●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: How can young people avoid problems?

Scripture: Pr 4:5, 6

Link: Where can we find wisdom for everyday life?

• Song 109 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Measure Out Generously”: (10 min.)

  • Lu 6:37​—If we are forgiving, people will forgive us (“Keep on forgiving, and you will be forgiven” study note on Lu 6:37, nwtsty; w08 5/15 9-10 ¶13-14)

  • Lu 6:38​—We should make giving a practice (“Practice giving” study note on Lu 6:38, nwtsty)

  • Lu 6:38​—People will measure out to us as we have measured out to others (“your laps” study note on Lu 6:38, nwtsty)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Lu 6:12, 13​—In what way did Jesus set a good example for Christians facing major decisions? (w07 8/1 6 ¶1)

  • Lu 7:35​—How can Jesus’ words help us if we are the victims of slander? (“its children” study note on Lu 7:35, 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) Lu 7:36-50

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 197-198 ¶4-5

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 108

• Imitate Jehovah’s Generosity: (15 min.) Play the video. Then discuss the following questions:

  • How have Jehovah and Jesus demonstrated generosity?

  • How does Jehovah bless our generosity?

  • What does it mean to be a generous forgiver?

  • What are some ways that we can be generous with our time?

  • How can we be generous in giving commendation?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 27

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

• Song 57 and Prayer

6:38

A generous person gladly gives of his time, energy, and resources to help and encourage others.

• 

  The form of the Greek verb translated “practice giving” denotes continuous action

• When we practice giving, others will pour into our lap “a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing.” This expression may refer to a custom of some vendors to fill a fold in the outer garment with purchased goods

• Song 13 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Be My Follower​—What Is Needed?”: (10 min.)

  • Lu 9:57, 58​—Those who follow Jesus must put their trust in Jehovah (it-2 494)

  • Lu 9:59, 60​—Those who follow Jesus put the Kingdom of God first in their lives (“bury my father,” “Let the dead bury their dead” study notes on Lu 9:59, 60, nwtsty)

  • Lu 9:61, 62​—Those who follow Jesus cannot allow themselves to be distracted by the things of the world (“Plowing” media on Lu 9:62, nwtsty; w12 4/15 15-16 ¶11-13)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Lu 8:3​—How were these Christians “ministering” to Jesus and the apostles? (“were ministering to them” study note on Lu 8:3, nwtsty)

  • Lu 9:49, 50​—Why did Jesus not prevent a man from expelling demons, even though the man was not following him? (w08 3/15 31 ¶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) Lu 8:1-15

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) w12 3/15 27-28 ¶11-15​—Theme: Should We Regret Any Sacrifices That We Have Made for the Sake of the Kingdom?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 124

• Local Needs: (15 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 28, box “Illustrations About Fasting”

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

• Song 110 and Prayer

9:62

In order to make straight furrows, a plowman could not be distracted by what was behind him. Similarly, a Christian cannot allow himself to be distracted by the things that he left behind in the world.​—Php 3:13.

When we experience difficulties, it is easy to long for ‘the good old days,’ perhaps the days before we came into the truth. When doing so, we often exaggerate the joys and minimize the problems of the past. That is what the Israelites did after they left Egypt. (Nu 11:5, 6) If we were to dwell on such thoughts, we could be tempted to return to our former way of life. How much better it is to count our present blessings and to focus on future joys under the Kingdom!​—2Co 4:16-18.

• Song 100 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Parable of the Neighborly Samaritan”: (10 min.)

  • Lu 10:29-32​—First a priest and then a Levite failed to help a fellow Jew who was a victim of robbers [Play “The Road From Jerusalem to Jericho” media on Lu 10:30, nwtsty.] (w02 9/1 16-17 ¶14-15)

  • Lu 10:33-35​—A Samaritan showed outstanding love to the victim (“a certain Samaritan,” “bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them,” “an inn” study notes on Lu 10:33, 34, nwtsty)

  • Lu 10:36, 37​—We should demonstrate love toward all, not just toward people of the same social class, race, tribe, or nation (w98 7/1 31 ¶2)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Lu 10:18​—What was Jesus referring to when he told the 70 disciples: “I see Satan already fallen like lightning from heaven”? (“I see Satan already fallen like lightning from heaven” study note on Lu 10:18, nwtsty; w08 3/15 31 ¶11)

  • Lu 11:5-9​—What does the illustration about the persistent man teach us about praying? (“Friend, lend me three loaves,” “Stop bothering me,” “bold persistence” study notes on Lu 11:5-9, 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) Lu 10:1-16

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. The person tells you that he is in the middle of eating his meal.

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

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 24

• “Why Is Neutrality So Important? (Mic 4:2)”: (15 min.) Play and discuss the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 29

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

• Song 146 and Prayer

10:25-37

Jesus gave this parable in answer to the question: “Who really is my neighbor?” (Lu 10:25-29) He knew that the Christian congregation would come to be made up of “all sorts of” people​—including Samaritans and Gentiles. (Joh 12:32) This parable taught his followers that they should go out of their way to show love to others, even those who may be very different from them.

ASK YOURSELF:

• ‘How do I feel about brothers and sisters who are from different cultures?’

• ‘Do I spend time mainly with those I have things in common with?’

• ‘Could I open my heart wide by getting better acquainted with fellow Christians who have a different background?’ (2Co 6:13)

Whom can I invite to . . .

• work with me in the ministry?

• come to my home for a meal?

• join my family for our next Family Worship evening?

The parable of the neighborly Samaritan reminds us that Jehovah is not partial and that he wants us to “work what is good toward all”​—including those of a different social class, race, tribe, nation, or religion.​—Ga 6:10; Ac 10:34.

WATCH THE VIDEO WHY IS NEUTRALITY SO IMPORTANT? (MIC 4:2), AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• How do we know that Micah 4:2 describes what is happening to God’s people today?

• What is neutrality, and why is it important?

• How does Revelation 13:16, 17 show that the political system is trying to influence our thinking and actions?

• Song 4 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “You Are Worth More Than Many Sparrows”: (10 min.)

  • Lu 12:6​—Even small birds are not forgotten by God (“sparrows” study note on Lu 12:6, nwtsty)

  • Lu 12:7​—Jehovah’s intimate knowledge of us reveals his keen interest in us (“even the hairs of your head are all numbered” study note on Lu 12:7, nwtsty)

  • Lu 12:7​—Jehovah values each one of us (cl 241 ¶4-5)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Lu 13:24​—What does Jesus’ admonition mean? (“Exert yourselves vigorously” study note on Lu 13:24, nwtsty)

  • Lu 13:33​—Why did Jesus make this statement? (“it cannot be” study note on Lu 13:33, 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) Lu 12:22-40

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then invite the person to the meeting.

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lvs 214-215 ¶4-5

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 116

• Isolated but Not Forgotten: (15 min.) Play the video. Afterward, discuss the following questions:

  • What challenging situations have the three publishers experienced?

  • How has Jehovah demonstrated that he has not forgotten them?

  • How have the publishers continued to serve Jehovah despite their challenges, and how has this encouraged others?

  • How can you show love to those who are elderly or infirm in your congregation?

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

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

• Song 5 and Prayer

12:6, 7

What is the context of Jesus’ words at Luke 12:6, 7? In verse 4, we read that Jesus told his followers not to be afraid of those who may oppose them or who may even kill them. Jesus was preparing his disciples for the opposition that they would later face. He assured them that Jehovah valued each of His servants and that He would not allow permanent harm to come to them.

How can we imitate Jehovah’s concern for those who are being persecuted?

Where can we find updated information on Jehovah’s Witnesses who are imprisoned for their faith?

How many brothers and sisters are imprisoned?

• Song 125 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Parable of the Lost Son”: (10 min.)

  • Lu 15:11-16​—A wayward son squandered his inheritance on a debauched life (“A man had two sons,” “the younger one,” “squandered,” “a debauched life,” “to herd swine,” “carob pods” study notes on Lu 15:11-16, nwtsty)

  • Lu 15:17-24​—He repented and was welcomed back by his loving father (“against you,” “hired men,” “tenderly kissed him,” “called your son,” “robe . . . ring . . . sandals” study notes on Lu 15:17-24, nwtsty)

  • Lu 15:25-32​—The older son’s thinking was corrected

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Lu 14:26​—What does the word “hate” mean in this context? (“hate” study note on Lu 14:26, nwtsty)

  • Lu 16:10-13​—What was Jesus’ point regarding “unrighteous riches”? (w17.07 8-9 ¶7-8)

  • 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) Lu 14:1-14

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then invite the person to the meeting.

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) lvs 37-38 ¶14-15

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 107

• “The Prodigal Returns”: (15 min.) Discussion. Begin by playing The Prodigal Returns​—Excerpt.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 31

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

• Song 139 and Prayer

15:11-32

Some lessons that we learn from the parable.

• It is wise to remain in the security of God’s people, under the care of our loving heavenly Father

• If we deviate from God’s way, we should humbly return, confident of Jehovah’s willingness to forgive us

• We should imitate Jehovah by warmly welcoming those who repent and return to the congregation

WATCH THE VIDEO THE PRODIGAL RETURNS, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What indicated that David was drifting away spiritually, and how did his family and the elders try to help him?

• How were Brother and Sister Barker good examples as parents?

• What lessons did the video teach about . . .

  • 

    devoting our life to our secular work?

  • 

    bad associations?

  • 

    listening to counsel?

  • 

    repentance and forgiveness?