●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: Is the Bible’s advice practical?

Scripture: Pr 14:30

Link: Has the Bible accurately foretold the future?

• Song 27 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Illustration of the Wheat and the Weeds”: (10 min.)

  • Mt 13:24-26​—A man sowed fine seed in his field, and his enemy oversowed the field with weeds (w13 7/15 9-10 ¶2-3)

  • Mt 13:27-29​—The wheat and the weeds grew together until the harvest (w13 7/15 10 ¶4)

  • Mt 13:30​—During the harvest, the reapers first collected the weeds and then gathered the wheat (w13 7/15 12 ¶10-12)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mt 12:20​—How can we imitate Jesus’ compassion? (“smoldering wick” study note on Mt 12:20, nwtsty)

  • Mt 13:25​—Is it believable that someone in ancient times would actually oversow another man’s field with weeds? (w16.10 32)

  • 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) Mt 12:1-21

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) bhs 22-23 ¶10-12

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 68

• Local Needs: (5 min.)

• “Kingdom Illustrations and Their Meaning for Us”: (10 min.) Discussion. Consider how these illustrations should affect our share in the ministry.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 7

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

• Song 10 and Prayer

Jesus used the wheat and the weeds to illustrate how and when he would take out of mankind the entire wheat class of anointed Christians, beginning in 33 C.E.

13:24

‘A man sowed fine seed in his field’

• Sower: Jesus Christ

• Fine seed is sown: Jesus’ disciples are anointed with holy spirit

• The field: The world of mankind

13:25

“While men were sleeping, his enemy came and oversowed weeds”

• Enemy: The Devil

• Men were sleeping: Death of the apostles

13:30

“Let both grow together until the harvest”

• Wheat: Anointed Christians

• Weeds: Imitation Christians

“First collect the weeds . . . ; then gather the wheat”

• Slaves/​reapers: Angels

• Weeds collected: Imitation Christians are separated from anointed Christians

• Gathering into the storehouse: Anointed Christians are gathered into the restored congregation

When the harvest season began, what set true Christians apart from imitation ones?

How do I personally benefit from understanding this illustration?

Jesus used simple illustrations to teach deep spiritual lessons. However, only humble ones seek to understand and apply the lessons he taught. (Mt 13:10-15) For each of the Kingdom illustrations, answer the following questions: How can I benefit from this illustration? How should it affect my life?

THE KINGDOM OF THE HEAVENS IS LIKE . . .

• “a mustard grain.”​—Mt 13:31, 32; w14 12/15 8 ¶9.

• “leaven.”​—Mt 13:33; w14 12/15 9-10 ¶14-15.

• “a treasure” and “a traveling merchant.”​—Mt 13:44-46; w14 12/15 10 ¶18.

• Song 93 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Feeding Many Through the Hands of a Few”: (10 min.)

  • Mt 14:16, 17​—The disciples had only five loaves and two fish (w13 7/15 15 ¶2)

  • Mt 14:18, 19​—Jesus fed the large crowds through the hands of his disciples (w13 7/15 15 ¶3)

  • Mt 14:20, 21​—Thousands benefited from Jesus’ miracle (“as well as women and young children” study note on Mt 14:21, nwtsty; w13 7/15 15 ¶1)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mt 15:7-9​—Why must we avoid hypocrisy? (“hypocrites” study note on Mt 15:7, nwtsty)

  • Mt 15:26​—What might Jesus have meant when he used the term “little dogs”? (“children . . . little dogs” study note on Mt 15:26, 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) Mt 15:1-20

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) w15 9/15 16-17 ¶14-17​—Theme: Focus on Jesus to Strengthen Your Faith.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 135

• Become Jehovah’s Friend​—Making Friends: (7 min.) Play the video. Afterward, invite selected young children to the stage, and ask them the following questions: Why should you make friends with those who love Jehovah? What can you learn from them?

• “Honor Your Father and Your Mother”: (8 min.) Discussion. Play the whiteboard animation How Can I Talk to My Parents?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 8

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

• Song 148 and Prayer

Just before the Passover of 32 C.E., Jesus performed a miracle, the only one that was recorded by all four Gospel writers.

By means of this miracle, Jesus set a pattern that he continues to follow in our day.

14:16-21

• Jesus instructed his disciples to feed the crowds, even though they had only five loaves and two fish

• Jesus took the loaves and fish and, after praying, began to distribute them to the disciples who, in turn, distributed them to the crowds

• Miraculously, there was more than enough for everyone to eat. Jesus fed thousands through the hands of just a few​—his disciples

  

• Jesus foretold that during the last days, he would appoint a channel to provide spiritual “food at the proper time.”​—Mt 24:45

• In 1919, Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave,” a small group of anointed brothers, over “his domestics,” those who are fed

• By means of this small group of anointed brothers, Jesus is following the pattern he set in the first century

How can I show that I recognize and respect the channel that Jesus is using to feed people spiritually?

When Jesus walked the earth, he emphasized the command: “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12; Mt 15:4) Jesus certainly had freeness of speech because he “remained obedient” to his parents as a youth. (Lu 2:51, ftn.) As an adult, he made sure that his mother would be cared for after his death.​—Joh 19:26, 27.

In our day, too, Christian youths who obey their parents and speak to them respectfully show them honor. In fact, the command to honor our parents has no time limit. Even after our parents have grown old, we should continue to honor them by benefiting from their wisdom. (Pr 23:22) We also honor our aged parents by caring for them emotionally and financially as needed. (1Ti 5:8) Whether we are young or old, maintaining good communication with our parents is a key to honoring them.

WATCH THE WHITEBOARD ANIMATION HOW CAN I TALK TO MY PARENTS? AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Why might you find it difficult to talk to your parents?

• How can you honor your parents when talking to them?

  

• Why is it worth the effort to talk to your parents? (Pr 15:22)

  

• Song 45 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Whose Thoughts Are You Thinking?”: (10 min.)

  • Mt 16:21, 22​—Peter allowed sentimentality to influence his thinking (w07 2/15 16 ¶17)

  • Mt 16:23​—Peter was not thinking God’s thoughts (w15 5/15 13 ¶16-17)

  • Mt 16:24​—Christians must allow God’s thoughts to direct their life (w06 4/1 23 ¶9)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mt 16:18​—Who was the rock on which Jesus built the Christian congregation? (“You are Peter, and on this rock,” “congregation” study notes on Mt 16:18, nwtsty)

  • Mt 16:19​—What were “the keys of the Kingdom of the heavens” that Jesus gave to Peter? (“keys of the Kingdom of the heavens” study note on Mt 16:19, 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) Mt 16:1-20

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

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

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

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 78

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Using Questions Effectively”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Do the Work That Jesus Did​—Teach.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 9

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

• Song 134 and Prayer

16:21-23

• Although Peter no doubt spoke with good motive, Jesus quickly corrected Peter’s wrong thinking

• Jesus knew that this was no time to “be kind” to himself. Relaxing his guard at such a critical time was precisely what Satan wanted him to do

16:24

Jesus identified three things we must do to allow God’s will to guide us. What does each involve?

• Disown yourself

• Pick up your torture stake

• Keep following Jesus

WHY IMPORTANT: If “the thoughts of a man’s heart are like deep waters,” then questions are like a bucket to draw them out. (Pr 20:5) Questions help us to involve our listeners. Answers to well-chosen questions often provide valuable feedback. Jesus used questions effectively. How can we imitate him?

HOW TO DO IT:

• Ask viewpoint questions. Jesus asked a series of questions to determine his disciples’ point of view. (Mt 16:13-16; be 238 ¶3-5) What viewpoint questions might you ask?

• Ask leading questions. To correct Peter’s thinking, Jesus asked questions and provided possible answers that led Peter to the right conclusion. (Mt 17:24-26) What leading questions might you ask to help someone reach the right conclusion?

• Commend your listener. After a scribe “answered intelligently,” Jesus commended him. (Mr 12:34) How might you commend someone who gives an answer to a question?

WATCH THE FIRST PART OF THE VIDEO DO THE WORK THAT JESUS DID​—TEACH, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Why is this an example of poor teaching, even though the information is accurate?

• Why must we do more than just explain the information?

WATCH THE SECOND PART OF THE VIDEO, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• How did the brother use questions effectively?

• What other aspects of his teaching can we imitate?

• Song 121 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Carefully Avoid Stumbling Yourself and Others”: (10 min.)

  • Mt 18:6, 7​—We must not stumble others (“a millstone that is turned by a donkey,” “stumbling blocks” study notes and “Millstone,” “Upper and Lower Millstones” media on Mt 18:6, 7, nwtsty)

  • Mt 18:8, 9​—We must avoid anything that would cause us to stumble (“Gehenna” study note on Mt 18:9, nwtsty and glossary)

  • Mt 18:10​—Jehovah knows if we have stumbled others (“look upon the face of my Father” study note on Mt 18:10, nwtsty; w10 11/1 16)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mt 18:21, 22​—How many times should we be willing to forgive our brother? (“77 times” study note on Mt 18:22, nwtsty)

  • Mt 19:7​—What was the purpose of “a certificate of dismissal”? (“certificate of dismissal” study note and “Certificate of Divorce” media on Mt 19:7, 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) Mt 18:18-35

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bhs 26 ¶18-20​—Show how to reach the heart.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 90

• Never Be a Cause for Stumbling (2Co 6:3): (9 min.) Play the video.

• Memorial Campaign to Begin March 3: (6 min.) Talk based on the February 2016 Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook, “Invite Everyone in Your Territory to the Memorial!” Distribute a copy of the Memorial invitation to all in the audience, and review its contents. Emphasize that the special public talk “Who Really Is Jesus Christ?” will be given the week of March 19, 2018. It will increase anticipation for the Memorial. Outline local plans to cover the territory.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 10, box “Joyful Trips”

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

• Song 133 and Prayer

Jesus used illustrations to teach the seriousness of being stumbled or of causing others to stumble.

18:6, 7

• A “stumbling block” refers to an action or circumstance that leads a person to follow an improper course, to stumble or fall morally, or to fall into sin

• A person who causes someone to stumble would be better off if he fell into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck

18:8, 9

• Jesus counseled his followers to remove even something as precious as a hand or an eye if it causes them to stumble

• It would be better to give up such a cherished thing and enter into God’s Kingdom than to hold on to it and end up in Gehenna, a symbol of permanent destruction

What in my life could become a stumbling block, and how can I keep from stumbling myself or others?