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UNIT 5 (A)
From House to House—Our Principal Way of Preaching
OPENING DISCUSSION
The method of preaching from house to house is well-founded in the Bible. When Jesus sent forth the apostles to preach, he instructed them: “Into whatever city or village you enter, search out who in it is deserving.” (Matt. 10:11) How were they to search for deserving ones? Jesus continued: “When you enter the house, greet the household. If the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon it.” (Matt. 10:12, 13) Were they to visit without a prior invitation? Note Jesus’ further words: “Wherever anyone does not receive you or listen to your words, on going out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.” (Matt. 10:14) These instructions make clear that as the apostles “went through the territory from village to village, declaring the good news,” they were to take the initiative to visit people in their homes.
QUESTION OUTLINE
Jesus’ Attitude Toward His Preaching Assignment
How do Luke 4:43 and John 4:34 epitomize Jesus’ lifework?
What motivated Jesus to preach? (John 14:31; cf pp. 76-81)
Discuss three significant ways Jesus showed his love for the preaching work. (cf pp. 84-86)
How does meditating on Jesus’ zeal affect our attitude toward the house-to-house ministry? (John 18:36, 37; w13 5/15 p. 9 par. 4)
By what authority have we been commissioned to do this work, and what does this commission involve? (Matt. 28:18-20; cf pp. 94-96)
Jesus Expressed His Love and Compassion Through His Preaching
How did Jesus view people to whom he preached? (Matt. 9:36; Luke 5:29-32)
How will imitating Jesus’ balanced view enable us to be more loving and tolerant of those who might reject our message?
What does Jesus’ positive view of people teach us? (John 1:47) If we find it difficult to view people in a positive way, what can we do? (Isa. 63:9; Jonah 4:11; w07 11/15 pp. 15-17)
◆ Jesus took a sincere interest in people. He cared about the thoughts and attitudes that drove them; he was concerned about the burdens that weighed them down and the obstacles that hindered them from grasping the truth.
Boldness in the House-to-House Work
What does it mean to speak the word of God with boldness? (Acts 4:31; 1 Thess. 2:2; bt pp. 32-35 pars. 13-17)
To avoid offending others, how do we maintain a balance between boldness and tact? (Rom. 12:18; Col. 4:6)
Use the following scriptures to explain what the house-to-house work accomplishes.
◆ If we find the house-to-house ministry challenging, we can pray to Jehovah asking him to help us speak the good news with boldness.
The Joys of House-to-House Preaching
Why is the house-to-house ministry still our principal way of preaching? (km 9/06 p. 8)
Why does the house-to-house ministry bring us joy? (Luke 10:17; km 7/94 p. 1)
How do the following scriptures highlight ways we benefit from engaging in the ministry? Feature two or three for discussion.
Imitate Jesus in Your Ministry
How might our prayers and actions show that we grasp the urgency of the ministry? (Matt. 9:35-38)
If we find that our zeal for the ministry is cooling off, how might reflecting on Jesus’ attitude spur us on? (Mark 1:35-39)
As we preach, how should we view people who are lowly, oppressed, or rejected by others? Why should we feel this way? (Luke 18:35–19:10)
Why should we never let a hostile response to our preaching dampen our zeal? (Matt. 10:22)
