●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: How do we know that God understands us?

Scripture: Ps 139:1, 2, 4

Link: How can God’s care benefit us?

• Song 13 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jesus Performs His First Miracle”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to John.]

  • Joh 2:1-3​—A potentially embarrassing situation developed at a marriage feast (w15 6/15 4 ¶3)

  • Joh 2:4-11​—Jesus’ actions strengthened the faith of his disciples (jy 41 ¶6)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 1:1​—What reasons are there for saying that John did not mean that “the Word” was the same as Almighty God? (“the Word,” “with,” “the Word was a god” study notes on Joh 1:1, nwtsty)

  • Joh 1:29​—Why did John the Baptist call Jesus “the Lamb of God”? (“the Lamb of God” study note on Joh 1:29, 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 1:1-18

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 50, Truth 2

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 38

• Local Needs: (8 min.)

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

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 35 ¶12-19

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

• Song 121 and Prayer

2:1-11

Jesus’ first miracle gives us insight into his personality. How does this Bible account teach the following?

• Jesus had a balanced view of pleasures, and he enjoyed life and happy times with his friends

• Jesus cared about people’s feelings

• Jesus was generous

• Song 57 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jesus Witnesses to a Samaritan Woman”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 4:6, 7​—Although tired, Jesus took the initiative to speak to a Samaritan woman (“tired out as he was” study note on Joh 4:6, nwtsty)

  • Joh 4:21-24​—Jesus’ informal conversation led to a great witness

  • Joh 4:39-41​—As a result of Jesus’ efforts, many Samaritans put faith in him

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 3:29​—How are we to understand this verse? (“the friend of the bridegroom” study note on Joh 3:29, nwtsty)

  • Joh 4:10​—How might the Samaritan woman have understood Jesus’ expression “living water,” but what was Jesus referring to? (“living water” study note on Joh 4:10, 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 4:1-15

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) wp16.2 9 ¶1-4​—Theme: John 4:23 Explained.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Starting Conversations That Can Lead to a Witness”: (15 min.) Discussion. Conclude by encouraging everyone to try to start at least one conversation during the week. At the next midweek meeting, publishers will have the opportunity to relate their experiences.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 35 ¶20-27, box “Teaching by Repetition”

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

• Song 35 and Prayer

4:6-26, 39-41

What enabled Jesus to witness informally?

• 4:7​—He started the conversation by asking for a drink of water rather than by talking about the Kingdom or identifying himself as the Messiah

• 4:9​—He did not prejudge the Samaritan woman on the basis of her race

• 4:9, 12​—When she raised points that were potentially controversial, he kept the conversation on track.​—cf 77 ¶3

• 4:10​—He opened with an illustration taken from the woman’s daily life

• 4:16-19​—Although she was living immorally, Jesus treated her with dignity

How does this account illustrate the importance of witnessing informally?

Jesus was able to witness informally to a Samaritan woman because he started a conversation with her. How can we improve our skills at starting conversations with strangers?

• Be friendly and speak to people. Although tired, Jesus started his conversation by simply asking for a drink. So you can begin with a warm greeting and then perhaps comment on the weather or a current event. Remember, the initial goal is just to start a conversation, so talk about any subject that might be of interest to the person. If he or she does not respond, nothing is lost. Try again with someone else. Ask Jehovah for courage.​—Ne 2:4; Ac 4:29.

• Be alert for an opportunity to introduce the good news, but do not be in a hurry. Allow the conversation to develop naturally. If you force matters, the person may become uneasy and stop conversing. Do not be disappointed if the conversation ends before you can give a witness. If the idea of trying to introduce the good news intimidates you, practice starting conversations without the goal of giving a witness. [Play and discuss video 1.]

• Try creating an opportunity for a witness by making a heartfelt statement about your faith that might prompt the listener to ask for an explanation. Jesus made intriguing statements that moved the woman to ask questions. When he eventually introduced the good news, he was merely answering her questions. [Play and discuss video 2, and then play and discuss video 3.]

• Song 2 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Follow Jesus With the Right Motive”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 6:9-11​—Jesus miraculously fed a large crowd (“the men sat down there, about 5,000 in number” study note on Joh 6:10, nwtsty)

  • Joh 6:14, 24​—The people concluded that Jesus was the Messiah and looked for him the next day (“the Prophet” study note on Joh 6:14, nwtsty)

  • Joh 6:25-27, 54, 60, 66-69​—Because the people had the wrong motive for associating with Jesus and his disciples, they stumbled at his words (“food that perishes . . . food that remains for everlasting life” study note on Joh 6:27, nwtsty; “feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood” study note on Joh 6:54, nwtsty; w05 9/1 21 ¶13-14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 6:44​—How does the Father draw people to himself? (“draws him” study note on Joh 6:44, nwtsty)

  • Joh 6:64​—In what sense did Jesus know “from the beginning” that Judas would betray him? (“Jesus knew . . . the one who would betray him,” “from the beginning” study notes on Joh 6:64, 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 6:41-59

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 a Christian.

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

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 31

• How Did You Do?: (5 min.) Discussion. Invite the audience to relate experiences that resulted from trying to start conversations that led to a witness.

• “Nothing Was Wasted”: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Eco-Friendly Design Brings Honor to Jehovah​—Excerpt.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 35 ¶28-36

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

• Song 89 and Prayer

6:9-11, 25-27, 54, 66-69

When Jesus gave an illustration that the disciples found difficult to understand, some were stumbled and would no longer walk with him. Just one day earlier, Jesus had fed them miraculously, confirming that his power was from God. So why did they stumble? Apparently, their motive for following Jesus was selfish. They were associating with Jesus for material advantage.

Each of us should ask himself: ‘Why do I follow Jesus? Is it primarily because of current and future blessings? Or is it because I love Jehovah and want to please him?’

Why might we be stumbled if we primarily serve Jehovah for the following reasons?

• We enjoy being with God’s people

• We want to live in Paradise

After Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 men plus women and children, he instructed his disciples: “Gather together the fragments left over, so that nothing is wasted.” (Joh 6:12) Jesus showed appreciation for Jehovah’s provisions by not wasting them.

In modern times, the Governing Body strives to imitate Jesus by making wise use of dedicated resources. For example, when building world headquarters in Warwick, New York, the brothers chose designs that allowed for the best use of donated funds.

HOW CAN WE AVOID WASTE . . .

• 

  when we are at Christian meetings?

• 

  when we obtain publications for our personal use? (km 5/09 3 ¶4)

• 

  when we pick up literature items for use in the ministry? (mwb17.02 “Make Wise Use of Bible Literature” ¶1)

• 

  when we share in the ministry? (mwb17.02 “Make Wise Use of Bible Literature” ¶2 and the box)

• Song 12 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jesus Glorified His Father”: (10 min.)

  • Joh 7:15-18​—When Jesus was praised for his teaching, he gave credit to Jehovah (cf 100-101 ¶5-6)

  • Joh 7:28, 29​—Jesus said that he was sent as God’s representative, which indicated his subjection to Jehovah

  • Joh 8:29​—Jesus told his listeners that he always did the things pleasing to Jehovah (w11 3/15 11 ¶19)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Joh 7:8-10​—Did Jesus lie to his unbelieving fleshly brothers? (w07 2/1 6 ¶4)

  • Joh 8:58​—What basis is there for rendering the last expression of this verse “I have been” instead of “I am,” and why is this important? (“I have been” study note on Joh 8:58, 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 8:31-47

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 9-10 ¶10-11

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 103

• “Demonstrate Christlike Humility and Modesty”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play each video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 36

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

• Song 119 and Prayer

7:15-18, 28, 29; 8:29

In all that he said and did, Jesus glorified his heavenly Father. Jesus wanted people to know that his message came from God. So he made the Scriptures the basis for his teaching and frequently quoted from them. When praised, Jesus deflected the acclaim from himself and directed it to Jehovah. His primary concern was to accomplish the work Jehovah had given him to do.​—Joh 17:4.

How can we imitate Jesus when . . .

• teaching on a Bible study or from the platform?

• praised by others?

• deciding how to spend our time?

Even though Jesus was the greatest man who ever lived, he showed humility and modesty by glorifying Jehovah. (Joh 7:16-18) On the other hand, Satan became the Devil, which means “Slanderer.” (Joh 8:44) Satan’s attitude was manifested by the Pharisees, whose pride caused them to belittle anyone who showed faith in the Messiah. (Joh 7:45-49) How can we imitate Jesus when we receive privileges or responsibilities in the congregation?

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—AVOID JEALOUSY AND BRAGGING, PART 1, AND THEN DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:

• 

  How did Alex manifest pride?

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—AVOID JEALOUSY AND BRAGGING, PART 2, AND THEN DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:

• 

  How did Alex manifest humility?

  How did Alex encourage Bill and Carl?

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—REPUDIATE PRIDE AND INDECENCY, PART 1, AND THEN DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:

• 

  How did Brother Harris fail to demonstrate modesty?

WATCH THE VIDEO “HAVE LOVE AMONG YOURSELVES”​—REPUDIATE PRIDE AND INDECENCY, PART 2, AND THEN DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING:

• 

  How did Brother Harris demonstrate modesty?

  What did Brother Harris’ example teach Faye?