Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025
Saturday May 10, 2025
Always be ready to present a defense to anyone who demands a reason for the hope you have, but do so with gentleness and deep respect (1 Pet. 3:15).
Parents can teach their children to respond mildly when someone questions their beliefs (James 3:13). What some parents do is have practice sessions during family worship. They analyze topics that could arise at school and role-play how to respond.
In addition, they teach their children to speak in a calm and interesting way. Practicing as a family not only helps young people present convincing arguments, but also convinces themselves that their beliefs are founded.
The “Youth” section of jw.org includes a “Put It in Writing” section, which is designed to strengthen the faith of young people and help them explain their beliefs in their own words. If we discuss this information and the “Young People Ask” section as a family, we will all learn to defend our faith in a calm and interesting way. w23.09 17 para. 10; 18 paras. 15, 16.
How can practice sessions help young people?
Practicing as a family not only helps young people present convincing arguments, but also convinces themselves that their beliefs are founded. The jw.org sections “Young People Ask” and “Put It Down” are designed to strengthen the faith of young people and help them explain their beliefs in their own words. If we discuss this information as a family, we will all learn to defend our faith in a peaceful and interesting way.
A young man called Matthew says the practice sessions have helped him a lot. In family worship, you often research with your parents topics that might come up in class. He explains: "We imagine possible situations that could arise and practice how to handle them based on what we have studied. When I am clear about why I believe what I believe, I feel confident and it becomes easier for me to be gentle with others."
According to Colossians 4:6, what should we give importance to?
Having logical arguments is sometimes not enough to convince others. But expressing ourselves tactfully and mildly can help (read Colossians 4:6). Talking to someone about our beliefs is like throwing a ball at them. We can throw it gently or throw it hard. When we pass it gently, it is easier for the other person to catch it and continue playing. In the same way, if we express ourselves tactfully and gently, the person is more likely to want to continue listening and not cut off the conversation. Of course, if someone wants to argue or make fun of us, we are not obligated to continue the conversation (Prov. 26:4). But most people are not like that; many may listen to us.
What can motivate us to be gentle when defending our beliefs?
As we saw, setting the goal of being peaceful has many advantages. Ask Jehovah to give you strength to be gentle when others raise controversial topics or criticize you unfairly. Don't forget that mildness will prevent a difference of opinion from turning into a heated debate. And a respectful and gentle response may cause some to reconsider their opinion of us and of Bible teachings. So always be ready “to present a defense [...] with gentleness and deep respect” (1 Pet. 3:15). Be gentle and strong at the same time!
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