Vegvísir

August

Our Christian Life and Ministry​—Meeting Workbook August 2020

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Our Christian Life and Ministry​—Meeting Workbook August 2020

© 2020 Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    Sample Conversations

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    Moses with his arms stretched out, parting the Red Sea. The Israelites and a vast mixed company of non-Israelites watch in amazement.

    Moses stretches out his hand to divide the Red Sea

    Sample Conversations

    ●○ INITIAL CALL

    Question: Where can we find help to deal with grief?

    Scripture: 2Co 1:3, 4

    Link: What happens to someone who dies?

    ○● RETURN VISIT

    Question: What happens to someone who dies?

    Scripture: Ec 9:5, 10

    Link: What hope do we have for the dead?

      August 3-9

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      August 3-9

      EXODUS 13-14

      • Song 148 and Prayer

      • Opening Comments (1 min.)

      TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

      APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

      LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

        “Stand Firm and See the Salvation of Jehovah”

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        The Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry land. A pillar of fire lights their way.

        TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | EXODUS 13-14

        “Stand Firm and See the Salvation of Jehovah”

        14:13, 14, 21, 22, 26-28

        Jehovah is a caring and considerate Savior. How did he show personal consideration for the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt?

        What confidence can you have as the great tribulation approaches?​—Isa 30:15

          Stand Firm as the End Approaches

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          LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

          Stand Firm as the End Approaches

          WHY IMPORTANT: Awe-inspiring events will soon test our courage and trust in Jehovah as never before. The great tribulation will begin with the destruction of false religion. (Mt 24:21; Re 17:16, 17) During that tumultuous time, we may well deliver a hard-hitting judgment message. (Re 16:21) We will face an attack by Gog of Magog. (Eze 38:10-12, 14-16) In response, Jehovah will bring “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Re 16:14, 16) To strengthen our courage for these future events, we need to stand firm during current tests of faith.

          HOW TO DO IT:

          • Courageously uphold Jehovah’s high moral standards.​—Isa 5:20

          • Continue worshipping with fellow Christians.​—Heb 10:24, 25

          • Readily obey direction from Jehovah’s organization.​—Heb 13:17

          • Meditate on how Jehovah saved his people in the past.​—2Pe 2:9

          • Pray to Jehovah, and trust in him.​—Ps 112:7, 8

          WATCH THE DRAMATIZATION FUTURE EVENTS THAT WILL REQUIRE COURAGE​—EXCERPT, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

          • A scene from the video ‘Future Events That Will Require Courage.’ At the Kingdom Hall, a concerned sister gazes ahead after reading congregation assignments for a pending merger.

            What test of obedience did publishers face when the congregation they attended was merged with other congregations?

          • A scene from the video ‘Future Events That Will Require Courage.’ The same sister discusses the new congregation assignments with two other sisters.

            How are courage and obedience linked?

          • A scene from the video ‘Future Events That Will Require Courage.’ A young boy is worried after meditating on a depiction of Armageddon in the book ‘God’s Kingdom Rules!’

            Why will courage be needed when Armageddon comes?

          • A scene from the video ‘Future Events That Will Require Courage.’ Jehoshaphat and others from Judah arrive at a battlefield to find that not a single opposing soldier is alive.

            Prepare now for future events that will require courage

            What Bible account can help us to strengthen our faith in Jehovah’s saving power?​—2Ch 20:1-24

            August 10-16

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            August 10-16

            EXODUS 15-16

            • Song 149 and Prayer

            • Opening Comments (1 min.)

            TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

            APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

            LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

              Praise Jehovah in Song

              p. 4

              TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | EXODUS 15-16

              Praise Jehovah in Song

              15:1, 2, 11, 18, 20, 21

              Music can have a powerful influence on the mind and body. Singing is an important part of our worship of Jehovah.

              • Moses and a group of Israelites singing a victory song to Jehovah.

                Moses and the Israelites sang praises to Jehovah for their miraculous deliverance at the Red Sea

              • Levites blowing trumpets and singing in worship to Jehovah.

                King David assigned 4,000 men to serve as musicians and singers at the temple

              • Jesus and his faithful apostles singing praises to Jehovah.

                The night before Jesus died, he and his faithful apostles sang praises to Jehovah

              What are some opportunities for me to sing praises to Jehovah?

                Praise Jehovah as a Pioneer

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                A brother reading a scripture to a man at a beach.

                LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

                Praise Jehovah as a Pioneer

                The Israelites had remarkable reasons to praise Jehovah. He had brought them out of Egypt and had rescued them from Pharaoh’s army! (Ex 15:1, 2) Jehovah continues to show goodness to his people. How can we show our gratitude?​—Ps 116:12.

                One way is by serving as an auxiliary or a regular pioneer. You can pray for the desire and the power to serve as a pioneer. (Php 2:13) Many start first as an auxiliary pioneer. You may choose either a 30- or a 50-hour requirement during the months of March and April and during the month of the circuit overseer’s visit. After tasting the joy of serving as an auxiliary pioneer, you may want to reach out to serve as a regular pioneer. Even some who work full-time or who have health limitations have been able to serve as regular pioneers. (mwb16.07 8) Most certainly, Jehovah is worthy of any effort we put forth to praise him!​—1Ch 16:25.

                WATCH THE VIDEO THREE SISTERS IN MONGOLIA, AND THEN ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

                • A scene from the video ‘Three Sisters in Mongolia.’ Undraa, one of the pioneer sisters, prepares to board a bus.

                  What challenges did the three sisters overcome to become pioneers?

                • A scene from the video ‘Three Sisters in Mongolia.’ Oyun, one of the pioneer sisters, works in the dining room at Bethel.

                  What blessings have they experienced?

                • A scene from the video ‘Three Sisters in Mongolia.’ Dorjkhand, one of the pioneer sisters, preaches to a man in the field ministry.

                  What avenues of service opened up as they served as regular pioneers?

                • A scene from the video ‘Three Sisters in Mongolia.’ The three pioneer sisters and their mother.

                  What effect has their example had on others?

                  August 17-23

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                  August 17-23

                  EXODUS 17-18

                  • Song 79 and Prayer

                  • Opening Comments (1 min.)

                  TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

                  APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

                  • Return Visit Video: (5 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: What can we learn from the way that Linda responded to Jamie’s answer regarding the condition of the dead? How did Linda make clear the practical value of the verses?

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

                  • Return Visit: (4 min. or less) Begin with the sample conversation. Then offer the Teach Us book, and start a Bible study in chapter 6. (th study 7)

                  LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

                    Modest Men Train and Delegate

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                    Collage: An experienced elder progressively training a brother to take on greater responsibility in the congregation. 1. The brother holds the microphone as the experienced elder comments at a meeting. 2. The brother accompanies the experienced elder on a shepherding visit. 3. The brother, now an elder, speaks at an elders’ meeting. 4. The new elder conducts the ‘Watchtower’ Study. The experienced elder is the reader.

                    TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | EXODUS 17-18

                    Modest Men Train and Delegate

                    18:17, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25

                    Experienced brothers show modesty, love, and foresight when they train younger ones and then delegate responsibility. How?

                    • Select those who have potential to take on more responsibility

                    • Clearly communicate what is required to complete a task

                    • Provide the funds, tools, or help that is needed

                    • Follow up on progress, and express trust in the student’s ability

                    ASK YOURSELF, ‘What responsibilities can I entrust to others?’

                      August 24-30

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                      August 24-30

                      EXODUS 19-20

                      • Song 88 and Prayer

                      • Opening Comments (1 min.)

                      TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

                      APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

                      LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

                      • Song 91

                      • How Can I Earn More Freedom?: (6 min.) Discussion. Play the whiteboard animation. Then ask young ones in the audience: How can you earn your parents’ trust? What should you do if you make a mistake? Why is honoring your parents vital to earning more freedom?

                      • Honor Your Elderly Parents: (9 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: What challenges may arise as parents get older? Why must family members maintain good communication when deciding what kind of care to provide? How can children honor their parents while providing care?

                      • Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 129, box “Scourging”

                      • Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

                      • Song 13 and Prayer

                        The Ten Commandments and You

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                        Moses standing in front of Mount Sinai, holding the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

                        TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | EXODUS 19-20

                        The Ten Commandments and You

                        20:3-17

                        Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. (Col 2:13, 14) So, then, what purpose do the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Law serve today?

                        • They reveal Jehovah’s viewpoint on certain matters

                        • They highlight our responsibilities toward Jehovah

                        • They define our relationship with our fellowman

                        What do you learn about Jehovah from the Ten Commandments?

                          August 31–September 6

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                          August 31–September 6

                          EXODUS 21-22

                          • Song 141 and Prayer

                          • Opening Comments (1 min.)

                          TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD

                          APPLY YOURSELF TO THE FIELD MINISTRY

                          LIVING AS CHRISTIANS

                          • Song 60

                          • Value Life as God Does: (10 min.) Discussion. Play the video. Then ask the audience: What complications may arise during pregnancy? What bearing does Exodus 21:22, 23 have on the subject of abortion? Why are faith and courage needed to make a decision that pleases Jehovah? How does the resurrection hope provide comfort?

                          • How Dedication Benefits Us: (5 min.) Talk based on the January 15, 2010, Watchtower, page 4, paragraphs 4-7. Encourage Bible students to progress to dedication and baptism.

                          • Congregation Bible Study: (30 min.) jy chap. 130

                          • Concluding Comments (3 min. or less)

                          • Song 15 and Prayer

                            Reflect Jehovah’s View of Life

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                            Collage: 1. A young brother carries the groceries upstairs for an elderly woman. 2. A sister preaches to a woman at a water pump.

                            TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD | EXODUS 21-22

                            Reflect Jehovah’s View of Life

                            21:20, 22, 23, 28, 29

                            Jehovah views life as precious. How can we show that we share his view?

                            How is respect for life related to freedom from bloodguilt?

                            A brother yawning while driving late at night.