AWAKE!

Question: Here is your copy of the latest Awake! Notice the question here on page 2. May I ask your opinion?

Scripture: Pr 24:10

Offer: This article discusses additional principles along this line.

AWAKE!

Question: Would you agree that it’s important to choose the right kind of friends?

Scripture: Pr 13:20

Offer: This issue of Awake! has some practical information about how to make good friends. [Highlight the article on pages 10-11.]

LISTEN TO GOD

Question: Would you like to live in a world that looks like this? [Show pages 2-3, and allow for response.]

Scripture: Jer 29:11

Offer: This brochure shows how we can listen to God and thus enjoy the future he has in mind for us. [Consider pages 4-5.]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 126 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Nehemiah Loved True Worship”: (10 min.)

  • [Play Introduction to Nehemiah video.]

  • Ne 1:11–2:3​—Nehemiah’s joy came from the advancement of true worship (w06 2/1 9 ¶7)

  • Ne 4:14​—Nehemiah overcame opposition to true worship by focusing on Jehovah (w06 2/1 10 ¶3)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ne 1:1; 2:1​—Why can we conclude that “the 20th year” mentioned at Nehemiah 1:1 and 2:1 is counted from the same starting point? (it-2 899-900)

  • Ne 4:17, 18​—How could a man do the work of rebuilding with just one hand? (w06 2/1 9 ¶1)

  • 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: Ne 3:1-14 (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. Emphasize how the publisher laid the groundwork for a return visit. Encourage publishers to build their own presentation.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 103

• Plan Now to Serve as an Auxiliary Pioneer During March or April: (15 min.) Discussion. Consider pertinent points from the article “Make This Memorial Season a Joyful One!” (km 2/14 2) Emphasize the need to plan ahead. (Pr 21:5) Interview two publishers who have served as auxiliary pioneers in the past. What obstacles did they have to overcome? What joys did they experience?

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 8 ¶1-16 (30 min.)

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

• Song 135 and Prayer

455 B.C.E.

1. Nisan (Mar./​Apr.)

   2:4-6 Nehemiah seeks permission to rebuild Jerusalem, the center of true worship in his day

2. Iyyar

3. Sivan

4. Tammuz (June/​July)

   2:11-15 Nehemiah arrives about this time and inspects the city wall

5. Ab (July/​Aug.)

   3:1; 4:7-9 Construction begins despite opposition

6. Elul (Aug./​Sept.)

   6:15 52 days later, the wall is completed

7. Tishri

• Song 123 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Nehemiah Was an Outstanding Overseer”: (10 min.)

  • Ne 5:1-7​—Nehemiah listened to the people and took action (w06 2/1 9 ¶2)

  • Ne 5:14-19​—Nehemiah showed humility, unselfishness, and discretion (w06 2/1 10 ¶4)

  • Ne 8:8-12​—Nehemiah participated in providing spiritual instruction to the people (w06 2/1 11 ¶4)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ne 6:5​—Why did Sanballat send “an open letter” to Nehemiah? (w06 2/1 9 ¶3)

  • Ne 6:10-13​—Why did Nehemiah not accept Shemaiah’s recommendation? (w07 7/1 30 ¶15)

  • 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: Ne 6:14–7:7a (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Present the current Awake! by featuring the cover subject. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Demonstrate how to make a return visit on someone who showed interest in the cover subject of the current Awake! Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Demonstrate a Bible study. (bh 28-29 ¶4-5)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 62

• Are You “Reaching Out”?: (15 min.) Talk by an elder based on the Watchtower of September 15, 2014, pages 3-6. Play the video entitled Brothers​—Reach Out for a Fine Work, which appeared on JW Broadcasting in December 2015. Emphasize the proper reasons for reaching out, and explain how a brother can do so. Kindly encourage brothers to reach out to qualify to serve as ministerial servants and elders.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 8 ¶17-27 and the chapter review (30 min.)

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

• Song 125 and Prayer

Tishri 455 B.C.E.

8:1-18

1. Likely on this occasion, Nehemiah directed the people to assemble for true worship

2. Great rejoicing resulted

3. Family heads gathered to see how they could follow God’s Law more closely

4. The people prepared to celebrate the joyous Festival of Booths

• Song 84 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Faithful Worshippers Support Theocratic Arrangements”: (10 min.)

  • Ne 10:28-30​—They agreed not to enter into marriage alliances with “the peoples of the land” (w98 10/15 21 ¶11)

  • Ne 10:32-39​—They resolved to support true worship in various ways (w98 10/15 21 ¶11-12)

  • Ne 11:1, 2​—They willingly supported a special theocratic arrangement (w06 2/1 11 ¶6; w98 10/15 22 ¶13)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ne 9:19-21​—How has Jehovah proved that he provides well for his people? (w13 9/15 9 ¶9-10)

  • Ne 9:6-38​—What good example did the Levites set for us regarding prayer? (w13 10/15 22-23 ¶6-7)

  • 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: Ne 11:15-36 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Feature the current Awake! using the article “Help for the Family​—How to Make Real Friends.” Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Demonstrate how to make a return visit on someone who showed interest in the article entitled “Help for the Family​—How to Make Real Friends” in the current Awake! Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Demonstrate a Bible study. (bh 32-33 ¶13-14)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 19

• “The Best Life Ever”: (15 min.) Discussion. Start by playing the video. Then consider the questions. Briefly interview a publisher, single or married, who took advantage of several years of singleness to do more in Jehovah’s service. (1Co 7:35) What blessings were received as a result?

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 9 ¶1-13 (30 min.)

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

• Song 76 and Prayer

God’s people willingly supported true worship in various ways

10:28-30, 32-39; 11:1, 2

• The nation prepared for and celebrated the Festival of Booths in the correct way

• Each day the people gathered to listen to the reading of God’s Law, which made them rejoice

• The people confessed their sins, prayed, and asked Jehovah to bless them

• The people agreed to continue supporting all theocratic arrangements

Continued support of theocratic arrangements included:

• 

  Marrying only those who worshipped Jehovah

• 

  Making monetary contributions

• 

  Observing the Sabbath

• 

  Supplying wood for the altar

• 

  Giving the firstfruits of the harvest and the firstborn of the flocks to Jehovah

• What has always been an important part of Cameron’s life?

• When and how did she decide to expand her ministry?

• How did she prepare to serve where the need was greater in another land?

  

• What challenges did Cameron face while serving in a distant land?

• Why may it be beneficial to serve Jehovah in a place or an environment where we have never served before?

• What blessings did Cameron experience?

  

• Why does serving Jehovah lead to the best life ever?

• What other opportunities are available to young ones in Jehovah’s organization?

• Song 106 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Practical Lessons From Nehemiah”: (10 min.)

  • Ne 13:4-9​—Avoid bad associations (w13 8/15 4 ¶5-8)

  • Ne 13:15-21​—Put spiritual things first (w13 8/15 5-6 ¶13-15)

  • Ne 13:23-27​—Preserve your Christian identity (w13 8/15 6-7 ¶16-18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ne 12:31​—What could have been the effect of having two choirs? (it-2 454 ¶1)

  • Ne 13:31b​—What was Nehemiah asking Jehovah to do? (w11 2/1 14 ¶3-5)

  • 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: Ne 12:1-26 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Offer the Memorial invitation to someone who shows little interest.

• Initial Call: (4 min. or less) Offer the Memorial invitation and The Watchtower to someone who shows genuine interest. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Explain the Memorial to a Bible student, using the Bible Teach book, pages 206-208. Offer practical assistance to help the student attend.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 5

• “Invite Everyone in Your Territory to the Memorial!”: (15 min.) Discussion. Explain how the congregation will cover its territory. When reviewing “Steps to Consider,” play the Memorial video. Encourage all to participate fully in the campaign and to cultivate any interest they find. Include a demonstration.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 9 ¶14-24 and the chapter review (30 min.)

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

• Song 147 and Prayer

Nehemiah zealously defended true worship

13:4-9, 15-21, 23-27

• High Priest Eliashib allowed Tobiah, who was an unbeliever and an opposer, to influence him

• Eliashib gave Tobiah a space in a temple dining hall

• Nehemiah threw all of Tobiah’s furniture out, cleansed the room, and returned it to its proper use

• Nehemiah continued to remove all uncleanness from Jerusalem

During the campaign that begins on February 27, we will invite as many as possible in our community to observe the Memorial of Christ’s death with us. We should also pay careful attention to any interest shown in order to cultivate it.

STEPS TO CONSIDER

GIVE YOUR PRESENTATION

“We are distributing this invitation to a very important event. On March 23, millions around the world will gather to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ and to hear a free Bible discourse about how his death benefits us. This invitation shows the time and location of the meeting being held in our community. Please come if you can.”

If the individual shows interest . . .

• OFFER THE WATCHTOWER

  Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• SHOW THE MEMORIAL VIDEO

  Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

When you return, you can . . .

• SHOW WHY STUDY THE BIBLE?

  Then offer a Bible study aid.

• OFFER WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?

  Share more information about the Memorial, using pages 206-208. Then offer the book.

• OFFER LISTEN TO GOD

  Discuss the meaning of Christ’s death, using pages 18-19. Then offer the brochure.

• Song 86 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Esther Stood Up for God’s People”: (10 min.)

  • [Play Introduction to Esther video.]

  • Es 3:5-9​—Haman sought to destroy God’s people (ia 131 ¶18-19)

  • Es 4:11–5:2​—Esther’s faith was stronger than her fear of death (ia 125 ¶2; 134 ¶24-26)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Es 2:15​—How did Esther show modesty and self-control? (w06 3/1 9 ¶7)

  • Es 3:2-4​—Why might Mordecai have refused to bow down to Haman? (ia 131 ¶18)

  • 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: Es 1:1-15 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Present the Listen to God brochure. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Demonstrate how to make a return visit on someone who accepted the Listen to God brochure, and discuss pages 2-3. Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Demonstrate how to conduct a Bible study using pages 4-5 of the Listen to God and Live Forever brochure when the householder accepted Listen to God on the initial call. (km 7/12 2-3 ¶4)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 71

• Local needs: (10 min.)

• How Are You Benefiting From the New Meeting Format and the Workbook?: (5 min.) Discussion. Invite the audience to comment on how they have benefited personally from this new meeting. Encourage all to prepare well so as to gain the most benefit.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 10 ¶1-11 and the box “How Long Was the Drought in Elijah’s Day?” (30 min.)

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

• Song 149 and Prayer

Esther showed remarkable faith and courage when defending God’s people

• Appearing before the king unsummoned could have meant death. Esther had not been invited by the king in 30 days

• King Ahasuerus, who is thought to be Xerxes I, had a violent temper. Once, he ordered a man to be cut in half and displayed as a warning to others. He also removed Vashti as queen when she disobeyed him

• Esther had to reveal that she was a Jewess and convince the king that he had been tricked by his trusted adviser