How to Use Good News From God!—On DVD
New DVD Designed to Help Us Make Return Visits and Start Bible Studies
1. What new DVD released at the “Safeguard Your Heart!” District Convention is designed to help us make return visits and start Bible studies?
1 During the “Safeguard Your Heart!” District Convention, we were excited to receive a new DVD to help us make return visits and start Bible studies. Good News From God!—On DVD is similar to Require—On DVD, which it replaces, in that the lessons are concise. This lends itself to using the DVD for doorstep Bible studies. However, while Require—On DVD discussed Christian requirements, which can be challenging for new students to accept, this new DVD focuses on the good news found in the Bible.—Acts 15:35.
2. Why was Good News—On DVD produced?
2 Why was it produced? Brothers around the world have been asking for something simple that would attract people to the truth and lead into Bible Teach—On DVD, our primary tool for Bible studies. In addition, a brochure is more easily translated into a large number of languages.
3. How is this DVD different from other study publications?
3 How It Is Designed: Many of our study publications are prepared so that a person can view it and understand the truth, even without help. This publication is different. It is prepared as a guide for Bible study with an instructor. Therefore, when offering it to someone, it is best to discuss a paragraph or two. The paragraphs are short, so they can even be considered at a person’s doorstep or his place of business. While lesson 1 is a good place to begin, we can start a study almost anywhere in the DVD.
4. How does the DVD help us to teach directly from the Bible?
4 In many of our publications, the answers to the questions can be found in the paragraphs. However, in this publication, the answers are found mainly in the Bible. Most people want to learn from the Bible rather than from our publications. Therefore, key scriptures are signed in each lesson. Other scriptures are cited and can be shown if they are available in your language. This helps students realize that what they are learning comes from God.—Isa. 54:13.
5. Why is it important for the conductor to be well-prepared for each study period?
5 The DVD does not explain all the scriptures. Why? It is designed to encourage the student to ask questions and to allow the instructor to use his teaching ability. Therefore, it is important to be well-prepared for each study period. A word of caution: Do not talk too much. We love to explain the Scriptures. But we often accomplish more by inviting the student to explain what he thinks the scripture means. By using questions tactfully, we can help him to reason out the meaning of each text.—Acts 17:2.
6. How can we use the DVD (a) where people are skeptical about God and the Bible? (b) when going from house to house? (c) when using the direct approach to start Bible studies? (d) when making return visits?
6 Like other publications for conducting studies, this DVD can be offered at any time, regardless of what is being featured for the month. Many will enjoy using it with the direct approach to start doorstep studies. In addition, as mentioned at the district convention, using it when calling back on those who showed interest “can really make the return visit work exciting!”—See the article “Suggestions for Using Good News From God!—On DVD.
7. How might you conduct a Bible study using the DVD?
7 How to Conduct the Study: We could begin the discussion by watching the paragraph. If a signed scripture follows the paragraph, watch the scripture. Use tactful questions to help the householder understand the scripture and the paragraph. Then, before moving on to the next section, watch the question and ask the householder to answer the question to make sure he understands the main point. For the first few visits, it may be best to consider just one of the questions. In time, we may be able to lengthen the discussions to include an entire lesson.
8. How should we introduce scriptures, and why?
8 Some paragraphs contain signed scriptures. These scriptures most directly answer the question associated with that paragraph. When introducing a scripture, avoid saying, “The apostle Paul wrote” or, “Notice what Jeremiah foretold.” The householder might think that we are showing the words of mere humans. It would be better to say, “The Word of God says” or, “Notice what the Bible foretold.”
9. Should all the cited scriptures be shown during the study?
9 Should we show all of the cited scriptures that are not signed? Be guided by the circumstances. Each one contains information that is worth discussing. But in some cases, the student’s lack of time or interest may suggest that we consider only the signed scriptures.
10. At what point can we switch the study to Bible Teach—On DVD?
10 When to Switch to Bible Teach—On DVD: After several discussions and once we have established a good routine, we can either switch to Bible Teach—On DVD or continue in Good News—On DVD until we have completed it. Publishers can use their judgment to decide when to switch. Once we switch to Bible Teach—On DVD, must we start from the beginning? There are no rules on this. Each person is different. However, most students will benefit by going over the same subjects again in more detail in Bible Teach—On DVD.
11. Why should we make good use of this new DVD?
11 In a world where good news is scarce, we have the grand privilege of declaring the best news possible—that God’s Kingdom rules and that it will soon usher in a new world where righteousness is to dwell! (Matt. 24:14; 2 Pet. 3:13) We are confident that many who hear this message will echo these inspired words: “How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news, the one publishing peace, the one bringing good news of something better, the one publishing salvation, the one saying to Zion: ‘Your God has become king!’” (Isa. 52:7) May we use this new DVD to bring good news from God to thirsting ones in our territory!