Jehovah's Witnesses publications for evangelizing
Jehovah's Witnesses have published various books and brochures for use in their door-to-door evangelism. When interested individuals are encountered, Witnesses attempt to initiate a home Bible study course, using a current publication that outlines their primary beliefs and interpretations of the Bible. The Witness then visits the student on a regular basis, generally considering a chapter on each visit, depending on the student's circumstances.
Students are encouraged to examine the material prior to the arrival of the Bible study conductor, using the questions at the bottom of each page, to "help prepare the student for the Bible study".[1] It is also recommended that the student have a Bible at hand to refer to the cited scriptures. Jehovah’s Witnesses customarily read each paragraph aloud together with the student, and then ask the question(s) provided for that paragraph.[2]
What Does the Bible Really Teach?
What Does the Bible Really Teach? is a 224-page book published in 2005, which is currently used to conduct Bible studies. More than 99 million copies have been produced in 189 languages since the book was released in 2005.[3] It is informally known as 'the Bible Teach book'.
Each chapter begins with questions to focus the reader on what will be studied in that chapter. The book is purposely written in simple language, with an appendix containing further information on various doctrinal matters.[2] The book is intended to help teach people from various educational levels and religious backgrounds. The stated purpose of the publication is to study the material at whatever pace is required by the student to understand the information, rather than completing an entire chapter per session. The publishers encourage instructors to discuss the illustrations with the student, along with examples relevant to the student's own experiences.[2]
Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life
In 1995, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life was published, and became the primary publication used for Bible studies. It is known informally as 'the Knowledge book'. The title is derived from John 17:3.
What Does God Require of Us?
The 32-page brochure, What Does God Require of Us? was released in 1996. It was recommended as a study aid to be considered with Bible students to lead into studying the Knowledge book.[4]
You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth
In 1982, the book You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth became the main publication used by Jehovah's Witnesses to lead Bible studies. It is known informally as 'the Live Forever book'.
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life
The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life is a 192-page book, published in 1968 and revised in 1981.[5] It is informally known as 'the Truth book'.[6] In the first three years of its circulation more than 400,000 people studied the book and were eventually baptized.[7]
World record
The 1990 edition of the Guinness Book of Records included this book under its heading "Highest Printings". According to the Guinness Book, by May 1987 the Truth book had reached 106,486,735 copies, in 116 languages.[8] By 1997, it had a circulation of 107,000,000 in 117 languages.[9]
"Let God Be True"
From 1946 to 1968, Jehovah's Witnesses used the book, "Let God Be True", which was published in approximately 19,250,000 copies in 54 languages.[9] The title is based on a phrase taken from Romans 3:4, "But let God be found true, though every man be found a liar".
References
- ^ What Does The Bible Really Teach? © Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania 2005. | p. 7 Is This What God Purposed?”
- ^ a b c Watchtower Society. “Teach What the Bible Really Teaches.” The Watchtower 15 Jan. 2007: 24-25.
- ^ Jehovah's Witnesses Membership and Publishing Statistics
- ^ Our Kingdom Ministry, July 1999, page 2, Question Box
- ^ Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses. 2000. p. 78.
- ^ The Watchtower: 26. 1 May 2004.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ Jehovah’s Witnesses—Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom p. 105.
- ^ Awake! October 8, 1990, p. 28.
- ^ a b The Watchtower January 15, 1997, p. 25.