AWAKE!

Question: Why is the world spinning out of control?

Scripture: Jer 10:23

Offer: This magazine explains why millions of people believe in a bright future.

AWAKE!

Question: Does God have a name?

Scripture: Ps 83:18

Offer: This article discusses what God’s name means and why we should use that name. [Open to the article “The Bible’s Viewpoint​—God’s Name.”]

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: Will there ever be an end to the enemy death?

Scripture: 1Co 15:26

Truth: Jehovah will remove death permanently.

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 27 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Seek Jehovah Before His Day of Anger”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Zephaniah.]

  • Zep 2:2, 3​—Seek Jehovah, seek righteousness, seek meekness (w01 2/15 18-19 ¶5-7)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Haggai.]

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Zep 1:8​—What warning do we find in this verse? (w07 11/15 11 ¶3)

  • Hag 2:9​—In what ways was the glory of Zerubbabel’s temple greater than that of Solomon’s temple? (w07 12/1 9 ¶3)

  • 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) Hag 2:1-14

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 publishers to give wide distribution of Awake! No. 6 2017. However, because we desire to speak directly with people, we should not leave the current magazine at not-at-homes.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 23

• Local Needs: (5 min.)

• The Pure Language Promotes Peace and Unity (Zep 3:9): (10 min.) Discussion based on the August 15, 2012, Watchtower, page 12, paragraph 4. Play the video Former Enemies Who Became Friends.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 22 ¶8-16

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

• Song 22 and Prayer

Zep 2:2, 3

In order for Jehovah to conceal us on the day of his anger, we must do more than dedicate ourselves to him. We must obey the direction that Zephaniah gave to the Israelites.

• Seek Jehovah: Maintain a warm personal relationship with Jehovah in association with his organization

• Seek righteousness: Uphold Jehovah’s righteous standards

• Seek meekness: Humbly submit to God’s will and accept his discipline

How might I seek Jehovah, righteousness, and meekness to a greater degree?

• Song 26 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Take Firm Hold of the Robe of a Jew”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Zechariah.]

  • Zec 8:20-22​—People of all the languages of the nations seek Jehovah’s favor (w14 11/15 27 ¶14)

  • Zec 8:23​—Those with an earthly hope willingly accompany and support the anointed remnant (w16.01 23 ¶4; w09 2/15 27 ¶14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Zec 5:6-11​—What is our responsibility regarding wickedness today? (w17.10 25 ¶18)

  • Zec 6:1​—What do the two copper mountains represent? (w17.10 27-28 ¶7-8)

  • 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) Zec 8:14-23

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) g17.6 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) g17.6​—The magazine was placed on the preceding visit. Demonstrate a return visit, and lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 5 ¶1-2.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 70

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Contacting Everyone in Our Territory”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Preaching in “the Most Distant Part of the Earth.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 22 ¶17-24, review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 139 and Prayer

8:20-23

Ten men out of all the languages of the nations would take firm hold of the robe of a Jew, saying: “We want to go with you.” During these last days, people of all nations are flocking to worship Jehovah along with anointed Christians

What are some ways in which the other sheep support the anointed today?

• 

  They wholeheartedly share in the preaching work

• 

  They wholeheartedly support the work financially

WHY IMPORTANT: Zechariah prophesied that people out of all the languages of the nations would respond favorably to the good news. (Zec 8:23) But who will teach them? (Ro 10:13-15) We have the privilege and responsibility to share the good news with everyone in our territory.​—od 84 ¶10-11.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Prepare. Do you encounter people who speak another language? You can use the JW Language app to learn a simple presentation. Or using your mobile device, you can show a person how he can find more information in his language on jw.org

• Be observant. If you are working from house to house, do not overlook opportunities to witness to passersby or those waiting in cars. If you are involved in public witnessing, stay focused on your objective to give a witness

• Be diligent. Keep trying to reach those who are not at home initially. Make an effort to contact someone at every residence, perhaps at a different time of the day or on a different day of the week. Some householders may need to be contacted by letter, telephone, or street witnessing

• Follow through. Return promptly to follow up on any interest shown. If the person speaks a different language, try to find someone who is qualified to help him in his language. You should continue calling on the person until he is contacted by publishers who speak his language.​—od 94 ¶39-40

WATCH THE VIDEO PREACHING IN “THE MOST DISTANT PART OF THE EARTH,” AND THEN CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  What preparations did the brothers and sisters make to contact people in remote territory? (1Co 9:22, 23)

• 

  What obstacles did they have to overcome?

• 

  What blessings did they enjoy?

• What efforts can you make to contact more people in your territory?

• Song 8 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Stay in ‘the Valley of the Mountains’”: (10 min.)

  • Zec 14:3, 4​—The “very great valley” represents divine protection (w13 2/15 19 ¶10)

  • Zec 14:5​—Those who “flee to the valley” and stay there will be protected (w13 2/15 20 ¶13)

  • Zec 14:6, 7, 12, 15​—Those outside Jehovah’s valley of protection will be destroyed (w13 2/15 20 ¶15)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Zec 12:3​—How does Jehovah “make Jerusalem a heavy stone”? (w07 12/15 22-23 ¶9-10)

  • Zec 12:7​—How will Jehovah “save the tents of Judah first”? (w07 12/15 25 ¶13)

  • 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) Zec 12:1-14

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) g17.6 14-15​—Invite the person to our meetings.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) g17.6​—Pages 14 and 15 of the magazine were considered on the preceding visit. Demonstrate a return visit, and invite the person to our meetings.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) jl lesson 5​—Invite the person to our meetings.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 68

• Organizational Accomplishments: (7 min.) Play the Organizational Accomplishments video for December.

• “New Feature of the Midweek Meeting”: (8 min.) Discussion. Show the silent video Bethphage, the Mount of Olives, and Jerusalem.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy pp. 6-7

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

• Song 13 and Prayer

14:3-5

Jehovah formed “a very great valley” in 1914 when he established the Messianic Kingdom, a subsidiary “mountain” to his universal sovereignty. Since 1919, God’s servants have found safety in “the valley of the mountains”

How do people “flee to the valley” of protection?

14:12, 15

Anyone outside the symbolic valley will be destroyed at Armageddon

How do I stay in the valley of protection?

Beginning in January 2018, the midweek meeting will include study notes and media from the online study edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (nwtsty), even if the study edition is not yet available in your language. No doubt this information will enrich your meeting preparation. More important, may it draw you ever closer to our loving Father, Jehovah!

• Song 131 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Does Your Marriage Please Jehovah?”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Malachi.]

  • Mal 2:13, 14​—Jehovah despises marital treachery (jd 125-126 ¶4-5)

  • Mal 2:15, 16​—Stay loyal to your marriage mate (w02 5/1 18 ¶19)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mal 1:10​—Why must our acts of worship be motivated by unselfish love for God and neighbor? (w07 12/15 27 ¶1)

  • Mal 3:1​—How was this verse fulfilled in the first century and in modern times? (w13 7/15 10-11 ¶5-6)

  • 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) Mal 1:1-10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) 1Co 15:26​—Teach the Truth.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Isa 26:19; 2Co 1:3, 4​—Teach the Truth. (See mwb16.08 8 ¶2.)

• Talk: (6 min. or less) w07 12/15 28 ¶1​—Theme: How Do We Bring the Entire Tithe Into the Storehouse Today?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 132

• “What Is True Love?”: (15 min.) Questions and answers.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 1

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

• Song 96 and Prayer

2:13-16

• In Malachi’s day, many Israelites obtained a divorce for frivolous reasons. Jehovah did not accept the worship of those who dealt treacherously with their mate

• Jehovah blessed those who treated their mate honorably

How can marriage mates today remain loyal with regard to their . . .

• thoughts?

• eyes?

• speech?

Jehovah designed marriage to be a permanent bond between a man and a woman. (Ge 2:22-24) Divorce would be an option only in cases of sexual immorality. (Mal 2:16; Mt 19:9) Since Jehovah wants marriages to be happy, he has provided principles that can help Christians to select a mate wisely and to maintain a happy marriage.​—Ec 5:4-6.

WATCH THE VIDEO WHAT IS TRUE LOVE?, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  Why was the correction that Frank and Bonnie gave to their daughter, Liz, both wise and loving?

• Why is it unwise to think that you can change the person you are courting?

• What wise advice did Paul and Priscilla give to Liz?

• 

  Why did problems develop in the marriage of Zach and Megan?

• 

  What spiritual pursuits did John and Liz share in common?

• Why should you get to know “the secret person of the heart” of someone before exchanging marriage vows with that person? (1Pe 3:4)

• What is true love? (1Co 13:4-8)