AWAKE!

Question: Movies and TV shows today often feature supernatural characters​—wizards, witches, and vampires. What do you think? Is it all just harmless fun, or are there hidden dangers?

Offer: This issue of Awake! discusses why people are fascinated by the supernatural as well as what is really behind it.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: How will the Kingdom of God solve this world’s problems?

Scripture: Mt 6:10

Truth: The Kingdom of God will bring peace, harmony, and security to the earth​—just as it has already done in heaven.

WHAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD? (Return visit)

Question: [Highlight the follow-up question on the back of the tract.] What will life be like under the rule of God’s Kingdom?

Scriptures: Ps 37:29; Isa 65:21-23

Offer: [Show the Good News brochure.] Lesson 7 of this brochure discusses what these promises can mean for you and me. [Start a Bible study using the brochure.]

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 88 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Let Jehovah Mold Your Thinking and Conduct”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 18:1-4​—A potter has authority over the clay (w99 4/1 22 ¶3)

  • Jer 18:5-10​—Jehovah has authority over mankind (it-2 776 ¶4)

  • Jer 18:11​—Respond favorably to Jehovah’s molding (w99 4/1 22 ¶4-5)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 17:9​—How may the heart’s treachery become manifest? (w01 10/15 25 ¶13)

  • Jer 20:7​—In what way did Jehovah use his strength against Jeremiah and fool him? (w07 3/15 9 ¶6)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Jer 21:3-14

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Prepare This Month’s Presentations: (15 min.) Discussion based on “Sample Presentations.” Play each presentation video, and then discuss the highlights. Encourage all to make return visits on those who accepted the tract What Is the Kingdom of God?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 85

• Local Needs: (5 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb16 22)

• “Warmly Welcome Them”: (10 min.) Begin with a three-minute talk. Conclude by playing the video Steve Gerdes: We Will Never Forget the Greeting.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 10 ¶12-19, box “Progressively Enlightened About Use of the Cross,” review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 13 and Prayer

Respond favorably to Jehovah’s molding

18:1-11

• Jehovah shapes our spiritual qualities through counsel or discipline

• We need to be malleable and obedient

• Jehovah never forces us to do things against our will

A potter may change his mind about what to do with a vessel

• Because Jehovah has given us free will, we can choose either to accept his molding or to reject it

• Jehovah adjusts his dealings with people according to the way they respond to his direction

  

In what ways do I need Jehovah to mold me?

Warmly welcome whom? Anyone who attends our Christian meetings​—from newcomers to longtime friends. (Ro 15:7; Heb 13:2) It could be a fellow believer visiting from another country or an inactive Christian attending for the first time in years. Imagine how you would feel in such circumstances. Would you not appreciate a warm greeting? (Mt 7:12) So why not make a greater effort to move about the Kingdom Hall and greet others before and after the meeting? This contributes to a warm and loving atmosphere and brings honor to Jehovah. (Mt 5:16) Of course, it will likely not be possible to speak personally with everyone present. Nevertheless, everyone will feel welcome if we all do our part.a

True hospitality is shown not just on special occasions like the Memorial but at all times. When newcomers see and experience Christian love in action, they may be moved to praise God and join us in pure worship.​—Joh 13:35.

• Song 36 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Do You Have ‘a Heart to Know’ Jehovah?”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 24:1-3​—Jehovah compared people to figs (w13 3/15 8 ¶2)

  • Jer 24:4-7​—The good figs represented those who had a receptive, obedient heart (w13 3/15 8 ¶4)

  • Jer 24:8-10​—The bad figs represented those who had a rebellious, disobedient heart (w13 3/15 8 ¶3)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 22:30​—Why did this decree not annul Jesus’ right to ascend the throne of David? (w07 3/15 10 ¶9)

  • Jer 23:33​—What is “the burden of Jehovah”? (w07 3/15 11 ¶1)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Jer 23:25-36

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) g17.2 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) g17.2 cover​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 5 ¶1-2​—Show how to reach the heart.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 38

• “You Can Encourage an Inactive Christian”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Encourage the Inactive Ones.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 11 ¶1-8

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

• Song 82 and Prayer

Jehovah compared people to figs

24:5

• Faithful ones among the Jewish exiles in Babylon were like good figs

24:8

• Unfaithful King Zedekiah and others who did what was bad were like bad figs

How can we develop “a heart to know” Jehovah?

24:7

• Jehovah will give us “a heart to know” him if we study and apply his Word

• We must honestly inspect our heart and root out attitudes and desires that jeopardize our relationship with Jehovah

Consider: Do I have “a heart to know” Jehovah? How can I develop one?

On Tuesday, April 11, many inactive Christians will attend the Memorial. They started running the race for life but have slowed down for various reasons, some of which are addressed in the brochure Return to Jehovah. (Heb 12:1) Yet, inactive ones remain precious to Jehovah, who purchased them with the blood of his Son. (Ac 20:28; 1Pe 1:18, 19) How can we help them return to the congregation?

Congregation elders seek to find and help inactive Christians just as a shepherd diligently searches for sheep that have strayed from the flock. (Lu 15:4-7) This reflects Jehovah’s loving care. (Jer 23:3, 4) All of us, not just the elders, can encourage such ones. Our efforts to show kindness and fellow feeling are pleasing to Jehovah and can be very rewarding. (Pr 19:17; Ac 20:35) Therefore, think about whom you can encourage, and do so without delay!

WATCH THE VIDEO ENCOURAGE THE INACTIVE ONES, AND THEN CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What initiative did Abbey take when she met a Witness whom she did not know?

• Why should we approach the elders if we are thinking of helping someone who is inactive?

• How did Abbey prepare to visit Laura the second time?

• How did Abbey demonstrate persistence, patience, and love while trying to encourage Laura?

• What can we learn from Jesus’ illustration found at Luke 15:8-10?

• What blessings came as a result of the combined efforts to help Laura?

• Song 73 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Be Courageous Like Jeremiah”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 26:2-6​—Jehovah instructed Jeremiah to proclaim a warning message (w09 12/1 24 ¶6)

  • Jer 26:8, 9, 12, 13​—Jeremiah did not let his opponents frighten him (jr 21 ¶13)

  • Jer 26:16, 24​—Jehovah protected his courageous prophet (w09 12/1 25 ¶1)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 27:2, 3​—Why might messengers from various nations have been in Jerusalem, and why did Jeremiah make yoke bars for them? (jr 27 ¶21)

  • Jer 28:11​—How did Jeremiah show common sense when Hananiah opposed him, and what can we learn from his example? (jr 187-188 ¶11-12)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Jer 27:12-22

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) T-36​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) T-36​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 7 ¶4-5​—Show how to reach the heart.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 61

• “Kingdom Songs Inspire Courage”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video A Song That Inspired Laborers.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 11 ¶9-21

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

• Song 31 and Prayer

Jeremiah warned that Jerusalem would become devastated like Shiloh

26:6

• The ark of the covenant, which represented Jehovah’s presence, was once kept in Shiloh

• Jehovah allowed the Philistines to capture the Ark, and it was never returned to Shiloh

The priests, the prophets, and all the people threatened to kill Jeremiah

26:8, 9, 12, 13

• The people seized Jeremiah because of his prophesying against Jerusalem and the temple

• Jeremiah did not give up and run away

Jehovah protected Jeremiah

26:16, 24

• Jeremiah maintained his courage, and Jehovah did not abandon him

• God moved courageous Ahikam to protect Jeremiah

With Jehovah’s backing and encouragement, Jeremiah was able to declare an unpopular message for 40 years

Paul and Silas praised God with song while in prison. (Ac 16:25) In modern times, fellow believers sang Kingdom songs while in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Nazi Germany and while in exile in Siberia. These examples illustrate the power of songs to inspire courage in Christians who are facing trials.

Many additional languages will soon have the new songbook entitled “Sing Out Joyfully” to Jehovah. Once we obtain a copy, we can etch the lyrics in our mind by practicing the songs during family worship. (Eph 5:19) Then holy spirit will help us to recall them when trials arise. Kingdom songs can help us to focus on our hope. They can inspire us when we are facing trials. And when we are in good spirits, the uplifting lyrics enable us to “sing out joyfully” because of the good condition of our heart. (1Ch 15:16; Ps 33:1-3) Let us by all means make good use of our Kingdom songs!

WATCH THE VIDEO A SONG THAT INSPIRED LABORERS, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What circumstances led Brother Frost to compose a song?

• How did the song inspire the brothers in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp?

• In what daily circumstances could Kingdom songs strengthen you?

• Which Kingdom songs would you like to memorize?

• Song 27 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Foretold the New Covenant”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 31:31​—The new covenant was foretold centuries in advance (it-1 524 ¶3-4)

  • Jer 31:32, 33​—The new covenant is different from the Law covenant (jr 173-174 ¶11-12)

  • Jer 31:34​—The new covenant makes possible complete forgiveness of sins (jr 177 ¶18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 29:4, 7​—Why were Jewish exiles commanded to “seek the peace” of Babylon, and how can we apply the principle? (w96 5/1 11 ¶5)

  • Jer 29:10​—How does this verse demonstrate the accuracy of Bible prophecy? (g 6/12 14 ¶1-2)

  • What has this week’s Bible reading taught you about Jehovah?

  • What other spiritual gems have you discovered in this week’s Bible reading?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Jer 31:31-40

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Mt 6:10​—Teach the Truth.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Isa 9:6, 7; Re 16:14-16​—Teach the Truth.

• Talk: (6 min. or less) w14 12/15 21​—Theme: What Did Jeremiah Mean When He Spoke of Rachel’s Weeping Over Her Sons?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 129

• Convention Reminders: (15 min.) Talk. Review pertinent points from the articles “Convention Reminders” and “Convention Invitation Campaign” in the April 2016 Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook. Play the video Convention Reminders. Encourage parents to write their cell phone number on the back of the badge card of their young children. This will help attendants to contact the parents if a child gets lost. Generate enthusiasm for the 2017 regional convention.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 11 ¶22-28, review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 89 and Prayer

Jehovah foretold that the Law covenant would be replaced by a new covenant with everlasting benefits.