●○○ INITIAL CALL

Question: What is God’s purpose for humans?

Scripture: Ge 1:28

Link: How do we know that God will accomplish his purpose for humans?

○●○ FIRST RETURN VISIT

Question: How do we know that God will accomplish his purpose for humans?

Scripture: Isa 55:11

Link: What will life be like when God fulfills his purpose?

○○● SECOND RETURN VISIT

Question: What will life be like when God fulfills his purpose?

Scripture: Ps 37:10, 11

Link: What must we do to benefit from God’s promises?

MEMORIAL INVITATION CAMPAIGN (March 14–April 7):

“We’re here to invite you to a special event that will be attended by millions of people. It’s the anniversary of Jesus’ death.” Hand the person an invitation. “This invitation shows the time and location of the event in our area. We also invite you to a special talk the weekend before.”

Link When Interest Is Shown: Why did Jesus die?

During the Memorial season each year, many Christians meditate on the two greatest expressions of love ever shown​—those of Jehovah God and of his Son, Jesus Christ. (Joh 3:16; 15:13) Using this chart, you can compare the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ final ministry in Jerusalem. These events are discussed in section 6 of the book Jesus​—The Way, the Truth, the Life. How will the love of God and of Christ motivate you?​—2Co 5:14, 15; 1Jo 4:16, 19.

JESUS’ FINAL MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM

• Song 112 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Jacob and Laban Make a Covenant of Peace”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 31:44-46​—Jacob and Laban made a pile of stones on which the covenant meal was eaten (it-1 883 ¶1)

  • Ge 31:47-50​—They named the place Galeed and the Watchtower (it-2 1172)

  • Ge 31:51-53​—They promised to maintain peace between them

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 31:19​—Why might Rachel have stolen the teraphim statues that belonged to her father? (it-2 1087-1088)

  • Ge 31:41, 42​—What does Jacob’s example teach us about how to react to employers who are “hard to please”? (1Pe 2:18; w13 3/15 21 ¶8)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 31:1-18 (th study 10)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Initial Call Video: (4 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did the sister make the scripture application clear? How did she set up the return visit?

• Initial Call: (3 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Overcome a common objection. (th study 4)

• Initial Call: (5 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer the Good News brochure and start a Bible study, using lesson 5. (th study 8)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 77

• Encourage the Inactive: (20 min. or less) Talk by an elder. Play the video Jehovah Cares for His Sheep. Thereafter, warmly review a few of the points on page 14 of the brochure Return to Jehovah.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 111 ¶1-9

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 146 and Prayer

31:44-53

Why did Jacob and Laban make a pile of stones?

• It served as a witness to all passersby of the covenant of peace that they had made

• It reminded them that Jehovah was watching to see that they kept their covenant of peace

Today, Jehovah expects his people to enjoy peaceful relationships. How will these three actions help us to maintain peace or to restore it?

• Talking it out.​—Mt 5:23, 24

• Forgiving freely.​—Col 3:13

• Being patient.​—Ro 12:21

• Song 21 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “Are You Wrestling for a Blessing?”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 32:24​—Jacob wrestled with an angel (w03 8/15 25 ¶3)

  • Ge 32:25, 26​—Jacob refused to give up until he received a blessing (it-2 190)

  • Ge 32:27, 28​—Jacob was blessed for his perseverance (it-1 1228)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 32:11, 13-15​—How can we imitate Jacob’s diligent efforts to make peace? (w10 6/15 22 ¶10-11)

  • Ge 33:20​—Why did Jacob name an altar “God, the God of Israel”? (it-1 980)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 32:1-21 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• First Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did Elise give an accurate and convincing witness? How did Elise and Morgan cooperate to give a witness?

• First Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 12)

• 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 16)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 35

• “What Is Most Important to Me?”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video Stay Focused on Spiritual Goals.

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 111 ¶10-21

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 150 and Prayer

32:24-28

To receive Jehovah’s blessing, we must exert ourselves to keep Kingdom interests first in our life. (1Co 9:26, 27) Aged Jacob demonstrated the spirit with which we should fulfill our Christian responsibilities. We show that we earnestly seek Jehovah’s blessing by . . .

• Preparing well for congregation meetings

• Participating regularly in the ministry

• Striving to help others in the congregation

No matter how difficult your circumstances may be, pray constantly for Jehovah’s help and seek his blessing on your diligent efforts to serve him.

ASK YOURSELF, ‘In what areas of my life can I put forth greater effort to obtain Jehovah’s blessing?’

Jacob wrestled with an angel for something very important​—Jehovah’s blessing. (Ge 32:24-31; Ho 12:3, 4) What about us? Are we willing to put forth earnest effort to obey Jehovah and obtain his blessing? For instance, if we must choose between attending a congregation meeting and working secularly for a few extra hours, what choice will we make? When we give Jehovah the best of our time, energy, and resources, he pours out on us “a blessing until there is nothing lacking.” (Mal 3:10) He will guide and protect us and care for our needs.​—Mt 6:33; Heb 13:5.

WATCH THE VIDEO DRAMATIZATION STAY FOCUSED ON SPIRITUAL GOALS, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  How was the sister tested by something she loved?

• 

  How could our employment be a test for us?

• 

  Why did Timothy need to keep setting goals even when he was a grown spiritual man?​—1Ti 4:16

• 

  How do we show what our “number one job” is?

• Song 28 and Prayer

• Opening Comments (1 min.)

TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

• “The Tragic Results of Bad Association”: (10 min.)

  • Ge 34:1​—Dinah repeatedly visited the young women of Canaan (w97 2/1 30 ¶4)

  • Ge 34:2​—Shechem violated Dinah (lvs 124 ¶14)

  • Ge 34:7, 25​—Simeon and Levi killed Shechem and every male in his city (w09 9/1 21 ¶1-2)

• Digging for Spiritual Gems: (10 min.)

  • Ge 35:8​—Who was Deborah, and what can we learn from her? (it-1 600 ¶4)

  • Ge 35:22-26​—How do we know that the line leading to the Messiah was not tied to the right of the firstborn? (w17.12 14)

  • What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading would you like to share regarding Jehovah God, the field ministry, or something else?

• Bible Reading: (4 min. or less) Ge 34:1-19 (th study 5)

APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

• Second Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience the following questions: How did Elise make an effort to reach the heart? How can we start a Bible study using the Teach Us book?

• Second Return Visit: (3 min. or less) Use the sample conversation. (th study 13)

• Bible Study: (5 min. or less) fg lesson 4 ¶6-7 (th study 14)

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

• Song 40

• “Get Rid of the Foreign Gods”: (15 min.) Discussion. Play the video “Oppose the Devil.”

• Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 112

• Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

• Song 143 and Prayer

34:1, 2, 7, 25

Although we likely see some good qualities in our neighbors, workmates, or schoolmates, does that mean that they are good associates? What can help us determine if someone is good association or not?

• Will their companionship help me improve my relationship with Jehovah?

• What do their conversations reveal about what is important to them?​—Mt 12:34

ASK YOURSELF, ‘What effect are my associates having on my relationship with Jehovah?’

Jacob knew that Jehovah deserves exclusive devotion, even though He had not yet provided a law against idolatry. (Ex 20:3-5) So after Jehovah told him to return to Bethel, Jacob instructed everyone with him to get rid of their idols. Jacob then disposed of the idols, including earrings, which were possibly worn as amulets. (Ge 35:1-4) No doubt Jehovah was pleased with Jacob’s actions.

In our day, how can we give Jehovah exclusive devotion? We start by avoiding anything connected to idolatry or spiritism. This would include getting rid of any objects related to the occult and examining our entertainment carefully. For instance, ask yourself: ‘Am I entertained by books or movies featuring such things as vampires, zombies, or the supernatural? Does any of my entertainment portray magic, spells, or curses as harmless fun?’ We should stay far away from anything that Jehovah hates.​—Ps 97:10.

WATCH THE VIDEO DRAMATIZATION “OPPOSE THE DEVIL,” AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

• 

  What problem arose in the life of a Bible student named Palesa?

• 

  Why is it wise to seek the help of the elders in cases involving spiritism?

• 

  From what things must those who want Jehovah’s protection completely break free?

• What decisive action did Palesa take?

• Where you live, what are some ways to avoid demon influence?