●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: How does God feel about our suffering?

Scripture: Isa 63:9

Link: What will God do to end our suffering?

• Song 25 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jesus Cares for His Sheep”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 10:1-3, 11, 14​—Jesus, “the fine shepherd,” knows his sheep personally and cares for their needs abundantly (“Sheepfold” media on Joh 10:1, nwtsty; w11 5/15 7-8 ¶5)

  • Joh 10:4, 5​—The sheep know Jesus’ voice, not that of strangers (cf 124-125 ¶17)

  • Joh 10:16​—Jesus’ sheep enjoy unity (“bring in” study note on Joh 10:16, nwtsty)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 9:38​—In what sense did the formerly blind beggar do obeisance to Jesus? (“did obeisance to him” study note on Joh 9:38, nwtsty)

  • Joh 10:22​—What was the Festival of Dedication? (“the Festival of Dedication” study note on Joh 10:22, 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) Joh 9:1-17

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) fg lesson 14 ¶1-2

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 62

• Local Needs: (15 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 37

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

• Song 3 and Prayer

10:1-5, 11, 14, 16

The relationship between a shepherd and his sheep is based on knowledge and trust. Jesus, the Fine Shepherd, knows his sheep personally​—their needs, their weaknesses, and their strengths. The sheep know the shepherd and trust his leadership.

How is Jesus, the Fine Shepherd, . . .

• gathering his sheep?

• guiding his sheep?

• protecting his sheep?

• feeding his sheep?

• Song 16 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Imitate Jesus’ Compassion”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 11:23-26​—Jesus offered words of comfort to Martha (“I know he will rise” study note on Joh 11:24, nwtsty; “I am the resurrection and the life” study note on Joh 11:25, nwtsty)

  • Joh 11:33-35​—Jesus felt intense emotions when he saw Mary and others weeping (“weeping,” “groaned . . . and became troubled,” “within himself” study notes on Joh 11:33, nwtsty; “gave way to tears” study note on Joh 11:35, nwtsty)

  • Joh 11:43, 44​—Jesus took action to help those in need

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 11:49​—Who appointed Caiaphas as high priest, and for how long did he hold this office? (“high priest” study note on Joh 11:49, nwtsty)

  • Joh 12:42​—Why were some Jews afraid to acknowledge Jesus as the Christ? (“the rulers,” “expelled from the synagogue” study notes on Joh 12:42, 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) Joh 12:35-50

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) w13 9/15 32​—Theme: Why Did Jesus Give Way to Tears Prior to the Resurrection of Lazarus?

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 141

• Jesus Is “the Resurrection and the Life” (Joh 11:25): (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video ‘For a Certainty God Made Him Lord and Christ’​—Part II, Excerpt. Then ask the audience the following questions: What does this account teach us about Jesus’ compassion? In what way is Jesus “the resurrection and the life”? What miracles will Jesus perform in the future?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 38

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

• Song 147 and Prayer

11:23-26, 33-35, 43, 44

What made Jesus’ compassion and empathy so remarkable?

• Although he did not experience all the circumstances of others, Jesus put himself in their place and felt their pain

• He was not ashamed to show his emotions openly

• He took the initiative to help those in need

• Song 100 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “I Set the Pattern for You”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 13:5​—Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (“wash the feet of the disciples” study note on Joh 13:5, nwtsty)

  • Joh 13:12-14​—The disciples were under obligation to “wash the feet of one another” (“should” study note on Joh 13:14, nwtsty)

  • Joh 13:15​—All of Jesus’ disciples must follow his pattern of humility (w99 3/1 31 ¶1)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 14:6​—How is Jesus “the way and the truth and the life”? (“I am the way and the truth and the life” study note on Joh 14:6, nwtsty)

  • Joh 14:12​—How would those who exercise faith in Jesus “do works greater” than he did? (“works greater than these” study note on Joh 14:12, 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) Joh 13:1-17

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

• 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 114

• “Love Identifies True Christians​—Reject Selfishness and Provocation”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video “Have Love Among Yourselves”​—Reject Selfishness and Provocation. As time allows, consider the box “Bible Example for Meditation.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 39

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

• Song 120 and Prayer

13:5, 12-15

By washing the feet of his apostles, Jesus taught them to be humble and to perform lowly tasks in behalf of their brothers.

How can I show humility when . . .

• 

  disputes, or disagreements, arise?

• 

  I receive counsel or correction?

• 

  the Kingdom Hall needs cleaning or maintenance?

WHY IMPORTANT: Jesus taught that love would identify his disciples. (Joh 13:34, 35) To display Christlike love, we must look out for the interests of others and avoid becoming provoked.​—1Co 13:5.

HOW TO DO IT:

• When someone says or does something hurtful, pause and analyze the cause of the problem and the consequences of your intended action.​—Pr 19:11

• Remember that we are all imperfect, and at times we say or do things that we later regret

• Resolve differences promptly

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—REJECT SELFISHNESS AND PROVOCATION, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• How did Larry overreact to Tom’s suggestion?

• How did pausing to reflect help Tom to avoid provocation?

• How did Tom’s mild reply diffuse the tense situation?

• Song 129 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “You Are No Part of the World”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 15:19​—Jesus’ followers are “no part of the world” (“world” study note on Joh 15:19, nwtsty)

  • Joh 15:21​—Jesus’ followers are hated on account of his name (“on account of my name” study note on Joh 15:21, nwtsty)

  • Joh 16:33​—Jesus’ followers can conquer the world in imitation of him (it-1 516)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 17:21-23​—In what sense were Jesus’ followers to be “one”? (“one” study note on Joh 17:21, nwtsty; “be perfected into one” study note on Joh 17:23, nwtsty)

  • Joh 17:24​—What is “the founding of the world”? (“founding of the world” study note on Joh 17:24, 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) Joh 17:1-14

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) fg lesson 14 ¶3-4

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 101

• “Love Identifies True Christians​—Protect Precious Unity”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video “Have Love Among Yourselves”​—Do Not Keep Account of the Injury. As time allows, consider the box “Bible Example for Meditation.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 40

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

• Song 106 and Prayer

15:19, 21; 16:33

• Jesus conquered the world by not becoming like it in any respect

• Jesus’ followers would need courage to remain undefiled by the attitudes and actions of the people in the world around them

• Meditating on Jesus’ example as a conqueror can give us the courage we need to imitate him

WHY IMPORTANT: On the night before his death, Jesus prayed that his disciples would “be completely unified.” (Joh 17:23, ftn.) To remain united, we must display love, which “does not keep account of the injury.”​—1Co 13:5.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Imitate Jehovah by looking for the good in others

• Forgive freely

• After resolving a matter, do not bring it up again.​—Pr 17:9

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—DO NOT KEEP ACCOUNT OF THE INJURY, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• In the first part of the video, how did Helen indicate that she was ‘keeping account of the injury’?

• In the second part of the video, how did Helen overcome her negative thinking and develop a positive viewpoint?

• Ultimately, how did Helen add to the unity of the congregation?

• Song 54 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jesus Bore Witness to the Truth”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 18:36​—The truth focuses on the Messianic Kingdom

  • Joh 18:37​—Jesus bore witness to the truth regarding God’s purposes (“bear witness to,” “the truth” study notes on Joh 18:37, nwtsty)

  • Joh 18:38a​—Pilate apparently scoffed at the existence of truth in general (“What is truth?” study note on Joh 18:38a, nwtsty)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 19:30​—What does it mean that Jesus “gave up his spirit”? (“he gave up his spirit” study note on Joh 19:30, nwtsty)

  • Joh 19:31​—What evidence indicates that Jesus died on Nisan 14, 33 C.E.? (“that Sabbath day was a great one” study note on Joh 19:31, 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) Joh 18:1-14

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then show the householder jw.org.

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

• Bible Study: (6 min. or less) fg lesson 14 ¶6-7

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 46

• “Love Identifies True Christians​—Rejoice With the Truth”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video “Have Love Among Yourselves”​—Rejoice, Not Over Unrighteousness, But With the Truth. As time allows, consider the box “Bible Example for Meditation.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 41

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

• Song 32 and Prayer

18:36-38a

Jesus bore witness to the truth regarding God’s purposes

• IN WORD: He zealously preached the truth about God’s Kingdom

• IN DEED: His life course proved God’s prophetic word to be true

As Jesus’ disciples, we too bear witness to the truth

• IN WORD: We zealously preach the good news of God’s established Kingdom with Christ as King, even in the face of ridicule

• IN DEED: We show by our strict neutrality and godly conduct that we support Jesus’ kingship

WHY IMPORTANT: In imitation of Jesus, we must bear witness to the truth regarding God’s purposes. (Joh 18:37) We must also rejoice with the truth, speak the truth, and consider whatever things are true, despite living in a world full of falsehood and unrighteousness.​—1Co 13:6; Php 4:8.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Be determined not to listen to or spread harmful gossip.​—1Th 4:11

• Do not rejoice over another’s calamity

• Take delight in positive, encouraging things

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—REJOICE, NOT OVER UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, BUT WITH THE TRUTH, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• In what sense did Debbie “rejoice over unrighteousness”?

• How did Alice steer the conversation with Debbie in a positive direction?

• What are some of the good things that we can talk about?