●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: How can we make the hope offered in the Bible our own?

Scripture: Ps 37:34

Link: What way of life does God invite us to follow?

• Song 13 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Pick Up Your Torture Stake and Keep Following Me”: (10 min.)

  • Mr 8:34​—In order to follow Christ, we must disown ourselves (“let him disown himself” study note on Mr 8:34, nwtsty; w92 8/1 17 ¶14)

  • Mr 8:35-37​—Jesus asks two thought-provoking questions that help us to focus on priorities (w08 10/15 25-26 ¶3-4)

  • Mr 8:38​—Courage is needed to follow Christ (jy 143 ¶4)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mr 7:5-8​—Why was handwashing an issue for the Pharisees? (w16.08 30 ¶1-4)

  • Mr 7:32-35​—How is Jesus’ consideration for this deaf man an example for us? (w00 2/15 17-18 ¶9-11)

  • 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) Mr 7:1-15

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 165-166 ¶6-7

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 51

• Local Needs: (5 min.)

• “Prepare Your Children to Follow Christ”: (10 min.) Discussion.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 19 ¶10-16, box “Who Were the Samaritans?”

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

• Song 60 and Prayer

8:34

Jesus said: “Keep following me.” Therefore, we must endure. How can you strive to do that when it comes to . . .

• prayer?

• study?

• the ministry?

• meeting attendance?

• commenting at meetings?

Nothing brings Christian parents more joy than seeing their child “disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following” Jesus. (Mr 8:34; 3Jo 4) What can parents do to prepare their children to follow Jesus, dedicate their life to Jehovah, and get baptized? What are some indications that children are ready for the important step of baptism?

Read “A Message to Christian Parents” on pages 165-166 of Organized to Do Jehovah’s Will, and then consider the following questions:

1. What is a disciple?

2. What should parents teach their children?

3. In keeping with their age, how should children apply the following scriptures in order to qualify for baptism?

   • Col 3:20

   • Lu 2:46

   • Ps 122:1

   • Mt 4:4

   • Mt 6:33

   • 1Co 15:33

• Song 22 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “A Faith-Strengthening Vision”: (10 min.)

  • Mr 9:1​—Jesus promised that some apostles would see a visionary preview of the Kingdom (w05 1/15 12 ¶9-10)

  • Mr 9:2-6​—Peter, James, and John saw the transfigured Jesus conversing with “Elijah” and “Moses” (w05 1/15 12 ¶11)

  • Mr 9:7​—Jehovah affirmed with his own voice that Jesus is his Son (“a voice” study note on Mr 9:7, nwtsty)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mr 10:6-9​—What principle about marriage did Jesus highlight? (w08 2/15 30 ¶8)

  • Mr 10:17, 18​—Why did Jesus correct a certain man for calling him “Good Teacher”? (“Good Teacher,” “Nobody is good except one, God” study notes on Mr 10:17, 18, 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) Mr 9:1-13

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) w04 5/15 30-31​—Theme: What Is the Meaning of Jesus’ Words Recorded at Mark 10:25?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 131

• “What God Has Yoked Together . . .”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Love and Respect Unites Families.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 20

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

• Song 66 and Prayer

9:1-7

Imagine how Jesus must have felt when he heard his heavenly Father announce during the transfiguration vision that He approved of him. This no doubt fortified Jesus for the suffering he was going to undergo. This vision also made a powerful impression on Peter, James, and John. Jesus was indeed the Messiah, and they were right to listen to him. Some 32 years later, Peter still recalled the experience and how it made “the prophetic word” more sure for him.​—2Pe 1:16-19.

Although we did not personally see this impressive vision, we are witnessing its fulfillment. Jesus is ruling as a powerful King. Soon, he will “complete his conquest,” opening the way for a righteous new world.​—Re 6:2.

How has your faith been strengthened by seeing the fulfillment of Bible prophecy?

The Mosaic Law required a man who was considering divorce to prepare a legal certificate. This served to deter the hasty breakup of marriages. However, in Jesus’ day, religious leaders made divorce easy to obtain. Men could divorce their wives on every sort of grounds. (“certificate of dismissal” study note on Mr 10:4, nwtsty; “divorces his wife,” “commits adultery against her” study notes on Mr 10:11, nwtsty) Jesus called attention to the fact that marriage was authorized and established by Jehovah. (Mr 10:2-12) A husband and wife were to become “one flesh” in a permanent union. The only Scriptural basis for divorce, according to Matthew’s parallel account, is “sexual immorality.”​—Mt 19:9.

Today, many people view marriage, not as Jesus did, but as the Pharisees did. When problems arise, those in the world are quick to divorce. Christian couples, on the other hand, take their marriage vows seriously and strive to overcome difficulties by applying Bible principles. After watching the video Love and Respect Unites Families, answer the following questions:

• 

  How can you apply Proverbs 15:1 in your marriage, and why is this important?

• How can you avoid problems by applying Proverbs 19:11?

• If your marriage is at the breaking point, instead of thinking, ‘Should I get a divorce?’ what questions should you consider?

• How can you be a better husband or wife by applying Matthew 7:12?

• Song 34 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “She Put In More Than All the Others”: (10 min.)

  • Mr 12:41, 42​—Jesus observed a poor widow at the temple treasury chests drop in two small coins of very little value (“treasury chests,” “two small coins,” “of very little value” study notes on Mr 12:41, 42, nwtsty)

  • Mr 12:43​—Jesus appreciated her sacrifice and highlighted it to his disciples (w97 10/15 16-17 ¶16-17)

  • Mr 12:44​—The widow’s contribution was of great value in Jehovah’s eyes (w97 10/15 17 ¶17; w87 12/1 30 ¶1; cl 185 ¶15)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mr 11:17​—Why did Jesus call the temple “a house of prayer for all the nations”? (“a house of prayer for all the nations” study note on Mr 11:17, nwtsty)

  • Mr 11:27, 28​—To what “things” are Jesus’ opposers referring? (jy 244 ¶7)

  • 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) Mr 12:13-27

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 just lost a relative in death.

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

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 118

• Faith in Jehovah Makes It Happen: (15 min.) Play the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 21

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

• Song 98 and Prayer

12:41-44

How does this account teach the following lessons?

• Jehovah appreciates what we do

• Do your best in Jehovah’s service

• Do not compare what you can do with what others can do or with what you were able to do in the past

• The poor should not hold back from giving even if the amount is small

What other lessons did you learn?

• Song 55 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Avoid Becoming Ensnared by Fear of Man”: (10 min.)

  • Mr 14:29, 31​—The apostles did not intend to disown Jesus

  • Mr 14:50​—When Jesus was arrested, all the apostles abandoned him and fled

  • Mr 14:47, 54, 66-72​—Peter had the courage to defend Jesus and follow him at a distance but later denied Jesus three times (ia 200 ¶14; it-2 619 ¶6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Mr 14:51, 52​—Who likely was the young man who got away naked? (w08 2/15 30 ¶6)

  • Mr 14:60-62​—What may have been the reason why Jesus chose to answer the high priest’s question? (jy 287 ¶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) Mr 14:43-59

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) bhs 181-182 ¶17-18

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 73

• “Jehovah Will Help You Be Bold”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 22

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

• Song 81 and Prayer

Why did the apostles give in under pressure?

14:29, 31

• They were overconfident. Peter even felt that he would be more loyal to Jesus than the other apostles would

  

14:32, 37-41

• They did not keep on the watch and pray

  

After Jesus’ resurrection, what helped the repentant apostles to avoid giving in to the fear of man and to preach despite opposition?

13:9-13

• They took to heart Jesus’ warnings and, as a result, were not caught off guard by opposition and persecution

• They relied on Jehovah and prayed.​—Ac 4:24, 29

  

What situations can test our courage?

If you are in school, do you ever feel afraid to identify yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and to give a witness? If so, how can you ‘muster up boldness’ to speak up? (1Th 2:2) What reasons do you have to do so? After watching the video Jehovah Will Help You Be Bold, answer the following questions:

1. 

   What Bible example helped Sophia to muster up boldness?

2. How did Sophia benefit from practice sessions?

3. Why should you witness to your schoolmates?

4. If you are no longer in school, what lessons did this video teach you?