Consider the experience of 17-year-old Jennifer. “I was at lunch in school. The girls at my table happened to be discussing religion, and one of the girls asked me what religion I belonged to,” she says. Was Jennifer nervous about giving a reply? “Yes,” she acknowledges, “because I wasn’t sure what kind of reaction I would get.” So what did Jennifer do? “I told the girls that I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” she continues. “At first they seemed surprised. Apparently, they had the notion that Jehovah’s Witnesses were strange people. This prompted them to ask me questions, and I was able to clear up some misconceptions they had. Even after that day, some of the girls approached me from time to time with a question.”

⁷ Did Jennifer regret having taken the opportunity to speak up about her beliefs? Not at all! “I felt very good about it when the lunch period was over,” she says. “Now those girls have a better idea of who Jehovah’s Witnesses really are.” Jennifer’s advice now is simple: “If you find it hard to witness to classmates or teachers, say a quick prayer. Jehovah will help you. You will be glad that you made good use of your opportunity to give a witness.”​—1 Peter 3:15.

8. (a) How did prayer help Nehemiah when he faced an unexpected situation? (b) What are some situations at school when you might need to offer a brief, silent prayer to Jehovah?

⁸ Note that Jennifer recommends ‘saying a quick prayer’ to Jehovah when an opportunity presents itself to give a witness about your faith. This is precisely what Nehemiah, cupbearer to Persian King Artaxerxes, did when he faced an unexpected situation. Nehemiah was visibly distressed because he had been informed about the plight of the Jews and had learned that the wall and gates of Jerusalem were in ruins. The king noticed that Nehemiah seemed anxious, so he asked Nehemiah what was wrong. Before answering, Nehemiah prayed for guidance. Then he boldly requested permission to return to Jerusalem and help rebuild the fallen city. Artaxerxes granted Nehemiah’s request. (Nehemiah 2:1-8) The lesson? If you feel nervous when an opportunity arises to give a witness concerning your faith, do not neglect your opportunity to offer a silent prayer. “Throw all your anxiety upon [Jehovah],” wrote Peter, “because he cares for you.”​—1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22.

“Ready to Make a Defense”

9. How was 13-year-old Leah able to place 23 copies of the Young People Ask book?

⁹ Consider another experience. Leah, aged 13, was reading the book Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Worka during her lunch break at school. “Others were watching me,” she says, “and soon a crowd was hovering over my shoulder. They began asking what the book was all about.” By the end of the day, four girls had asked Leah for a copy of the Young People Ask book. Soon these girls were sharing the book with others, and then they too wanted a copy. Over the next few weeks, Leah placed 23 copies of the Young People Ask book with her schoolmates and their friends. Was it easy for Leah to speak up when others initially inquired about the book she was reading? Hardly! “At first, I was nervous,” she admits. “However, I prayed, and I knew that Jehovah was with me.”

10, 11. How was a young Israelite girl able to help a Syrian army chief learn about Jehovah, and what changes did he thereafter make?

¹⁰ Leah’s experience may remind you of a similar situation that confronted a young Israelite girl who had been taken captive to Syria. Naaman, a Syrian army chief, was a leper. His wife might well have initiated the conversation that prompted this little girl to speak up about her faith. “If only my lord were before the prophet that is in Samaria!” she said. “In that case he would recover him from his leprosy.”​—2 Kings 5:1-3.

¹¹ As a result of this young girl’s boldness, Naaman came to know that “there is no God anywhere in the earth but in Israel.” He even resolved that he would “no more render up a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other gods but to Jehovah.” (2 Kings 5:15, 17) Jehovah certainly blessed the courage of that little girl. He can and will do the same for young ones today. Leah found that to be true. In time, some of her schoolmates approached her and said that the Young People Ask book was helping them with their behavior. “I was glad,” Leah says, “because I knew that I was helping others to learn more about Jehovah and helping them to change their life.”

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Even the Very Young Praise Jehovah!

Even preteens have been able to give a witness at school. Consider these experiences.

Ten-year-old Amber’s fifth-grade class was reading a book on the Nazi assault on Jews during World War II. Amber decided to bring the video Purple Triangles to her teacher. The teacher was surprised to learn that Jehovah’s Witnesses were also persecuted under the Nazi regime. The teacher showed the video to the entire class.

At eight years of age, Alexa wrote a letter to her class explaining why she could not take part in their Christmas celebration. Her teacher was so impressed that she had Alexa read the letter out loud to her own class and to two other classes as well! “I have been taught to be respectful of others whose beliefs differ from mine,” she said toward the conclusion, “and I thank you for respecting my decision not to celebrate Christmas.”

Shortly after beginning first grade, Eric took My Book of Bible Stories to school and asked permission to show it to his classmates. “I have a better idea,” said his teacher. “Why don’t you read a story to the class?” Eric did so. Afterward, he invited all who wanted a copy of the book to raise their hand. Eighteen people​—including the teacher—​did so! Eric now feels that he has his own special witnessing territory.

Nine-year-old Whitney is grateful for the brochure Jehovah’s Witnesses and Education.c “My mom usually gives this brochure to my teachers every year,” she says, “but this year I did it myself. Thanks to that brochure, my teacher nominated me ‘student of the week.’”

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