●○○ INITIAL CALL

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: How can we become God’s friends?

Scripture: Joh 17:3

Link: How can we feel close to God since we cannot see him?

• Song 55 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Let the Will of Jehovah Take Place”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 21:8-12​—Fellow Christians begged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem because of the danger that awaited him there (bt 177-178 ¶15-16)

  • Ac 21:13​—Paul remained determined to do Jehovah’s will (bt 178 ¶17)

  • Ac 21:14​—After seeing Paul’s resolve, the brothers stopped objecting (bt 178 ¶18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 21:23, 24​—Why did the elders in Jerusalem give Paul this direction if Christians were no longer under the Mosaic Law? (bt 184-185 ¶10-12)

  • Ac 22:16​—How could Paul’s sins be washed away? (“wash your sins away by your calling on his name” study note on Ac 22:16, 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) Ac 21:1-19 (th study 5)a

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Apply Yourself to Reading and Teaching: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video Effective Introduction, and then discuss study 1 of the Teaching brochure.

• Talk: (5 min. or less) w10 2/1 13 ¶2–14 ¶2​—Theme: Are Christians Required to Keep the Weekly Sabbath? (th study 1)b

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 134

• “Taught by Jehovah to Raise Our Family”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 49

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

• Song 70 and Prayer

21:8-14

Paul felt that holy spirit was leading him to Jerusalem, where trouble awaited him. (Ac 20:22, 23) Therefore, when well-meaning Christians begged him not to go, he replied: “What are you doing by weeping and trying to weaken my resolve?” (Ac 21:13) We never want to dissuade others from pursuing a self-sacrificing course in their service to Jehovah.

What can couples learn from their heavenly Father, Jehovah, that will help them to raise their children successfully? Watch the video Taught by Jehovah to Raise Our Family, and then answer the following questions about Abilio and Ulla Amorim:

• To what extent did their childhood prepare them for raising their own children?

• What pleasant childhood memories did their children have?

• How did Abilio and Ulla try to apply Deuteronomy 6:6, 7?

• Why did they not just dictate laws to their children?

• How did they help their children to build their own future?

• They always encouraged their children to pursue full-time service despite what possible sacrifice? (bt 178 ¶19)

• Song 148 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Accused of Being a Pest and of Stirring Up Seditions”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 23:12, 16​—A plot to murder Paul was foiled (bt 191 ¶5-6)

  • Ac 24:2, 5, 6​—A public speaker named Tertullus made accusations against Paul to the Roman governor (bt 192 ¶10)

  • Ac 24:10-21​—Paul respectfully denied the accusations and boldly gave a witness (bt 193-194 ¶13-14)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 23:6​—Why did Paul call himself a Pharisee? (“I am a Pharisee” study note on Ac 23:6, nwtsty)

  • Ac 24:24, 27​—Who was Drusilla? (“Drusilla” study note on Ac 24:24, 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) Ac 23:1-15 (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 1)

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 2)

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

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• Annual Service Report: (15 min.) Talk by an elder. After reading the announcement from the branch office regarding the annual service report, interview publishers, selected in advance, who had encouraging experiences in the ministry during the past year.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 50

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

• Song 128 and Prayer

23:12, 16; 24:2, 5, 6, 10-21

The Jews in Jerusalem “bound themselves with a curse” in order to kill Paul. (Ac 23:12) However, it was Jehovah’s will that Paul go to Rome to give a witness. (Ac 23:11) Paul’s nephew heard of the plot and reported it, preventing Paul’s premature death. (Ac 23:16) What does this account teach you about . . .

• any attempt made to thwart God’s purpose?

• the means by which God might help us?

• courage?

• Song 73 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Paul Appeals to Caesar and Then Witnesses to King Herod Agrippa”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 25:11​—Paul availed himself of a legal provision and appealed to Caesar (bt 198 ¶6)

  • Ac 26:1-3​—Paul gave a skillful defense before King Herod Agrippa (bt 198-201 ¶10-16)

  • Ac 26:28​—Paul’s words had a profound effect on the king (bt 202 ¶18)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 26:14​—What is a goad? (“kicking against the goads” study note on Ac 26:14, nwtsty; “Goad,” nwtstg)

  • Ac 26:27​—What dilemma did King Agrippa face when Paul asked him if he believed the prophets? (w03 11/15 16-17 ¶14)

  • 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) Ac 25:1-12 (th study 5)

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: (4 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then introduce the Teach Us book. (th study 3)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 38

• “The Legalization of the Work in Quebec”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 51

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

• Song 122 and Prayer

25:11; 26:1-3, 28

Although we need not be anxious about what to say when “brought before governors and kings,” we should be “ready to make a defense” before everyone who demands a reason for our hope. (Mt 10:18-20; 1Pe 3:15) If opposers try to frame “trouble in the name of the law,” how can we imitate Paul’s example?​—Ps 94:20.

• We make use of legal provisions to defend the good news.​—Ac 25:11

• We are respectful when speaking to the authorities.​—Ac 26:2, 3

• If appropriate, we explain how the good news has benefited us and others.​—Ac 26:11-20

When Paul was on trial, he appealed to Caesar. By using his right as a Roman citizen, he set a precedent for us today. Watch the video The Legalization of the Work in Quebec, and learn how our brothers used legal provisions to defend the good news in Quebec. Then answer the following questions:

• What challenges did our brothers in Quebec face?

• What special tract did they distribute, and what was the result?

• What happened to Brother Aimé Boucher?

• How did the Supreme Court of Canada rule in Brother Boucher’s case?

• What rare legal provision did the brothers use, and what was the result?

• What happened after a Christian meeting was interrupted by the police at the instigation of priests?

• Song 129 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (3 min. or less)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Paul Sails for Rome”: (10 min.)

  • Ac 27:23, 24​—An angel told Paul that all those sailing with him would survive the storm (bt 208 ¶15)

  • Ac 28:1, 2​—Paul was shipwrecked on Malta (bt 209 ¶18; 210 ¶21)

  • Ac 28:16, 17​—Paul safely arrived in Rome (bt 213 ¶10)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (8 min.)

  • Ac 27:9​—What was “the fast of Atonement Day”? (“the fast of Atonement Day” study note on Ac 27:9, nwtsty)

  • Ac 28:11​—What is significant about the detail regarding the ship’s figurehead? (“Sons of Zeus” study note on Ac 28:11, 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) Ac 27:1-12 (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 2)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) lvs 165-166 ¶16-17 (th study 3)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 103

• “Paul Thanked God and Took Courage”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video “Iron Sharpens Iron”​—Excerpt. Encourage all to view the video in its entirety.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 52

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

• Song 93 and Prayer

27:23, 24; 28:1, 2, 16, 17

Paul never stopped sharing his faith despite being a prisoner. While on the ship, he witnessed to crew members and fellow passengers. After being shipwrecked on Malta, he no doubt took the opportunity to share the good news with those he healed. Just three days after arriving in Rome, he called together the principal men of the Jews in order to witness to them. And during the two years of his house arrest, he preached to all who visited him.

What can you do to share the good news despite any limitations you may have?

When the congregation in Rome heard that Paul was coming, a delegation of brothers journeyed some 40 miles (64 km) to meet him. How did their self-sacrificing love affect Paul? “On catching sight of them, Paul thanked God and took courage.” (Ac 28:15) Although Paul was known for building up the congregations that he visited, on this occasion when he was a prisoner, he was the one who received encouragement.​—2Co 13:10.

Today circuit overseers travel from congregation to congregation to build up the brothers and sisters. Like all of God’s people, at times they experience tiredness, anxiety, and discouragement. The next time the circuit overseer and his wife serve your congregation, what can you do to help them take courage, so that there is “an interchange of encouragement”?​—Ro 1:11, 12.

• 

  Support the meetings for field service. The circuit overseer is encouraged when publishers make sacrifices to benefit fully from the special week of activity. (1Th 1:2, 3; 2:20) Consider auxiliary pioneering during the month of his visit. Could you offer to work with him and his wife in the ministry or take one of them with you on a Bible study? They enjoy working with different publishers, including those who are new or who lack a measure of skill in the ministry.

• 

  Offer hospitality. Could you offer sleeping accommodations or a meal? This shows the circuit overseer and his wife that you love them. They do not expect anything elaborate.​—Lu 10:38-42.

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  Listen to and apply his direction and counsel. The circuit overseer lovingly helps us to see how we can improve in our service to Jehovah. At times, he may have to give strong counsel. (1Co 5:1-5) It brings him joy when we are obedient and submissive.​—Heb 13:17.

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  Express appreciation. Tell the circuit overseer and his wife how their efforts benefited you. You can do this in person or by means of a note or card.​—Col 3:15.