THE WATCHTOWER

Question: Do you think that the world would be a better place if everyone lived by this principle?

Scripture: Heb 13:18

Offer: The Bible encourages us to be honest in all things. So honesty touches every aspect of our life. That’s the topic of this issue of The Watchtower.

THE WATCHTOWER (back page)

Question: I’d like to hear your opinion on this question. [Read the first question.] Some people believe that after we die we live on in another form, while others feel that death is the end of everything. What do you believe?

Scripture: Ec 9:5

Offer: This article explains more about what the Bible says on this topic. Why not read it over? Then we can discuss this at another time.

GOOD NEWS FROM GOD!

Offer: I stopped by to tell you about our free Bible study course. This brochure shows where in your Bible you can find answers to important questions.

Question: Have you ever read the Bible? Let me show you how easy the lessons are in this brochure. [Consider question 1 in lesson 2.]

Scripture: Re 4:11

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 114 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “True Worship Requires Hard Work”: (10 min.)

  • 2Ch 29:10-17​—Hezekiah restores true worship with determination

  • 2Ch 30:5, 6, 10-12​—Hezekiah invites all righthearted ones to assemble for worship

  • 2Ch 32:25, 26​—Hezekiah corrects his haughtiness with humility (w05 10/15 25 ¶20)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • 2Ch 29:11​—How did Hezekiah set a good example regarding priorities? (w13 11/15 17 ¶6-7)

  • 2Ch 32:7, 8​—What is the most practical step we can take to prepare for future difficulties? (w13 11/15 20 ¶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: 2Ch 31:1-10 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Prepare This Month’s Presentations: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the first Sample Watchtower Presentation video, and then discuss the highlights. Emphasize how the publisher laid the groundwork for a return visit. Do the same for the second sample Watchtower presentation and then for the Good News brochure. Refer to “How to Conduct a Study Using the Good News Brochure.” Encourage publishers to build their own presentations.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 127

• “Our Privilege to Build and Maintain Places of True Worship”: (15 min.) Discussion. Invite those who have participated in Kingdom Hall construction to comment on the joy they have experienced. Briefly interview the brother who coordinates cleaning and maintenance of the Kingdom Hall regarding the local congregation’s arrangements.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 6 ¶1-14 (30 min.)

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

• Song 142 and Prayer

  Reminder: Please play the music through once, and then the congregation should sing the new song.

Hezekiah restores true worship with determination

29:10-17

• 746-716 B.C.E.

  Hezekiah’s Reign

• NISAN

  • Days 1-8: Temple cleansed

  • Days 9-16: Temple sanctification completed

  • Atonement for all Israel and restoration of true worship began

• 740 B.C.E.

  Fall of Samaria

Hezekiah invites all righthearted ones to assemble for worship

30:5, 6, 10-12

• Couriers were dispatched to distribute letters, announcing the Passover throughout the land, from Beer-sheba to Dan

• While some mocked, many responded favorably

1. Read the numbered question in bold print to help the householder focus on the main point.

2. Read the paragraph that follows.

3. Read the italicized scriptures, and use tactful questions to help the householder see how the scriptures answer the numbered question.

4. If there is another paragraph under the question, repeat steps 2 and 3. If there is a video on jw.org that corresponds with the numbered question, play it at some point during your discussion.

5. To make sure that the householder understands the main point, ask him to answer the numbered question.

Constructing Israel’s temple required much work and expense. However, the Israelites supported the project with zeal. (1Ch 29:2-9; 2Ch 6:7, 8) After the temple was completed, the maintenance done by the Israelites reflected their spirituality or lack thereof. (2Ki 22:3-6; 2Ch 28:24; 29:3) Today, Christians put much time and effort into building, cleaning, and maintaining Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls. However, working along with Jehovah in this way is a grand privilege and is part of our sacred service.​—Ps 127:1; Re 7:15.

WE CAN HAVE A SHARE BY . . .

• 

  Tidying up after every meeting. If circumstances limit you, kindly pick up around your seat.

• 

  Participating in the regular cleaning and maintenance of the Kingdom Hall. Many hands make the work joyful and light.​—lv 92-93 ¶18.

• 

  Giving financial support. Even a contribution of ‘two coins of little value’ given from the heart pleases Jehovah.​—Mr 12:41-44.

• 

  Volunteering to help build and renovate theocratic facilities if your circumstances allow. Construction experience is not a requirement to participate.

• Song 35 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Values Genuine Repentance”: (10 min.)

  • 2Ch 33:2-9, 12-16​—On the basis of genuine repentance, Manasseh was shown mercy (w05 12/1 21 ¶5)

  • 2Ch 34:18, 30, 33​—Reading the Bible and meditating on it can affect us profoundly (w05 12/1 21 ¶10)

  • 2Ch 36:15-17​—Jehovah’s compassion and patience must not be taken for granted (w05 12/1 21 ¶7)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • 2Ch 33:11​—What prophecy was fulfilled when Manasseh was taken to Babylon? (it-1 62 ¶2)

  • 2Ch 34:1-3​—What encouragement can we draw from Josiah’s example? (w05 12/1 21 ¶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: 2Ch 34:22-33 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Present the cover subject of the current Watchtower. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Demonstrate how to make a return visit on someone who responded well to the presentation that featured the cover article of the current Watchtower. Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Demonstrate a Bible study. (bh 9-10 ¶6-7)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• Repentance Makes a Difference: (10 min.) Talk by an elder. (w06 11/15 27-28 ¶7-9)

• Forgive Freely: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video Become Jehovah’s Friend​—Forgive Freely. (Go to jw.org, and look under BIBLE TEACHINGS > CHILDREN.) Afterward, invite comments from children on the lessons they learned.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 6 ¶15-23, the box “Two Remarkable Prayers,” and the chapter review (30 min.)

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

• Song 6 and Prayer

MANASSEH

Jehovah allowed him to be captured by Assyria and taken to Babylon in fetters

REIGN BEFORE CAPTURE

• Built altars to false gods

• Offered own sons as sacrifices

• Shed innocent blood

• Promoted spiritistic practices throughout the nation

REIGN AFTER RELEASE

• Humbled himself greatly

• Prayed to Jehovah; offered sacrifices

• Removed altars to false gods

• Urged nation to serve Jehovah

JOSIAH

THROUGHOUT REIGN

• Searched for Jehovah

• Cleansed Judah and Jerusalem

• Repaired the house of Jehovah; found the book of the Law

• Song 85 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Keeps His Promises”: (10 min.) [Play the video entitled Introduction to Ezra.]

  • Ezr 3:1-6​—Jehovah’s prophecies never fail (w06 1/15 19 ¶2)

  • Ezr 5:1-7​—Jehovah can maneuver matters for the success of his people (w06 1/15 19 ¶4; w86 1/15 9 ¶2; w86 2/1 29 box)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ezr 1:3-6​—Why were the Israelites who did not volunteer to return to Jerusalem not necessarily weak in faith? (w06 1/15 17 ¶5; 19 ¶1)

  • Ezr 4:1-3​—Why was an offer of help rejected? (w06 1/15 19 ¶3)

  • 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: Ezr 3:10–4:7 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Present the last article of the current Watchtower. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Demonstrate how to make a return visit on someone who responded well to the presentation that featured the last article of the current Watchtower. Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Demonstrate a Bible study. (bh 20-21 ¶6-8)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 40

• “All These Other Things Will Be Added to You”: (5 min.) Talk based on Matthew 6:33 and Luke 12:22-24. Invite publishers to relate experiences in which Jehovah fulfilled his promise to care for their material needs when they put the Kingdom first.

• Your Speech​—“‘Yes’ and yet ‘No’”?: (10 min.) Discussion. (w14 3/15 30-32)

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 7 ¶1-14 (30 min.)

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

• Song 41 and Prayer

Jehovah promised a restoration of true worship at the temple in Jerusalem. But after the exiles returned from Babylon, there were numerous obstacles, including a royal decree to halt construction. Many feared that the work would never be completed.

1. c. 537 B.C.E.

   Cyrus decreed that the temple be rebuilt

2. 3:3

   Seventh month

   Altar set up; sacrifices offered

3. 3:10, 11

   536 B.C.E.

   Foundation laid

4. 4:23, 24

   522 B.C.E.

   King Artaxerxes stopped construction

5. 5:1, 2

   520 B.C.E.

   Zechariah and Haggai encouraged the people to resume construction

6. 6:15

   515 B.C.E.

   Temple completed

• Song 10 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Wants Willing Servants”: (10 min.)

  • Ezr 7:10​—Ezra prepared his heart

  • Ezr 7:12-28​—Ezra made preparations to return to Jerusalem

  • Ezr 8:21-23​—Ezra trusted in Jehovah to protect His servants

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ezr 9:1, 2​—How serious a threat was intermarriage with “the peoples of the lands”? (w06 1/15 20 ¶1)

  • Ezr 10:3​—Why were the children sent away along with the wives? (w06 1/15 20 ¶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: Ezr 7:18-28 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Present the Good News brochure, and discuss lesson 8, question 1, paragraph 1. 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 Good News brochure. Discuss lesson 8, question 1, paragraph 2. Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) Demonstrate a Bible study, using the Good News brochure, lesson 8, question 2.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 138

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Laying the Groundwork for a Return Visit”: (7 min.) Discussion. Demonstrate the main points by playing the January Skills video, which shows publishers laying the groundwork for a return visit after placing The Watchtower and after placing the Good News brochure.

• Local needs: (8 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 7 ¶15-27 and the chapter review (30 min.)

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

• Song 120 and Prayer

Ezra made preparations to return to Jerusalem

7:6, 22; 8:26, 27

• Ezra receives permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to advance worship of Jehovah there

• The king grants Ezra “everything he requested” for Jehovah’s house​—gold, silver, wheat, wine, oil, and salt, all worth well over $100,000,000 (U.S.) at modern values

Ezra trusted in Jehovah to protect His servants

7:13; 8:21-23

• The return to Jerusalem would be difficult

• The possible route was nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) through dangerous territory

• The journey took about 4 months

• Those who returned needed strong faith, zeal for true worship, and courage

EZRA TRAVELED WITH . . .

Gold and silver weighing over 750 talents, or about the weight of 3 full-grown male African elephants!

CHALLENGES FACED BY RETURNEES . . .

Marauder bands, desert terrain, dangerous wildlife

WHY IMPORTANT:

We want to water the seeds of truth that we plant. (1Co 3:6) When we find someone who shows interest, it is good to leave a question that we can discuss when we return. This will build his anticipation and simplify our preparation for the return visit. When we return, we can tell him that we are there to answer the question we raised the last time we visited.

HOW TO DO IT:

• When preparing your house-to-house presentation, include a follow-up question to be answered on the next visit. It could be something that is answered in the literature you are offering. Or it could be a question that is answered in one of our study publications that you plan to introduce when you return.

• When concluding your conversation with someone who shows interest, let him know of your desire to talk to him again and then share the follow-up question you prepared. Obtain contact information if possible.

• If you tell him that you will return at a specific time, keep your appointment.​—Mt 5:37.