THE WATCHTOWER

Question: If someone asked you what heaven is like, how would you answer?

Scripture: Joh 8:23

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower discusses what Jesus and his Father have revealed about heaven.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: Would you agree that this Bible prophecy describes what we see today?

Scripture: 2Ti 3:1-5

Truth: Since the Bible’s prophecy about the last days is being fulfilled now, we can also trust that the prophecy about a better future will be fulfilled.

WHY STUDY THE BIBLE? (Video)

Introduction: We’re showing people a short video that explains where we can find satisfying answers to life’s big questions. [Play the video.]

Offer: This book shows what the Bible says about how God will fix the world’s problems. [Offer the Bible Teach or Teach Us book.]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 86 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Bible Describes a Capable Wife”: (10 min.)

  • Pr 31:10-12​—She is trustworthy (w15 1/15 20 ¶10; w00 2/1 31 ¶2; it-2 1183)

  • Pr 31:13-27​—She is industrious (w00 2/1 31 ¶3-4)

  • Pr 31:28-31​—She is a spiritual person who is worthy of praise (w15 1/15 20 ¶8; w00 2/1 31 ¶5, 8)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Pr 27:12​—How may we show ourselves to be shrewd regarding entertainment? (w15 7/1 8 ¶3)

  • Pr 27:21​—How is a person “tested by the praise he receives”? (w11 8/1 29 ¶2; w06 9/15 19 ¶12)

  • 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) Pr 29:11–30:4

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Prepare This Month’s Presentations: (15 min.) Discussion. Play each presentation video, and then discuss the highlights. Encourage publishers to build their own presentation.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 89

• “Her Husband Is Well-Known in the City Gates”: (5 min.) Talk by an elder.

• Local Needs: (10 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb16 40-41)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 3 ¶13-22, the chart “Jehovah Progressively Reveals His Purpose,” and the box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 108 and Prayer

Proverbs chapter 31 contains a weighty message to King Lemuel from his mother. Her wise counsel taught him what to look for in a capable wife.

A capable wife is trustworthy

31:10-12

• She provides valuable suggestions concerning family decisions while remaining submissive

• Her husband trusts her to make wise decisions, not insisting that she obtain his approval for every matter

A capable wife is industrious

31:13-27

• She learns to be thrifty and live modestly so that her family can be neatly dressed, presentable, and well-nourished

• She works hard and watches over her household day and night

A capable wife is spiritual

31:30

• She fears God and cultivates a personal relationship with him

A capable wife reflects well on her husband. In King Lemuel’s day, a husband who had a capable wife was “well-known in the city gates.” (Pr 31:23) Today, respected men serve as elders and ministerial servants. If married, their ability to serve depends much on the good conduct and fine support of their wives. (1Ti 3:4, 11) Such capable wives are greatly appreciated, not just by their husbands but also by the congregation.

A capable wife helps her husband to serve by . . .

• encouraging him with kind words.​—Pr 31:26

• sharing him willingly with the congregation.​—1Th 2:7, 8

• living modestly.​—1Ti 6:8

• not asking him about confidential congregation matters.​—1Ti 2:11, 12; 1Pe 4:15

• Song 66 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Find Enjoyment in All Your Hard Work”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Ecclesiastes.]

  • Ec 3:12, 13​—The ability to enjoy hard work is a gift from God (w15 2/1 4-6)

  • Ec 4:6​—Cultivate a balanced view of work (w15 2/1 6 ¶3-5)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ec 2:10, 11​—What did Solomon discover regarding wealth? (w08 4/15 22 ¶9-10)

  • Ec 3:16, 17​—How should we view injustices in this world? (w06 11/1 14 ¶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) Ec 1:1-18

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp16.6 cover​—Leave a JW.ORG contact card.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp16.6 cover​—Read scriptures from a mobile device.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 22-23 ¶11-12​—Invite the person to the meetings.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 140

• “What Can the Bible Teach Us?​—How to Use It”: (15 min.) Discussion. Afterward, play and discuss the video that shows a portion of a Bible study using Truth 4 on page 115 of the Teach Us book.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 4 ¶1-6 and the box “The Meaning of God’s Name”

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

• Song 112 and Prayer

Jehovah wants us to enjoy our work and teaches us how to do so. A person can learn to enjoy work if he approaches it with the right attitude.

You can find enjoyment in your work when you . . .

3:13; 4:6

• 

  cultivate a positive attitude

• 

  think about how your work helps others

• 

  do your best at work, but when you leave your job, you focus on your family and your worship

The Teach Us book and the Bible Teach book are similar. Both of these tools from our teaching toolbox present the same truths and in the same order. However, the Teach Us book uses simplified wording and logic. It is designed for those who may have difficulty understanding the Bible Teach book. Instead of an appendix, the Teach Us book has endnotes that provide simple explanations of some terms and concepts found in the main text. The chapters do not have introductory questions or a review box. Instead, they conclude with a summary of Bible truths that were explained in the main text. Just as with the Bible Teach book, the Teach Us book may be offered at any time, even if it is not being featured during the month. How may we use the unique features of the Teach Us book when conducting a Bible study?

SUMMARY: For most people, our usual method of conducting a study by reading the paragraph in the Bible Teach book and then asking the question will serve quite well. Suppose, however, that the student is not very familiar with the language or does not read well. In that case, you may choose to use the Teach Us book. Then, the chapter summaries may be used as the basis for the study and the student may be encouraged to read the main text on his own. Each Bible truth can often be taught in a study session that lasts about 15 minutes. Since the summaries do not include details found in the main text, the teacher must prepare well, keeping in mind the needs of the student. If the teacher conducts the study from the main text, the summaries can be used as a review.

ENDNOTES: The terms and concepts in the endnotes are in the order that they appear in the main text. The teacher may decide whether to discuss the endnotes in the Teach Us book during the study.

• Song 41 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Remember . . . Your Grand Creator in the Days of Your Youth”: (10 min.)

  • Ec 12:1​—Youths should use their time and energy in God’s service (w14 1/15 18 ¶3; 22 ¶1)

  • Ec 12:2-7​—Youths are not limited by “the days of distress” that come with old age (w08 11/15 23 ¶2; w06 11/1 16 ¶9)

  • Ec 12:13, 14​—Serving Jehovah is the best way to give your life meaning (w11 11/1 21 ¶1-6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ec 10:1​—How is it that “a little foolishness outweighs wisdom”? (w06 11/1 16 ¶5)

  • Ec 11:1​—What does it mean to “cast your bread on the waters”? (w06 11/1 16 ¶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) Ec 10:12–11:10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) 2Ti 3:1-5​—Teach the Truth.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Isa 44:27–45:2​—Teach the Truth.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 25-26 ¶18-20​—Invite the student to the meetings.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 95

• “Youths​—Do Not Delay Going Through the ‘Large Door’”: (15 min.) Play the video Young Ones​—You Are Loved by Jehovah, and then discuss the article.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 4 ¶7-15, the box “How The Watchtower Has Exalted God’s Name,” and the box “A Powerful Reason to Preach”

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

• Song 148 and Prayer

  Reminder: Play the music through once before singing the new song.

Remember your Grand Creator by using your abilities to serve him while you are young

12:1, 13

• Many youths have the health and vigor to tackle exciting and challenging assignments

• Youths should use their time and energy in God’s service before old age limits them

Solomon used poetic language to describe the challenges of old age

12:2-7

• 

  Verse 3: “The ladies looking out the windows find it dark”

  Diminished vision

• 

  Verse 4: “The daughters of song grow faint”

  Diminished hearing

• 

  Verse 5: “The caper berry bursts”

  Diminished appetite

It can be easy to think that the days of our youth will continue indefinitely and that we will never experience “the days of distress” that accompany old age in Satan’s world. (Ec 12:1) If you are a youth, can you assume that you have plenty of time to pursue spiritual goals such as the full-time ministry?

“Unexpected events overtake” us all, including those who are young. (Ec 9:11) “You do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.” (Jas 4:14) Therefore, do not put spiritual pursuits on hold unnecessarily. Go through the “large door that leads to activity” while it is still open to you. (1Co 16:9) You will not regret it.

Some possible spiritual goals:

• 

  Preaching in another language

• 

  Pioneer service

• 

  Attending theocratic schools

• 

  Construction service

• 

  Bethel service

• 

  Circuit work

List your spiritual goals.

• Song 106 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Shulammite Girl​—An Example Worthy of Imitation”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to the Song of Solomon.]

  • Ca 2:7; 3:5​—The Shulammite was determined to wait for the one she could truly love (w15 1/15 31 ¶11-13)

  • Ca 4:12; 8:8-10​—She remained loyal and chaste as she waited (w15 1/15 32 ¶14-16)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ca 2:1​—What qualities added to the Shulammite’s beauty? (w15 1/15 31 ¶13)

  • Ca 8:6​—Why is true love described as “the flame of Jah”? (w15 1/15 29 ¶3; w06 11/15 20 ¶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) Ca 2:1-17

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) bh​—Use the video Why Study the Bible? to introduce the book. (Note: Do not play the video during the demonstration.)

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) bh​—Invite the person to the meeting.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 29-31 ¶8-9

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 115

• “Young People Ask​—Am I Ready to Date?”: (9 min.) Talk based on the article “Young People Ask​—Am I Ready to Date?”

• Is It Love or Infatuation?: (6 min.) Play and then discuss the whiteboard animation Is It Love or Infatuation?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 4 ¶16-23 and the box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 34 and Prayer

What made her an outstanding example for worshippers of Jehovah?

2:7; 4:12

• She wisely waited for true love

• She refused to have others pressure her into feeling romantic love for just anyone who came along

• She was humble, modest, and chaste

• She would not let her love be bought with gold or flattery

Ask yourself:

‘Which quality of the Shulammite girl could I better imitate?’