wanting to be the one to "stumble" them, I let them make their own decisions. All the while, the holy spirit has been working on me, drawing me closer to Christ. My path has had a few curves, but it has led me to this spot.

I've just recently been alerted, that it might be time to reach out to my family. After an episode last fall that effectively divided our entire family into two camps (JW and not), my goal has been to try to narrow this enormous rift. Maybe someday, they will open their eyes and see the bridge that can carry them back across to us. Right now, they are lost in cult think. They are happy to be controlled and have chosen a new family. No grandparents for my kids, since we decided not to become JW's!

Anyway... I guess what I'm trying to say, is the pain that I've gone through is nothing, compared to what my niece and nephew have and will suffer inside the tower. Until about 4 months ago, I felt it was just hopeless. I was "outgunned," since the JW's have so much well-worded literature that provides "evidence" for their beliefs. I had been on my own path to the truth. Suddenly, I realized that I was so busy reaching UP, that I forgot to reach OUT.

I resisted reading anything from apostates for about 3 years, after changing my mind about becoming a JW. They trained me well. When I went to www.jw.org and saw the July 15 magazine, changing their prophecies again, I saw the window had opened. I researched and read, finding some great information and ideas for words to say, along with facts and scriptures to back it up. I've got enough evidence against them now... my heart has been prepared and my mind is finally ready for a conversation with a JW.

In hindsight, I think I might have done TOO well when talking to the JW on my porch. I scared him away. Either i caused a doubt or made him realize he would not have answers to my questions. I showed my hand. I was too eager, and chomping at the bit. I tried so hard to be gentle, and I complimented him on his gentleness, and tried to show him I was concerned for him and my JW family. I went too far. I was too prepared, and didn't want to waste all that preparation for nothing... Hahaha... So he got about 8 of my most pressing questions. Oops. Too many!

I do hope he comes back, and if he did talk to Eric... Maybe Eric will come. Hahahaha yeah I don't think so. Although Eric is more like King Kong, while this other guy was a Care Bear.

Need advice: Witnessing to a JW at my door

Edit: I am reaching my posting limit. Everything i hear from JW's has value, especially what I am learning from those on this forum. Thank you again!

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