AWAKE!

Question: Do you think that it’s worth the effort for people to replace bad habits with good ones?

Scripture: Ec 7:8a

Offer: These articles discuss Bible principles that show how people can harness their habits for their benefit.

AWAKE!

Question: Changes in life are unavoidable. What do you think is the best way to deal with them?

Scripture: Ec 7:10

Offer: [Point out the article that begins on page 10.] This article considers Bible principles that can help us to deal with change.

LISTEN TO GOD AND LIVE FOREVER

Question: All of us, including our family members and friends, have a name. So, what about God? What is his name?

Scripture: Ps 83:18

Offer: This brochure explains many other things that the Bible teaches us about God. [Highlight pages 6 and 7.]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

Use the format in the preceding examples to create your own field service presentation.

• Song 49 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Remain in the Secret Place of the Most High”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 91:1, 2​—Jehovah’s “secret place” offers spiritual security (w10 2/15 26-27 ¶10-11)

  • Ps 91:3​—Like a birdcatcher, Satan attempts to trap us (w07 10/1 26-30 ¶1-18)

  • Ps 91:9-14​—Jehovah is our refuge (w10 1/15 10-11 ¶13-14; w01 11/15 19-20 ¶13-19)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 89:34-37​—Which covenant is referred to in these verses, and how did Jehovah illustrate its reliability? (w14 10/15 10 ¶14; w07 7/15 32 ¶3-4)

  • Ps 90:10, 12​—How do we “count our days so that we may acquire a heart of wisdom”? (w06 7/15 13 ¶4; w01 11/15 13 ¶19)

  • 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: (4 min. or less) Ps 90:1-17

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 141

• Local needs: (5 min.)

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Helping Bible Students to Progress to Dedication and Baptism”: (10 min.) Discussion. Using the following questions, interview a publisher who helped someone to progress to dedication and baptism. How did you try to cultivate love for Jehovah in your student’s heart? How did you help your student to reach spiritual goals?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 21 ¶1-12

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

• Song 137 and Prayer

Jehovah’s “secret place” offers spiritual security

91:1, 2, 9-14

• Today, dedication and baptism are required for us to dwell in Jehovah’s secret place

• This place is unknown to those who do not trust in God

• Those in Jehovah’s secret place are not influenced by anyone and anything that could threaten their faith in God and love for him

“The birdcatcher” attempts to trap us

91:3

• Birds are cautious, difficult to trap

• Birdcatchers carefully study the habits of birds and devise ways to trap them

• Satan, “the birdcatcher,” studies Jehovah’s people and sets traps designed to cause their spiritual ruin

Four of the deadly traps used by Satan:

• 

  Fear of Man

• 

  Materialism

• 

  Unwholesome Entertainment

• 

  Personal Differences

WHY IMPORTANT: To gain Jehovah’s approval, Bible students must dedicate their lives to him and get baptized. (1Pe 3:21) Spiritual protection then follows for those who live in harmony with their dedication. (Ps 91:1, 2) A Christian’s dedication is to Jehovah​—not to a human, a work, or an organization. Therefore, students need to develop love and appreciation for God.​—Ro 14:7, 8.

HOW TO DO IT:

• During the study, discuss what the information reveals about Jehovah. Emphasize reading the Bible daily and praying to Jehovah “constantly.”​—1Th 5:17; Jas 4:8

• Encourage your student to set dedication and baptism as spiritual goals. Also, help him to reach intermediate goals, such as commenting at meetings or witnessing to neighbors and workmates. Remember that Jehovah does not coerce anyone to serve him. Dedication is a personal decision.​—De 30:19, 20

• Motivate your student to make needed changes in order to please Jehovah and qualify for baptism. (Pr 27:11) Because certain traits and habits may be deeply ingrained, a Bible student may need ongoing assistance to put away the old personality and put on the new one. (Eph 4:22-24) Share with him articles from the Watchtower series “The Bible Changes Lives”

• Relate to him the joy that you have experienced in serving Jehovah.​—Isa 48:17, 18

• Song 28 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Thriving Spiritually in Old Age”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 92:12​—The righteous bear spiritual fruit (w07 9/15 32; w06 7/15 13 ¶2)

  • Ps 92:13, 14​—Older ones can thrive spiritually despite physical limitations (w14 1/15 26 ¶17; w04 5/15 12 ¶9-10)

  • Ps 92:15​—Older ones can use their experience to encourage others (w04 5/15 12-14 ¶13-18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 99:6, 7​—Why are Moses, Aaron, and Samuel good examples? (w15 7/15 8 ¶5)

  • Ps 101:2​—What does it mean to “walk with integrity of heart” inside our house? (w05 11/1 24 ¶14)

  • 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: (4 min. or less) Ps 95:1–96:13

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) g16.4 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 161-162 ¶18-19​—Help the student to see how he can apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 90

• Older Ones​—You Have an Important Role (Ps 92:12-15): (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Older Ones​—You Have an Important Role. (Go to tv.jw.org, and look under VIDEO ON DEMAND > THE BIBLE.) Then ask the audience to comment on the practical lessons learned. Encourage older ones to share their wisdom and experience with younger ones. Encourage younger ones to seek out older ones when making important decisions in life.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 21 ¶13-22 and the chapter review

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

• Song 29 and Prayer

92:12

The date palm can live over 100 years and still produce fruit

Older ones bear spiritual fruit by . . .

92:13-15

• praying in behalf of others

• studying the Bible

• attending congregation meetings and participating in them

• sharing their experience with others

• preaching wholeheartedly

• Song 80 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Remembers That We Are Dust”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 103:8-12​—Jehovah mercifully forgives us when we repent (w13 6/15 20 ¶14; w12 7/15 16 ¶17)

  • Ps 103:13, 14​—Jehovah is fully aware of our limitations (w15 4/15 26 ¶8; w13 6/15 15 ¶16)

  • Ps 103:19, 22​—Appreciation for Jehovah’s mercy and compassion should move us to support his sovereignty (w10 11/15 25 ¶5; w07 12/1 21 ¶1)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 102:12, 27​—When we are distressed, how does focusing on our relationship with Jehovah help us? (w14 3/15 16 ¶19-21)

  • Ps 103:13​—Why does Jehovah not respond immediately to our every request? (w15 4/15 25 ¶7)

  • 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: (4 min. or less) Ps 105:24-45

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) g16.4 10-11​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) g16.4 10-11​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 164-166 ¶3-4​—Help the student to see how he can apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 91

• Never Forget All That Jehovah Has Done for You (Ps 103:1-5): (15 min.) Discussion. Start by playing the jw.org video I Got Fed Up With My Lifestyle. (Look under ABOUT US > ACTIVITIES.) Then consider the following questions: What reasons do we have to praise Jehovah? What future blessings do we anticipate as a result of Jehovah’s goodness?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 22 ¶1-13

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

• Song 131 and Prayer

David used figures of speech to illustrate Jehovah’s mercy.

• 

  103:11

  Just as we cannot completely grasp the distance between the starry heavens and the earth, we cannot comprehend the magnitude of Jehovah’s loyal love

• 

  103:12

  Jehovah puts our sins as far away from us as we can possibly imagine, as far off as the sunrise is from the sunset

• 

  103:13

  Just as a father shows compassion to his son who may be hurt, Jehovah shows mercy to repentant ones who are crushed by their sins

• Song 2 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Give Thanks to Jehovah”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 106:1-3​—Jehovah deserves our thanks (w15 1/15 8 ¶1; w02 6/1 18 ¶19)

  • Ps 106:7-14, 19-25, 35-39​—The Israelites lost appreciation and became unfaithful (w15 1/15 8-9 ¶2-3; w01 6/15 13 ¶1-3)

  • Ps 106:4, 5, 48​—We have many reasons to thank Jehovah (w11 10/15 5 ¶7; w03 12/1 15-16 ¶3-6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 109:8​—Did God predestine Judas to betray Jesus in order to fulfill prophecy? (w00 12/15 24 ¶20; it-1 857-858)

  • Ps 109:31​—In what way does Jehovah “stand at the right hand of the poor”? (w06 9/1 14 ¶8)

  • 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: (4 min. or less) Ps 106:1-22

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) ll 6​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) ll 7​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 178-179 ¶14-16​—Help the student to see how he can apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 94

• Jehovah Will Care for Our Needs (Ps 107:9): (15 min.) Discussion. Start by playing the video Jehovah Will Care for Our Needs. (Go to tv.jw.org, and look under VIDEO ON DEMAND > FAMILY.) Ask the audience to comment on the practical lessons learned.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 22 ¶14-24 and the chapter review

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

• Song 149 and Prayer

Why did the Israelites quickly forget Jehovah’s saving acts?

106:7, 13, 14

• They shifted their focus from Jehovah to their immediate comforts and fleshly concerns

How can you cultivate a grateful heart and maintain it?

106:1-5

• Focus on the many reasons you have to be thankful

• Meditate on the hope for the future

• Thank Jehovah in prayer for specific blessings

• Song 61 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “With What Will I Repay Jehovah?”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 116:3, 4, 8​—Jehovah rescued the psalmist from death (w87 3/15 24 ¶5)

  • Ps 116:12​—The psalmist wanted to show his gratitude to Jehovah (w09 7/15 29 ¶4-5; w98 12/1 24 ¶3)

  • Ps 116:13, 14, 17, 18​—The psalmist was determined to fulfill all his obligations to Jehovah (w10 4/15 27, box)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 110:4​—What is the “oath” referred to in this verse? (w14 10/15 11 ¶15-17; w06 9/1 14 ¶1)

  • Ps 116:15​—During a funeral talk, why should this verse not be applied to the deceased? (w12 5/15 22 ¶2)

  • 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: (4 min. or less) Ps 110:1–111:10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) ll 16​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) ll 17​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 179-181 ¶17-19​—Help the student to see how he can apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 82

• “Teach the Truth”: (7 min.) Discussion.

• “Special Campaign to Distribute The Watchtower in September”: (8 min.) Discussion. Play the first sample presentation for September, and then discuss the highlights. Generate enthusiasm for the campaign, and encourage auxiliary pioneering.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 23 ¶1-14

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

• Song 144 and Prayer

  Reminder: Play the music through once before singing.

The psalmist felt deep gratitude toward Jehovah because He had rescued him from “the ropes of death.” (Ps 116:3) He was determined to show his gratitude to Jehovah by keeping all his promises and by fulfilling all his obligations to Him.

Why am I grateful to Jehovah this week?

How can I show my gratitude to Jehovah?

Beginning in September, the Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook will include a new type of sample presentation entitled “Teach the Truth.” Our objective will be to highlight a basic Bible truth, using a question and a scripture.

If we discern interest, we can build anticipation for our next visit by leaving a publication or by showing a video from jw.org. We should try to return within a few days to build on the previous discussion. The new presentations and student assignments will be based on chapter summaries found in the book What Can the Bible Teach Us? There we can find additional questions and scriptures to help us make return visits or to conduct a study using only the Bible.

There is only one road leading to life. (Mt 7:13, 14) Since we speak to people of various religions and backgrounds, we must feature Bible truths that will appeal to them as individuals. (1Ti 2:4) As we become more conversant in various Bible topics and improve in our skill of “handling the word of the truth aright,” our joy will increase, and we will have success in teaching the truth to others.​—2Ti 2:15.

People around the earth need comfort. (Ec 4:1) During the entire month of September, we will make a special effort to offer The Watchtower, which will feature the subject of comfort. Give this magazine wide distribution. However, because we desire to speak directly with people in order to comfort them, we will not leave the magazine at not-at-homes.

WHAT TO SAY

“We all need comfort at times. But where can we find it? [Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.] This issue of The Watchtower considers how God provides such comfort.”

If the person shows interest and accepts the magazine, . . .

SHOW THE VIDEO WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

Then offer a Bible study.

LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR A RETURN VISIT

Pose a question that you will answer when you return, such as “Why does God permit suffering?”