THE WATCHTOWER

Question: Are you familiar with these famous words?

Scripture: Joh 3:16

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower explains how Jesus’ suffering and death can benefit you.

THE WATCHTOWER (back page)

Question: Notice this question and some common answers. [Read the first question along with the listed options.] How would you answer?

Scripture: Mt 4:1-4

Offer: Since the Devil conversed with Jesus and tempted him, the Devil must be more than merely a symbol of evil. What else does the Bible say about the Devil? This article explains more.

MEMORIAL INVITATION

Offer: We’re distributing this invitation to a very important event. [Give the householder an invitation.] 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 area. Please come if you can.

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 131 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Esther Acted Unselfishly for Jehovah and for His People”: (10 min.)

  • Es 8:3, 4​—Although Esther was safe, she risked her life for others (ia 143 ¶24-25)

  • Es 8:5​—Esther was tactful with Ahasuerus (w06 3/1 11 ¶8)

  • Es 8:17​—Many people became Jewish proselytes (w06 3/1 11 ¶3)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Es 8:1, 2​—How was Jacob’s deathbed prophecy fulfilled regarding Benjamin’s ‘dividing spoil in the evening’? (ia 142, box)

  • Es 9:10, 15, 16​—Even though the decree authorized plundering of the spoil, why did the Jews refrain from doing so? (w06 3/1 11 ¶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: Es 8:1-9 (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. Afterward, discuss the article “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Building Your Own Magazine Presentation.”

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 118

• “Welcome Our Guests”: (15 min.) Discussion. Invite publishers to relate good experiences that resulted from taking the initiative to welcome visitors attending a past Memorial. Have a reenactment of an outstanding experience.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 10 ¶12-21 and the chapter review (30 min.)

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

• Song 147 and Prayer

Esther was brave and selfless in defending Jehovah and his people

8:3-5, 9

• Esther and Mordecai were safe. But Haman’s decree to kill all the Jews was making its way to every corner of the empire

• Esther risked her life again, appearing uninvited before the king. She wept for her people and asked the king to revoke the terrible edict

• Laws passed in the king’s name could not be revoked. So the king empowered Esther and Mordecai to enact a new law

Jehovah gave his people a great victory

8:10-14, 17

• A second proclamation was made, giving the Jews the right to defend themselves

• Riders sped to every part of the empire, and the Jews prepared for battle

• Many people saw evidence of God’s favor and became Jewish proselytes

HOW TO DO IT:

Ask yourself, ‘Do I want to use one of the sample presentations?’

YES

• Prepare your opening words. After giving a customary greeting, state concisely the reason for your visit. (Example: “I am here because . . .”)

• Consider how you will transition between the question, the scripture, and the offer. (Example: To introduce a scripture, you might say: “A satisfying answer to that question can be found right here.”)

NO

• Choose a subject from the magazine that interests you and will have appeal in your territory

• Decide on a viewpoint question to ask that will stimulate thought and conversation but not put the householder on the spot. (Example: The questions that appear on page 2 of the magazines.)

• Choose a scripture to read. (If you are featuring Awake! reading a scripture is optional, since this magazine is designed for those who have little knowledge of the Bible and may even distrust religion.)

• Formulate a sentence or two that explains how the householder will benefit from reading the article

IN EITHER CASE

• Prepare a follow-up question to answer on the return visit

• Make notes to help you remember what you want to say next time

On March 23, some 12 million or more visitors are expected to attend the Memorial as our guests. What an outstanding witness they will receive as the speaker discusses Jehovah’s gift of the ransom and some of the future blessings that will result to mankind! (Isa 11:6-9; 35:5, 6; 65:21-23; Joh 3:16) However, the speaker is not the only one who will give a witness on this special occasion. All of us can have a share by warmly welcoming our guests. (Ro 15:7) Here are some suggestions.

• Instead of going to your seat and waiting for the program to begin, welcome visitors and inactive ones with a warm smile and a friendly greeting

• While giving special attention to acquaintances that you personally invited, be alert for others who may be there as a result of the invitation campaign. Invite new ones to sit with you. Share your Bible and songbook with them

• After the talk, make yourself available to answer questions. If time is limited because your congregation must leave to make room for another congregation, make arrangements to visit the person within a few days. If you do not have his or her contact information, you might say: “I’d like to hear what you thought of the program. Is there a way that I can contact you?”

• Song 89 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Job Kept Integrity Under Test”: (10 min.)

  • [Play Introduction to Job video.]

  • Job 1:8-11​—Satan questioned the motives behind Job’s integrity (w11 5/15 17 ¶6-8; w09 4/15 3 ¶3-4)

  • Job 2:2-5​—Satan questioned the integrity of all men (w09 4/15 4 ¶6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 1:6; 2:1​—Who were allowed to enter before Jehovah? (w06 3/15 13 ¶6)

  • Job 4:7, 18, 19​—What false reasoning did Eliphaz present to Job? (w14 3/15 13 ¶3; w05 9/15 26 ¶4-5; w95 2/15 27 ¶5-6)

  • 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 4:1-21 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

• Return Visit: wp16.2 cover​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit. (4 min. or less)

• Bible Study: fg lesson 2 ¶2-3 (6 min. or less)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 88

• Stand Up to Peer Pressure!: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the jw.org video Stand Up to Peer Pressure! (Go to BIBLE TEACHINGS > TEENAGERS.) Afterward, ask the following: What pressures do children face in school? How can they apply the principle at Exodus 23:2? What four steps will give them strength to stand up to peer pressure and keep their integrity? Invite youths to relate positive experiences.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 11 ¶1-11 (30 min.)

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

• Song 149 and Prayer

Job lived in Uz during the time the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt. Though not an Israelite, Job was a loyal worshipper of Jehovah. He had a large family, great wealth, and influence in his community. He was a highly regarded counselor and an impartial judge. He was generous to the poor and needy. Job was a man of integrity.

Job clearly showed that Jehovah was the most important Person in his life

1:8-11, 22; 2:2-5

• Satan took note of Job’s integrity. He did not deny Job’s obedience to Jehovah; rather, he questioned Job’s motives

• Satan claimed that Job served Jehovah out of selfish interest

• To provide an answer to Satan’s charge, Jehovah allowed Satan to attack that faithful man. Satan brought devastation to all aspects of Job’s life

• When Job maintained his integrity, Satan questioned the integrity of all men

• Job did not sin or accuse God of doing anything wrong

• Song 68 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Faithful Job Expresses His Anguish”: (10 min.)

  • Job 6:1-3, 9, 10, 26; 7:11, 16​—What people say in anguish may not be a true reflection of what they really are at heart (w13 8/15 19 ¶7; w13 5/15 22 ¶13)

  • Job 9:20-22​—Job mistakenly concluded that God did not care whether he kept his faith in Him or not (w15 7/1 12 ¶2)

  • Job 10:12​—Even when severely tested, Job said positive things about Jehovah (w09 4/15 7 ¶18; w09 4/15 10 ¶13)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 6:14​—How did Job highlight the importance of loyal love? (w10 11/15 32 ¶20)

  • Job 7:9, 10; 10:21​—If Job hoped in a future resurrection, then why did he make the statements found in these verses? (w06 3/15 14 ¶11)

  • 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 9:1-21 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

• Return Visit: wp16.2 16​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit. (4 min. or less)

• Bible Study: fg lesson 2 ¶6-8 (6 min. or less)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 114

• Use Insight When Comforting Others: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video that the elders viewed at a recent Kingdom Ministry School. Then invite comments on how the two brothers were a good example of how to give encouragement when someone expresses anguish over the death of a loved one.

• Congregation Bible Study: ia chap. 11 ¶12-20 and the chapter review (30 min.)

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

• Song 27 and Prayer

Job was destitute, bereaved, and gravely ill, but he remained faithful. So Satan tried to use discouragement to break his integrity. Three “companions” arrived. First they made a public show of sympathy. Then they sat with Job in silence for seven days, not offering even one word of comfort. The speeches that followed were full of charges and harsh accusations.

Job maintained his loyalty to Jehovah despite severe pressure

6:3; 7:16; 9:20-22; 10:1, 12

• Extreme grief caused Job to have the wrong perspective. He mistakenly concluded that God did not care if he remained faithful

• Because of discouragement, Job did not consider other possible reasons for his suffering

• Though grief-stricken, Job still spoke to his accusers about his love for Jehovah

• Song 111 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Job Was Confident in the Resurrection”: (10 min.)

  • Job 14:1, 2​—Job summed up the current situation of human life (w15 3/1 3; w10 5/1 5 ¶2; w08 3/1 3 ¶3)

  • Job 14:13-15a​—Job knew Jehovah would not forget him (w15 8/1 5; w14 1/1 7 ¶4; w11 3/1 22 ¶2-4)

  • Job 14:15b​—Jehovah treasures his faithful worshippers (w15 8/1 7 ¶3; w14 6/15 14 ¶12; w11 3/1 22 ¶3-6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Job 12:12​—Why do older Christians have the potential to help younger Christians? (g99 7/22 11, box)

  • Job 15:27​—What did Eliphaz mean when he intimated that Job’s face was “covered with fat”? (it-1 802 ¶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: Job 14:1-22 (4 min. or less)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: fg lesson 13 ¶1​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit. (2 min. or less)

• Return Visit: fg lesson 13 ¶2​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit. (4 min. or less)

• Bible Study: fg lesson 13 ¶3-4 (6 min. or less)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 134

• Local needs: (5 min.)

• “The Resurrection​—Made Possible by the Ransom”: (10 min.) Discussion. Conclude by playing the video that was shown at the 2014 “Keep Seeking First God’s Kingdom!” Regional Convention.

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

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

• Song 33 and Prayer

Job expressed his faith in God’s ability to resurrect him

14:7-9, 13-15

• Job used a tree​—perhaps an olive tree—​to illustrate his confidence in God’s ability to resurrect him

• An olive tree’s expansive root system enables it to rejuvenate itself even when the trunk has been destroyed. As long as the roots remain alive, the tree will sprout again

• When rainfall breaks a severe drought, a dry olive stump can spring back to life with shoots rising from its roots, producing “branches like a new plant”

The Memorial gives us a good opportunity to reflect on future blessings that are made possible by the ransom, such as the resurrection. Jehovah never intended for humans to die. That is why one of the most painful emotions we experience is grief over the death of a loved one. (1Co 15:26) Jesus was pained to see his disciples mourn the loss of Lazarus. (Joh 11:33-35) Since Jesus is a perfect reflection of his Father, we can be sure that Jehovah is also pained to see us grieve over the loss of our loved ones. (Joh 14:7) Jehovah eagerly anticipates the time when he will bring his servants back from the dead, and we should too.​—Job 14:14, 15.

Since Jehovah is a God of order, it is reasonable to believe that the resurrection will take place in an orderly way. (1Co 14:33, 40) Instead of funerals, there may be welcoming sessions for the resurrected. Do you meditate on the resurrection, especially during times of grief? (2Co 4:17, 18) Do you thank Jehovah for providing the ransom and for revealing in the Scriptures that the dead will live again?​—Col 3:15.

• Which of your friends and relatives do you especially look forward to seeing again?

• Which Bible characters do you especially want to meet and talk to?