THE WATCHTOWER

Question: We all need comfort at times. But where can we find it?

Scripture: 2Co 1:3, 4

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower considers how God provides such comfort.

THE WATCHTOWER (back page)

Question: Some think that God’s Kingdom is a condition in a person’s heart; others think that it’s the result of human efforts to bring world peace. What do you think?

Scripture: Da 2:44

Offer: According to the Bible, God’s Kingdom is a real government. This article discusses further what the Bible says about God’s Kingdom.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: How can we know if God cares about us?

Scripture: 1Pe 5:7

Truth: God invites us to pray to him because he cares.

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 48 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Walk in the Law of Jehovah”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 119:1-8​—True happiness depends on our walking in God’s law (w05 4/15 10 ¶3-4)

  • Ps 119:33-40​—God’s Word gives us the needed courage to cope with life’s trials (w05 4/15 12 ¶12)

  • Ps 119:41-48​—Accurate knowledge of God’s Word gives us confidence to preach (w05 4/15 13 ¶13-14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 119:71​—What could be good about suffering affliction? (w06 9/1 14 ¶4)

  • Ps 119:96​—What is meant by “I have seen a limit to all perfection”? (w06 9/1 14 ¶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 119:73-93

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 69

• “If a Child Answers the Door”: (5 min.) Talk.

• Local Needs: (10 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb16 59-62)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) ia chap. 23 ¶15-29 and the chapter review

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

• Song 13 and Prayer

To walk in the law of Jehovah means to submit ourselves willingly to divine guidance. We have many good examples in the Bible of those who, like the psalmist, followed Jehovah’s law and relied on him.

True happiness depends on our walking in God’s law

119:1-8

Joshua demonstrated full confidence in Jehovah’s direction. He knew that to be happy and successful, he needed to trust in Jehovah with his whole heart

God’s Word gives us the needed courage to cope with life’s trials

119:33-40

Jeremiah showed courage and reliance on Jehovah amid difficult circumstances. He kept his life simple and persevered in his assignment

Accurate knowledge of God’s Word gives us confidence to preach

119:41-48

Paul was not afraid to share God’s message with anyone. He had full confidence in Jehovah’s help when he boldly preached to Governor Felix

In what situations can I show more confidence when witnessing to others?

• School

• Work

• Family

• Other

If a child answers the door, we should ask to speak with his parents. This shows respect for their headship. (Pr 6:20) If the child invites us to come in, we should decline. If his parents are unavailable, we should return at another time.

If the child is older, perhaps in his mid-to-late teens, it would still be appropriate to ask for his parents. If they are not available, we might ask whether his parents let him choose his own reading material. If they do, we can offer him literature and perhaps direct him to jw.org.

When making a return visit on a youth who has shown interest, we should ask to meet his parents. This will allow us to explain our purpose in calling and show them the trustworthy and reliable advice found in the Bible for families. (Ps 119:86, 138) Our showing respect and consideration for the parents will be a good witness and may give us other opportunities to share the good news with the family.​—1Pe 2:12.

• Song 33 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “My Help Comes From Jehovah”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 121:1, 2​—Jehovah’s creatorship is a basis for confidence (w04 12/15 12 ¶3)

  • Ps 121:3, 4​—Jehovah is alert to the needs of his servants (w04 12/15 12 ¶4)

  • Ps 121:5-8​—Jehovah is the loyal Protector of his people (w04 12/15 13 ¶5-7)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 123:2​—What is the point of the illustration about “the eyes of servants”? (w06 9/1 15 ¶4)

  • Ps 133:1-3​—What is one of the lessons contained in this psalm? (w06 9/1 16 ¶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: (4 min. or less) Ps 127:1–129:8

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp16.5 cover​—Respond to an irate householder.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp16.5 cover​—Invite the person to the meeting.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 8 ¶6​—Help the student to apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 114

• Jehovah Has Done So Much for Me: (15 min.) Play the jw.org video Jehovah Has Done So Much for Me. (Go to ABOUT US > ACTIVITIES.) Discuss the following questions: How has Jehovah helped Crystal, and how has this motivated her? What does she do when she is overwhelmed with negative emotions? How has Crystal’s experience helped you?

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

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

• Song 119 and Prayer

Psalms 120 to 134 are known as the Songs of the Ascents. Many believe that these were sung by joyful Israelite worshippers as they ascended to Jerusalem, which was located high in the mountains of Judah, in order to attend the annual festivals.

Jehovah’s protection is described in word pictures such as . . .

121:3-8

• 

  a wide-awake shepherd

• 

  a shade from the sun

• 

  a loyal soldier

• Song 59 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “We Are Wonderfully Made”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 139:14​—Contemplating Jehovah’s works strengthens our appreciation for him (w07 6/15 21 ¶1-4)

  • Ps 139:15, 16​—Our genes and cells highlight Jehovah’s power and wisdom (w07 6/15 22-23 ¶7-11)

  • Ps 139:17, 18​—Humans are unique in the way they use language and thought (w07 6/15 23 ¶12-13; w06 9/1 16 ¶8)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 136:15​—What insight into the Exodus account does this verse provide? (it-1 783 ¶5)

  • Ps 141:5​—What did King David acknowledge? (w15 4/15 31 ¶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) Ps 139:1-24

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp16.5 16

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp16.5 16​—Invite the person to the meeting.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 8 ¶8​—Help the student to apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 57

• “Avoid These Pitfalls When Conducting a Bible Study”: (15 min.) After discussing the article, play and then discuss the two-part video that shows the incorrect and correct way to teach, using the Bible Teach book page 29, paragraph 7. Publishers should follow along in their own book. Remind those who receive student assignments that avoiding these pitfalls will often allow them to take less than the allotted time.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr A Letter From the Governing Body and chap. 1 ¶1-10

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

• Song 30 and Prayer

David meditated on the evidence of God’s good qualities reflected in His creation. He confidently used his life to serve Jehovah.

When David thought deeply about creation, he was moved to praise Jehovah:

139:14

• “I praise you because in an awe-inspiring way I am wonderfully made”

139:15

• “My bones were not hidden from you when I was made in secret, when I was woven in the depths of the earth”

139:16

• “Your eyes even saw me as an embryo; all its parts were written in your book”

Talking Too Much: Do not feel that you must explain everything. Jesus used questions to help people think and arrive at the right conclusion. (Mt 17:24-27) Questions make the study lively and help you to determine what your student understands and believes. (be 253 ¶3-4) When asking a question, be patient and wait for the answer. If the student gives the wrong answer, instead of telling him the right answer, lead him to the correct conclusion by using additional questions. (be 238 ¶1-2) Talk at a pace that allows the student to grasp new ideas.​—be 230 ¶4.

Making It Complicated: Avoid the temptation to relate all that you know on the subject. (Joh 16:12) Focus on the main point of the paragraph. (be 226 ¶4-5) Details, even interesting ones, can obscure the main points. (be 235 ¶3) Once the main point is understood by the student, move on to the next paragraph.

Just Covering Material: Our objective is to reach the heart, not cover material. (Lu 24:32) Utilize the power of God’s Word by focusing on the key scriptures in the lesson. (2Co 10:4; Heb 4:12; be 144 ¶1-3) Use simple illustrations. (be 245 ¶2-4) Consider the student’s personal challenges and beliefs, and tailor the lesson to him. Ask questions like these: “How do you feel about what you are learning here?” “What does this teach us about Jehovah?” “What benefit do you see in applying such counsel?”​—be 238 ¶3-5; 259 ¶1.

• Song 134 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Is Great and Most Worthy of Praise”: (10 min.)

  • Ps 145:1-9​—Jehovah’s greatness is without limits (w04 1/15 10 ¶3-4; 11 ¶7-8; 14 ¶20-21; 15 ¶2)

  • Ps 145:10-13​—Jehovah’s loyal ones give him praise (w04 1/15 16 ¶3-6)

  • Ps 145:14-16​—Jehovah supports and sustains his loyal ones (w04 1/15 17-18 ¶10-14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ps 143:8​—How does this verse help us to live each day to God’s glory? (w10 1/15 21 ¶1-2)

  • Ps 150:6​—What obligation does the last verse in the book of Psalms emphasize? (it-2 448)

  • 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 145:1-21

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) 1Pe 5:7​—Teach the Truth.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Ps 37:9-11​—Teach the Truth.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 9 ¶3​—Help the student to apply the material.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 99

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Encouraging Interested Ones to Attend Meetings”: (15 min.) Discussion. Distribute a copy of the congregation meeting invitation, and briefly consider page 2. Show the video demonstration of a publisher inviting someone on his magazine route to the meeting. Conclude by discussing the box “October Offer: Congregation Meeting Invitation.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 1 ¶11-20, the chart “The Wheat and the Weeds” and the chart “Generation”

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

• Song 145 and Prayer

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

145:1-5

In observing that Jehovah’s greatness is without limits, David was motivated to praise Him forever

145:10-12

Like David, Jehovah’s loyal servants are moved to make His mighty acts a regular part of their conversations

145:14

David was convinced of Jehovah’s desire and ability to care for all of His servants

WHY IMPORTANT: Meetings provide regular occasions to “sing to Jehovah” and to “praise him.” (Ps 149:1) At the meetings, we are taught to do God’s will. (Ps 143:10) Interested ones and Bible students usually make greater progress once they begin attending meetings.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Extend an invitation as soon as possible. You need not wait until a Bible study has been established.​—Re 22:17

• 

  Explain to the interested person what he can expect and what will be discussed at the next meeting. The following can be of help in this regard: the congregation meeting invitation, the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall?, and lessons 5 and 7 of the Jehovah’s Will brochure

• 

  Offer help. Does the interested one need a ride or assistance with choosing appropriate clothing? Sit next to him at the meeting, and share your publications. Introduce him to others