AWAKE!

Question: Some people doubt whether Jesus really existed, while others are convinced he did. Still others say there’s no way to know for sure. What’s your opinion?

Offer: This issue of Awake! considers what the evidence shows.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: What happens when we die?

Scripture: Joh 11:11-14

Truth: When a person dies, his life ends. So we do not need to fear an afterlife. Jesus compared death to sleep. Just as he did with Lazarus, Jesus will “wake up” our dead loved ones so that they can enjoy life on earth again.​—Job 14:14.

CONGREGATION MEETING INVITATION (inv)

Offer: I’d like to invite you to a free Bible talk. It will be given at the local Kingdom Hall, our place of worship. [Offer the meeting invitation, point out the time and location of the weekend meeting, and mention the theme of the public talk.]

Question: Have you been to a Kingdom Hall before? [If appropriate, show the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall?]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 37 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Trust in Jehovah With All Your Heart”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Proverbs.]

  • Pr 3:1-4​—Show loyal love and faithfulness (w00 1/15 23-24)

  • Pr 3:5-8​—Cultivate complete trust in Jehovah (w00 1/15 24)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Pr 1:7, ftn.​—In what way is the fear of Jehovah “the beginning of knowledge”? (w06 9/15 17 ¶1; it-2 180)

  • Pr 6:1-5​—What is the wise course if we become ensnared by an unwise business agreement? (w00 9/15 25-26)

  • 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 6:20-35

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 participate fully in the global effort to invite people to the weekend meeting.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 107

• Local Needs: (8 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb16 25-27)

• Do Good to Those Who Attend Our Meetings (Pr 3:27): (7 min.) Discussion. Play the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall? Then ask how we can contribute to a loving atmosphere at the Kingdom Hall, not just during the month of October but at all times.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 2 ¶1-12

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

• Song 143 and Prayer

Jehovah is worthy of our complete trust. The meaning of his name builds our confidence in his ability to fulfill all of his promises. Prayer is an important part of building trust in him. Proverbs chapter 3 assures us that Jehovah will reward our trust in him by ‘making our paths straight.’

One who is wise in his own eyes . . .

3:5-7

• makes decisions without asking for Jehovah’s direction beforehand

• trusts in his own thinking or that of the world

One who trusts in Jehovah . . .

• cultivates a close relationship with him through Bible study, meditation, and prayer

• seeks his guidance by searching for Bible principles when making decisions

• Song 32 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Do Not Let Your Heart Turn Aside”: (10 min.)

  • Pr 7:6-12​—Those lacking good sense often run into spiritual danger (w00 11/15 29-30)

  • Pr 7:13-23​—Poor decisions can lead to disaster (w00 11/15 30-31)

  • Pr 7:4, 5, 24-27​—Wisdom and understanding will safeguard us (w00 11/15 29, 31)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Pr 9:7-9​—What does our response to counsel reveal about us? (w01 5/15 29-30)

  • Pr 10:22​—What does Jehovah’s blessing include in our day? (w06 5/15 26-30 ¶3-16)

  • 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 8:22–9:6

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) g16.5 cover​—Invite the person to the weekend meeting.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) g16.5 cover​—Invite the person to the weekend meeting.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 176 ¶5-6​—Invite the student to the meetings.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 83

• What Your Peers Say​—Cell Phones (Pr 10:19): (15 min.) Discussion. Begin by playing the video What Your Peers Say​—Cell Phones. Then discuss the accompanying jw.org article “What Should I Know About Texting?” Emphasize the points under the subheading “Texting Tips.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 2 ¶13-22

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

• Song 152 and Prayer

  Reminder: Play the new song through once before singing.

Jehovah’s standards can protect us. To benefit from them, however, we must treasure them in our heart. (Pr 7:3) When a servant of Jehovah allows his heart to turn aside, he becomes vulnerable to Satan’s smooth and deceptive tactics. Proverbs chapter 7 describes a young man who allowed his heart to deceive him. What can we learn from his mistakes?

• 

  Sight

  7:10

• 

  Touch

  7:13

• 

  Taste

  7:14

• 

  Smell

  7:17

• 

  Hearing

  7:21

• Satan tries to draw us away from Jehovah by using our five senses to induce us to get involved in wrongdoing

• Wisdom and understanding will help us to perceive the devastating effects of wrongdoing and to stay far away from spiritual danger

• Song 69 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Wisdom Is Better Than Gold”: (10 min.)

  • Pr 16:16, 17​—A wise person studies and applies God’s Word (w07 7/15 8)

  • Pr 16:18, 19​—A wise person rejects pride and haughtiness (w07 7/15 8-9)

  • Pr 16:20-24​—A wise person uses his speech to help others (w07 7/15 9-10)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Pr 15:15​—How can we find greater joy in life? (g 11/13 16)

  • Pr 16:4​—In what sense has Jehovah made the wicked “work for his purpose”? (w07 5/15 18-19)

  • 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 15:18–16:6

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Joh 11:11-14​—Teach the Truth. Invite the person to the weekend meeting.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Ge 3:1-6; Ro 5:12​—Teach the Truth. Invite the person to the weekend meeting.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 191 ¶18-19​—Invite the student to the meetings.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 117

• “How to Give Good Comments”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Become Jehovah’s Friend​—Prepare Your Comment. Then invite selected children to the platform and ask them: What are the four steps to prepare a comment? Why can we be happy even when we are not called on to comment?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 2 ¶23-34

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

• Song 102 and Prayer

Why is godly wisdom so valuable? It delivers its owners from bad ways and preserves them alive. It has a positive effect on their disposition, speech, and actions.

Wisdom protects from pride

16:18, 19

• 

  A wise person recognizes that Jehovah is the Source of all wisdom

• Those who achieve success or who receive more responsibility must especially guard against pride and haughtiness

Wisdom promotes wholesome speech

16:21-24

• 

  A wise person uses insight to find the good in others and speaks well of them

• Wise words are persuasive and sweet like honey, not harsh or confrontational

Good comments build up the congregation. (Ro 14:19) They also benefit those who give them. (Pr 15:23, 28) Therefore, we should try to give at least one comment at each meeting. Of course, we will not be called on every time we raise our hand. Therefore, it is best to prepare several comments.

A good comment . . .

• is simple, clear, and brief. In most cases, it can be given in 30 seconds or less

• is best given in your own words

• is not a needless repetition of a previous comment

If you are called on first, . . .

• give a simple, direct answer to the question

If the question has been answered, you could . . .

• show how a cited scripture bears on the point under consideration

• mention how the matter affects our lives

• explain how the information can be used

• briefly relate an experience that highlights a key point

• Song 76 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Pursue Peace With Others”: (10 min.)

  • Pr 19:11​—Remain calm if you are offended (w14 12/1 12-13)

  • Pr 18:13, 17; 21:13​—Make sure you have all the facts (w11 8/15 30 ¶11-14)

  • Pr 17:9​—Lovingly forgive the transgression (w11 8/15 31 ¶17)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Pr 17:5​—What is one reason why we must choose our entertainment wisely? (w10 11/15 6 ¶17; w10 11/15 31 ¶15)

  • Pr 20:25​—How does this principle apply to courtship and marriage? (w09 5/15 15-16 ¶12-13)

  • 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 18:14–19:10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Offer congregation meeting invitation. (inv)

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) inv​—Conclude by introducing the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall?

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 57 ¶14-15​—Help the student see the need to improve in dress and grooming at meetings.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• Making Peace Brings Blessings: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Making Peace Brings Blessings. Then ask the following questions: What steps should we avoid when peace is disrupted? What blessings result when we apply Proverbs 17:9 and Matthew 5:23, 24?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 2 ¶35-40, the box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?,” and the charts “God’s Kingdom​—A Real Government” and “Prepared for the Birth of the Kingdom”

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

• Song 144 and Prayer

Peace among Jehovah’s people is no accident. When disagreements arise, emotions may be very strong, but counsel from God’s Word is stronger still.

When facing difficulties, faithful Christians pursue peace by . . .

19:11

• remaining calm

18:13, 17

• making sure they have all the facts before responding

17:9

• lovingly forgiving the transgression

• Song 88 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Train a Boy in the Way He Should Go”: (10 min.)

  • Pr 22:6; 23:24, 25​—Godly training gives children the best opportunity to become happy, fulfilled, and responsible adults (w08 4/1 16; w07 6/1 31)

  • Pr 22:15; 23:13, 14​—Within the family, “the rod” symbolizes all forms of discipline (w97 10/15 32; it-2 818 ¶4)

  • Pr 23:22​—Adult children can benefit from their parents’ wisdom (w04 6/15 14 ¶1-3; w00 6/15 21 ¶13)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Pr 24:16​—How does this proverb encourage us to endure in the race for life? (w13 3/15 4-5 ¶5-8)

  • Pr 24:27​—How should we understand this proverb? (w09 10/15 12 ¶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: (4 min. or less) Pr 22:1-21

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) JW.ORG contact card​—Witness informally.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) JW.ORG contact card​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit, and conclude by introducing the video Why Study the Bible?

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 179-181 ¶18-19

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 101

• “Are You Making Good Use of JW.ORG Contact Cards?”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the sample presentation video, and then discuss the highlights. Encourage publishers to carry a few contact cards with them at all times.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 3 ¶1-12 and “Section 1​—Kingdom Truth—​Dispensing Spiritual Food”

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

• Song 146 and Prayer

  Reminder: Play the new song through once before singing.

Proverbs contains sound advice for parents. Just as bending young branches influences their growth, training children inclines them toward serving Jehovah when they grow up.

22:6

• 

  Training children properly takes much time and effort

• Parents must set a good example, and they must carefully instruct, admonish, encourage, and discipline their children

22:15

• Discipline is loving training that corrects the mind and heart

• Children require different types of discipline

In view of the approaching great tribulation, our preaching work is urgent. (Pr 24:11, 12, 20) To help people, we can use contact cards to direct their attention to God’s Word and to our website. The card contains a code that leads to the video Why Study the Bible? and an invitation to request more information or a Bible study. Some people are not inclined to accept literature but are willing to visit our website. Do not hesitate to give them a contact card. However, do not leave contact cards with those who show no interest.

As you go about your daily activities, you could generate someone’s interest simply by saying: “I have something I would like to give you. This card directs you to a website that has free information and videos on a variety of subjects.” (Joh 4:7) Because the contact cards are small, you can likely keep a few with you to share with others at every opportunity.