By means of his Kingdom, Jehovah will soon eliminate all of our problems. That news is too good to keep to ourselves. Jesus wanted his followers to share this message with everyone! (Matthew 28:19, 20) How have Jehovah’s Witnesses responded to Jesus’ command?

1. How is Matthew 24:14 being fulfilled today?

Jesus foretold: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) Jehovah’s Witnesses are happy to share in this important work. We are preaching the good news worldwide in over 1,000 languages! This colossal work requires tremendous effort and organization. It could not be done without Jehovah’s help.

2. What efforts do we make to preach to people?

We preach wherever we can find people. Like first-century Christians, we preach “from house to house.” (Acts 5:42) This systematic method allows us to reach millions of people each year. Since people are not always at home, we also preach in many public places. We are always looking for opportunities to tell others about Jehovah and his purposes.

3. Who has the responsibility to preach the good news?

All real Christians have the responsibility to share the good news with others. We take our responsibility seriously. We preach as much as our personal circumstances allow because we realize that lives are at stake. (Read 1 Timothy 4:16.) We are not paid to do this work, for the Bible says: “You received free, give free.” (Matthew 10:7, 8) Not everyone accepts our message. But we continue because preaching is part of our worship and it makes Jehovah happy.

DIG DEEPER

4. We work hard to reach all people

VIDEO: Preaching in “the Most Distant Part of the Earth” (7:33)

• What impresses you about the efforts Jehovah’s Witnesses make to preach?

Read Matthew 22:39 and Romans 10:13-15, and then discuss these questions:

• How does our ministry show that we love our neighbors?

• How does Jehovah feel about those who preach the good news?​—See verse 15.

5. We are God’s fellow workers

Many experiences show that Jehovah is directing our work. For example, in New Zealand a brother named Paul met a woman in the house-to-house work one afternoon. That very morning, the woman had prayed to God, using God’s name, Jehovah, and asking that someone call on her. “Three hours later,” says Paul, “I arrived at her doorstep.”

Read 1 Corinthians 3:9, and then discuss this question:

• How do experiences such as the one in New Zealand show that Jehovah is directing the preaching work?

Read Acts 1:8, and then discuss this question:

• Why do we need Jehovah’s help to accomplish our ministry?

Did you know?

Each week at our midweek meeting, we receive training to help us preach. If you have attended one of these meetings, what did you think of the training offered?

6. We obey God’s command to preach

In the first century, opposers tried to stop Jesus’ followers from preaching. Early Christians defended their right to preach by “legally establishing . . . the good news.” (Philippians 1:7) Jehovah’s Witnesses do the same today.a

VIDEO: Legally Defending the Good News (2:28)

Read Acts 5:27-42, and then discuss this question:

• Why will we not stop preaching?​—See verses 29, 38, and 39.

SUMMARY

Jesus instructed his followers to preach the good news to all nations. Jehovah is helping his people to do this work.

Review

• How is the good news being preached worldwide?

• How does our ministry show that we love our neighbors?

• Do you think that preaching can be a satisfying work? Why?

EXPLORE

See how Jehovah’s Witnesses preach to people in large cities.

Special Metropolitan Public Witnessing in Paris (5:11)

How have Jehovah’s Witnesses reached out to refugees?

Satisfying Spiritual Thirst Among Refugees (5:59)

Hear firsthand how satisfying life can be as a full-time minister.

Glad I Chose This Career (6:29)

Learn about noteworthy court victories that have advanced the preaching of the good news.

“Kingdom Preachers Take Their Case to Court” (God’s Kingdom Rules!, chapter 13)

Jesus taught that baptism is a requirement for Christians. (Read Matthew 28:19, 20.) But what is baptism? And what must a person do to reach that goal?

1. What is baptism?

The word “baptize” comes from a Greek term meaning “to dip” under water. When Jesus was baptized, he was immersed in the Jordan River, and then he came “up out of the water.” (Mark 1:9, 10) Similarly, true Christians are baptized by being fully dipped, or immersed, in water.

2. What does baptism show?

By getting baptized, a person shows that he has dedicated himself to Jehovah God. How does a person make a dedication? Prior to baptism, in a private prayer, he tells Jehovah that he wants to serve Him forever. He promises to worship only Jehovah and to make the doing of God’s will the most important thing in his life. He chooses to “disown himself and . . . keep following” Jesus’ teachings and example. (Matthew 16:24) His dedication and baptism make it possible for him to have a close friendship with Jehovah and with fellow worshippers.

3. How can a person progress to baptism?

You can prepare for baptism by learning about Jehovah and building faith in him. (Read Hebrews 11:6.) As your knowledge and faith grow, so will your love for Jehovah. No doubt you will want to preach about him and live by his standards. (2 Timothy 4:2; 1 John 5:3) Once a person is living “worthily of Jehovah in order to please him fully,” he may decide to dedicate his life to God and get baptized.​—Colossians 1:9, 10.a

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4. We can learn from Jesus’ baptism

Read Matthew 3:13-17 to learn more details about Jesus’ baptism. Then discuss these questions:

• Was Jesus an infant when he got baptized?

• How was he baptized? Was he just sprinkled with water?

Jesus began his special God-given work on earth when he got baptized. Read Luke 3:21-23 and John 6:38, and then discuss this question:

• After Jesus got baptized, what work did he put first in his life?

5. Baptism is a realistic goal

The idea of dedication and baptism could seem overwhelming at first. However, you can progress to a point where you feel confident about making such an important decision. To see some people who did that, play the VIDEO.

VIDEO: Building a Relationship With Jehovah (1:11)

Read John 17:3 and James 1:5, and then discuss this question:

• What can help a person get ready for baptism?

1. We make a dedication by telling Jehovah that we want to serve him forever

2. At our baptism, we demonstrate to observers that we have made a dedication to God

6. Baptism means becoming part of Jehovah’s family

When we get baptized, we become part of a united worldwide family. Although we come from different places and backgrounds, we all share the same beliefs and live by the same moral standards. Read Psalm 25:14 and 1 Peter 2:17, and then discuss this question:

• How does baptism affect a person’s relationship with Jehovah and with others who worship Him?

SUMMARY

Jesus taught that Christians need to get baptized. To reach that goal, a person has to build strong faith in Jehovah, live by His standards, and dedicate himself to Him.

Review

• What is baptism, and why is it important?

• How are dedication and baptism related?

• What steps lead to dedication and baptism?

EXPLORE

Learn what baptism is and what it is not.

“What Is Baptism?” (Web article)

Review ways that a person can progress to baptism.

“Love and Appreciation for Jehovah Lead to Baptism” (The Watchtower, March 2020)

Read how one man’s decision to get baptized was based on more than emotion.

“They Wanted Me to Prove the Truth to Myself” (The Watchtower, February 1, 2013)

Consider why baptism is a worthwhile goal and how you can prepare for it.

“Should I Get Baptized?” (Questions Young People Ask​—Answers That Work, Volume 2, chapter 37)