THE WATCHTOWER

Introduction: The ride of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse is one of the best-known scenes from the book of Revelation. Some are scared by it. Others are intrigued.

Scripture: Re 1:3

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower explains how the ride of the four horsemen can mean good news for us.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: Do you think it’s possible to know what the future holds?

Scripture: Isa 46:10

Truth: God reveals the future to us through his Word, the Bible.

YOUR FAMILY CAN BE HAPPY

Introduction: We’re showing this short video about the family. [Play the introduction video for Your Family Can Be Happy.]

Offer: If you would like to read the brochure mentioned in the video, I can give you a free copy or I can show you how to download it from the website.

BUILD YOUR OWN PRESENTATION

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

• Song 2 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A Sign That Israel Would Be Restored”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 32:6-9, 15​—Jehovah directed Jeremiah to buy a field as a sign that Jehovah would restore Israel (it-1 105 ¶2)

  • Jer 32:10-12​—Jeremiah followed all the proper legal procedures for the transaction (w07 3/15 11 ¶3)

  • Jer 33:7, 8​—Jehovah promised to “purify” the captives (jr 152 ¶22-23)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 33:15​—Who is the “sprout” for David? (jr 173 ¶10)

  • Jer 33:23, 24​—What “two families” are spoken of here? (w07 3/15 11 ¶4)

  • 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 32:1-12

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 good use of the introduction video when offering the brochure Your Family Can Be Happy.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 42

• Local Needs: (15 min.) As an option, discuss the lessons learned from the Yearbook. (yb16 67-71)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 12 ¶1-8, box “He Humbly Accepted Correction”

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

• Song 7 and Prayer

32:9-14

• Jeremiah took steps to purchase the land.

  

33:10, 11

• Jehovah demonstrated goodness by promising that captives who responded to his discipline would be forgiven and would return to Israel.

  

How has Jehovah demonstrated goodness to you?

• Song 55 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Ebed-melech​—An Example of Bravery and Kindness”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 38:4-6​—Zedekiah gave in to fear of man and allowed opposers to throw Jeremiah into a muddy cistern to die (it-2 1228 ¶3)

  • Jer 38:7-10​—Ebed-melech acted bravely and decisively to help Jeremiah (w12 5/1 31 ¶2-3)

  • Jer 38:11-13​—Ebed-melech demonstrated kindness (w12 5/1 31 ¶4)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 35:19​—Why were the Rechabites blessed? (it-2 759)

  • Jer 37:21​—How did Jehovah care for Jeremiah, and how can this encourage us when we experience adversity? (w98 1/15 18 ¶16-17; w95 8/1 5 ¶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) Jer 36:27–37:2

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp17.3 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp17.3 cover​—Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) jl lesson 26

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 92

• “Caring for Our Places of Worship”: (15 min.) Questions and answers by an elder. After playing the video Caring for Our Places of Worship and considering the questions, briefly interview the congregation’s representative on the operating committee. (If your congregation does not have a representative, interview the coordinator of the body of elders. If your congregation is the only one that meets in the Kingdom Hall, interview the maintenance coordinator.) What Kingdom Hall maintenance projects have been accomplished recently, and what is planned for the future? If someone has maintenance skills or would like to learn by assisting those with skills, what should he or she do? How can all of us, regardless of our circumstances, share in caring for the Kingdom Hall?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 12 ¶9-15, boxes “How the Manner of Oversight Improved” and “How the Governing Body Cares for Kingdom Interests”

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

• Song 123 and Prayer

Ebed-melech, an officer in the court of King Zedekiah, showed godly qualities

38:7-13

• 

  He acted bravely and decisively by approaching King Zedekiah in behalf of Jeremiah and then by rescuing Jeremiah from the cistern

• He showed kindness by providing soft rags and pieces of cloth to cushion Jeremiah’s armpits against the ropes

  

Our Kingdom Halls are more than just buildings; they are places of worship dedicated to Jehovah. How can each of us share in caring for the Kingdom Hall? Discuss the following questions after watching the video Caring for Our Places of Worship.

1. What purposes do Kingdom Halls serve?

2. Why should we keep the Kingdom Hall clean and well-maintained?

3. Who cares for Kingdom Hall maintenance?

4. Why is safety important, and what examples of safety did you observe in the video?

5. How can we honor Jehovah by our donations?

HOW CAN I PLAN TO HAVE A SHARE?

• Song 150 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Will Render to Each One According to His Works”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 39:4-7​—Zedekiah suffered the consequences of disobeying Jehovah (it-2 1228 ¶4)

  • Jer 39:15-18​—Jehovah showed appreciation to Ebed-melech for demonstrating trust in Him (w12 5/1 31 ¶5)

  • Jer 40:1-6​—Jehovah took care of his faithful servant Jeremiah (it-2 482)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 42:1-3; 43:2, 4​—What lessons can we learn from Johanan’s mistake? (w03 5/1 10 ¶10)

  • Jer 43:6, 7​—What is the significance of the events described in these verses? (it-1 463 ¶4)

  • 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 40:11–41:3

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Isa 46:10​—Teach the Truth. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Re 12:7-9, 12​—Teach the Truth. Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 153 ¶19-20​—Invite the person to the meeting.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 138

• “Jehovah Does Not Forget Your Love” (Ps 71:18): (15 min.) Discussion. Begin by playing the video Jehovah Does Not Forget Your Love.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 12 ¶16-23, boxes “‘We Were Amazed’” and “Fruitful Weekly Visits,” review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 103 and Prayer

Zedekiah disobeyed Jehovah’s direction to surrender to Babylon

39:4-7

• Zedekiah’s sons were slaughtered before his eyes. He then was blinded, bound with copper fetters, and imprisoned in Babylon until his death

  

Ebed-melech demonstrated trust in Jehovah and concern for His prophet Jeremiah

39:15-18

• Jehovah promised to safeguard Ebed-melech during Judah’s destruction

  

Jeremiah preached boldly for many years before Jerusalem was destroyed

40:1-6

• Jehovah protected Jeremiah during Jerusalem’s siege and arranged for him to be released by the Babylonians

  

WATCH THE VIDEO JEHOVAH DOES NOT FORGET YOUR LOVE, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What challenges come with advancing age?

• What good quality often accompanies old age?

• If you have grown old, how do Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 16:31 encourage you?

• How does Jehovah view his aged servants whose ministry is now limited?

• What does Jehovah want us to do even when we are older?

• How can older ones encourage younger ones?

• How did an older brother or sister encourage you recently?

• Song 35 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Stop ‘Seeking Great Things for Yourself’”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 45:2, 3​—Baruch’s wrong thinking caused him distress (jr 104-105 ¶4-6)

  • Jer 45:4, 5a​—Jehovah kindly corrected Baruch (jr 103 ¶2)

  • Jer 45:5b​—Baruch preserved his life by focusing on what was most important (w16.07 8 ¶6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 48:13​—Why would the Moabites “be ashamed of Chemosh”? (it-1 430)

  • Jer 48:42​—Why is Jehovah’s pronouncement against Moab faith-strengthening? (it-2 422 ¶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 47:1-7

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lv 199 ¶9-10​—Briefly show the student how to do research on a specific trial he is experiencing.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 84

• Young Ones​—Do Not Seek Great Things for Yourselves: (15 min.) Play and discuss the video Young People Ask​—What Will I Do With My Life?​—Looking Back.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr “Section 4​—Kingdom Conquests—​Legally Establishing the Good News,” chap. 13 ¶1-10

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

• Song 61 and Prayer

45:2-5

Baruch was likely an educated official in the royal household. Although he worshipped Jehovah and faithfully assisted Jeremiah, he lost his balance at one point. He began “seeking great things,” perhaps additional prominence in the royal court or material prosperity. He needed to adjust his thinking in order to survive the approaching destruction of Jerusalem.

• Song 74 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jehovah Blesses Humility and Punishes Arrogance”: (10 min.)

  • Jer 50:4-7​—A remnant of repentant, humbled Israelites would be released from captivity and would return to Zion

  • Jer 50:29-32​—Babylon would be destroyed for acting arrogantly against Jehovah (it-1 54)

  • Jer 50:38, 39​—Babylon would never again be inhabited (jr 161 ¶15; w98 4/1 20 ¶20)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Jer 49:1, 2​—Why were the Ammonites rebuked by Jehovah? (it-1 94 ¶6)

  • Jer 49:17, 18​—How did Edom become like Sodom and Gomorrah, and why? (jr 163 ¶18; ip-2 351 ¶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 50:1-10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) T-32​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) T-32​—Discuss “To Think About.” Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Talk: (6 min. or less) w15 3/15 17-18​—Theme: In Recent Years, Why Have Our Publications Seldom Mentioned Types and Antitypes?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 41

• Remove the Rafter: (15 min.) Play the video Remove the Rafter. Then discuss the following questions: How did the brother demonstrate a proud, critical attitude? What helped him to adjust his thinking? How did he benefit?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 13 ¶11-23

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

• Song 148 and Prayer

50:4-7

• Repentant Israelites would weep for joy when Jehovah released them from captivity

• They would acknowledge their covenant with him anew and make the long journey back to Jerusalem to restore true worship

  

50:29, 39

• Arrogant Babylon would not go unpunished for its excessive cruelty to Jehovah’s people

• As prophesied, Babylon became an uninhabited wasteland