Durbin 9-Step Protocol
A consistent conversational architecture drawn from nine field-tested encounters by Jeff Durbin of Apologia Studios.
Commend their zeal and sincerity. Use their names. Express genuine respect.
'We both believe there's only one God. We both believe the Bible.' Name the mutual lostness.
Identify the core disagreement: 'We disagree on who Jesus is.' Don't let the conversation scatter.
Present 2–3 arguments (El Gibbor, Col 1:16, ). Use their NWT alongside a standard translation.
Show where the NWT adds or alters words. Direct them to the Kingdom Interlinear Translation.
Grace through faith alone. Use and 5:4 — the Judaiser parallel.
Close with Deuteronomy 18 + 13. Frame as a seed they can investigate later.
'Don't take my word for it. Go read Romans 3–5, Hebrews 1, Galatians, Colossians 1 in a regular English translation.'
Use their name. Express gratitude. Say 'God bless you.' If they want to leave, let them go graciously.
When the JW claims 'We follow the Bible,' affirm their instinct — 'That's exactly right, Scripture is the test!' Then pivot: 'So can we test one teaching right now? Show me a verse that says Jesus is Michael the Archangel.' This forces the move from assertion to evidence. Watchtower teachings often lack direct scriptural support — they depend on multi-step inference chains. By asking for a single, clear verse, you expose the gap between 'Bible-based' and 'Bible-said.' Works best when the JW has just used Scripture to correct you — praise them for it, then ask them to apply the same standard to their own organisation.