AWAKE!

Offer: Here is your copy of the latest Awake!

Question: Notice the question here on page 2. May I ask your opinion?

Scripture: Lu 7:35

This article discusses how that principle applies to the Bible itself.

AWAKE!

Question: Would you agree that these are wise words to live by?

Scripture: Mt 6:34

Offer: [Open to the article “The Bible’s Viewpoint​—Anxiety.”] This article shows how the Bible can help us deal with anxiety.

Bible Teach

Question: Many who believe in God would like to feel closer to him. Did you know that the Bible invites us to draw close to God?

Scripture: Jas 4:8a

Offer: This book is designed to help us learn more about God by means of the Bible. [Highlight chapter 1 of the Bible Teach book.]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

• Song 79 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Encourage and Strengthen Others With Kind Words”: (10 min.)

  • Job 16:4, 5​—A counselor’s words should strengthen others (w90 3/15 27 ¶1-2)

  • Job 19:2​—Bildad’s unkind words caused Job to cry out in distress (w06 3/15 15 ¶6; w94 10/1 32)

  • Job 19:25​—The resurrection hope sustained Job when he was pressed to the limit (w06 3/15 15 ¶5; it-2 735 ¶2-3)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 19:20​—What did Job mean by the expression “I escape with the skin of my teeth”? (w06 3/15 15 ¶1; it-2 977 ¶1)

  • Job 19:26​—How could Job “see God,” since no human can see Jehovah? (w94 11/15 19 ¶17)

  • What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?

  • What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?

• Bible Reading: Job 19:1-23 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Prepare This Month’s Presentations: (15 min.) Discussion. Play each sample presentation video, and then discuss the highlights. Encourage publishers to build their own presentation.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 42

• “New Feature for Starting Conversations”: (10 min.) Discussion. Encourage all to use “What Does the Bible Say?” to start conversations that may lead to a Bible study.

• Questions From Readers: (5 min.) Talk by an elder based on the February 15, 2015, Watchtower, page 30, paragraphs 4-6.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 12 ¶13-25 and the chapter review (30 min.)

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 65 and Prayer

A counselor’s words should strengthen others

16:4, 5

• Job felt depressed and anguished, so he needed support and encouragement from others

• Job’s three companions said nothing to comfort him. Rather, they made accusations and added to his anxiety

Bildad’s unkind words caused Job to cry out in distress

19:2, 25

• Job cried out to God for some type of relief​—even death

• Job focused on his hope in the resurrection and continued to endure faithfully

Since January 2016, the back page of the public edition of The Watchtower has featured “What Does the Bible Say?” This new feature is designed to help us start conversations on Bible topics. The format is similar to that of our tracts. There is a viewpoint question followed by a Scriptural answer, as well as additional points for discussion.

Pleasant conversations on Scriptural topics often lead to Bible studies. Use this new feature to help many more to satisfy their spiritual hunger.​—Mt 5:6.

HOW TO USE THE FEATURE:

1. Ask for the householder’s opinion on one of the questions

2. Listen to and acknowledge his answer

3. Read the scripture under the heading “What the Bible Says,” and ask for his thoughts on the verse. If he has time, continue the conversation, using a point under the heading “What Else Can We Learn From the Bible?”

4. Offer the magazine

5. Arrange to return and discuss the second question

• Song 83 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Job Resisted Wrong Thinking”: (10 min.)

  • Job 22:2-7​—Eliphaz gave counsel based on false assumptions and personal opinion (w06 3/15 15 ¶7; w05 9/15 26-27; w95 2/15 27 ¶6)

  • Job 25:4, 5​—Bildad presented wrong ideas (w05 9/15 26-27)

  • Job 27:5, 6​—Job did not allow others to make him think that he had failed as an integrity keeper (w09 8/15 4 ¶8; w06 3/15 15 ¶9)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 24:2​—Why was moving a boundary marker a serious offense? (it-1 360)

  • Job 26:7​—What is notable about Job’s description of the earth? (w15 6/1 5 ¶4; w11 7/1 26 ¶2-5)

  • What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?

  • What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?

• Bible Reading: Job 27:1-23 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: g16.2 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit. (2 min. or less)

• Return Visit: g16.2 cover​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit. (4 min. or less)

• Bible Study: bh 145 ¶3-4 (6 min. or less)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 129

• Beat a Bully Without Using Your Fists: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the whiteboard animation Beat a Bully Without Using Your Fists. (Go to jw.org, and look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > TEENAGERS.) Afterward, discuss the following questions: Why might a person be bullied? What are some negative effects of bullying? How can you deal with bullying or possibly avoid it? Whom should you talk to if you are being bullied? Direct attention to the Young People Ask book, Volume 2, chapter 14.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 13 ¶1-12 (30 min.)

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 23 and Prayer

• Song 17 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Job Was an Example of Integrity”: (10 min.)

  • Job 31:1​—Job made “a covenant” with his eyes (w15 6/15 16 ¶13; w15 1/15 25 ¶10)

  • Job 31:13-15​—Job was humble, just, and considerate of others (w10 11/15 30 ¶8-9)

  • Job 31:16-25​—Job was generous to those who had less (w10 11/15 30 ¶10-11)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 32:2​—In what sense did Job try “to prove himself right rather than God”? (w15 7/1 12 ¶2; it-1 606 ¶5)

  • Job 32:8, 9​—Why did Elihu feel that he could speak even though he was younger than his listeners? (w06 3/15 16 ¶1; it-2 549 ¶6)

  • What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?

  • What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?

• Bible Reading: Job 30:24–31:14 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: g16.2 12-13​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit. (2 min. or less)

• Return Visit: g16.2 12-13​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit. (4 min. or less)

• Bible Study: bh 148 ¶8-9 (6 min. or less)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 115

• Learn From the Integrity of Others (1Pe 5:9): (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Harold King: Remaining Faithful in Prison. (Go to tv.jw.org, and look under VIDEO ON DEMAND > INTERVIEWS AND EXPERIENCES.) Thereafter, consider the following questions: How did Brother King maintain his spirituality while in prison? How can singing Kingdom songs help us to endure difficult circumstances in life? How does Brother King’s faithful example motivate you?

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 13 ¶13-25 and the chapter review (30 min.)

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 81 and Prayer

Job was determined to follow Jehovah’s moral standards

31:1

• He controlled his eyes and gave romantic attention only to his wife

  

Job was a good example in how he treated others

31:13-15

• He was humble, just, and merciful. He was considerate of all people regardless of their social or economic status

  

Job was generous, not selfish

31:16-19

• He was helpful and gave to those in need

  

• Song 50 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A True Friend Gives Upbuilding Counsel”: (10 min.)

  • Job 33:1-5​—Elihu showed respect for Job (w95 2/15 29 ¶3-5)

  • Job 33:6, 7​—Elihu was humble and kind (w95 2/15 29 ¶3-5)

  • Job 33:24, 25​—Elihu encouraged Job even while giving counsel (w11 4/1 23 ¶3; w09 4/15 4 ¶8)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 33:24, 25​—What might have been the “ransom” that Elihu mentioned? (w11 4/1 23 ¶3-5)

  • Job 34:36​—To what extent was Job to be tested, and what does that teach us? (w94 11/15 17 ¶10)

  • What does this week’s Bible reading teach me about Jehovah?

  • What points from this week’s Bible reading can I use in the field ministry?

• Bible Reading: Job 33:1-25 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: Offer the 2016 regional convention invitation using the sample presentation. (2 min. or less)

• Return Visit: fg lesson 12 ¶4-5​—Demonstrate how to make a return visit on someone who accepted the convention invitation. Lay the groundwork for the next visit. (4 min. or less)

• Bible Study: jl lesson 11​—Encourage the student to attend an upcoming convention. (6 min. or less)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 124

• “Convention Reminders”: (8 min.) Talk. Play the video Convention Reminders. (Go to tv.jw.org, and look under VIDEO ON DEMAND > OUR ACTIVITIES.) Encourage all to finalize their plans to attend all three days. Outline local arrangements for the invitation campaign.

• Local needs: (7 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 14 ¶1-13 (30 min.)

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.)

• Song 21 and Prayer

When Elihu entered the conversation, his counsel was completely different from that of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, both in content and in the way he dealt with Job. He proved himself to be a true friend and an effective counselor, worthy of imitation.

Each year, anticipation builds for the spiritual feast that we enjoy at our regional conventions. So that others too may taste Jehovah’s goodness, we will invite as many as possible to attend with us. (Ps 34:8) Each body of elders will determine how to make the best possible use of the invitations.

DETAILS TO KEEP IN MIND

• When is my convention?

• When does the campaign begin locally?

• When are the local meetings for field service?

• What are my goals for the campaign?

• Whom do I plan to invite?

WHAT WILL YOU SAY?

After giving a customary greeting, you might say:

“We are involved in a global campaign to distribute this invitation to a very important event. The date, time, and address are printed on the invitation. We would enjoy having you present with us.”

HOW CAN YOU CULTIVATE INTEREST?

Although we want to invite as many people as possible to the convention, we should be alert to cultivate any interest shown.

On weekends, you may offer the magazine along with the invitation.

As at other times, we want to be guided by love for God and neighbor during the convention season. (Mt 22:37-39) First Corinthians 13:4-8 describes love in action: “Love is patient and kind. . . . [It] does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. . . . Love never fails.” As you watch the video Convention Reminders, think about ways you can show love for others at the convention.

HOW CAN WE SHOW LOVE . . .

• when saving seats?

  

• when the musical program is about to begin?

  

• at our lodgings in the convention city?

  

• by volunteering to help?