●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: What hope is there for our loved ones who have died?

Scripture: Joh 5:28, 29

Link: Why can we trust that Bible promises will come true?

• Song 150 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “God Did Not Give Us a Spirit of Cowardice”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to 2 Timothy.]

  • 2Ti 1:7​—Face trials with “soundness of mind” (w09 5/15 15 ¶9)

  • 2Ti 1:8​—Do not be ashamed of the good news (w03 3/1 9 ¶7)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • 2Ti 2:3, 4​—How do we minimize our involvement in “the commercial businesses of life”? (w17.07 10 ¶13)

  • 2Ti 2:23​—What is one way to “reject foolish and ignorant debates”? (w14 7/15 14 ¶10)

  • 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) 2Ti 1:1-18 (th study 10)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Illustrations That Teach, and then discuss study 8 of the Teaching brochure.

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w14 7/15 13 ¶3-7​—Theme: How Do Jehovah’s People “Renounce Unrighteousness”? (th study 7)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 85

• “Spend Time With Those Who Love Jehovah”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Learn to Reject Bad Association.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 78

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

• Song 126 and Prayer

1:7, 8

We can find strength in the apostle Paul’s inspired words to Timothy. Rather than be ashamed of the good news, we can boldly speak up to defend our faith, even if this requires “suffering adversity.”

In what situations do I need to show courage?

Why should we spend time with those who love Jehovah? Because our associates influence us either positively or negatively. (Pr 13:20) For instance, King Jehoash did “what was right in Jehovah’s eyes” as long as he spent time with High Priest Jehoiada. (2Ch 24:2) After Jehoiada died, Jehoash abandoned Jehovah because of bad association.​—2Ch 24:17-19.

In the first century C.E., the apostle Paul compared the Christian congregation to “a large house” and members of the congregation to “utensils,” or household implements. We remain “an instrument for an honorable use” when we avoid close association with anyone, even a member of our family or the congregation, who does what displeases Jehovah. (2Ti 2:20, 21) Therefore, may we continue to make friends with those who love Jehovah and who encourage us to serve him.

WATCH THE VIDEO LEARN TO REJECT BAD ASSOCIATION, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What are some ways that bad association can enter into our life?

• In the dramatization, what helped three Christians to cut off bad association?

• What Bible principles can help you to choose associates wisely?

• Song 99 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Make Appointments of Elders”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Titus.]

  • Tit 1:5-9​—Circuit overseers appoint as elders those who meet the Scriptural qualifications (w14 11/15 28-29)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Philemon.]

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Tit 1:12​—Why does this text not justify showing ethnic prejudice? (w89 5/15 31 ¶5)

  • Phm 15, 16​—Why did Paul not ask Philemon to grant freedom to Onesimus? (w08 10/15 31 ¶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) Tit 3:1-15 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Play and discuss the video.

• Initial Call: (2 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 3)

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 12)

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then leave a jw.org contact card. (th study 11)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 84

• “Young Ones​—Be ‘Zealous for Fine Works’”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Youths Honoring Jehovah.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 79

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

• Song 127 and Prayer

Tit 1:5-9

Titus was commissioned to “make appointments of elders in city after city.” This Biblical precedent is followed today when circuit overseers make appointments in the congregation.

GOVERNING BODY

Following the first-century pattern, the Governing Body entrusts circuit overseers with the serious responsibility to appoint elders and ministerial servants.

CIRCUIT OVERSEERS

Each circuit overseer must consider carefully and prayerfully the recommendations made by the elders and then appoint the men who qualify.

APPOINTED ELDERS

Even after elders are appointed, they must continue to meet the Scriptural qualifications.

In his inspired letter to Titus, the apostle Paul wrote that younger men, including Titus, should strive to be “an example of fine works in every way.” (Tit 2:6, 7) Later in the same chapter, he indicated that Jehovah’s people are cleansed so that they may be “zealous for fine works.” (Tit 2:14) One of those fine works is to preach and teach about God’s Kingdom. If you are a young one, can you use the strength of your youth to serve as an auxiliary or a regular pioneer?​—Pr 20:29.

If you would like to serve as a pioneer, develop a realistic plan of how you can become one. (Lu 14:28-30) For instance, how will you support yourself financially while serving in the full-time ministry? How will you fulfill the hour requirement? Make your situation a matter of prayer to Jehovah. (Ps 37:5) Discuss your plan with your parents and those who have been successful as pioneers. Then take steps to reach your goal. Jehovah will surely bless your zealous efforts in his service!

WATCH THE VIDEO YOUTHS HONORING JEHOVAH, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What challenges have some overcome to serve as pioneers, and how did they do so?

• How can parents help their children become regular pioneers?

• Why is having a schedule for preaching important?

• How can members of the congregation encourage and help a pioneer?

• What blessings come to those who serve as pioneers?

• Song 35 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Love Righteousness and Hate Lawlessness”: (10 min.)

  • [Play the video Introduction to Hebrews.]

  • Heb 1:8​—Jesus rules with “the scepter of uprightness” (w14 2/15 5 ¶8)

  • Heb 1:9​—Jesus loves righteousness and hates lawlessness (w14 2/15 4-5 ¶7)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Heb 1:3​—Has Jesus always reflected his Father’s likeness to the same degree? (it-1 1185 ¶1)

  • Heb 1:10-12​—Why did the apostle Paul apply Psalm 102:25-27 to Jesus Christ? (it-1 1063 ¶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) Heb 1:1-14 (th study 10)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 4)

• First Return Visit: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Give the householder a meeting invitation, and introduce (but do not play) the video What Happens at a Kingdom Hall? (th study 11)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 121

• Local Needs: (15 min.)

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 80

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

• Song 101 and Prayer

1:9

Jesus loves righteousness and hates anything that would dishonor his Father.

How can we imitate Jesus’ love for righteousness . . .

• 

  when facing immoral temptations?

• 

  when a family member is disfellowshipped?

• Song 5 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Do Your Utmost to Enter Into God’s Rest”: (10 min.)

  • Heb 4:1, 4​—Identify God’s rest day (w11 7/15 24-25 ¶3-5)

  • Heb 4:6​—Be obedient to Jehovah (w11 7/15 25 ¶6)

  • Heb 4:9-11​—Do not follow an independent course (w11 7/15 28 ¶16-17)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Heb 4:12​—What is “the word of God” in this context? (w16.09 13)

  • Heb 6:17, 18​—What are the “two unchangeable things” mentioned in these verses? (it-1 1139 ¶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) Heb 5:1-14 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

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

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 6)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) lvs 228-229 ¶7-8 (th study 12)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 75

• “Good Works That Are Not Forgotten”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Making Yourself Available for Bethel Service.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 81

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

• Song 12 and Prayer

4:11

We can join Jehovah in his rest by working in harmony with his purpose as it is revealed through his organization. We should ask ourselves: ‘What is my attitude when I receive counsel? How do I react when an adjustment in our understanding of the Scriptures is presented?’

What tests of obedience do I face in my life?

All of Jehovah’s people can build a record of good works in sacred service to our God. Like a loving parent who treasures the accomplishments of his children, Jehovah does not forget our work and the love we show for his name. (Mt 6:20; Heb 6:10) Of course, abilities and circumstances vary. Yet, if we do our best in our service to Jehovah, we can rejoice. (Ga 6:4; Col 3:23) Over the years, thousands of brothers and sisters have served at Bethel. Are you able to volunteer for Bethel service? If not, can you encourage someone else to do so or help a Bethel family member to continue serving in this special way?

WATCH THE VIDEO MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE FOR BETHEL SERVICE, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What should be the motivation to serve at Bethel?

• What expressions have some made about the blessings of serving at Bethel?

• What are the qualifications to serve at Bethel?

• How can you apply for Bethel service?