Transcripts: Enjoy Life Forever!

Transcript: Defend Your faith Despite Opposition.
[Grayson at the stove preparing breakfast. Wife smiles broadly at the family, and Grayson towels his younger son’s hair. He greets a neighbour on the sidewalk]
Grayson: It was one of those mornings when everything seemed to be going right.
[Grayson parks his car at a school]
In fact, this whole year was going right
[In the classroom teaching]
ever since I got baptized. My family is closer than ever.
[Associating joyfully with friends]
I’ve made some good friends in the congregation. I even started a Bible study.
[An elderly Bible student]
It felt good to let go of my fears and serve Jehovah with everything I have.
[Cart witnessing on a busy street. A man stares at Grayson from his car]
But things can change very quickly.
[Grayson pours a cup of coffee in the break room and sits at a table. Two co-workers at another table]
Co-worker, Ron: Uh, I’m sorry. You know what? I think I saw Grayson over the weekend on Saturday. I think he might be one of those people that tells you about the Bible. One of those, uh
Co-worker Eric: You’re saying Grayson is a Jehovah’s Witness?
Ron: Yeah. Let me go ask him. Hey, Grayson?
Grayson: Hey, how’s it going, Ron?
Ron: Did I see you on Saturday morning over on Main Street?
Grayson: Yeah. You know, I’m one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. And what we do, we go out and talk to people about
Eric: I’m sorry. I just don’t get it. You’ll go knocking on strangers’ doors to support your own religion, yet you won’t stand and support this country. Why don’t you people get involved and make a real difference for once?
[Grayson frowns and malls in silence. Co-workers stare and the break room empties]
Grayson: I was really disappointed in myself. I guess I hadn’t moved past all my fears like I thought.
[Family sits at dinner table]
Later that night, for family worship, we sat down and discussed our brothers who were in prison for their faith.
Son Aiden: Mom, why are they in prison?
Mom: They don’t want to fight; they don’t want to kill people.
Grayson: It really touched Aiden.
[Aiden looks down at the article]
He was moved to pray for them that night.
[Aiden in his room]
His prayer touched my heart.
[Grayson looks over to Aiden]
And with so much on my mind, I couldn’t sleep. So, I decided to get up and do some research. I found some information on the apostle Peter. Despite his zeal, he also struggled at times with fear of man like when he denied Jesus three times.
[Imagines Peter weeping bitterly]
But eventually, he overcame that fear.
[Sanhedrin]
Sanhedrin: We strictly ordered you not to keep teaching on the basis of this name, and yet look! you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are determined to bring the blood of this man upon us.
Peter: We must obey God as ruler rather than men. The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a stake.
[A room full of Pharisees shaking their fists. Peter stands erect with determined visage. Back to present, Grayson picks up his Bible]
Grayson: Always ready to make a defence before everyone who demands of you a reason for the hope you have
[Text: 1 Peter 3:15]
Peter focused on his hope, not his fear. Just like these faithful brothers have been doing, I want to be like them and make Jehovah proud of me.
[With clasped hands, he rests his head in prayer. Walking down a hallway at work]
The next day I woke up, and I was thinking about the apostle Peter and our brothers who were in prison for their faith.
[Imagines Peter bravely facing Sanhedrin]
And even though I was still a little nervous, I felt ready to talk to Eric.
[After approaching his workmates, Eric storms out]
Grayson: Hey, Ron, Eric. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to explain the other day, but if you have a moment now, I’d love to be able to talk to you.
Eric: I don’t want to hear it.
Ron: Sorry, Grayson.
Grayson: And I thought that was it.
[Walking out, Ron pauses and returns to Grayson]
But it wasn’t. Ron said he wanted to know more. Maybe I’ll never completely get rid of my fears. But my love for Jehovah and the example of his courageous servants helps me to be ready to meet the challenge. The other day I wanted to show you something.
[Ron sits down, and Grayson opens his phone to share a thought]
(Logo: Black capital letters JW.ORG inside a white box. Copyright 2018 Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania)