THE WATCHTOWER

Question: Would you not agree that if the Bible is from God, it should be able to survive any attempts to destroy it?

Scripture: Isa 40:8

Offer: This series of articles discusses the fascinating story of the Bible’s survival.

THE WATCHTOWER (back page)

Question: I’d like to get your opinion on this question. [Read the first question on page 16.] Some believe that religion is a human invention. Others think that God uses religion to draw us to him. What do you think?

Scripture: Jas 1:27, ftn.

Offer: This article explains further what the Bible says on this topic. I’d be happy to come back and discuss some points from the article.

GOOD NEWS FROM GOD!

Question: Many feel that reading Bible prophecy is like reading the newspaper. Which of these foretold conditions have you seen or heard about?

Scripture: 2Ti 3:1-5

Offer: This brochure explains why such conditions actually mean good news for those who love God. [Highlight lesson 1, question 2.]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 104 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Praise Jehovah, the Hearer of Prayer”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 61:1, 8​—Make your promises to Jehovah a matter of prayer (w99 9/15 9 ¶1-4)

  • Ps 62:8​—Show trust in Jehovah by pouring your heart out to him in prayer (w15 4/15 25-26 ¶6-9)

  • Ps 65:1, 2​—Jehovah is the Hearer of prayer for all righthearted ones (w15 4/15 22 ¶13-14; w10 4/15 5 ¶10; it-2 668 ¶2)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 63:3​—Why is Jehovah’s loyal love better than life? (w06 6/1 11 ¶7)

  • Ps 68:18​—Who were the “gifts in the form of men”? (w06 6/1 10 ¶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: (4 min. or less) Ps 63:1–64:10

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 81

• “Keeping Our Life Simple Helps Us Praise God”: (15 min.) Begin with a discussion of the article. Then play and briefly discuss the JW Broadcasting video We Live a Simple Life. (Go to VIDEO ON DEMAND > FAMILY.) Encourage all to consider how to simplify their life in order to serve Jehovah more fully.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 19 ¶1-16

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

• Song 88 and Prayer

Make your promises to Jehovah a matter of prayer

61:1, 8

• Praying about our promises will strengthen our resolve to keep them

• Our dedication to God is the most important promise we can make

Show trust in Jehovah by pouring your heart out to him in prayer

62:8

• A meaningful prayer includes our innermost feelings

• When our prayers are specific, we become more keenly aware of Jehovah’s answers

Jehovah is the Hearer of prayer for all righthearted ones

65:1, 2

• Jehovah listens to “people of all sorts” who sincerely want to know him and want to do his will

• We can go to Jehovah in prayer at any time

Write down some topics you want to include in your prayers.

Today, it is easy to complicate our lives with many things. Time and energy are required to shop for, pay for, use, maintain, and safeguard possessions. Jesus lived a simple life so that material possessions would not needlessly pull him away from his ministry.​—Mt 8:20.

How could you simplify your life so that you can do more in the ministry? With some adjustments, could someone in your household join the pioneer ranks? Even if you are currently in full-time service, have you gradually allowed material things to complicate your life? A simple life in Jehovah’s service is a happy, contented life.​—1Ti 6:7-9.

Write down ways that you can simplify your life.

• Song 92 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah’s People Are Zealous for True Worship”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 69:9​—Our zeal for true worship should be clearly evident (w10 12/15 7-11 ¶2-17)

  • Ps 71:17, 18​—Older ones can help younger ones to be zealous (w14 1/15 23-25 ¶4-10)

  • Ps 72:3, 12, 14, 16-19​—Our zeal moves us to tell others what the Kingdom will do for mankind (w15 10/1 16 ¶3; w10 8/15 32 ¶19-20)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 69:4, 21​—How did these verses apply prophetically to the Messiah? (w11 8/15 11 ¶17; w11 8/15 15 ¶15)

  • Ps 73:24​—How does Jehovah lead his servants to glory? (w13 2/15 25-26 ¶3-4)

  • 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 73:1-28

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp16.4 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp16.4 cover

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 5 ¶3-4

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 140

• “Could You Try It for One Year?”: (15 min.) Begin with a brief discussion of the article along with “Schedules for Regular Pioneering.” Then play and discuss the JW Broadcasting video Choosing a Career With Eternal Future. (Go to VIDEO ON DEMAND > TEENAGERS.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 19 ¶17-31, the box “When Did Joseph Die?,” and the chapter review

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

• Song 123 and Prayer

Our zeal for true worship should be clearly evident

69:9

• David showed zeal for Jehovah throughout his life

• David did not tolerate any rivalry or reproach of Jehovah’s name

Older ones can help younger ones to be zealous

71:17, 18

• The writer of this psalm, perhaps David, expressed a desire to encourage the next generation

• Parents and experienced Christians can train younger ones

Our zeal moves us to tell others what the Kingdom will do for mankind

72:3, 12, 14, 16-19

• 

  Verse 3​—Everyone will have peace

• 

  Verse 12​—The poor will be rescued

• 

  Verse 14​—Violence will not exist

• 

  Verse 16​—There will be plenty of food for everyone

Try what? Regular pioneering! What rich blessings you will enjoy!​—Pr 10:22.

BY PIONEERING, YOU CAN . . .

• gain skill as an evangelizer and enjoy the ministry more

• strengthen your relationship with Jehovah. The more you talk about him to others, the more you will be reminded of his awe-inspiring qualities

• experience the satisfaction that comes from putting Kingdom interests ahead of your own and the joy that results from giving of yourself in behalf of others. ​—Mt 6:33; Ac 20:35

• attend the pioneer meeting conducted during the visit of the circuit overseer, the special meeting in conjunction with the circuit assembly, and Pioneer Service School

• have more opportunities to start and conduct Bible studies

• spend more time with fellow preachers, enjoying an interchange of encouragement.​—Ro 1:11, 12

Regular pioneering requires a good schedule. If you share in the ministry 18 hours a week, you can pioneer​—and still have time for vacation! Such a schedule even allows for some unexpected disruptions, perhaps because of sickness or inclement weather. The accompanying chart offers ideas for publishers who work part-time or full-time or whose poor health or lack of energy limits them. With some adjustments, perhaps someone in the family can begin pioneering in September. Why not discuss this during your next family worship?

• Song 110 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Remember the Works of Jehovah”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 74:16; 77:6, 11, 12​—Meditate on Jehovah’s works (w15 8/15 10 ¶3-4; w04 3/1 19-20; w03 7/1 10 ¶6-7)

  • Ps 75:4-7​—Jehovah’s works include appointing humble men to care for his congregation (w06 7/15 11 ¶2; it-1 1160 ¶7)

  • Ps 78:11-17​—Remember how Jehovah has acted in behalf of his people (w04 4/1 21-22)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 78:2​—How did this verse apply prophetically to the Messiah? (w11 8/15 11 ¶14)

  • Ps 78:40, 41​—According to these verses, how can our actions affect Jehovah? (w12 11/1 14 ¶5; w11 7/1 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: (4 min. or less) Ps 78:1-21

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp16.4 16​—Mention the donation arrangement.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp16.4 16

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 5 ¶6-7

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 15

• Local needs: (10 min.)

• “Jehovah . . . Created All Things”: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the jw.org video “Jehovah . . . Created All Things.” (Go to BIBLE TEACHINGS > CHILDREN.) Afterward, invite selected young children to the stage, and ask them questions about the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 20 ¶1-13

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

• Song 73 and Prayer

Meditating on the good things that Jehovah has done is essential

74:16; 77:6, 11, 12

• Meditation helps us to absorb what we read in God’s Word and to develop heartfelt appreciation for spiritual food

• Thinking deeply about Jehovah helps us to remember his wonderful works and the hope he has set before us

Jehovah’s works include the following:

74:16, 17; 75:6, 7; 78:11-17

• Creation

  The more we learn about creation, the more our awe for Jehovah deepens

• Appointed men in the congregation

  We should be submissive to those whom Jehovah appoints to take the lead

• Acts of salvation

  Remembering Jehovah’s saving acts strengthens our faith in his desire and ability to care for his servants

• Song 138 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Who Is the Most Important Person in Your Life?”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 83:1-5​—Our primary concern should be Jehovah’s name and sovereignty (w08 10/15 13 ¶7-8)

  • Ps 83:16​—Our steadfastness and endurance bring honor to Jehovah (w08 10/15 15 ¶16)

  • Ps 83:17, 18​—Jehovah is the most important Person in the whole universe (w11 5/15 16 ¶1-2; w08 10/15 15-16 ¶17-18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 79:9​—What does this verse teach us about our prayers? (w06 7/15 12 ¶5)

  • Ps 86:5​—In what way is Jehovah “ready to forgive”? (w06 7/15 12 ¶9)

  • 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 85:8–86:17

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) fg lesson 7 ¶1

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) fg lesson 7 ¶3

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 7 ¶7-8

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 111

• Does God Have a Name?: (15 min.) Start by playing the jw.org video Does God Have a Name? (Look under PUBLICATIONS > BOOKS & BROCHURES. Then locate the Good News brochure. The video is found under the lesson entitled “Who Is God?”) Then consider the following questions: How can this video be used when witnessing informally, publicly, and from house to house? What good experiences have you had using this video?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 20 ¶14-26 and the chapter review

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

• Song 143 and Prayer

  Reminder: Play the music through once, and then ask the congregation to sing the new song.

The composer of Psalm 83 was likely a descendant of the Levite Asaph, a contemporary of King David. This psalm was written during a time when enemy nations were a threat to Jehovah’s people.

83:1-5, 16

• In his prayer, the psalmist focused on Jehovah’s name and sovereignty rather than on his personal safety

• Today, God’s servants continue to face one attack after another. Our faithful endurance brings honor to Jehovah

83:18

• Jehovah wants us to know his name

• We must show through our actions that Jehovah is the most important Person in our life