Facilitator Notes — Jehovah’s Witnesses

Discovery Prompts:

• Ask: “What does this passage say about who Jesus is?” (John 1:1; Heb 1:5–8)
• Explore: “Does this text describe Jesus as created or eternal?”
• Observe verbs: creating, speaking, ruling.

SOS Notes:

• Hebrews 1 compares Jesus to angels — and shows He is not one of them.
• John 1:1 identifies the Word as eternal and divine.
• Let the Bible define “Son.” Do not import JW definitions.

Discovery Prompts:

• “What actions does the Spirit take in these verses?” (John 14:26; Acts 5:3–4; Eph 4:30)
• “Can an impersonal force be lied to or grieved?”

SOS Notes:

• Highlight verbs: teaches, reminds, speaks, guides.
• Acts 5 equates lying to the Spirit with lying to God.
• Emotions (grief) reveal personhood.

Discovery Prompts:

• Read Romans 10:9–13; Eph 2:8–10 — “What must a person actually do to be saved?”
• “Who is included in the salvation invitation?”
• “What does Revelation 7 & 14 literally say about the 144,000? Are they symbolic? Limited?”

SOS Notes on JW Claims:

• Soul-sleep claim: Compare Luke 16; Luke 23:43; Phil 1:23; 2 Cor 5:8.
• 144,000 claim: Revelation 7: a literal ethnic list (12 tribes of Israel), not a salvation ceiling.
• Earthly probation claim: Compare Heb 9:27 and Rev 20–21.
• Keep the focus on: “What does the Bible actually say happens after death?”

Discovery Prompts:

• Read Matt 24:27 — “Is this visible or invisible?”
• Read Acts 1:11 — “In what manner will He return?”
• Ask: “Would anyone miss this event?”

SOS Notes:

• The Bible emphasises global visibility, not secrecy.
• 1914 predictions shifted after failures — note pattern, but let Scripture take centre stage.

Discovery Prompts:

• Read Acts 17:11 — “What should believers do with any teaching?”
• Gal 1:8–9 — “What happens if someone teaches a different gospel?”
• 2 Tim 3:16–17 — “What role does Scripture itself have?”

SOS Notes:

• Emphasise personal Bible reading.
• Point to the sufficiency of Scripture.
• Keep the tone gentle; ask discovery questions rather than making accusations.

Discovery Prompts:

• “Why would any group discourage checking multiple translations?”
• “What happens when we compare NWT John 1:1 with any accredited translation?”
• “What does the original Greek grammar support?” (Don’t lecture; guide them to look it up.)

SOS Notes:

• Let them compare side by side — do not shame them for using NWT.
• Encourage checking interlinear sources.
• Keep the focus on honesty and transparency.

Discovery Prompts:

• “What did Deut 18:20–22 say is the test of a true prophet?”
• “How many predictions did JW leaders give about 1874 or 1914?”
• “Would this pass God’s test?”

SOS Notes:

• Avoid attacking individuals — stick to documented history.
• Let the person discover the pattern for themselves.
• Emphasise the reliability of Scripture vs the instability of organisations.