●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: What are the benefits of maintaining a positive attitude?

Scripture: Pr 17:22

Link: How can a family prosper despite difficulties?

• Song 63 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “An Unnumbered Great Crowd Is Blessed by Jehovah”: (10 min.)

  • Re 7:9​—The “great crowd” stands before Jehovah’s throne (it-1 997 ¶1)

  • Re 7:14​—The great crowd will survive “the great tribulation” (it-2 1127 ¶4)

  • Re 7:15-17​—The great crowd will receive future blessings on earth (it-1 996-997)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Re 7:1​—What do the “four angels standing on the four corners of the earth” and “the four winds” represent? (re 115 ¶4)

  • Re 9:11​—Who is “the angel of the abyss”? (it-1 12)

  • 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) Re 7:1-12 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Warmth and Empathy, and then discuss study 12 of the Teaching brochure.

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w16.01 25-26 ¶12-16​—Theme: Why should we not be troubled by the increase of Memorial partakers in recent years? (th study 6)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 93

• Local Needs: (8 min.)

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

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 93

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

• Song 27 and Prayer

7:9, 14-17

Why does Jehovah bless the great crowd?

• They are “standing before [Jehovah’s] throne,” giving their complete support to Jehovah’s sovereignty

• They wear “white robes,” indicating their clean, righteous standing before Jehovah because of their faith in Christ’s sacrifice

• They render “sacred service day and night,” worshipping Jehovah with consistency and earnest effort

What must I do to be part of the great crowd?

• Song 26 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “‘Two Witnesses’ Are Killed and Brought Back to Life”: (10 min.)

  • Re 11:3​—“Two witnesses” prophesy for 1,260 days (w14 11/15 30)

  • Re 11:7​—They are killed by “the wild beast”

  • Re 11:11​—The “two witnesses” are brought back to life after “the three and a half days”

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Re 10:9, 10​—How was the message given to John both “bitter” and “sweet”? (it-2 880-881)

  • Re 12:1-5​—How were these verses fulfilled? (it-2 187 ¶7-9)

  • 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) Re 10:1-11 (th study 10)

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 6)

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation in an informal setting appropriate to your territory. (th study 3)

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer a publication from our Teaching Toolbox. (th study 9)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 148

• “The Earth ‘Swallowed Up the River’”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Korean Brothers Released From Prison.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 94

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

• Song 47 and Prayer

11:3-11

• “Two witnesses”: The small group of anointed brothers who were taking the lead when God’s Kingdom was established in 1914

• Killed: After preaching for three and a half years “in sackcloth,” they were “killed” when they were imprisoned and forced into inactivity

• Returned to life: At the end of the symbolic three and a half days, they returned to life when they were released from prison and resumed taking the lead in the preaching work

At various times throughout history, secular authorities have helped Jehovah’s people. (Ezr 6:1-12; Es 8:10-13) Even in modern times, we have seen “the earth”​—elements of this system that are more reasonable—​swallow up “the river” of persecution instigated by “the dragon,” Satan the Devil. (Re 12:16) Jehovah, the “God who saves,” may at times move human rulers to provide relief for his people.​—Ps 68:20; Pr 21:1.

What, though, if you are imprisoned because of your faith? Never doubt that Jehovah is watching over you. (Ge 39:21-23; Ps 105:17-20) Be assured that your faith will be rewarded and that your integrity encourages your brothers worldwide.​—Php 1:12-14; Re 2:10.

WATCH THE VIDEO KOREAN BROTHERS RELEASED FROM PRISON, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• Why were thousands of our brothers imprisoned in South Korea over the years?

• What court rulings led to the early release of some of our brothers?

• How can we help our brothers around the world who are currently imprisoned because of their faith?

• How should we use any freedom we currently enjoy?

• Who is ultimately responsible for any court victories we obtain?

• Song 55 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Do Not Fear the Fearsome Beasts”: (10 min.)

  • Re 13:1, 2​—The dragon gives authority to a seven-headed, ten-horned wild beast (w12 6/15 8 ¶6)

  • Re 13:11, 15​—A two-horned wild beast gives life to the image of the first wild beast (re 194 ¶26; 195 ¶30-31)

  • Re 13:16, 17​—Do not accept the mark of the wild beast (w09 2/15 4 ¶2)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Re 16:13, 14​—How will the nations be gathered for “the war of the great day of God the Almighty”? (w09 2/15 4 ¶5)

  • Re 16:21​—What message will we no doubt declare just prior to the end of Satan’s world? (w15 7/15 16 ¶9)

  • 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) Re 16:1-16 (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 2)

• First Return Visit: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then introduce and discuss (but do not play) the video What Happens at a Bible Study? (th study 11)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 21

• Maintain Your Neutrality: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Neutrality in Thought and Action. Then ask the question, How can you remain neutral regarding social issues or governmental policies? Next play the video Maintain Neutrality at Public Events. Then ask the question, How can you prepare for situations that may test your neutral stand?

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 95

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

• Song 131 and Prayer

13:1, 2, 11, 15-17

Understanding the identity of the beasts of Revelation chapter 13 helps us to avoid fearing them or following them with admiration as mankind in general does.

Match each beast with what it represents

BEASTS

POWERS

• The Anglo-American World Power

• The League of Nations and its successor, the United Nations

• Satan the Devil

• All governments opposed to God

• Song 149 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “God’s War to End All Wars”: (10 min.)

  • Re 19:11, 14-16​—Christ Jesus will execute God’s righteous judgment (w08 4/1 8 ¶3-4; it-1 1146 ¶1)

  • Re 19:19, 20​—The wild beast and the false prophet will be destroyed (re 286 ¶24)

  • Re 19:21​—All humans who oppose God’s sovereignty will be destroyed (re 286 ¶25)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Re 17:8​—Explain how “the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present.” (re 247-248 ¶5-6)

  • Re 17:16, 17​—How do we know that false religion will not simply fade away? (w12 6/15 18 ¶17)

  • 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) Re 17:1-11 (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 8)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) jl lesson 8 (th study 13)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 150

• Give Me Courage: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the original song video Give Me Courage. Then discuss the following questions: What situations in life require courage? Which Bible accounts fill you with courage? Who is with us? Conclude the part by inviting all to stand and sing “Give Me Courage” (meetings version).

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 96

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

• Song 136 and Prayer

19:11, 14-16, 19-21

Why did Jehovah, “the God of love and of peace,” assign his Son, the “Prince of Peace,” to fight a war?​—2Co 13:11; Isa 9:6.

• Jehovah and Jesus love righteousness and hate wickedness

• Lasting peace and justice will come only when the wicked are removed

• God’s heavenly army “carries on war in righteousness,” as pictured by the white horses and the white, clean, fine linen

How can we assure our deliverance through this decisive conflict?​—Zep 2:3

• Song 146 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Look! I Am Making All Things New”: (10 min.)

  • Re 21:1​—“The former heaven and the former earth had passed away” (re 301 ¶2)

  • Re 21:3, 4​—“The former things have passed away” (w13 12/1 11 ¶2-4)

  • Re 21:5​—Jehovah’s promise is trustworthy (w03 8/1 12 ¶14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Re 20:5​—In what sense will “the rest of the dead” come to life at the end of the 1,000 years? (it-2 249 ¶2)

  • Re 20:14, 15​—What is “the lake of fire”? (it-2 189-190)

  • 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) Re 20:1-15 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Third Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Choose your own scripture, and give the householder a meeting invitation. (th study 3)

• Third Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Choose your own scripture, and offer a study publication. (th study 9)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) jl lesson 12 (th study 6)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 57

• “Improving Our Skills in the Ministry​—Being Adaptable”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 97

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

• Song 80 and Prayer

21:1-5

Jehovah promises to make all things new.

• “A new heaven”: A new government that will establish righteous conditions on earth

• “A new earth”: A society of people who submit to God’s rulership and live by his righteous standards

• “All things new”: All physical, mental, and emotional suffering will be replaced by the joyous memories of each passing day

WHY IMPORTANT: The anointed and the other sheep invite people of all sorts to “take life’s water free.” (Re 22:17) This symbolic water represents all of Jehovah’s provisions for recovering obedient humans from sin and death. In order to help people who have diverse customs and religious beliefs, we need to present the “everlasting good news” in a way that appeals to them as individuals.​—Re 14:6.

HOW TO DO IT:

• Choose a topic and scripture that will touch the hearts of people in your territory. You might select a sample conversation or pick something that you have used with success. What topics and scriptures are well received? Is there a current news item on the minds of people? What would appeal to a man or a woman?

• Include in your conversation greetings and customs that are common in your area.​—2Co 6:3, 4

• Be familiar with publications and videos in our Teaching Toolbox to share with someone who shows interest

• Download information in the languages of the people you might meet in your territory

• Adjust your topic to meet the needs of the householder. (1Co 9:19-23) For instance, what would you say if you learned that the householder recently lost someone in death?

WATCH THE VIDEO, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• What subject did the publisher begin to discuss with the householder?

• What was happening in the householder’s life?

• Which of the scripture options was best on this occasion, and why?

• How do you adjust your presentation to appeal to people in your territory?