●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: What has God promised for the future?

Scripture: Re 21:4

Link: How can we experience the blessings that God has promised?

• Song 115 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A Vicious Persecutor Becomes a Zealous Witness”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 9:1, 2​—Saul brutally persecuted Jesus’ disciples (bt 60 ¶1-2)

  • Ac 9:15, 16​—Saul was chosen to bear witness about Jesus (w16.06 7 ¶4)

  • Ac 9:20-22​—Saul became a zealous witness (bt 64 ¶15)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 9:4​—Why did Jesus ask Saul: “Why are you persecuting me?” (bt 60-61 ¶5-6)

  • Ac 10:6​—Why is it significant that the apostle Peter lodged with a tanner? (“Simon, a tanner” study note on Ac 10:6, nwtsty)

  • 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) Ac 9:10-22

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Play and discuss the video.

• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation.

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

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 58

• Local Needs: (8 min.)

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

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 44

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

• Song 59 and Prayer

9:15, 16, 20-22

Saul acted swiftly on what he learned. Why did Saul respond when others failed to do so? Because he feared God more than man and he deeply appreciated the mercy Christ had shown him. If you are studying the Bible but are not baptized, will you imitate Saul by acting decisively on what you learn?

• Song 60 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Barnabas and Paul Make Disciples in Faraway Places”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 13:2, 3​—Jehovah chose Barnabas and Saul for a special work (bt 86 ¶4)

  • Ac 13:12, 48; 14:1​—Their hard work yielded results (bt 95 ¶5)

  • Ac 14:21, 22​—Barnabas and Paul strengthened the new disciples (w14 9/15 13 ¶4-5)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 12:21-23​—What do we learn from what happened to Herod? (w08 5/15 32 ¶7)

  • Ac 13:9​—Why was Saul “also called Paul”? (“Saul, also called Paul” and “Paul” study notes on Ac 13:9, nwtsty)

  • 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) Ac 12:1-17

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Use the sample conversation.

• First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.

• Talk: (6 min. or less) bt 78-79 ¶8-9​—Theme: Pray for Fellow Believers.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 65

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Helping ‘Rightly Disposed’ Ones to Become Disciples”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Jehovah God Will Help You.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 45

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

• Song 55 and Prayer

13:12, 48; 14:1, 21, 22

Despite fierce opposition, Barnabas and Paul worked hard to help meek ones to embrace Christianity

• They preached to people of all backgrounds

• They encouraged new disciples “to remain in the faith”

WHY IMPORTANT: Jehovah makes seeds of truth grow in the hearts of those who are “rightly disposed for everlasting life.” (Ac 13:48; 1Co 3:7) We work along with him by focusing our efforts in the ministry on those who respond to what they learn. (1Co 9:26) Bible students need to understand that Christian baptism is necessary to gain salvation. (1Pe 3:21) We help them to become disciples by teaching them to make changes in their life, to preach and teach, and to dedicate their life to Jehovah.​—Mt 28:19, 20.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Remind Bible students that the purpose of their study is to help them ‘come to know’ Jehovah and please him.​—Joh 17:3

• Help them to make spiritual progress by overcoming obstacles, such as bad habits and questionable association

• Strengthen and encourage them before and after their baptism.​—Ac 14:22

WATCH THE VIDEO JEHOVAH GOD WILL HELP YOU, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What fears might hold someone back from dedication and baptism?

• How can elders help Bible students to make spiritual progress?

• What does Isaiah 41:10 teach us about Jehovah?

• What qualities will enable us to serve Jehovah acceptably, even though we are imperfect?

• Song 96 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A Unanimous Decision Based on God’s Word”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 15:1, 2​—The circumcision issue threatened to divide the early Christian congregation (bt 102-103 ¶8)

  • Ac 15:13-20​—The governing body’s decision was based on the Scriptures (w12 1/15 5 ¶6-7)

  • Ac 15:28, 29; 16:4, 5​—The governing body’s decision strengthened the congregations (bt 123 ¶18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 16:6-9​—What can we learn from this account about expanding our ministry? (w12 1/15 10 ¶8)

  • Ac 16:37​—How did the apostle Paul use his Roman citizenship to advance the good news? (“we are Romans” study note on Ac 16:37, nwtsty)

  • 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) Ac 16:25-40

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Respond to an objection common in your territory.

• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. Introduce and discuss (but do not play) the video Why Study the Bible?

• Second Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Play and discuss the video.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 74

• “Joyfully Praise Jehovah With Song”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Children Praise Jehovah in Song. To conclude the part, invite all to stand and sing along to the video Song 084 Reaching Out.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 46

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

• Song 102 and Prayer

What can we learn from the way this situation was resolved?

15:1, 2​—Exercise humility and patience. Rather than settling the issue themselves, Paul and Barnabas sought direction from Jehovah’s organization.

15:28, 29​—Trust God’s organization. The congregation was confident that Jehovah would direct matters by means of his holy spirit and Christ Jesus.

16:4, 5​—Obey. The congregations prospered when they followed the direction from the governing body.

Paul and Silas praised Jehovah with song while they were in prison. (Ac 16:25) No doubt their singing strengthened them to endure. What about us today? Songs used for worship and original songs can lift our spirit and help us to remain faithful when under trial. More than that, they praise Jehovah. (Ps 28:7) We have been encouraged to memorize the lyrics of at least some of the songs. Have you tried to do so? We can use family worship to practice the songs and learn the lyrics.

WATCH THE VIDEO CHILDREN PRAISE JEHOVAH IN SONG, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  What good effect can singing Kingdom songs have on us?

• 

  How do Audio/​Video Departments prepare to record a singing session?

• 

  How do children and their families prepare for a recording session?

• 

  What are your favorite Kingdom songs, and why?

• Song 78 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Imitate the Apostle Paul in Preaching and Teaching”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 17:2, 3​—Paul reasoned from the Scriptures and used references when teaching (“reasoned” study note on Ac 17:2, nwtsty; “proving by references” study note on Ac 17:3, nwtsty)

  • Ac 17:17​—Paul preached wherever he found people (“the marketplace” study note on Ac 17:17, nwtsty)

  • Ac 17:22, 23​—Paul was observant and established common ground (“To an Unknown God” study note on Ac 17:23, nwtsty)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 18:18​—What can be said about the vow Paul made? (w08 5/15 32 ¶5)

  • Ac 18:21​—How should we imitate Paul as we pursue spiritual goals? (“if Jehovah is willing” study note on Ac 18:21, nwtsty)

  • 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) Ac 17:1-15

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. Introduce and discuss (but do not play) the video What Happens at a Bible Study?

• Third Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Choose your own scripture, and offer a study publication.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) jl lesson 7

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 70

• Thoroughly Preach and Teach the Good News: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Family Worship: Paul​—He Thoroughly Preached the Good News. Then ask the following questions: How did the family in the video recognize that they needed to improve the quality of their ministry? What facets of the apostle Paul’s ministry did they imitate? What blessings did they experience as a result? What are some ideas for family worship that you might use?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 47

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

• Song 151 and Prayer

17:2, 3, 17, 22, 23

How can we imitate the apostle Paul’s example?

• 

  We can use the Scriptures to reason with people, and we can adapt our reasoning to our audience

• 

  We can preach where and when we are likely to find people

• 

  We can tactfully acknowledge others’ beliefs in order to establish common ground

• Song 103 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Pay Attention to Yourselves and to All the Flock”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 20:28​—Elders shepherd the congregation (w11 6/15 20-21 ¶5)

  • Ac 20:31​—Elders offer assistance “night and day” as necessary (w13 1/15 31 ¶15)

  • Ac 20:35​—Elders must display a self-sacrificing spirit (bt 172 ¶20)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 19:9​—How did the apostle Paul set an example in being industrious and adaptable? (bt 161 ¶11)

  • Ac 19:19​—How did the Ephesians set an example that is worthy of imitation? (bt 162-163 ¶15)

  • 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) Ac 19:1-20

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Give the householder a JW.ORG contact card.

• Third Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Choose your own scripture and linking question.

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) jl lesson 15

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 99

• Train Young Men Who Are Reaching Out: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then answer the following questions: What vital role do elders play in the congregation? (Ac 20:28) Why must elders continue to train others? How can elders imitate Jesus’ example of training his apostles? What attitude should brothers have toward being trained? (Ac 20:35; 1Ti 3:1) What practical training can elders give them? What balanced view should elders have toward those whom they are training?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 48

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

• Song 118 and Prayer

20:28, 31, 35

Elders feed, protect, and care for the flock, remembering that each sheep was bought with Christ’s precious blood. Christians truly appreciate and love those who, like Paul, give of themselves unselfishly in behalf of the flock.