Matt: This week’s Watchtower study was really encouraging. It really helped us to see what we can expect in these last days and how to prepare for them.

EM: Yes, I really liked it. Before we say a prayer to end the study, I wanted to talk about a situation that came up at work.

Matt: OK, what was it?

EM: I was talking to one of my co-workers. She knows I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, so sometimes she asks me Bible questions. Yesterday, she mentioned to me that she would like to know more about God, but she feels that it sometimes feels like he is far away from us and hard to get to know. She said she’s tried reading the Bible on her own, but it’s still difficult to learn about God and get close to him. I wanted to give her a few scriptures to read, but I couldn’t think of any at the moment and I told I’d get back to her. Can we discuss some scriptures that might help her learn about God?

Matt: Sure. I think a lot of people feel that way and it would be useful to have a few scriptures in mind if we talk informally or in service to people …. If you recall from our meeting the other night, there’s a few questions listed at the beginning of our new version of the NWT that first time Bible readers might ask. It’s funny that you mention that she was wondering how to learn about God, because Question 2 in the introduction is about that same topic. Let’s look at some scriptures listed there and you can write them down for her. We can think about some questions you could ask her if she wants to talk about it further.

EM: OK.

Matt: I like this scripture at Romans 1:20, read it. So what kind of questions could you ask her to get her viewpoint on this scripture?

EM: I could ask her how does creation make her feel about God? Or what is something that impresses her about nature or the universe or even biology science…

Matt: Yes I think that would help her learn more about God and make him seem more real. You mentioned that she had already tried to read the bible on her own, but she had difficulty understanding. Another scripture that’s listed here is at James 1:5.

EM: I’ll read it James 1:5. That’s a really good point to bring out to her that she can always pray for God’s Holy Spirit to help her understand what she’s reading. Then she’ll be able to get more out of her Bible reading and learn more about God’s qualities. Also, the scripture at 1 Tim 4:15 would be good to mention because pondering and meditating over what she’s read in the Bible can bring her closer to God.

Matt: Yes, I like those scriptures. But even after reading and meditating on the Bible on her own, she might still have questions about what she’s read. That’s why it’s good to associate with other people who are trying to follow the Bible’s principles and learn more about God. You could bring out to her Heb 10:24, 25, read it.

EM: Yes, I agree this would also be another good scripture to show that she can learn about God by associating with fellow believers who are also trying to learn about God’s qualities and imitate them in their own lives.

Matt: Yes, and if she did want to attend one of our meetings, you could always invite her to Bethel park congregation or point her to the JW.org website on her phone/tablet where she can find a local congregation by entering her zip code.

EM: Ok this sound great. I’ll write them down and take them to her tomorrow. If she has other questions, now I’ll be prepared.