THE WATCHTOWER

Question: Who is the greatest gift-giver in the universe?

Scripture: Jas 1:17

Offer: This issue of The Watchtower helps us to appreciate one gift from God that is the best of all.

TEACH THE TRUTH

Question: What is God’s name?

Scripture: Ps 83:18

Truth: God’s name is Jehovah.

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 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 60 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Search for Jehovah, and Keep Living”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Amos.]

  • Am 5:4, 6​—We must come to know Jehovah and do his will (w04 11/15 24 ¶20)

  • Am 5:14, 15​—We must accept Jehovah’s standards of good and bad and learn to love them (jd 90-91 ¶16-17)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Am 2:12​—How can we apply the lesson found in this verse? (w07 10/1 14 ¶8)

  • Am 8:1, 2​—What did “a basket of summer fruit” signify? (w07 10/1 14 ¶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) Am 4:1-13

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.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 58

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Making a Return Visit”: (15 min.) Discussion. Afterward, play and discuss the video that shows two publishers making a return visit.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr “Section 7​—Kingdom Promises—​Making All Things New,” chap. 21 ¶1-7

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

• Song 143 and Prayer

5:6, 14, 15

What does it mean to search for Jehovah?

• It means that we continue to learn about Jehovah and to live according to his standards

What happened to the Israelites when they failed to search for Jehovah?

• They stopped ‘hating what was bad and loving what was good’

• They focused on pleasing themselves

• They ignored direction from Jehovah

  

What has Jehovah provided to help us search for him?

WHY IMPORTANT: Many people who show interest in the Kingdom message are searching for the truth about God. (Isa 55:6) In order for us to teach them progressively, we must return again and again. People face different challenges, so the way we cultivate their interest will vary. However, we will be more effective if we prepare well and have an objective for each visit, with the ultimate goal of starting a Bible study.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Endeavor to return promptly, perhaps within a few days.​—Mt 13:19

• Be friendly and respectful. Try to relax

• Begin with a warm greeting. Use the person’s name. Remind him why you have returned​—perhaps to answer a question, bring the latest magazine, show our website, play a video, or demonstrate a Bible study. Adjust your comments if he expresses interest in another subject.​—Php 2:4

• Water the seed of truth planted in his heart by sharing a Scriptural thought and perhaps by leaving literature. (1Co 3:6) Try to build a rapport with him

• Lay the groundwork for the next visit

• Song 102 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Learn From Your Mistakes”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Obadiah.]

  • [Play the video Introduction to Jonah.]

  • Jon 3:1-3​—Jonah learned from his mistakes (ia 114 ¶22-23)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ob 10​—How did Edom “perish forever”? (w07 11/1 13 ¶5)

  • Ob 12​—What lesson can we learn from God’s condemnation of Edom? (jd 112 ¶4-5)

  • 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) Jon 3:1-10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) wp17.6 cover​—Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) wp17.6​—The magazine was placed on the preceding visit. Demonstrate a return visit, and introduce one of our Bible study publications.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) ld 12-13​—Select which pictures to consider.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 98

• “Lessons From the Book of Jonah”: (15 min.) Discuss the article after playing the video Family Worship: Jonah​—Learning From Jehovah’s Mercy.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 21 ¶8-14

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

• Song 150 and Prayer

The account of Jonah shows that Jehovah does not give up on us when we make mistakes. However, he does expect us to learn from our mistakes and make the necessary changes.

Jon 1:3

What mistake did Jonah make when he received his assignment from Jehovah?

Jon 2:1-10

What did Jonah pray about, and how did Jehovah respond?

Jon 3:1-3

How did Jonah show that he had learned from his mistakes?

In his Word, Jehovah has preserved the life stories of men and women of faith in order to teach us valuable lessons. (Ro 15:4) What did you learn from the book of Jonah? Watch the video Family Worship: Jonah​—Learning From Jehovah’s Mercy, and then answer the following questions:

• What challenges did the three publishers in the video face?

• How can the book of Jonah encourage us if we have been disciplined or have lost privileges of service? (1Sa 16:7; Jon 3:1, 2)

• How can Jonah’s account help us to maintain a positive view of our territory? (Jon 4:11; Mt 5:7)

• How can Jonah’s experience comfort us when we are experiencing chronic health problems? (Jon 2:1, 2, 7, 9)

• What did you learn from this video about the value of Bible reading and meditation?

• Song 31 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “What Does Jehovah Require of Us?”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Micah.]

  • Mic 6:6, 7​—Sacrifices are meaningless to Jehovah if we fail to treat our fellow man properly (w08 5/15 6 ¶20)

  • Mic 6:8​—Jehovah’s requirements are reasonable (w12 11/1 22 ¶4-7)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mic 2:12​—How was this prophecy fulfilled? (w07 11/1 15 ¶6)

  • Mic 7:7​—Why should we “show a waiting attitude” for Jehovah? (w03 8/15 24 ¶20)

  • 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) Mic 4:1-10

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Ps 83:18​—Teach the Truth. Lay the groundwork for a return visit.

• Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Ex 3:14​—Teach the Truth. Lay the groundwork for the next visit.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bh 123-124 ¶20-21.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 28

• Local Needs: (6 min.)

• Jehovah Wants Us to Be Generous (Prov. 3:27): (9 min.) Play the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 21 ¶15-20, chart “What the Near Future Holds,” review box “How Real Is the Kingdom to You?”

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

• Song 149 and Prayer

6:6-8

Jehovah understands our limitations and never requires more of us than we are able to give. From God’s standpoint, our relationship with our brothers is an important part of true worship. If we want Jehovah to accept our sacrifices, we must treat our brothers with love and respect.

• Song 129 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Remain Spiritually Alert and Active”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Nahum.]

  • [Play the video Introduction to Habakkuk.]

  • Hab 2:1-4​—In order to survive the coming day of Jehovah’s judgment, we must “keep in expectation of it” (w07 11/15 10 ¶3-5)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Na 1:8; 2:6​—How was Nineveh exterminated? (w07 11/15 9 ¶2)

  • Hab 3:17-19​—Although we may face hardship before and during Armageddon, what confidence can we have? (w07 11/15 10 ¶10)

  • 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) Hab 2:15–3:6

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​—The brochure was placed on the preceding visit. Demonstrate a return visit.

• Talk: (6 min. or less) w16.03 23-25​—Theme: Can You Help in Your Congregation?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 21

• “Remain Spiritually Alert and Active When Your Circumstances Change”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Staying Spiritually Grounded While Moving.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) kr chap. 22 ¶1-7

• Review Followed by Preview of Next Week (3 min.) Inform the congregation that the offer for December will be the Awake! magazine with the cover subject “Is the World Out of Control?” The video presentation that is scheduled to be discussed during the next midweek meeting will be available on JW Library beginning November 30. Publishers should endeavor to give this issue wide distribution.

• Song 142 and Prayer

Hab 1:5, 6

The impending destruction of Judah by the Babylonians may have seemed unlikely. Judah was under the powerful influence of Egypt. The Chaldeans were not stronger than Egypt, were they? In addition, it was unthinkable to many Jews that Jehovah would allow Jerusalem and its temple to be destroyed. Nonetheless, the prophecy would come true, and Habakkuk needed to keep in expectation of it by remaining spiritually alert and active.

What convinces me that the end of this system of things is very near?

How can I remain spiritually alert and active?

Changes are unavoidable, especially during these last days. (1Co 7:31) Whether expected or not, good or bad, changes can disrupt our worship and strain our relationship with Jehovah. What will help us to remain spiritually alert and active during times of change? Watch the video Staying Spiritually Grounded While Moving, and then answer the following questions:

• What advice did one brother give the father?

• How did the principle found at Matthew 7:25 apply to the family’s situation?

• How did the family plan ahead for the move, and how did this help them?

• What helped the family to adapt to changes both in the congregation and in the territory?

What major changes have I experienced recently?

How can I apply the principles found in this video to my situation?