Scriptures Properly Emphasized

WHEN you speak to others about God’s purposes, whether privately or from the platform, your discussion should center on what is in God’s Word. This usually involves showing scriptures from the Bible and using techniques that highlight the point.

It should be noted that when the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures in sign language is used, signs are emphasized according to context. When scriptures that are not yet available in the New World Translation are used as quoted scriptures in The Watchtower or other study publications, signs are given emphasis based on the point being made in the paragraph.

Proper Emphasis Involves Feeling. When the Bible is translated and recorded, much effort is made to sign the information with feeling. When showing scriptures, point out the feeling that is conveyed by the signer. Or, after showing a verse, mention the feeling that it should inspire in us. Consider some examples. After showing Psalm 37:11, you could highlight our happy anticipation of the peace that is promised there. After showing Revelation 21:4 regarding the end of suffering and death, you could mention the warm appreciation we should have for the marvelous relief that is being foretold. After showing Revelation 18:2, 4, 5, with its appeal to get out of sin-laden “Babylon the Great,” you could encourage this course of action with a tone of urgency. Of course, the feeling expressed should be heartfelt but not overdone. The proper amount of emotion is determined by the text itself and by the way it is being used.

Emphasize the Right Signs. If your comments on a certain verse are built around just a portion of it, try isolating that portion when showing it. For example, when showing Matthew 6:33, you would not give primary stress to “his righteousness” or to “all these other things” if you intend to analyze what is meant by “seeking first the kingdom.” You may even choose to show only that part of the verse. This is especially helpful if showing the remainder of the verse may be distracting or may raise unrelated questions in the minds of your audience.

To isolate a relevant point, you can also point at the scripture as the key words are signed. For example, you may plan to show Matthew 28:19 during a talk in the midweek meeting. What should you emphasize? If you want to encourage diligence in starting home Bible studies, point to “make disciples” as it is signed. On the other hand, if you plan to discuss the Christian’s responsibility to share Bible truth with an immigrant population or you want to encourage certain publishers to serve where the need is greater, point at the signs that stress “people of all the nations.” Again, you could also isolate and show only that part of the verse.

Romans 15:7-13 can also be used as an example to show how scriptures can be signed with proper emphasis. This is part of a letter written by the apostle Paul to a congregation made up of both Gentiles and natural Jews. Here the apostle argues that the ministry of Christ benefits not only circumcised Jews but also people of the nations so that “the nations might glorify God for his mercy.” Then Paul quotes four scriptures, drawing attention to that opportunity for the nations. How could you emphasize those quotations in order to emphasize the point that Paul had in mind? You might point to the signs “the nations” in verse 9, “you nations” in verse 10, “all you nations” and “all the peoples” in verse 11, and “nations” in verse 12. As you do so, Paul’s entire line of argument will become clearer and easier to grasp.

Frequently, a scripture is presented in answer to a question or in support of an argument that others view as controversial. However, because of the way that the verse is signed, the answer may not be obvious to the viewer. Therefore, it would be good to emphasize the related part of the verse.

For example, if you are discussing God’s personal name with a householder, you might stress the name “Jehovah” when showing Psalm 83:18, or you could ask if he noticed God’s name in the scripture after you have shown it. However, when you are using that same scripture in a discussion of Jehovah’s sovereignty, you should give primary emphasis to the expression “the Most High.” Likewise, when using James 2:24 to show the importance of coupling faith with action, giving primary emphasis to “declared righteous” instead of to “works” might cause some to miss the point. Thus, care must be exercised that you emphasize the right signs.

When showing a scripture to a householder in the ministry, you might look at him when the key words are signed, alerting him to the main point. If you feel comfortable doing so, you could also ask him to indicate when he sees the main point so that you can pause the video.

Methods of Emphasis. The thought-carrying signs that you want to stand out may be stressed in a number of ways. The means that you use should be in keeping with the scripture and the setting of the talk. Some suggestions are offered here.

Pausing. This may be done before a key sign or after a key sign—or both. Pausing immediately before you sign a main thought creates anticipation; pausing afterward deepens the impression made. However, if there are too many pauses, nothing will stand out.

Repetition. You can place emphasis on a particular point by repeating the key signs after showing the scripture. You may even want to replay the key part.