THE WATCHTOWER

Question: Some people think that the Bible is outdated, while others believe that it still has value. What’s your opinion?

Scripture: 2Ti 3:16, 17

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower highlights examples of the Bible’s practical wisdom and offers suggestions on how to get the most out of your Bible reading.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: Is the end of the world near?

Scripture: Mt 24:3, 7, 14

Truth: Bible prophecy shows that we are living in the time of the end. But this is good news​—it means that better times are just ahead.

WAS LIFE CREATED?

Question: Do you think it’s more reasonable to believe that God created life or that life began by chance?

Offer: This brochure reviews evidence that has led many to believe in an intelligent Creator. I’d like to return and discuss the question posed on page 29: “Does it matter what you believe?”

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 147 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Takes Care of His People”: (10 min.)

  • Isa 25:4, 5​—Jehovah is a spiritual refuge to all who want to serve him (ip-1 272 ¶5)

  • Isa 25:6​—Jehovah has kept his promise to provide an abundance of spiritual food (w16.05 24 ¶4; ip-1 273 ¶6-7)

  • Isa 25:7, 8​—Sin and death will soon be done away with forever (w14 9/15 26 ¶15; ip-1 273-274 ¶8-9)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Isa 26:15​—How can we help as Jehovah extends “all the borders of the land”? (w15 7/15 11 ¶18)

  • Isa 26:20​—What appears to be linked to the foretold “inner rooms”? (w13 3/15 23 ¶15-16)

  • 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) Isa 28:1-13

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. During January, publishers have the option of offering the brochure The Origin of Life​—Five Questions Worth Asking if they meet someone who would benefit from a more in-depth discussion about evidence of a Creator. Encourage them to be alert for opportunities to play the video Was Life Created?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 2

• Local Needs: (15 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb16 140-142)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 6 ¶8-15 and the box “Early Conventions That Gave Impetus to the Preaching Work”

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

• Song 37 and Prayer

Like a generous host, Jehovah supplies us with an abundance of spiritual food.

“Jehovah of armies will make for all the peoples a banquet”

25:6

• In Bible times, when people ate a meal together, it signified peace and friendship

“Of rich dishes filled with marrow, of fine, filtered wine”

• Rich dishes and fine, filtered wine picture the very best of spiritual food that Jehovah provides for us

• Song 103 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A King Will Reign for Righteousness”: (10 min.)

  • Isa 32:1​—The King who will reign for righteousness is Jesus Christ (w14 2/15 6 ¶13)

  • Isa 32:2​—The enthroned Jesus provides princes to care for the flock (ip-1 332-334 ¶7-8)

  • Isa 32:3, 4​—Jehovah’s people are given instruction and training that help them demonstrate righteousness (ip-1 334-335 ¶10-11)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Isa 30:21​—In what ways does Jehovah communicate with his servants? (w14 8/15 21 ¶2)

  • Isa 33:22​—When and how did Jehovah become Judge, Lawgiver, and King for the nation of Israel? (w14 10/15 14 ¶4)

  • 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) Isa 30:22-33

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp17.1 cover​—Respond to an irate householder.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp17.1 cover​—Read scriptures from a mobile device.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 31-32 ¶12-13​—Demonstrate how to reach the heart.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 87

• “A Hiding Place From the Wind” (Isa 32:2): (9 min.) Play the video.

• Pay Attention at the Meetings: (6 min.) Play the video Pay Attention at the Meetings. Afterward, invite selected young children to the stage, and ask them: What could cause you not to pay attention during the meetings? What might have happened if Noah had not paid attention when Jehovah explained how to build the ark? Why is it important for children to pay attention during the meetings?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 6 ¶16-24 and the box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 21 and Prayer

Jesus, the King, provides “princes,” or elders, who care for the flock

32:1-3

• Like “a place of concealment from the rainstorm,” they work to protect the flock from storms of persecution and discouragement

• Like “streams of water in a waterless land,” they refresh those who are spiritually thirsty by offering pure, unadulterated truth

• Like “the shadow of a massive crag in a parched land,” they bring relief to the flock by providing spiritual guidance and refreshment

  

• Song 63 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Hezekiah’s Faith Was Rewarded”: (10 min.)

  • Isa 36:1, 4-10, 15, 18-20​—The Assyrians taunted Jehovah and threatened his people (ip-1 386-388 ¶7-14)

  • Isa 37:1, 2, 14-20​—Hezekiah put his trust in Jehovah (ip-1 389-391 ¶15-17)

  • Isa 37:33-38​—Jehovah acted in defense of his people (ip-1 391-394 ¶18-22)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Isa 35:8​—What was “the Way of Holiness,” and who qualified to walk on it? (w08 5/15 26 ¶4; 27 ¶1)

  • Isa 36:2, 3, 22​—How did Shebna set a good example of one who accepted discipline? (w07 1/15 8 ¶6)

  • 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) Isa 36:1-12

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Mt 24:3, 7, 14​—Teach the Truth—​Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) 2Ti 3:1-5​—Teach the Truth—​Leave a JW.ORG contact card.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 31-32 ¶11-12​—Invite the person to the meeting.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 30

• “O Jehovah, . . . I Trust in You”: (15 min.) Questions and answers. Begin by playing “O Jehovah, . . . I Trust in You”​—Excerpt.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 7 ¶1-9

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

• Song 70 and Prayer

King Sennacherib of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh to Jerusalem to demand the city’s surrender. The Assyrians used various arguments in an attempt to make the Jews give up without a fight.

• 

  Isolation. Egypt will be of little help to you.​—Isa 36:6

• 

  Doubt. Jehovah will not fight for you because he is displeased with you.​—Isa 36:7, 10

• 

  Intimidation. You do not stand a chance against the powerful Assyrian army.​—Isa 36:8, 9

• 

  Temptation. Surrendering to Assyria will improve the quality of your life.​—Isa 36:16, 17

Hezekiah showed unwavering faith in Jehovah

37:1, 2, 14-20, 36

• He did what he reasonably could to prepare the city for the siege

• He prayed to Jehovah for deliverance and encouraged the people to do the same

• His faith was rewarded when Jehovah sent an angel to strike down 185,000 Assyrian warriors in one night

  

It is important for us to trust in Jehovah both in good times and in bad. (Ps 25:1, 2) In the eighth century B.C.E., the Jews in Judah faced a crisis that tested their trust in God. What occurred provides many lessons for us. (Ro 15:4) After watching the video “O Jehovah, . . . I Trust in You,” how would you answer the following questions?

1. What crisis did Hezekiah face?

2. How did Hezekiah apply the principle found at Proverbs 22:3 when anticipating a possible siege?

3. Why did Hezekiah not consider surrendering to Assyria or making an alliance with Egypt?

4. How is Hezekiah a good example for Christians?

5. What situations today test our trust in Jehovah?

Write down situations where you can show more trust in Jehovah.

• Song 114 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Gives Power to the Tired One”: (10 min.)

  • Isa 40:25, 26​—Jehovah is the Source of all dynamic energy (ip-1 409-410 ¶23-25)

  • Isa 40:27, 28​—Jehovah notices the hardships we endure and the injustices we suffer (ip-1 413 ¶27)

  • Isa 40:29-31​—Jehovah gives power to those trusting in him (ip-1 413-415 ¶29-31)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Isa 38:17​—In what sense does Jehovah throw our sins behind his back? (w03 7/1 17 ¶17)

  • Isa 42:3​—How was this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus? (w15 2/15 8 ¶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) Isa 40:6-17

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 38-39 ¶6-7​—Demonstrate how to reach the heart.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 44

• “Remember to Pray for Persecuted Christians”: (15 min.) Discussion. Begin by playing the video Retrial of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Taganrog​—When Will the Injustice End?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 7 ¶10-18, the box “Programs on WBBR,” and the box “A Momentous Convention”

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

• Song 10 and Prayer

40:29-31

• An eagle can stay aloft for hours, using thermals, or columns of rising warm air. Once a thermal is found, the eagle circles within the column, which carries the eagle higher and higher. When it attains a certain height, it glides to the next thermal, and the process is repeated

• The eagle’s seemingly effortless flight beautifully illustrates how we are able to carry on in our worship with the strength that God supplies

The Bible prophesied that Satan would persecute us in an attempt to hinder our ministry. (Joh 15:20; Re 12:17) How can we help fellow Christians who are suffering persecution in other lands? We can pray for them. “A righteous man’s supplication has a powerful effect.”​—Jas 5:16.

What can we pray for? We can ask Jehovah to give our brothers and sisters courage and to help them not to be afraid. (Isa 41:10-13) We can also pray for the authorities to be favorably disposed toward the preaching work, “so that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life.”​—1Ti 2:1, 2.

When Paul and Peter were persecuted, the first-century Christians prayed for them by name. (Ac 12:5; Ro 15:30, 31) Even if we do not know the names of all those being persecuted today, could we mention their congregation, country, or region?

Write down lands where there are persecuted Christians you want to pray for.

• Song 55 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Is the God of True Prophecy”: (10 min.)

  • Isa 44:26-28​—Jehovah prophesied that Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt, and he named Cyrus as the conqueror of Babylon (ip-2 71-72 ¶22-23)

  • Isa 45:1, 2​—Jehovah gave details about the conquest of Babylon (ip-2 77-78 ¶4-6)

  • Isa 45:3-6​—Jehovah gave reasons why he used Cyrus to conquer Babylon (ip-2 79-80 ¶8-10)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Isa 43:10-12​—In what way were the Israelites to be a nation of witnesses for Jehovah? (w14 11/15 21-22 ¶14-16)

  • Isa 43:25​—What is the main reason why Jehovah wipes out transgressions? (ip-2 60 ¶24)

  • 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) Isa 46:1-13

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) lc​—Witness informally to a workmate or schoolmate.

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) jl lesson 4

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• How Can We Be Sure the Bible Is True?: (15 min.) Play the video How Can We Be Sure the Bible Is True? Then discuss the following questions: How can we use this video when witnessing informally, publicly, and from house to house? What good experiences have you had with this video?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 7 ¶19-23, the box “JW.ORG,” the chart “Some Methods Used to Reach Large Numbers of People,” and the box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 83 and Prayer

About 200 years before the conquest of Babylon, Jehovah through Isaiah gave a detailed prophecy describing what would happen.

44:27–45:2

• Cyrus would be the conqueror of Babylon

• The city’s double doors would be left open

• The Euphrates River, a part of the city’s main defense system, would “dry up”